Jampot Menu |
28th International Jampot Rally 2010
Streete Parish Park, Westmeath, Ireland
After one year of planning and dreaming; months of trying to organise motorcycle insurance; shipping companies; emails from English and Irish Jampot Club members; travel agents and other interested club members, the day of departure (which was always far off on the horizon....), finally arrived.
The final participants were Murray McLean (1951 Matchy 500cc Compy) and Louise Reese-Jones (1951 Royal Enfield 350cc Bullet) from Nelson, along with Steve Gaudin (1951 Matchy 500cc G80) and Mindy Chowdhury (1945 BSA B31 350cc) from Marlborough. We shipped our bikes from Wellington and Blenheim, to Rainham, Essex in England using UTI Shipping. Our 4 bikes were in two crates. Two other Auckland Club members, Brian King and Willie Tweed bought Matchies (500cc G80 and 650cc G12 respectively) from Jampot Spares in Kettering ( UK ).
On Sunday 9th May, the four South Islanders met in Auckland and on route spent a couple of days in Dubai. We would seriously recommend Dubai as a destination 'stop over'. Friendly people, clean, safe, and a very hot 46 degrees when we were there!
Arrived in Heathrow on Wednesday 12th where we parted company for a couple of days to catch up with friends and relatives in and around London. Re-grouped on Friday 14th in Rainham, Essex at the freight Company for the massive unpacking of the crates. Many hours later, with no problems, we were ready to ride out at 3pm on the M25 - silly move! Oh my goodness - it was grid locked, the old bikes where overheating and Louise struggled with the new clutch and the nightmare began. Murray and Louise got separated from Mindy and Steve due to traffic etc, found some digs for the night about 40 miles apart.
Saturday 15th - We rendezvoused in the quaint village of Abbotsley with big smiles to be reunited after such dramas on the M25. From there we meandered through the beautiful B roads to Billesdon in Leicester. Oh my goodness! - what an over whelming welcome we received arriving at the local pub from James (family friend) and his friends.
Sunday 16th - Newark Auto Jumble, NOT TO BE MISSED! Seventh heaven (a McLean's Island Swap Meet without the pot plants and much, much more). Brought some treasures and wished we brought a whole lot more. Many classic bikes for sale at relatively reasonable prices but 'damn' that crate is just a tad too small!
Monday 17th - Brian King met up with us on his newly acquired Matchy and the 'Famous Five' were off on route through the Leafy Lanes of England, arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds for a night of camping - ouch, a little chilly in the early hours of the morning but we can handle it and the Full English Breakfast was delicious.
Tuesday 18th - On the road again and more beautiful countryside to explore with our first fuel stop at the Alderton Garage. Good work Murray, as upon meeting the proprietor he opens his doors to an outstanding collection of 100 plus classic/vintage motorcycles scattered around his property in various garden sheds, garages and glass houses. He advised us to go to the Prescott Hill Climb venue in Tewkesbury which is also the home of the Bugatti Museum and a privately owned race track, which we had the pleasure of riding on. Crossed into Wales through even more stunning scenery around Abergavenny and finally arrived at a remote campsite, Pencelli - just gorgeous! Great evening in the local village which backed onto the canal's where many a narrow boat was moored.
Wednesday 19th - Road north through Bluith Wells on the A470 to Dinas Mawddwy, then over Hell Fire Pass (wow) to Bala and stayed at the Goat Hotel.
Thursday 20th THERE IS A FERRY BOOKING TODAY. Up early, allowing plenty of time in case of any mechanical issues. Right, Holyhead here we come........ten miles down the road the good old Royal Enfield blows a head gasket! The three lads set to task and whip the head off and have it re-assembled in less than 30 minutes. 'Louise jump on and off you go ahead. We will catch you up, but don't go any faster than 40 mph'. Off she goes, enjoying the scenery and no pressure from her companions for approx 80 miles until nature calls and a toilet stop is necessary in the not so distant future. Great, Murray pulls up along side and Louise signals her intentions, but these are misinterpreted and the opportunity to use any facilities is passed. Then with only 9 miles to go Louise's needs to arrive in Holyhead sooner increases and decides a little more throttle is necessary! WHOOPS bad mistake - the Enfield is a DEAD DUCK! Out with the tow rope and Steve tows Murray on the Enfield, whilst Louise struggles with G80 to the ferry terminal. Long story, but Louise is ahead of the other three who board the ferry after being advised she had boarded. However Louise was in the car park nearby struggling to start the G80 and has no option but to push the heavily laden beast over a mile onto the ferry while the rest of the group watched and cheered her on much to her disgust and consequently no talkies forawhilelater! UnbeknowntoLouisetheyhadno option as once boarded there was no going back due to security restraints.
