National rally disaster

[squirrelciv]

Dolly and I failed to complete the National rally On our way to our 3rd checkpoint, a previously patched punture gave out, resulting in a 1" split in the tube. the patch had been there for some 15-20k, and had been long forgotten. Looking for the good in the situation, I was glad it went while I was on a straight road in a 30mph limit and not 2 miles earlier, when I was the wrong side of 60mph, chucking the old girl through some very lurvly bends Sadly, when Mr AA arrived, we were too late to get a replacement tube and the only safe option was a recovery vehicle home. I had all the kit for a repair, but patching a 1" split just wasn't an option.

Always one to see the good in a bad situation, I'd managed to breakdown 50yrds from a very nice pub showing the footie The results weren't as hoped for, but my philosophical mood was being buoyed by several pints of local ale and a bar jammed with totty (sorry ladies, but I'm a boy and it's what we do. Millions of years of evolution made me this way, so who am I to fight it )

Another pleasing aspect of the experience was the chaps who stopped to help. Several toy riders passed by, but some very nice genuine bikers stopped to offer help and just to keep me company till Mr AA arrived. One even offered me his spare bike (a VFR) to complete the rally on How generous is that! One guy rode a very personal BSA rocket3 that was obviously his pride and joy. His parting gift was a rideby with the BSA wound to the throttle stops. What a sound Worth the breakdown

AA picked us up at 10:30ish, by which time I was feeling quite relaxed thanks to the local brew, and in the company of several fellow England supporters who, like me, were doing a nice job of drowning our sorrows. 1am home and to bed.

Didn't do the rally, but had a very pleasant afternoon/evening all the same. Met some great guys (and greater looking gals ) Had a bit of a ride, watched the footie, nice meal out and the whole lot washed down with a fair chunk of ale. What's better I had a free ride home to the door

Biking's ace

PS hope those of you that did do the rally enjoyed yourselfs as much as I did.

[Rubberchicken]

One even offered me his spare bike (a VFR) to complete the rally on How generous is that!

Now that is amazing. There's hope for humanity after all, then. To be honest that's a bit more generous than I would've been with a complete stranger I just met on the side of the road...

One guy rode a very personal BSA rocket3 that was obviously his pride and joy. His parting gift was a rideby with the BSA wound to the throttle stops. What a sound Worth the breakdown

A few days ago I had a bike come up behind me, big round grubby headlamp and a set of Saarinenesque clipons in my mirrors, and then AWOOOOOOOOOOOO that Benelli Sei came howling past me, six pipes and all. Lurrrrrvely.

PS hope those of you that did do the rally enjoyed yourselfs as much as I did.

There are worse ways to not finish something, yeah. Glad you had a good time nonetheless.

[Slimie]

Congratulations, when I read the thread title I imagined the worst

Next year, new tubes and a fresh chance!!

Cheers
-Simon

[Gregger]

What abugger, made the best of it though!

Its an odd concept, enjouyig the National Rally. I was knackered to the core. Alex my pillion was constantly headbutting me at junctions as she fell asleep. But I loved it.

Blatting along at 3am is great stuff. I love the sense of acievement and a medal at the end!

My only downer is they wont let you do more mileage!

[squirrelciv]

This is the second time I failed, though last year, I didn't even leave the house Wasn't me or the bike, but beloved's family and some stupid party

Next year maybe, I mean, third time lucky hey I starting to get fixated with this one. Don't like being stopped from doing something I want to do Glad you had a good ride though