Well, my Friday starts off much as any other rally weekend, in a panic. Having booked my scoot in for a well overdue tyre change (wear indicators are just a helpful hint, right?) I need to get to the fitter before I head off to Sand Bay. Tyre changed and I’m off.
It’s a nice, if windy, ride up to Sand Bay. It takes me about three and a half hours to get there, going through Cheddar Gorge and the Devon back roads, I didn’t plan that, but my sat nav hates me.
South West Scooter Clubs
Sand Bay is just outside Weston-Super-Mare, and the rally is in the Pontins Holiday Park there. This is the second rally there, the first, which I missed, was two years ago, and organised by South West Scooter Clubs, the venue is like a cross between the, now sadly gone, Hayling Island rally (a COVID lockdown victim) with breakfast and dinner included in the price of the accommodation, and the old Camber Sands rally style rooms which was also a Pontins (though somewhat better condition for those that remember it!).
Sharp Class
After a stint on the gate in the sunshine (it’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it!) it’s off to my room to unpack and get ready for the evening’s entertainment.
Friday’s band is Sharp Class, a three-piece from Nottingham, playing a mix of self penned and classic tunes. They’re definitely a band to catch.
The other Friday night entertainment involved a conga line to the bars, the staff being somewhat overwhelmed by the number of scooterists wanting to quench their thirst.
By the end of the night I’d still managed to consume a reasonable amount of alcohol, so all was not lost.
Show ‘n shine
Saturday morning and breakfast, and good breakfast it is. All you can eat, and trust me I can eat a lot. Checking out the custom show in the sunshine was a pleasant surprise, I’m getting too used to dodging the rain showers at rallies, so it was nice to relax and not have to wear my waterproofs. I caught the start of the ride out, and then a nice touristy walk along the beach, which ended up with an ice cream and a good chat with Vince Wooloff (the Oddballs organiser) about life, the universe, and everything.
Live music
Back at the venue, I catch The Dukes of Mumbai, an instrumental band who I first saw at last year’s Farmyard Bash, and they’re a great afternoon band.
Somehow I find myself back in my room, snoring, so missed Inner City, I reappeared for dinner and then the evening bands.
And a great lineup it is, first London Calling THE Clash tribute band, followed by 2 Rude, they were so good they made a technical problem part of their set!
The bar queues weren’t nearly as bad as Friday, but I think the numbers were a little down too (staying in the rooms and drinking maybe?) but still it was a great night.
Sunday arrives with a bump and it’s breakfast, then home. I thoroughly enjoyed the rally, I’m not sure when the next one is planned for, but I’m definitely looking forward to it.
Words and photos: Booga
