John Bull Rally

Midday today some six or so BSAs will assemble here: it’s necessary to leave plenty of time to get to Hull – a 2 hour journey in the car – to allow for breakdowns – last year it was us, pouring rain, dodgy battery and a long stay in a layby to swap with one from another bike which did, or did not, have a magneto, apparently. Of those travelling with us today, three tie for the sexiest voice but the one who wins the best bum award, and who I was hoping to get to know better – a man of many multi- and contradictory layers - has pulled out at the last minute.

The queue at Hull will contain forty or fifty bikes – they always put us at the front but often load us last – and the risky ride up the greasy metal ramps to the narrow galleried mezzanine deck, overlooking caravans and trucks where they park us two by two and expect us to scramble to tie up in hot, restricted spaces is reminiscent of a cattle truck – we deserve the beer we head for once riding gear and helmets have been exchanged for something more comfortable - departure is not until nine.

Tomorrow from Zeebrugge - cross country if not wet to avoid motorways – not necessary for old British bikes – for about fifty miles, frequently stopping so as not to arrive before the organisers: a couple of years ago we had to spend the afternoon in an eccentric, sleepy Belgian bar where locals laughed at us and all defied the ‘no smoking’ sign – even the barmaid.

So – two nights in a bunkhouse – I am assured there’ll be plenty of space and it won’t be cheek by jowl, so to speak – with dozens of other bikers – being the John Bull rally only the bikes are British, they’ll be ridden by Germans, Dutch, Danes, Swedes, the idea being to not have to take tent etc. since the bike is already well loaded with spares and tools I am allowed one book and have sneaked a small exercise book in too. Belgian beers, like bikers, are myriad and interesting – too many (beers) means frequent loo trips all through the night so wine might be a wiser choice; we leave Sunday morning for a slow trip back, overnight to Hull and, bike willing (though the AA has been helpful in the past) we’ll be home by midday Monday.