Quiz kids in the final

Photo: Jacky Lineham

Another sea front, another line-up

Photo: Jacky Lineham

9 October

Twelve of us met at Dartford at 2:30 p.m. Making Portsmouth in plenty of time we started as we meant to go on - a nosh up and a few beers. Boarded ferry and settled into comfy cabins before meeting in the biggest of 3 bars "The Galaxy". The fun begins! Pass the hat was won by Tom (alias Steptoe) who had to go up on stage and act out songs and movies stars - a big jug of cocktail for the girls, thanks, Tom! Dancing the night away our disco-goers Gary and Jacky strut their stuff to the sound of the 70's.
Later with Harry, Lizzy and Phil at the movies everyone else went for a swim and hot tub - What with Kev mooning at Mum-in-law Gwen and Lee Adie, Tom being caught on closed circuit TV skinny dipping - being told "Put it away or lose it!", I believe it was a shocking - or maybe exciting - time.

10 October

Still afloat! Back in the bar a knock-out trivia quiz ends with (out of hundreds of people) 2 winners: Lee and Lee! Would you believe it, both from our club! Slim Shady Lee and our own biking babe Lee on stage in the final - how could we lose? Another 2 jugs of cocktail thanks guys.

11 October

Arrived at Bilbao - a ride in the sun with Harry on (one) 1st stop breakfast in a lovely Spanish fishing town. 100 miles later we arrive intact at the town of Colombres where all the locals get together to celebrate for the week whilst the Rally is on.
Checked in - each received a bag of goodies with a piston badge - trophy, books and cakes, yum! Met MC Piston members and had a few San Miguels before checking into our comfortable hotel Casa Junco.

12 October

A 75-mile run today through gorges - up and down Steep Mountain passes - skies are blue and Harry on 2! - Lunch laid on at Potes - and time to look around a very pretty old Spanish town. Some of us visited a medieval torture chamber and witch's museum. Jan left her broom outside as it was not pre-1975. Back to Colombres via the narrow pass at Hermida. That night dinner was provided by the villagers at the local school including free beer and cider, which they pour from a great height. It was here we met a nice couple, Piru and Aretta - Trident owners themselves, they are now fellow friends of the Bexley TOMCC.

13 October

Harry and Phil out on the run, the rest decided on a relaxing day. Lee Sykes innocently takes Toms keys for a trip to the beach, without Tom! Ooooooooh. Huge Spanish thunderstorm, lightening and rain, but it left as quickly as it came...
Off to the town square to catch gymkhana events and Lee with her sidecar riding kids around baptising them into biking. Dinner this evening was a 3 courses meal with red and white wine plus a liqueur which was aflame, Lizzy loved it. Speech and prize giving... Lee won a trophy for her baptism ceremony, "way to go Lee". Will it end up on the toilet door after you stick it back together?

14 October

All out on the run today through the mountains of Mantana. A stop in San Vicente for more wine, anchovies, olives and nuts (think we provided the latter) On the way back Phil slowed up with a missing link (snapped chain).
Most attended the farewell do at hotel Franca (set right on the beach) Kev snoozed whilst Jan exposed herself to the sun (not for the first time). Lee and Andy - almost made it to the farewell, took a right instead of a... "Where was that last marshal?" Almost back to Bilbao they clocked up 120 miles. Andy proving how well an A10 goes! Dinner... all off to Rib house, meat cooked on open fires, half bottle measures of Whisky and Vodka. Late again, dancing in the nearby cosy iffy bar, where men are girls and girls are men! Harry in luck but wished he wasn't!!!

15 October

Up bright and early for the trip back to the ferry. The breakdown club left first with good reason. Firstly they got lost then Phil the Loom had a second missing link... Lizzy heads for ferry to borrow spare chain from the others but whilst returning snaps a clutch cable. No problem for wonder woman! A spare in the pannier means she's back on the road in no time. After pushing for miles Phil and Harry try a package tape tow job, which ended in disaster as Phil came to a crashing halt. Ouch... bike and Phil were rescued by a man with van.
Can you believe the ferry we should have missed had broken down, so happy Bexley TOMCC are reunited and heading for home just 5 hours late, each given £10 compensation and 25% off next P&O trip. Full steam ahead. Trivia quiz won by Jan - more cocktails, thanks, Jan, she didn't even cheat. Arrived Portsmouth 10 p.m. Recovery vehicle waits for Phil. For Harry doing only 10 miles in an hour, recovery for him too. No hurry Harry. But we all got home safely and to sum it up, it was sunny, fun and a rally I think we would all do again. Thanks MC Piston you did us proud.

Lizzy and Jan