So, I’ve got a few weeks to do a major engine rebuild before I head off to Tenby, plenty of time…
Fast forward to 10 pm the night before I’m due to leave for deepest, darkest South Wales and I’ve finally finished, pretty normal for me.
Friday morning and I’m meeting my riding buddy at a cafe before the off. When he finally arrives – after going to the wrong café (a standard start to a ride), we head off. This ride will be mostly motorways, and eventually, we get on the M4. It’s raining on and off and frankly, I’m not enjoying the ride.
Hello, hello
Now if you’ve rode down the M4 into Wales you’ll know it goes on forever and is possibly the most boring road in Britain. Though I do have a little bit of entertainment along the way, riding (plodding might be a better description) along, bored and assessing my life choices I notice a motorbike with a hi-viz checkerboard colour scheme following me… 5 miles later, yep, I get pulled over. I’d like to say he accused me of being ‘a scooter riding yobbo’, but no, he just wanted to do some checks as he was surprised to see a scooter on the motorway. He bids farewell, and I head back on to the motorway and the tedium that is the M4.
The Specials Ltd
Arriving at Tenby the weather has improved, I get to the campsite and pitch up and head into town. First stop, chip shop, then the traditional (for us at least) visit to the karaoke bar, much alcohol later I head to the main venue to catch Friday’s band, The Specials Ltd, more alcohol and then back to the campsite.
Saturday arrives and something’s wrong, very wrong. I can’t work out what it is, but something’s ver… wait, I know what it is, it’s SUNNY!
Power nap
Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day, custom show checked out, caught up with old mates, ice creams eaten, pub lunch in town done, all boxes ticked. I even got back in time to catch the rideout leaving.
Now at this point, I should be saying how I got horribly drunk at the campsite before heading back off to town to top up my alcohol levels… The truth is I ended up back in my tent for a two-hour snooze! Speaking of tents, when I got back to my trusty tiny tent on the Friday night I found one of the tent poles had snapped and gone through the top of the tent. I’m gonna miss you tent.
Most of the SWSC dream team behind the Tenby National…
Heavy Sol
Back to town for the evening, first stop the karaoke bar again, then to the soul room, then ending up in the main do for the night. A big shout out should go to the bar staff as, although it was busy, they kept the queues down to a minimum. Saturday’s band was Heavy Sol, who are proving to be a popular rally band with their mix of Jam and 60s mod bands covers, definitely a band worth seeing if you haven’t already.
Saturday night ends far too soon and before I know it it’s Sunday and time to head off home, after having a great time at a great rally.
Words and photos: Booga
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