British DieselBike Rally 2008

Post by **Stuart** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 4:35 pm

Guys,
just to let you know I've now booked the Brit Rally in for 2008. After some consultation I've decided to stay with the same weekend, mainly because the weather is usually good.
Dates are Friday 30th, Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June.
Again we should have a choice of english or continental breakfasts and this time I'm told we will be in the first field like year one (nearest the access road).

Bat & Ball: Telephone: 01403 700313 should you wish to phone ahead. I'm told there is no need to book though.

Camping costs are £5 a night regardless of whether you dive a bike or car or trike. Caravans are dearer.

Post by **Diesel Dave** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:08 pm

Well done Stuart, many thianks for taking this task on once again.

Hopefully I'll not be travelling so much next year and can spend some time on Rallys and events.

Shout if you need anything.

Regards
Dave

Post by **Stuart** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:15 pm

Cheers Dave. I'm gonna try and get one of those 2 pole multi guy rope 'Bat Wing' sun/rain protectors things for all eventualities. And stop you cooking under the current bun as I know you do

BTW does anyone know who sells them in the UK?
I've also entered the dates into the Old Bike Mart Yearly calendar which is the start of the publicity thing.

Fiddler · Post by **Fiddler** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 2:47 pm

Stuart,

From next week i start working winter hours and ought to have some time weather permitting. As promised feel free to ask if you want a hand with publicity.

Cheers, mark

reg hardlyrideables · Post by **reg hardlyrideables** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 3:52 pm

i cant wait! Nice and local too. Hope to have my lister chop done by then fingers and toes crossed

Post by **Stuart** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 5:17 pm

It will good to see you there Reg

The more the merrier. Hope the build goes ok. Sam told me the best way to mate up an engine and box is to build them onto a smallerframe before transplanting all into the bike.

palace15 · Post by **palace15** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:17 am

Yet again it clashes with the Isle of man TT so me and the Robin will not be able to attend

I am planning to take the Robin as well as my offroader over to the Island in my Transit, so will actually get a few miles done on it over there, if there is anything I can do to help out before my TT departure let me know and hopefully I can fit something in around work. On the Thursday of 'race week' I will be at the Laverda TT meeting at the Crosby Hotel so if there are any Diesels on the Island for the races try and and meet up there.

Post by **Stuart** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 7:15 pm

Yeah, sorry about the clash Dave. I did consider moving it forward but other things clash - and the weather would most likely be dodgy. Wimbledon time, lol. Maybe next year I could move it a whole month forward? It might clash with a few peoples holidays then but we'd be pretty well assured of good weather i think. Any comments on that?

oldbmw · Post by **oldbmw** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:51 pm

For the last two years due to bad weather I have missed the veteran bike rally at Dijon France. Upwards of 2000 bikes go there each year, some race/ride around the track. Sadly this year it conflicts ( consequetive weekends ) again with the UK diesel rally. I have to confess from choice I am a fair weather rider. I do hope to visit Hamm again this year..... Of course if Dijon is washed out again, It may be I will go to to the UK rally, but it would be a last minute decision. I do want to visit UK on bike and re-ride some of the bits of the old 'A' roads that still exist (although now declassified) that I used to ride in the sixties.

Diesel Graham · Post by **Diesel Graham** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:20 pm

Can I ask some silly questions?

I've never camped out before, what facilities are available at the campsite?
shower? water? toilet? food?

I have every intention of starting my journey there on the friday, I will either arrive in the afternoon or if the sticky tape, glue and rope fail to hold the bike together I will be getting a ride home on the back of a lorry!
Is there anything I should pre-book or is it ok just to turn up?

Graham.

Post by **Stuart** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:44 pm

Graham, there are facilities there but they are/were a little basic. I say were because I think the place has again changed hands. This time it has been bought by a chain that specialise in pub camping places. Hopfully it can only get better

They never used to do breakfast until I talked them into it. There should be a choice between full english and continental. You may have to pre book this the night before (so do it before you start drinking

).
Last time there was a shower caravan with toilet. You pay at the bar for your camping or else

I'll be there Friday ok. I should be there Thursday. Hope that helps.

Diesel Graham · Post by **Diesel Graham** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:10 pm

Thanks Stuart,
So its pretty much ok to just turn up and pay then.

I really hope I can make this trip.
The way I figure it is : on a 70 mile trip to my local enfield dealer, usually 1 thing falls off, so on the 140 mile journey to the Bat and Ball, I will expect 2 things to fall off, so as long as neither of those involves the engine or gearbox I should be ok! and when I get there I reckon there will be more diesel knowledge than anywhere else in the world!

I just been looking at camping gear...
unleaded petrol powered stoves??? now where the hell do you get petrol from!!! cant they do diesel ones

Graham.

Post by **Stuart** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:14 pm

We usually have an impromtu barby at some time so your welcome to eat some of that if we do one.
Thing is to put some miles on the bike regularly before the trip. But I know what you mean about stuff dropping off. I was once overtaken by my bouning hooter that 'honked' everytime it hit the road

SUMO · Post by **SUMO** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:01 pm

im working on having the bike done and riding in its post sva but pre nice-ish looking stage - might be a bit close to the bone timewise but we will see...

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:06 pm

Be nice to see you there SUMO. We've placed a couple of adverts in BSH this time round and might see a few chops turn up. whatever, I'm hoping for plenty of interesting machines

Post by **Fiddler** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 6:45 pm

Graham,

Pleased your planning on making the rally. Any thoughts on which route your planning to take? Im a few miles south of Oxford. If your coming roughly this way maybe we could hook up and ride over. Two pairs of eyes is better than one when rummaging around in grass verges looking for parts

Mark

Diesel Graham · Post by **Diesel Graham** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:27 pm

Hi Fiddler,

heres multimaps version of my route, I havent looked closely into what roads to take but presumeably the A40 will be good for most of it.

