Well I missed another deadline for the May newsletter. The weeks just fly past.

June Meeting

Quieter than usual meeting due in part to the inclement weather. Plans were discussed for the Fenlanders rally and the trip to the West coast for Ian and Diane's wedding. (More on that next month). Tales were told, lies swapped and as usual a few beers scoffed. 

Dunedin Harley-Davidson

Steve Wallace attended the Alford weekend and he told us he now has premises for the Aberdeen shop and plans are afoot to get it up and running soon. Hopefully not TOO long as my bike needs a service. I guess I could always use McGowans again. 

Memorial Ride

We took a ride out to wards Tarland on the 19^th of May where John Milne had restored a memorial cross to a young man who died in 1914 on an Indian motorcycle whilst competing in a hill climb. A dozen bikes lined up for press photos then off to the local hotel for an excellent lunch. The article is due to appear in the local rag shortly.

Wallace Rally

I attended my first Wallace Rally this year. A little wet and muddy but it didn't spoil the weekend. On consideration not my favourite rally but a very scenic location. Highlight of the trip was a meal in "Longhorns" where the BBQ Bone-anza seemed to be a half cow slapped on an ashet with some salad and fries.

I met my first "Bikersnob" at the Wallace rally while in conversation with a guy who asked what I thought of the rally. I told him the location was good being handy for the town centre and went on to say that was one of the reasons that I liked Aviemore so much. "Oh Aviemore" he replied in a downbeat manner. He went on to say "Well I've never been but I think its a bit like a zoo with all the public there" He went on to explain they had had some people ask at the gate if they could look at the bikes but they'd said no. I have no problem with this if it was for security but his reasoning was because this is for "Bikers" Hmmmm. More to follow on that.

Alford Rally

The first weekend in June saw us at Alford as guests of the Moray Muscle Association a band of guys who run American cars. This was a separate organisation from those who ran the event last year but many of the same faces were there.

Good to see so many of our southern members had travelled to camp over the weekend. Most of the locals arrived on Saturday to camp overnight. After pitching we found bought some beers and other essential supplies and chatted in the warm evening. Later we went to the marquee, which was equipped with bar and disco, and we were the life and soul of the party again as per last year.

The Sunday was a late rise for most then a day of drag runs and burnouts and Harleys whizzing round the adjacent track. Hard to pinpoint why I like this event so much but I'll definitely be returning next year and can highly recommend it to anyone for next year.

Monarch of the Glens Event

I saw Stuart asking about this "rally". For those still wondering it's not a rally but an "Iron Butt" ride arranged by the Geordie Chapter. Two years ago a few of the North guys arranged to meet the Geordies when they were up in the Highlands. The event was repeated this year with North mob invited to join in. Apparently well enjoyed by all who attended and I believe it may become an annual event.

Stereotypes

Are you a "Biker"? I mentioned my encounter with the guy at the Wallace Rally and his assertion it was for "Bikers". I started to wonder if I should have been there at all.

What IS a "Biker"? Are the so called 1%ers the only true bikers. Do you HAVE to be a bearded, hairy, tattooed, guy living in a trailer scrimping and saving to keep your Hawg on the road? Every waking minute not riding spent covered in oil, servicing and repairing your bike or hiding out from the law?

If this is a "biker" then I'm not one.....neither was the guy in Stirling for that matter.

I suspect some may wish to hang on the coat tails of a "tough guy" image... mean, moody and rebellious but in my experience there are few of them around. Hell its almost as though the "bikers" I meet are normal everyday people.......who just happen to own a bike.

While I'm moaning, I wish rally organisers wouldn't assume that all bikers exclusively like only heavy metal! Yeah quite a lot do, but can I be THE only one with a broad musical taste. Hell it would be nice to get some variety over a weekend instead of 4 bands playing the same tired classics. One noticeable exception was The Gangsters of Ska at the Heart n Soul and Aviemore last year who filled the dance floor and sorry Stuart...the prospect of a Meatloaf tribute this year fills me with apathy .......but then I'm probably not yer "stereotypical" biker. Can I say "Kylie Minogue" in this publication? I'd better not! 

Monthly Meetings

The group meets on the first Wednesday of every Month except January at The Red Garth Hotel, Kirkbrae, Oldmeldrum at around 7.00pm Contact Fred Henderson at Tel 01466 751319 for details.