Oggy Rally 2011
9 - 11 September 2011
| Photo Gallery |
When Pete Lambourn became President of England XIV, one of his ambitions was to succeed in a bid to bring the UKIC Rally to The West Country. This year his wish was to come to fruition as the Oggy Rally took shape, taking its title from the Devon name for a pasty!
On Friday 9th September, 160 Knights and ladies descended upon Barnstaple from 12 English Chapters, Wales 1, Ireland 1, Belgium 6 and 9, Germany 8, Iowa 3 and the International President Bob Flanagan and wife Connie, herself a Past International President, from Ohio 17, hosted by the UKIC rep’ Pony Moore. 120 were staying at the Barnstaple Hotel, the original venue but overflow of 28 to the Park Hotel and 12 to the Royal and Fortescue Hotels in the town, both part of the same hotel group, after late enquiries and bookings swelled numbers. Cookie had done his usual brilliant job of advertising the event on the Chapter web-site.
As visitors arrived they were greeted by Chapter members, given a “goody bag” and treated to a mini oggy and cider to introduce them to the ways of the West Country! An escort was provided by Pat, for those in the satellite hotels, 5 mins from The Barnstaple, which itself proved to be a brilliant venue, with attentive staff, great food, good rooms, internal and external swimming pools and a fitness suite, for those with excess energy! Chapter memorabilia was on sale in the foyer, as were items from the Devon Air Ambulance Trust who were to be one of the beneficiaries of rally profits, along with COPS, a Charity always close to our hearts.
Meetings of the BK Members, UKIC and Presidents were completed before all were refreshed for the first meal of the Rally, a relatively informal three course job, served between 7 and 9pm, consisting of a choice of served starter, carvery main and self service choice of dessert. Quality and quantity were excellent, as proved to be the case throughout the weekend. Those in satellite hotels were there on a B and B basis, evening meals being taken at The Barnstaple, where we could all be together. During the evening a 100 Squares board and commencement of a Brandy bottle raffle took place, the latter to be completed the following evening. Old friendships were renewed and new ones cemented, reminding one of the BK motto of “There are no strangers within the Knights, just friends you haven’t met”.
The following morning after a hearty breakfast, those wishing to participate assembled for the arranged rideouts. Originally three, the number had decreased to two, the average weather and possible long rides to attend the rally perhaps discouraging some from getting back on their bikes so soon. One planned by Taff Greening with myself as tail end Charlie was shelved and we split to attend those of Cookie with Shane Dick as back-up (Exmoor/Dartmoor) and Matt Townrow with Glynn Kettleborough.(North Cornwall coast ‘ish)
Showers were predicted and experienced, to a greater or lesser degree, but more of that to come.
Cookies ride was to be the longest and had 11 bikes participating including four pillions. It could have been titled “The Pan Owners Club Run” as 8 of the bikes were Pans of varying vintages including two, one of either model, from Germany. The ride took in many scenic roads and villages, passing over Exmoor initially, through Simonsbath and Dulverton to a coffee stop at the Exeter Inn at Bampton, where we were well looked after. Continuing on, passing through Tiverton, Crediton, Moretonhampstead, Bovey Tracey, onto Dartmoor at Haytor, Widdecombe (a little early for the Fayre, so didn’t see Uncle Tom Cobbly and all etc!) and on to a lunch stop at the Badgers Holt café for a cream tea (its European Law ! Had to be done!) The ride was striking for the variety of animals seen en-route, including ponies, cattle and sheep on the moors, birds of prey circling overhead (or were they vultures waiting for a rider to succumb to the weather!) and even a full pack of hounds out for exercise with their traditionally turned out masters, no doubt hoping to accidentally stumble across a fox (No bias there then). The time of year was also evident with Autumn colours appearing in the trees. We experienced showers and bursts of sunshine, wind, mud, wet leaves in the centre of the road and even a small ford, John likes to keep everyone entertained and on their toes!
The second ride, Captained alternately by Matt Townrow and Glynn Kettleborough led some of the members to Boscastle and Tintagel before going on to Dartmoor. The weather was it’s usual changeable self and many riders were unsure whether to don the waterproofs. The ride started by fuelling up, as some of the members, including the Ride Captain Matt T had low tanks. The ride went along the Atlantic Highway, up hill and down dale, taking in the north Devon and Cornwall coast until dropping into Boscastle. In August 2004, the village suffered extensive flash flooding, trapping people in buildings and on top of cars. Six Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Helicopters worked tirelessly to save the residents. Due to this effort, no-one lost their life.
From Boscastle it was a short ride to Tintagel, which is said to be the home of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. There was a stop off of about an hour, for our visitors to grab a cream tea and look around the shops. As soon as everyone had come back to put the helmets back on, the heavens opened. Glynn led the ride across the countryside, through Launceston and into Tavistock. One more fuel stop and then back onto the moor to Princetown, where the two rides met up at Dartmoor Prison at 1400, both arriving at not too far adrift of that time. Weather was very wet, windy and misty and could have come straight from an old black and white film about the isolated prison. Photos were taken outside the main gate with spirits not too dampened if the banter was anything to go by.
The rides amalgamated for the return to Barnstaple with Taff Greening leading on his Suzuki Burgman scooter (with Hyabusa engine I reckon!) and Cookie bringing up the rear. With the large number involved, the “second man drop off “ route guidance system seemed to work, even for those for whom it was a new experience.
On arrival back at the Hotel there was time for a drink and shower before dinner at 1900, consisting of self serve starter with a large variety of dishes, carvery main and choice of delicious, self serve dessert plus coffee. The staff and chefs excelled once again. A further “100 board” and completion of the “raffle” of the brandy took place, as well as a proper raffle of many small donated prizes, followed the meal. Chapter President Pete, and International President Bob presented representatives of visiting Chapters with engraved glasses and pennants as momentos. Bob also received his own gift and Hotel Manager Becky a bouquet. Chapter member Charlie Han provided a very professional disco and I believe a little socialising and embibing may have followed!
The following morning a further good breakfast for those with the stomach for it preceeded an assembly at 0900 in front of the Hotel to commemorate and remember those who died in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in New York, ten years previously on the 11th of September, or 9/11 as it has become known. Bikes were started, then turned off at 0911, for a minutes silence. A sobering and emotional experience.
Many goodbyes were said as those who had enjoyed the weekend headed off in their various directions, for home.
Looking back, the weather could have been kinder but I don’t think it spoiled the occasion for anyone. We are all hardy bikers after all! A meeting of so many friends was a marvellous experience. I’m sure I was not the only one to hear comments along the lines of “its been the best rally I’ve been to” or similar.
Well done Pete for coming up with the idea and all the effort put into organising, along with Glynn and Cookie and their wives of course, Kath, Ruth and Tina. Other members attending and assisting were Matt Townrow, Aaron Bevan, Brendan Brookshaw, Shane Dick, Kev Adamson, Taff Greening, Charlie Han, John Rolfe, Simon and Claire Anderson and wives/partners. Great to see you all.
Donations are to be made from the Rally to Devon Air Ambulance and COPS.
Pat Sturman
Chapter Editor
| Photo Gallery |