Big Knock 2010 - 4th-5th June

[Stuart]

This years British Rally info:
http://www.dieselbike.net/Rally-Info/rally.htm
http://www.batandball.net/

I met the new landlord today and he's already booking in other events such as the Vmax and Amoc clubs. He said he'll spruce up the toilet's as well which will please the ladies I hope

Looks like we'll have some music on Saturday night this year, unlike the last. My brother has persuaded the Tube Snake Boogie band to come along on Saturday night.

[Diesel Dave]

Sadly I shall be missing from this years event. (well most of it anyway).

I shall be busily having fun on a run to Spain on 125 petrol step through with a bunch of other 'underbone' bikes.

I will make it about midday on Sunday after a quick run up from the ferry on an overloaded moped.

I hope you all have a good time and don't miss my cooking too much.

[Dan J]

Thanks once again for organising Stuart - I'll be there. Let's hope we get similar weather this year!

[Stuart]

Just to let everyone know that we are promoting the rally through BSH, local papers and, as you see below, links on local radio websites. I have a flyer written out and will shortly be running off a few copies and getting them out there.
Still need to look into the T shirts though.

Here's hoping for a good one. If you've never attended come and give us a try. We are all bikers after all and it's great to talk motorcycles all weekend

http://www.mercuryfm.co.uk/calendar/Def ... 04/06/2010

[Crazymanneil]

Here's hoping for a good one. If you've never attended come and give us a try. We are all bikers after all and it's great to talk motorcycles all weekend

I'll second that. Last year was my first Diesel rally and it was superb

(all being well the smart tiger should be there)

Neil

[Dan J]

Better pull your finger out then, hadn't you Neil?

[Stuart]

Spent some time at the rally venue and everything is on track.
And I've ordered a quantity of T shirts last night. Nothing fancy and they didn't do XXXL but it's good to have a few to hand to mark the event.
I've also hidden a few Geocache items about the place. Hopefully it should all help bring in the punters. Maybe you guys could try and find them on the day? Im still waiting for the main website to register them at the moment though.
Next up will be flyer distribution. We leave that until nearer the rally time.
Stuart

[Dan J]

Stuart - is the pub planning on doing breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday this year?

[Stuart]

Myself and (bro) Jeff are planning to make our big stove available to all and even buy a bunch of stuff for breakfast. I'm still not sure which way the pub will go on this. Still placing adverts in papers so I'm hoping the visitors will bump up the numbers a little and encourage the pub to lay on breakfast.

Had a call from the owner of the Zeus in Holland. He's gonna try and make it over with his Sidecar bike

[lardy1]

see you on the saturday peeps,sounds like a good un.

[Stuart]

I was over at the Bat & Ball today giving them more flyers to leave on tables etc. I was told there is a lot of interest as usual. People saying there was no such thing as Diesel motorcycles
I was wearing a new 'Big Knock 2010' T shirt as well
I may have to get some more wood scraps and off cuts for the bikes to rest their stands upon. Other than that everything is cool
The hot weather has come early this year - I hope we don't get the downpour which normally tips down later, when the tennis is on at Wimbledon

[andrewaust]

People saying there was no such thing as Diesel motorcycles

Hahaha That is so freakin' funny

To all those I say Duh



A

[Diesel Dave]

I'm going o try and get an earlier ferry and make the Saturday night festivities - no guarntees though.

[Stuart]

What size T shirt do you take Dave? I'll try and hold one back in case you make it Got my side stand wood scraps today. Starting to get a few phone calls coming in as well.
Also trying to put a little award together for the furthest travlled Diesel Bike to attend. Who's up for that one
More flyers going out this weekend too.

It's now the Saturday before and again I'm in the boozer finalising stuff. The public Wi-fi code for the pub is exactly as follows: fishpond
Note: Stand close to the bar when entering it. Signals a bit weak.
Raining at the moment Hope it's better next week

[Anorak_ian]

I have looked on the internet for a supermarket near the bat and ball, so we could get a full English breakfast, but the closest I have found is 15+ miles away in Crawley. I mean a proper restaurant / cafe, not like Tescos in Horsham, with their miniscule cafe and disabled toilet that opens up to the whole cafe. That thing was designed so people wouldn't use it.

