Leicester Phoenix

Phoenix Nights 3

May '08

Write up

The weather report said sunny all weekend, but we weren't inclined to believe it as for the last 2 Phoenix Nights we had ridden down in the rain, put the tent up in the dark and spent a generally soggy weekend. However, it seems that it was to be third time lucky as I got home from work to find the sun still shining. So after an early dinner and packing up the scoots and the trailer (Bos's new toy) we set off down the M1 towards Leicester. Our luck continued to hold as the usual Friday night jams failed to appear and before long we were approaching J23 where we left the motorway for a more pleasant approach to the rally via quiet, country lanes.

It really was a pleasure to ride along the A512 and A447 through those little villages smelling BBQs and rape growing in the fields. We arrived in Hinckley and found our way to the rally with no wrong turns - result. We had bought tickets in advance, so it was just a case of showing them and riding onto the camp site which was already quite full. We did our usual "Billy No Mates" and found a spot as far away from everyone else as we could get to pitch our tent. This did not go unnoticed as I received a text from Angelica asking if we smelled - silly woman, doesn't she know that everyone smells on rallies?

Tent up and bed made there wasn't too much else to do except a quick change into jeans and t-shirt before setting off over the field towards the do to see who else was around. Outside we found DMs and Mr Bean as well as a few others we knew, so we stopped for a chat before making our way inside. The venue consisted of 2 halls - the main one housing a stage for the bands while the smaller one was given over to northern. There was a band but I can't remember their name, in fact I can't remember too much about Friday as I did far too good a job of playing "catch up" and was drunken very, very quickly, only managing a couple of dances before deciding that I needed to change my shoes, going back to the tent and not emerging again til Saturday morning. Oops!

Saturday dawned bright and sunny and after a trip to the excellent showers we breakfasted in style back at the tent before going for a bimble around the parts fair - nothing we really needed, so we spent a pleasant hour or so chatting to stall holders before going back to the tent to change into riding gear for the rideout. At first it looked like there would only be about 6 of us going, but soon we were joined by quite a few more and we set off at about 10.45. We were taken along some very pretty country roads in a loop that brought us back to the rally site far too quickly, I could have quite easily carried on for a lot longer.

We changed out of our riding gear as it was far too hot and went for another walk around the parts fair and to take a look around the scoots that were beginning to be put into the custom show. By now we were starting to get a bit peckish so decided (stupidly) to walk to the local Morrisons. About 2 miles later we arrived, but detoured to Maccy D's for a salad and a McFlurry. 2 miles back to the campsite and I was well and truly pooped, so it was with great relief that we stopped off to watch the footie before making our way back to the tent to collapse in a heap.

As the afternoon drew to a close the temperature finally dropped a bit and I set about making some dinner. Fed and watered we got changed (again!) and headed out for an evening of fun. After chatting to a few people along the way we made our way into the do to watch The Tonics who put on an excellent show. After their set we needed some air so went outside to cool down, chatting to more people while Neville Staple took over the decks in the main hall. The arrival of The Moderators on stage saw us heading off round the other side of the building - definitely not our cup of tea!

As we rounded the corner Bos spotted Jimmy Jazz who we hadn't seen since Brid, so we went over for a chat. You have to admire his style, arrive, dump scoot, get drunken and worry about where you are going to sleep (if at all) later! When I could take no more flattery and Bos no more lecturing on commitment we escaped into the northern room where we hit the dance floor. Much later, totally pooped we were spotted by a couple of blokes from SBW so went over for a chat. Eventually bed was calling, so we said our goodnights and toddled off to bedfordshire.

Yet again we woke up to glorious sunshine, so we wasted no time in dropping the tent and packing up the scoots and trailer before heading off to Maccy D's for breakfast. We had decided that as we were in no rush to get home we would avoid the motorway and take the scenic route all the way home. So it was back up the A447 and A511 before heading off on the B587 towards Melbourne then the A514 to Derby passing over the Swarkestone Causeway - which is a fantastic series of roads. The rest of the way wasn't as picturesque, but due to the early hour we had the roads pretty much to ourselves, arriving home at 11.30.

So that was it, a fantastic rally, well organised with excellent facilities and superb weather. Being able to ride without 10 million layers and waterproofs for the first time in an age really brought it home why we do what we do. Here's to many more.

Taxi xx