It’s been a busy and exciting year for the North Section and as I write this we approach the end of the year, century and millennium and a time for reflection.

If I recall correctly it’s been about two and a half years since the first posse gathered at the instigation of Fred Henderson, a bunch of people with seemingly nothing in common except lumps of American-made iron to sit on. In my opinion 1999 has been the year where the group started to mould into something we can really build around. We all have different circumstances and backgrounds and can all commit different amounts of time to our joint interest. Some have come and gone, others are just starting to get involved but despite all this we have a group which looks as though it will be around for a while.

This year the North "clique" has had meetings, many short ride-outs and a good handful of rallies which have been attended in greater or larger numbers. Folks attend what they can and miss what they can’t but we’re always glad to meet up wherever we can and catch up. This year by various means one or two have tagged on to either the Aberdeen or Inverness hard core and swelled the numbers. Eddie McDonald and Big Bob have been keen supporters from the Highlands adding to Charlie and Grace's attendance and we’ve picked up one or two from down Aberdeen way who are just starting to hook up. Russ Alminde had to be the biggest stroke of coincidence we had this year, just happening to stand beside him at Aviemore. I’ll bet there are a few HD owners out there who would love to be involved if they only knew how.

We hope to have a small recruitment campaign at the start of next year’s season with mailshots and perhaps a wee mention in the local rag to try and further boost numbers and let others in on our fun.

 Grantown Shindig

This was our second North Section end of season shindig which Fred and June organised. Once again it was well attended by around 20 people (I really never counted) who had a great night. We met in the public bar at around 5.00 PM where it quickly became obvious that the rest of the locals had a combined IQ of around 20 between the six of them. Maybe it was the effect of alcohol but it did seem that we attracted some strange people early on. I did my usual trick of peaking a little early, feeling a bit squiffy by around six. Luckily a wee break and a shower got me match fit again.

A pleasant meal was eventually received at about the fourth attempt of ordering with the slick service of the previous year sadly missing. However the hotel is very accommodating and it may be we give them one more chance to see which year was the fluke. Highlight of the night for me was to see our own Fred tackling the tricky task of negotiating a flight of two steps after what could be termed as "a good bucket".

Fred’s co-ordination was still pretty good but a little out of synch, with his feet wanting to go around a one MPH faster than his head. The result was that by the time his feet reached the lower level his backside was still around six inches behind. It was at this point Fred "decided" to have a seat on the top stair and very gentle and gracefully came to rest sitting on the top step, spilling not a drop.

We will not mention Jeff’s willy dancing but there are pictures available and still fit for publishing.

Two new people who live in Grantown joined us and hopefully might still want to be involved even after such a typical example of one of our nights out.

 Edinburgh Dinner Dance

Three couples took advantage of the wonderful offer of the Moat house for £30 on the Friday night with Fred and June and Michelle and myself arriving early enough to have a nosebag at the Hardrock Café. When they said the Nachos I had for starters were "big enough to share I didn’t think they meant for everyone in the restaurant. However we returned to the hotel well fed and Charlie and Grace Mckenzie joined us later, meeting us in the bar which we just happened to be in at the time.

Saturday was spent with a visit to Alvins to relieve excess wallet pressure and to try out a few bikes for size. Following a bit of shopping we managed to meet up with the rest of the party Jeff, Jill, George and Linda in the bar in the afternoon. We had experienced the price at the bar the previous day so hasty arrangements had been made for a pre-dinner top up party. I must say as usual I felt good in my kilt but George scrubs up well, looking slicker than a slick thing covered in slick stuff, in his drape coat and all the trimmings.

The doo went well and a good time was had by all probably aided a little by the inclusion of a couple of jugs of Vodka and Red Bull which if nothing else keeps you awake. Proof of this could be gained by talking to one of our party who decided that 3.00 am was a good time to tidy up, do her nails and clear out a make-up bag. Fortunately her partner, immune to the effects of high doses of caffeine, slept right through all the activity, even though he woke up in the morning with a perfect manicure and mystified at why someone would break in to a room and tidy up.!!

 So to 2000, another year with more to look forward to, more rallies, ride-outs and meets with hopefully a great season of dry weather. Barcelona looks a good possibility for a few from the north and Dublin in March is attractive too. No doubt the regulars rallies at the Wallace and Aviemore will fill some other weekends.

Monthly meetings are set to start again at 7.00pm in the Red Garth Hotel, Oldmeldrum on the first Wednesday of every month from February onwards. All are welcome so see you there.