Anyone know of one closer?

[Dan J]

Ian - depends on how bad people's hangovers are might be beans over a stove for me as a result

[Anorak_ian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1MgCV6uGuc&feature=related

[Dan J]

And now for the weather (courtesy of the Beeb)...

Friday - Sunny, 24C day, 10C night
Saturday - Sunny, 25C day, 13C night
Sunday - Sunny, 23C day

That almost sounds like Summer to me!

[Stuart]

will be there Thursday afternoon. Gotta sort my camping gear tonight and charge the camera.
Weather does look good doesn't it? (touch wood ) Think I'll have dig out the solar panels to power the cool box again

[Stuart]

We've got two Sommer Enfields from Germany plus a Smart BMW. Hans is here from Vienna and there is a certain Viking who has turned up! Welcome Ola

Tweeting a few pics at http://www.Twitter.com/Torquepen

[Stuart]

Neil and his Smart Tiger rolled into the venue last night about 12.30. We've now got my bike, 2 Sommer Enfields, Dutch Zeus outfit along with Tonys Tike from Stockport. Ola is here from Sweden and Sönke came yesterday. Hans too.
Not a bad turn out for a Thursday Weather is great and we had a good BBQ yesterday.
Again, see my Twitter address above for instant comment and pictures.

[Diesel Dave]

Well it's all over for another year and what a fabulous one it was too,

Never ending sunshine
New bikes to ogle at
Old friends to see again
New faces to join in the fun
Tanglefoot on tap
Massive tent to swing a cat around in
Steak dinner
Powering up Bury hill from the back of the group on the Tiger passing through the thickest blanket of diesel fumes ever seen.
Band playing the old favorites

Ahhh, shame it's all over really

[Diesel Graham]

Yeah, it was a good one again!
Even the shower worked this time, (but not at the same time as the lights evidently)

see you all again next year I hope (bike or not I'll be there)

[Dan J]

I had a great time and it was good to see bikes and meet people old and new. Thanks again for organising Stuart!

[zarquon]

Could you please stop glorifying this event
This way it hurts me me even more, that I could not take part.

Hope to see some of you later this year.

Rafael

[Stuart]

Yes, it's over for another year and I too enjoyed seeing old friends, the bikes and , of course, the glorious sun. I swear I had heat stroke at one point, I went all wobbly But maybe that was just Neil flaunting the 1st British Smart bike before my eyes
Thanks to everyone for making the effort to attend and I will try to get some kind of report (consisting mainly of pictures i guess) up sooner rather than later. I've not yet got the shots from Chris, our photographer so you'll have to wait for the flashy stuff

Thanks again

Stuart

[Crazymanneil]

Another thanks from me for a great rally. Some amazing bikes and good craic, especially with the band this year. Some highlights were meeting Ian and Ola and seeing Mouses fab V twin creation. Great to see you all.

The "early start" yesterday was totally worth it to get a nice boat home I somehow managed to come away with the bit of wood for the sidestand! Oh well, a little momento maybe

Neil

[Anorak_ian]

Yep, great bikes and great company, I had a really good time, thanks to all.

[Stuart]

I've just put the best pictures up and a few words. Sorry there's not more written but the picture captions should give you a feel for what went on. 23 bikes by my reckoning so not a bad turnout considering we were up against the German Royal Enfield meeting. Tried to do some bigger images of the newer bikes but they don't seem to load very well leaving big white holes where they should go. Anyway, I reduced them down until the page loads ok. It even loads all onto the Iphone so I'm happy they are all up there correctly now.
Thanks again to everyone

http://www.dieselbike.net/BritishRally1 ... ally10.htm

[pietenpol2002]

Thanks for posting the pics and report Stuart. What a delight. I must say that those of us deprived of the experience are just a wee bit jealous.