Sidecarland

The Sidecarland’ers Weekend at Kings Lynn 2016

reports from Roy and Chris & Michael

pictures by Roy, Wolfgang, Michael, Pixie, Shark and Skip.

On Friday morning I awoke bright and early and looked out of the window; I could see very little because of a serious mist. I decided to let the sun come up and burn away the worst before heading off towards Kings Lynn. I had a good run along the A17 and took a break at the café / farm shop opposite the Anglia Motel. I fancied a cuppa and a hot dog; the hot dogs, complete with onions, cost only a pound each. Unfortunately I joined a long queue as two coach-loads of holiday makers had arrived just before me. The café can seat 500 people, and the staff were on the ball, so the queue soon disappeared. Another rallyist later told me that he had spotted my outfit parked up at the café.

Refreshed I rode on to the camp site at North Runcton. This site has been further developed since my last visit two years ago, with several more holiday lodges in place.

Talking to Martyn, he told me that the site owner hopes to relocate the shed that we use for socializing in, to an adjoining field, and replace the existing shed with a larger one on the same spot.

I shifted my stuff into my pod for the weekend and wandered over to the shed to sign in and say hello. I later spotted Wolfgang and Marion standing by their Suzuki Burgman outfit. Wolfgang had enjoyed the ride over from Germany in the sidecar.

Marion likes riding the outfit, but she told me that she is now looking for a 650 cc scooter; as they both explained to me, their current 400 cc scooter is good for 60 / 65 mph two-up, but it struggles a bit when fully loaded with all their camping gear and against a head wind or on those long up-slopes. They would like to be able to keep up with the lorries more. It’s quite likely that they will get another Suzuki as they have a good dealer fairly close to their home.

It was nice to see Dave and Shirley and their new outfit at the campsite. They had a toasty trailer tent, and the frost stayed away from their pitch. They got their money’s worth from the electric hook up! Dave had us in stitches telling us about the time that he went to see his Consultant about his new hip. The Consultant congratulated Dave on his progress, and was told that it was obvious that he had followed their rehab guide lines very well; this was not strictly true!!

Friday evening saw the fish and chip shop delivering our order; this was very nice. If you did not fancy fish and chips there was a choice of local pubs and restaurants for you to try. There were also many food outlets just a mile away in Kings Lynn.

Dave Angel arrived on his outfit; this was fitted with a cargo sidecar. He told us that he had several requests for these, and had decided to make some. The cargo sidecar is very nicely finished and has 200 litres of secure load space. He went on to tell us that there is also a new sidecar model from Velorex that he is hoping to import fairly soon. Watch his web-site. for details : www.simplysidecars.co.uk

Marion taking part in the Grand Prix racing.

Dutch courage to take on the kid!

Saturday evening saw the van from the chippie turn up again; well done to Lesley and Martyn for organising this once more. Lesley even walked around the field, checking that everyone available had been asked. After the food the raffle took place; this had a good selection of prizes and was well supported. The famous Tri-Anglia Wheels Grand Prix was, as usual, hotly contested; this is a real laugh. Dave Baker won the contest, and I was told that this was the first time he had done so.

 

Wolfgang and Marion were given an award for the longest distance travelled.

Martyn’s adopted pensioner, Paul Ennis, also received a special award.

Sunday morning was frosty, but the sun soon came up and cleared away the frost. Wolfgang showed me an extension screen that he could, by means of press studs, fix to the existing screen on the chair. He told me that when it rains the design of the scooter bodywork deflects the rain away from Marion’s hands, and straight at the sidecar passenger, hence the extra screen, which is made of flexible plastic and rolls up quite small.

Here, Ted you think it looks bad, just look at it before I started.

The rally went really well, with over 30 units turning, up plus some day visitors. Of the eight camping pods available five were occupied by Fed members. Luckily the weather stayed dry. It will be interesting to see next year if the new larger shed is done in time for our rally.

 

Another great do – well done and thanks again to all the Tri-Anglia team. Roy & Chris

 

 

 

The Lands of Bewulf

 

Friday the 11th March at just after 10.00pm l ride east for Norfolk and the Tri-Anglia Wheels SC. The Sidecarland-ers Camping Weekend, near Kings Lynn. Once settle into life under canvas I take a stroll into to the village of Fair Green & The Gate, public house and l share a table with

“Mark the Shark” and we transpire to put the world to rights!! Since my last visit (12 months ago) we now have a foot path from the campsite to Fair Green, so very much safer for walking jovial sidecar-ists! Saturday morning the sidecar township begins to awaken in the early morning mist.

Even a Reliant (Plastic Pig turned up) www.reliantownersclub.co.uk

Some sidecar-ists are in GLAMPING it in PODS. Plus there is a FED committee meeting taking place

A photo for “Phil the Scoot” a German Lady sidecar-ist from Northern Germany,riding a Suzuki Bergman 400 & Swiss made Armec sidecar.

My kind of MUD GUARD crafted in South Yorkshire.

My short quest today is to try and find some Anglo-Saxons and fords in the wilds of Norfolk https://youtube.com/watch?v=1C0sFXU0SLo with Historian Michael Wood.

My first stop is The Gate and a Telephone Kiosk that is up for ADOPTION!! On my travels l notion a sign for a WOAD CENTRE which seems the Icenians are still slapping the woad on in these parts!! www.thewoadcentre.co.uk/the-history-of-woad

My first ford was at East Bilney and l had to stop and really think about this one? Steep descent on a concrete slab, river bed sandy with large pebbles, plus parts with some depth & a lip/step on the concrete slab on the other bank. Yes a technical section, however a Mystic/Ural made it along “Folly Lane” and crossed the Black Water.

In North Elmham l visit the site of a Saxon cathedral of East Anglia.

At Podmore another ford & a front number plate of vehicle FD05 YXX.

Time seems to go by in a SPLASH and by 15.00pm l have decamped and ready for my homeward journey, even part-timers sometime have to work on Sundays!

Bye for now. Michael.

That bloke with the camera’s a right W—-

Sleeping Beauty’s or Chris’s mug balancing trick.

Sometimes I wonder if his camera has any film m(sorry a card) in it.