Durham Groundhogs 2007

This year’s the first time we’ve really looked at this run as a club and we’ve plenty scooter pals in the Northeast so a few of us figured we’d give it a go. My own target was to get the new scoot ready and give it a dry run to see how it would go and if any teething problems needed sorted. By Thursday morning it was looking grim – still had no seat, registration, no. Plate, tax, bodywork, racks, or power supply for the lights. 24 hours later after a hand from Mark and it was getting there – still no lighting stator or sprint rack though (never arrived – promises promise’s eh?) but the scoot was running and I was determined to go so me and Jeannie finally got away around 12 on Friday.

 Despite a shitty forecast for the whole weekend Friday was ‘mildly moist’ as the tall permed bender on Top Gear would say. First fuel stop and Jeannie fills up so full she canny fit any oil into the tank despite having a tank twice as big as standard. Tube. Had to pump some out onto the forecourt, which really pleased the wife behind the counter! Scoots were running well although it was soon obvious it would take a few miles to get accustomed to the shakin’, rattlin’, growling animal that was bolted under ma seat! Not since I drove Louttit’s TS1 flyin’ banana a few years ago have I sat on a scoot that vibrates so much. Lost about a dozen nuts and bolts and snapped the horn and hugger within 100 miles. Didn’t care though – the power makes up for all that………110mph on Speedo!!!! (Still running in – oops). Can’t help it, the voices made me do it! We got to site and got our ‘first 50 on scoots’ patches – seemed a few left. If it were first 50 cars they would’ve ran out by lunchtime! Nightmare, so many cars it was like a Max Power do. Mostly it was folks who stayed fairly local as well, which were piss poor. I know its not the Groundhogs fault – spoke to them and that’s the thinking behind the patch idea, and it happens everywhere these days. Plus the weather doesnae help. Was proper pissin' down by now and never stopped all night. We ended up with a carryout in tent having a blether with guys we met (Stan n Lee – STAN-LEE!) and then just sat ourselves rest of the night with the sounds on. Quiet night. Well would’ve been quiet but for the car stereos, bonfires and fighting…….ah well!

 Saturday we dragged ourselves off to town to get breakfast and some alcoholic supplies. Just getting tucked into the beer and we were talked into sticking the scoots in the custom show, something that we don’t normally do (usually too pished!). The club then arrived in the form of Willie, Pete, Telf, Squire and Mary and the day started proper. No Strongbow, Guinness or Morgan’s (fucks sake!!) behind the bar meant that sneaking in the carryout was required for the rest of the evening, despite the best efforts of the barman (who looked awfy like a gay Cotton-eye Joe!!!). Custom show results then came out and it appeared my fortune spent, custom-built, frighteningly fast lammy hybrid was insufficient to merit any 1st prizes (at least it was proper ridden – the mud must’ve been different on some roads in the North-East??) and the crowd seemed to like it. Consolation was more than appreciated however when Jeannie took ‘Best Engineered’ which was nice recognition and to me is the top category anyway, especially with a few nice scoots there. The drinkin’ then got well under way and I remember having a blether with Malice and Wyn before the wreckin’ started on the dance floor then it was up there for a while. Pete and me decided to act as stage management bouncers for a while….. ‘Wanna go on stage hen?’……..’Oh, can I, thanks’……’just check your wristband and chest size first’ ?????? Quality. The do was a right good laugh and credit must go to the Groundhogs and lads and lasses from the Northeast for the atmosphere. Stonkin. The portaloos were however a bit of a liability and took a brave soul to venture forth. (Still cringing writing this..). The car count was also poor and sad me even took a pissed walk through the campsite to retrieve more carryout and took a photo of every car on the way. Got 46 pics if anyone is remotely interested. All the car and van tyres had churned up the farmer’s field (sorry meant campsite) and one poor guy slipped and flung a full kebab up in the air and landed back down straight on the coupon. Hahahaha. Funny, though. The night ended with a wee bit of doubt about the identity of one lad who smacked someone that had tried to headbutt him. Seems there were some claims he was a Scottish lad although others said he spoke with a ‘funny’ accent! (bit rich from the Geordie’s - ay reet an haway an that). Something about furry boots and steak pez. Not sure though. We’ll keep an eye out nonetheless.

 Sunday duly delivered the hangover and expected rainfall and made the scoot drive home pretty miserable. Didn’t help the first services were shut and not having a fuel gauge (or reserve, or any idea either how much my tank takes or how much fuel the scoot uses!), was worrying me so I stopped at the Tyne Tunnel to check to make sure I wouldn’t run out inside (would be just my luck). Phone goes and Jeannie (remember the 11 litre tank??) has run out of fuel down the road.  Gets sorted with the siphon pump and we carried on. Just before, Musselborough and Jeannie (yes her with the MASSIVE tank) grinds to a halt again. Yip, you guessed it, ran out again.  Double Tube! Finally home, soaking, cold but at least we all made it ok (I think). Still, a right good weekend.

Ps. Shout out to Sam and Martyn who rode up on Saturday before Sam blew a driveside oil seal 30 miles from Durham. Nae luck. Missed you there but see you both next time. Take care.

Dunf

Stats – Groundhogs 11th – 13th May 2007.   Qualifying miles - 300

 Club scoots attending:

Pete                             Gilera               Runner 180

Telf                              Vespa              Sportique210

Willie                           Vespa              PX200

Squire and Mary          Vespa              T5

Jeannie                        Vespa              T5172

Dunf                            Lambretta        YZ250

  click here for photo's

 
 

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