Graham.

edit:
ok, multimap links dont work! I am coming from GL20 5TQ anyway

pietenpol2002 · Post by **pietenpol2002** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:52 am

"The way I figure it is : on a 70 mile trip to my local enfield dealer, usually 1 thing falls off, so on the 140 mile journey to the Bat and Ball, I will expect 2 things to fall off, so as long as neither of those involves the engine or gearbox I should be ok! and when I get there I reckon there will be more diesel knowledge than anywhere else in the world!"

Graham,

Industrial sized magnet on the end of a 30 foot rope catches most of the departing parts being shed. Doesn't do much for the lumps of cast iron that've been liberated though.

Ron

Cockney Bob · Post by **Cockney Bob** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:44 am

Would have loved to have gone my Greeves Enfield is working fine touch wood but as said previously TT week and I have been booked since last year.
No chance of any other impromptu meets smaller maybe or just some casual ride outs is there.
I live in East London, Romford really I know we have a couple of Bikes over here and I have met a couple but what about some more.
Know what you mean about bits dropping off though lots of loctite and double nuts.
Bob

SANGLASMICK · Post by **SANGLASMICK** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:50 am

Stuart wrote:Guys,
just to let you know I've now booked the Brit Rally in for 2008. After some consultation I've decided to stay with the same weekend, mainly because the weather is usually good.
Dates are Friday 30th, Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June.
Again we should have a choice of english or continental breakfasts and this time I'm told we will be in the first field like year one (nearest the access road).
I'm told my brother Jeff might not be able to a make it. Not sure yet.Maybe I'll have to provide the soup!

Hi Stuart,

I am going to travel from Ireland unfortunatly not on a diesel, but to meet like minded people and gather info. I was going to ask about facilities on site but you've already answered all my questions.
Looking forward to meeting everyone sounds like a great bunch. Thanks for putting in all the effort,

Mick.

Post by **Stuart** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:21 pm

Bob, maybe we could have a meet up the other side of the TT for those that can't attend? Perhaps this event at Amberley might be a good oppotunity and day out? I'll understand if some think it's a bit too south though

http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/index2.html
I'm gonna try and get my bike in there. J reg should qualify I think.

Mick, will be good to see you there, mate

We've had ppl travel from Ireland before as I mentioned. Just don't expect a huge event

Hamm is the big one on our calendar

Cockney Bob · Post by **Cockney Bob** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:29 pm

Does not seem too far just a bit further than Hastings .
Look forward to it can any others come it should be fine by then.
Bob

sbrumby · Post by **sbrumby** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:02 pm

For anybody that cant make the Bat & Ball there is the Bulldog Bash on the 7th-10thAUG, I hope to make both. Last year there were 3 diesels at the bulldog but it would be good if more could get there. As about 30,000 attend you are bound to get interest.

Post by **Stuart** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 1:24 pm

Lastest is that I've just found out the Bat & Ball venue is to change hands yet again soon. They will honour their diary dates though

Looks like we may have some music after all. The band will play 70's & 80's prog rock tracks. Again my Bruv will be playing.

SANGLASMICK · Post by **SANGLASMICK** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:49 am

Thanks for that Stuart. Really doesn't matter who ows it, the real worry is "How is the beer?" do they sell Guinness and what is rear ale like?

See you there on the Friday night hopefully.

Cheers

Post by **Stuart** » Sat May 24, 2008 8:31 pm

Guys,
just got back from the Bat & Ball where I've been finalising details of the Rally. Phil, the owner, showed me that he had almost two pages of bookings for camping which is good

We will be in the first field (next to the access road) like the first year Rally and the pub will put a sign pointing the way Wednesday night (for Peter

).
Camping will be paid for over the bar in the pub where you can let them know whether or not you'd like a breakfast the next morning. Full English & continental will be on offer Friday & Saturday mornings. Possibly Sunday as well.
The band will set up from 8pm Saturday and play (with a break) until about 11.45pm.
I'll take some wood over for the bikes to stand on Wednesday and some bins will be put out then as well.
All in all it looks to be shaping up OK. Let's hope we have good weather again

richard coles · Post by **richard coles** » Mon May 26, 2008 6:23 am

hi, I hope to make the rally ,although I won't known for certain until mid week. In the last post you said the pub was taking bookings for camping .Do I have to book or can i just turn up.
cheers see you all the week end (hopefully)

Cockney Bob · Post by **Cockney Bob** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:36 am

Well Done Stuart you are doing all you can to make it a good weekend hope the weather Holds.
I as I have said before I will be in the Isle of Man but hope to meet some of you later.I know Diesel Dave is going I saw him Yesterday and he is keen watch out he does not turn up in his camper van though.
Bob

Post by **Stuart** » Mon May 26, 2008 11:12 am

Richard, you can go either way as regards booking camping. They are not too fussed I think. But it does help them manage the event a bit better. If we spill over into another field I don't think it matters. They have quite a bit of space thereabouts.

Post by **Diesel Dave** » Mon May 26, 2008 8:25 pm

Thanks to Bob's jibe - yes I will be attending in the camper van or the missus won't come along.

Sluggy will be a trailer queen for the weekend.

I also have the good excuse of carting a couple of garden gazebo's with me - hopefully to keep the sun off

I should be arriving early Friday afternoon so can assist in BBQ duties if required.

See Y'all there.

Dave

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British DieselBike Rally 2008

British DieselBike Rally 2008

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Re: British DieselBike Rally 2008

Amberley

Change of hands.

Rally

Diesel Dave will be in attendance