Reckless Few 2006

It's fairly obvious that this is gonna be a strange year for rallies! First it was "who's all goin'?", everybody was the reply, but in the end, through various changes in circumstances, only 6 of us made it up to this rally. As always, there was a cock up in the planning stage... Big Chris said, getting a Tat done at 13:00 so should be ready to roll by 15:00. Spoke to Big Barney Bri and arranged to meet him in Inverhoorie at 15:00, and that we would meet Chris in Ellon at about half past. By 17:00 we were getting board, so I phoned Chris... "Where are ya?", "Still in the Bronx", "Bollox (add multiple sweary words)", "We'll meet you at the site!".

Off we go, arrive, park up, set up! Chris Arrives, setup, go to the pub. Now about this point it should be noted that Baldy Bob (me!) decides not to get totally bladdered this year on the Friday, as I intended playing on the bike on Saturday, and shockingly the plan worked not too bad as you will see from some of the photos! Before we managed to neck our third drink, the rest of the crew arrived in the shape of Mandy, Buddha and the Vixon! Not long after that, our man the Snake turned up on his new Busa (pic below). Few more necked drinkies then off to the hall!

The band on Friday night were called Roguestar they looked young but played a fairly good mix of rock and metal, and a conversation the next day suggested that they had been on the go for the better part of 8 years.

So the crew firmly planted in the hall, the serious business of necking drinks and partying got underway. Given that the weather was reasonably warm, this is the first Rally I have been at where the smoking ban was all too evident, with half the partiers being "oot fer a smoke" at any given time. (This was even worse on the Saturday) The Reckless is a rally I really enjoy coz it is so damn relaxed, but it is disappointing that so few people turned out this year. Hopefully people will learn and this rally should be firmly on the must do list for anyone in the north of Scotland (God's own country - if you prefer) .

Things were going swimmingly, apart from Many's Tumbler Tower collapsing (picture missed but still looking for the video Chris). As most parties come to an end, people tend to trail off to their tents and grab some much needed sleep - not us! A few more drinks in the hall until Carol (recipient of the Paul Todd Trophy for services to the club) from the Reckless Few evicted us, then a few more drinks at the tents before retiring about 3AM, though Buddha and Big Barney Bri continued for another hour or so!

Saturday's plan took a hit straight off - head trying to expand to fast and feeling all broken inside. A few coffee's and a wee safety sleep helped then had to go fuel up.

5th June is a special day for the Reckless Few, and unfortunately not a good day. On this day 2001, Paul Todd a very popular and well respected member of the club was killed in an RTA. It has become somewhat of a tradition to have a run to Paul's grave on the Saturday of the Rally, to allow the club to pay their respects, and this year myself and Chris were determined to make it (previous years we knew very little about the club and were too pissed to ride). I am glad we did because I found it both emotional and strangely comforting to know that some bike clubs still retain the loyalty and respect that all bike clubs should have.

The run completed, and some small talk over, Chris and I headed over to Snake's place to scrounge a bacon roll, then off fer a wee run to a village called Pennan. This is the village made famous by the film Local Hero, and more specifically its phone box. The reason we headed there is nothing to with the film or the fame, but the road from New Aberdour to Pennan and on to MacDuff is seriously fun, but probably a little scary on the Gold Wing (Sorry Chirs!)

Back to the site fer some grub, pub and off to the hall. Saturday's band were The Cleveland Steamers. A band that F3 know and have enjoyed previously, and Saturday was to be no different. Great mix of tunes, well played and the band mostly looked like they were enjoying themselves. Once again, F3 were accused of ruining the raffle by winning just about everything, but given the number of tickets we purchased a win was always on the cards.

After the raffle, a special announcement was made regarding Brian and Mandy's Silver anniversary - I told ya Mandy, if ye had only topped the bugger you would be out by now!!!

That about covers my vague and rambling memories of yet another rally, so next time somebody take notes for a change. There are a couple of videos available for the brave:

Roguestar

Quo dancers

You might need quicktime for these:

Mandy Tower start

Mandy Tower end

A great weekend and thanks to the Reckless Few for a great party!