National Rally; July 2002
Hollies Cafe, a Unique Experience
Having done the National Rally twice before, the first time achieving the Special Gold Award, and the second time the Platinum Award, I was eventually persuaded to attempt it for a third time, this time as a team. Three contestants are required to make up a team, and Trevor Fairbanks & myself, invited Steve Palmer to join us. Did he know what he was letting himself in for?
We received the details one week before the rally and met around Trevor’s house for a bit of planning. We discovered Steve was a vegetarian and didn’t drink alcohol, did he really know what he was letting himself in for, cooked breakfasts at three in the morning and a night away with the boys. The routes were decided over a few lagers and we arranged to meet at the Little Chef near the Avon Forest at 11:30, giving us enough time to get to Guildford, which was our planned start.
For those that know nothing of the National Rally, it starts at 14:00 on Saturday and finishes at 10:00 on Sunday morning. The instructions include a network of check points with connecting distances. The idea is you visit as many check points as possible, this year 25, making the mileage add up to 540 miles to achieve the special gold award.
Saturday morning Trev and I arrived at the Little Chef at 11:25 ready to meet Steve. The time went on, and at 11:50 he eventually arrived. You have got to remember you can’t rush Steve. A steady ride up the A31 to Guildford, and we arrived at around 1’ish to find a bite to eat. We decided on Trev’s favourite restaurant, Burger King for 2 Big Whopper meals, or was it three. The veggy thing soon went out of the door. All fuelled up we made it to the start, just to see everybody already starting including Jim McCarter. Cards stamped we were ready at 14:05, well only 5 mins late but Steve had met another BMW RT owner. Remember you can’t rush Steve. He had his little chat about tyres or something and then we set off with Steve leading the 1st leg. Easy leg, can’t go wrong A3, M25, M4 to Slough J5 M4. We left the BMW dealers car park and towards the 1st set of traffic lights, whoops wrong way Steve.
Trev and I got the map out, Steve returns, yes we can go that way. Back to the traffic lights, whoops, wrong way again Steve. As Trev disappeared in the distance with a plume of steam coming from his helmet, I waited for Steve to return yet again. Was it now going to be the two of us doing the rally alone, or would the Honda be waiting around the corner. We arrived at the 1st check in still together, and it was then onto Reading, Newbury, Basingstoke, Andover, Amesbury, passed Stonehenge, through Devizes over the canal locks, and onto Melksham. It was then onto Chipping Sodbury our first rest stop. Steve and I arrived to check in, but Trev had done a Nigel Jones and gone flying passed the turning. Eventually Trev arrived to which I said "This gentleman put the sod in Chipping Sodbury", Trev replied "I know a man from Scunthorpe". The lady present was not amused.
Nice restaurant, white table linen, steak & chips, and vegetarian chicken and we were on our way. No you can’t rush Steve, he always cleans his teeth after meals. Just look at that ring of confidence. On our way for the night time episode, Stroud, Andoversford, Worcester, where there was that lovely smell of oriental food and drunks walking all over the centre of the road, some very attractive I may add. Onto Leominster, Knighton not quite the way we planned Steve but we got there, Church Stretton, Sutton Maddock, and at about 3am Wolverhampton our next wonderful rest place.
Two full breakfasts and one vegetarian black pudding, easy on the blood. Hollies Café, what an experience. It is the only place I have seen Trev not eat all his food, but Steve enjoyed his vegetarian beef steak. By the way, if you are ever close by, you can stay the night at Hollies for £12 a night, including breakfast, and if Dave Sanford is with you, I am sure you will get it cheaper. Teeth now flossed in the lorry car park, it’s OK, no rush Steve, we are ready for last part of the journey. Up to Uttoxeter, into the wonderful county of Derbyshire to Ashbourne, down to Kegworth, Melton Mowbury for a veggy pork pie, Leicester, Dunchurch and Gaydon the finish 08:00 Sunday morning. Apparently Torring finished at 05:30 but then he only did 24 check points as did Dave & Adrian.
About time we had another cooked breakfast. Filled once again with bacon & eggs it was now time for a little knap.
Refreshed, now time to work our way to Stratford-Upon-Avon, find a pub to watch the World Cup Final, and then find our accommodation for the night. Well I was happy the Germans lost, but it wasn’t as enjoyable as beating the Welsh at rugby. The guest house was just down the road. We agreed shower, change of clothes, and then a walk around Stratford. Feeling alive again it was time to give Steve a knock. After several loud bangs on his door there was no answer, but his keys were in the door. We let ourselves in only to find Steve getting a few more zzzz’s. Trevor lifted up his leg by his big toe and let it go back to the bed, but you have got to remember, you can’t rush Steve. He’ll wake up in his own time. After a lot of shouting Steve woke up rather startled, and we set off for a non-alcoholic beverage.
After a few cappuccinos, and some pints of Weatherspoons guest ale, we found a restaurant to dine at. Yes you have guessed it, the Indian, but then this one was a bit posher than your local Tandoori. Remember, we are in Stratford. No Chicken Balti, or Jalfrezi on this menu. We agreed we would have the special, vegetarian was off. Back to the guest house for a good nights kip.
Whatever your bike, I recommend you try it sometime.
P.S. There were only 24 check points.