Memorial Run 2011
Following a long battle with cancer, we lost Scouse Joan earlier this year. Having not conducted one for some years, a memorial ceremony and ride-out was therefore due.
The 20 or so bikes clogging up the one-way system were quite the spectacle
Making our way north we gradually gathered in strength for the push to Ambleside (via Costa M&S) where members past and present as well as good friends to Salutation MCC marshalled for a quick pastie and a smoke before a lap of honour around the club's first (and still spiritual) home. The 20 or so bikes clogging up the one-way system were quite the spectacle before we headed out to the Badger Inn and the memorial ground.
We mustered at the edge of Rydal Water for Dave C to give remembrance to the club members no longer with us, followed by Andy Kat's prose reminding us that we have brothers and sisters doing their duty overseas who should also be in our thoughts. The occasion was solemn, but never too sombre, well done both.
Courtesy of a car battery and a docking station, we toasted the fallen to 'Rock in Peace' at which point - as if by prior arrangement, the white clouds shifted and we stood bathed in bright Autumn sunshine (the best kind).
After a quick bevvie in the Badger we parted company with one or two not joining us for the ride-out and headed out to Ribblehead. Amazing journey: countryside carved from every bikers wishlist, the sun dipping on our starboard flank and a procession of bikes sometimes spanning a quarter of a mile.
At the end of which we found the Station Inn out on the Yorkshire Dales with the immediate resolve to scare the patrons off and take over for the night. Duly accomplished, we had a bit of posh scran (plates and cutlery) then settled in for the usual booze bought shenannigans and Abba music.
we worked up a rendition of Hotel California in the hope that Thora would shut the fuckitty fuck up
Around lock-in time, the mountain folk worked up a bonfire, around which, armed with guitar and harmonica we worked up a rendition of Hotel California in the hope that Thora would just shut the fuckitty fuck up. Eventually we stumbled back to bunks to put some kip between alcohol and breakfast.
Words do the experience little enough justice so I'll wrap it up. A beautiful ceremony on a gorgeous day, riding country by Carlsberg and honest companionship. It was a genuine privilege to take part.
Special thanks to all who made the ceremony and to Scot, Mojo and the AAVMCC for a strong show.
Shitename
As my first Memorial Run as Prez of the Club, I was a little bit apprehensive that I get the right balance between remembering lost brothers & sisters and the celebration of their lives, because they wouldn't want us to be down, they'd want a good party!
A few of the Club met up on the way to Ambleside, at Charnock Richard services and then a few more joined in when we went past Forton services. Arriving in Ambleside at bang on 1pm we made our way to the White Lion and dumped the bikes where we could find space. Fairly soon more bikes arrived, past Club members and friends and AAVMCC provided several more and then it was time for the off.
We easily stopped the traffic in the village and then trundled off for a quick lap
We easily stopped the traffic in the village and then trundled off for a quick lap before heading to the Badger Bar and Rydal Water. The Club colours adorned a local tree and I gave my thoughts on the friends we'd lost over the years and missing them being there. Andy Kat then reminded all of us about our countrymen and women serving in the forces abroad and we gave our thoughts over to them too.
The next stint saw us leaving the Badger, after a pint, to make the journey to Ribblehead. I did try and keep my speed down to keep the bikes together, looking in my mirrors was incredible seeing a line of bikes stretched out behind me, and we all made it to The Station Inn in one piece.
Party time ensued with food, beer, more beer, more beer and Abba (thanks Chris!) and when the pub was done we had the fire to stand/sit/fall down around with the musical delights of Chris, Mitch and Mr lyrics himself Andy Kat. All too soon it was breakfast time and the ride home loomed, but not before a fond farewell to all and sundry who'd made the effort to celebrate and commemorate our brothers and sisters.
Thank you one and all for another crackin' Salutation MCC party.
Dave
You would think that after a quarter of a century as Old Bill you would have learned the correct way to ride down a one way street. To do it against the back drop of the Salutation Hotel in Ambleside under the amazed and astounded gaze of 20 odd bikers let alone the look that said "what the fuck is this cock doing" from the drivers forced to stop against the charge of the Beemer adds to the legend that will always be. Even the autumn bugsplats perishing on the headlamp offered one final hurrah as they sensed the joy and amusement offered up by our Vice.
Autumn on the roads of the Lakes can be treacherous, what with wet leaves, cow crap and damp patches around every other corner
Autumn on the roads of the Lakes can be treacherous, what with wet leaves, cow crap and damp patches around every other corner, but the Gods of mastic asphalt looked down upon us, permitting a ride en masse towards Rydal Water and the day was as dry as any alleged humour from yours truly.
Standing under the trees and looking out over the mirror of Rydal Water during a time like this, allows one to reflect as only a looking glass or still lake can do. I think we've always hoped that others can come here with us and remember their own lost ones for a moment or two before moving on, as we all have to in life; move on.
One of the benefits of being in a Club like this is that we can remember, reminisce and recall memories of old friends with new friends and with it we cement what is our history and heritage. We'll look back at this day with great fondness. We'll laugh at the so called nightmare of arranging meeting points, of Naz travelling 100 miles south just to scab a lift 200 miles North. I'll giggle for years over the renaming of Forton Services to Costa M&S and to the re-writing of the Highway Code. I'll wonder how it took Mitch and I that long to light the fire and wonder where the four legged song came from or why we always somehow manage to give Thora a new name with "fuck" in it somewhere. Fuckitty Fuck to be precise.
Young Sean was sick, Scott was loud and Sarah (God bless her) was carried to bed but it's not the leaving of Liverpool that grieves me but Joaney when we think of you.
Andy Kat
