Next stop Wooly!
Friday is an early start for me, not because I have a particularly long ride (it’s about 180 miles), but because I’m helping out on the gate shepherding scooterists from all over the country (and a large contingent from France) into the rally. Not that they need much herding as they all know exactly where the bar is, and let’s face it, that’s always going to be the first stop.
I’m sure most of you already know that the Woolacombe National Rally is held at Golden Coast Holiday Park. It’s just outside the beautiful village of Woolacombe in North Devon and is run by SWSC, and those of you who didn’t, you do now!
Drink responsibly
It’s a great rally, and the ride up was lovely; the weather was great, and everything just went right. Well, apart from the sat nav taking me through, (rather than round) Barnstaple. Google Maps, we need to have a word.
Apart from that, everything goes according to plan: turn up, work, get drunk. I succeeded in all three; you’ll be happy to know.
Finishing on the gate at 9 pm does mean I have to do some serious catching up on the drinking front, but I’m proud to say I managed it, and then some.
Marquis Drive
Friday night’s band is Marquis Drive, an indie/Britpop band from the West Midlands, well known on the scooter rally circuit. Their set is absolutely blistering, and I loved it. If you haven’t seen them, then make sure you do; you won’t be disappointed.
Beach bums
The rest of Friday night disappears in a drunken haze.
Saturday morning arrives with a bit of a bump, and after checking out the custom show, our little group heads off down to Woolacombe for breakfast. Honestly, Woolacombe (AKA Woolie) is a lovely little village, has a long sandy beach and is very popular with surfers, and once a year is equally popular with scooterists. Breakfast done, we wander around the beach and just generally bum around and enjoy the glorious sunshine that both Friday and Saturday have given us before heading back to the venue.
A sign of (old) age
I’ve got a plan for the afternoon, and that’s to have a snooze (I’m getting quite good at snoozing), so while I get some shuteye, the others go to the outside bar and make the most of the sunshine.
The Specials Ltd
Once the evening arrives, I re-emerge like some middle-aged vampire to enjoy the evening’s entertainment. And Saturday doesn’t disappoint; Saturday’s band, The Specials Ltd, plays a great set of Specials songs and is a great hit with the crowd.
Loser
Before the band, we took advantage of the free bowling, a great little addition to the rally; it’s always a laugh, and I’m pleased to say I came a respectable third in our group. OK, so the other two in our group pointed out that, actually, it put me last, but I’m ignoring such negativity.
More accommodation!
Sunday is fun day. Sadly, I didn’t stay for the Sunday 70s-themed night with the Funkydillies playing, but I know it was a great night and ended the rally on a high.
Now for some bad and good news; the bad news is that the rally venue has already sold out, but the GOOD news is that Vale, the new owners of Golden Coast, are investing in the site and are planning to add up to 60 new sets of accommodation between now and next September, so if you haven’t booked then you’ll still have a chance to go! Keep an eye on the SWSC page for updates.
So ends another great Woolacombe rally; it’s a favourite of mine, it’s got something for everyone, and when the weather’s right, as it was this year, it’s absolutely perfect.
Words and photos: Booga
