It only seemed like yesterday that we were heading to Llandudno for the final rally of 2023. This year seems to have flown by with rallies coming thick and fast (a bit like me riding my scooters).
A different view
It also seems like yesterday that I started a rally write-up by saying “I set off late, filtered on the (insert random motorway) and met up with my mates (insert random bar)”, so rather than bore you with that I thought I’d hand the baton to one of the younger generation of scooterists who have been enjoying the rallies this year.
Step forward Patrick Whitehead who shares his first experience of riding to a rally…
The next generation
Youngsters are finally finding the scooter scene, either by getting involved through rally-going parents (and realising us oldies are proper cool) or by noticing that we’re one of the last true vibrant cults worth belonging to and jumping on board.
From left to right above you have young Sam (Son of Sticky), Pat Whitehead (Son of Bob) and problem child, Connor Ludewig (Son of Satan). With an old codger photobombing in the background. Rumour has it, that Joliff was first seen pulling this face 40 years ago on Polaroid.
Riding to Llandudno was a big endeavour for me, considering I get lost in car parks. My first day of riding would be a 177-mile ride to Sam Round’s house in Killamarsh. It was a scenic, pleasant route; I had to take all the A roads as I’m still on L-plates. (remember them folks?).
After a lovely overnight stay at Sam’s house, it was back on the road again for a 130-mile ride to Llandudno itself. It was a great day of riding as we took in the breathtaking views of Wales.
Arriving in Llandudno, the town was absolutely buzzing with scooterists and I was looking forward to the luxury of staying in a B&B. It was great to see all the faces and do some very bad dancing in the Northern Soul room.
The Custom Show on Saturday was much more my scene, with a great variety of scooters on show.
Just like that it was time to go home again. It was another great rally, as nothing beats pootling around on my scooter and seeing my mates… I can’t wait for the next one!
Pat
I think this is more a case of ‘full-time squatters’ than the “lived-in look” Shaun is talking about below…
Back to the old git…
It’s great to see Pat and Sam and a number of other youngsters, clocking up the miles, and regularly attending the rallies, they are very much the future for scootering and carrying a baton more so than just by doing a write-up on SLUK.
Whilst the majority of us are still very much young at heart, our bodies have other ideas and are showing that “lived-in” look, however, whilst we’re still able to, there are plenty more miles to be ridden and rallies to be visited.
There’s nothing like the sight of Booga’s big lens to draw a crowd in a do!
BSRA meeting
Mentioning future rallies, the Number 1’s meeting (I still refer to the BSRA committee meeting as the old school No.1’s) took place on Saturday afternoon and officially confirmed the advanced rally dates and venues issued earlier in the year.
There was also discussion around the following year’s events, so we can potentially expect an early announcement for 2026’s calendar in the summer.
Trade and Custom Show
Whilst that was going on, the large custom show and parts fair organised by the Lambretta Club of Great Britain was in full swing, with a great turnout of custom scooters for us to admire and dealers for us to stock up on winter rebuild parts from. It was a great way to prepare for the last night of the 2024 National Rallies.
Before the merriment, the trophies were presented for the custom show winners (results in the gallery above) and also the BSRA Best Supporting Member trophies.
Punter’s Choice
A special mention to Vince from the Olympics SC who picked up Punter’s Choice on the first outing of his new (cerise – definitely not pink) Shed Seven-inspired GP, Habit of a Lifetime, which he built in memory of his mother. She would be very proud I’m sure.
Credit to all of the very worthy winners and respect to all who rode to all of the National Rallies throughout the year.
Championship Controller
Scott Southon (moustachioed, clipboard-carrying BSRA Championship official) gives details of the BSRA winners below.
BSRA Championship winners
Best Supporting Male:
- Iain Cleeve
- Col
- Aly Artis
All three males attended all 10 Nationals this year.
Best Supporting Female:
- Michelle Aldhouse
- Anne Hamilton
- Jo Jones
BSRA Special Award: Terror
Evening entertainment
The Venue Cymru was the base for the weekend’s entertainment and both Friday and Saturday nights were rammed and had a great buzz, clearly, everyone wanted to get the maximum enjoyment out of the last National weekend.
The crowd
Friday night saw Special Brew entertain the crowd with a ska-filled set and on Saturday night, rally favourites Basketcase stormed through a punk, alternative, indie set in their steampunk outfits.
Stocking up on banter
The soul room on both nights was also very busy, as was the lobby in-between the two rooms. Scooterists were busy stocking up on the usual banter and piss-taking before we get the chance to do it all again when the 2025 season kicks off at Scarborough next April.
Original Scootering Magazine Editor, Gareth Brown (still doing the rallies almost 40 years since it first hit the shelves), flanked by DJ, Dave Lloyd and SWSC organiser Andy Greenslade – enjoying a weekend off from working on a rally…
Thanks to all the organisers
Another great Llandudno rally to round off the National Rally calendar and thanks to the LCGB and Tori, Kev, Daz and all of the VFM crew for putting on another cracker. Also to all of the 2024 rally organisers for another fun-packed year.
Time to soothe our creaking bones and recharge the batteries ready to do it all again in 2025!
Thanks also to Pat for adding his Llandudno experience.
Ride safe, look after each other and see you next year!
Shaun x
Photos: Shaun and Booga
Stock up on winter goodies
The rally season may well be over but now is the time to start stocking up on scooter goodies, or buying new riding kit for next year. Have a look in the SLUK Shop.