Drama city now that we have arrived in Dublin! Towed the Enfield off and as luck would have it, an Irish Taxi driver with a van pulls along side and dumps the ole girl in his van with the front and back wheels hanging out each side of the van. Racing through the streets of Dublin with us 3 Kiwis in hot pursuit, we arrive at a small motorcycle workshop. Ok to leave bike there and return later to assess damage.
More motorway mayhem followed as we navigate our way out of Dublin and ride the 80 miles to the site of the International Jampot Rally.
We register, set up our tents and head down to the nearest pub for that obligatory pint of well-earned Guinness. We found Alfie and Rhoda Blair from Northern Ireland (who we all met at the Pahiatua Jampot this year) and set up camp by them and handy to all the services. Brian King arrives that night also, having got onto an Irish ferry a few hours after us.
Friday 21st - Murray and Louise head back to Dublin to strip the Enfield, while Mindy and Steve go for the first of several daily runs of the four day rally, this one taking in the seven wonders of the Fabulous Valley of Fore. Bad news on the Enfield front - broken piston, conrod, and cylinder. Ring UK, but unable to find donor engine, so back to the rally. An enterprising Irishman has a '53 350cc Rigid AJS for sale and offers it to Louise to test ride for the main rally ride. William Tweed arrives that day also, along with Ann Gardiner from Croydon, Surrey (honorary NZ member whom many will remember meeting at the Hunua Jampot).
Saturday 22nd - Another fine day - doesn't seem to rain in Ireland like we thought. It's 25 degrees today - oh well! The ride took us around the many Lough's and Estate Mansions. That night Irish dancing performed by local school girls and a lovely teacher who provided some free dance lessons, to an un-named Kiwi who entertained the audience of approx 350 people made up from us Kiwis, an Australian, English , Irish, Scottish, Dutch, Italians, Germans, Finnish, a sole Polish entrant, Americans and probably others, all made for another enjoyable day.
Sunday 23rd - Today's ride of 56 miles was to the town of Arva in County Cavan, via the Gowna Lake system. We wound our way thru the now familiar pot-holed, sealed by-roads with grass growing up the centre. At Arva we were marshalled into the town square where the locals had prepared a lunch and an Irish band were playing all those good old tunes.
Back at the Rally Site in Streete the party was starting to gain momentum and after dinner the awards were given out. Furtherest Travelled at 737 miles went to Murray McLean and the Globe-Trotter award to us 6 Kiwis.
Monday 24th - another short ride to Tullynally estate and then back to base for packing up the tents and loading our bikes. Murray was loaned a 1961 Matchless 650cc Twin by Roy Bellett (UK Jampot club president) and Roy kindly took the Enfield back to Essex. This allowed Louise to ride the G80 for the rest of their tour of Ireland, Wales and England.
We 5 said our goodbyes to our new friends and rode southeast to the town of Kildare where we found a B+B for a good shower (as the water supply at the rally was not up to catering for 350 odd people), followed by a fine Irish Meal.
Tuesday 25th - Rode over the Wicklow Mountains to the picturesque area of Glendalough. Although a tourist trap, it is a beautiful area with a lake, lush greenery, old build- ings and more ancient history to explore.
At this stage, we bid each other farewell as Murray and Louise rode to the coastal village of Cahore, Brian to Waterford, and Steve and Mindy to Wicklow to a campsite on the coast (on route to continue their tour of Southern England).
Overall, a fantastic rally and many thanks to the hosts Bob and Sydney Boaden and their team for putting it on in Sunny Ireland.
To be continued in separate parts by Murray and Louise and Steve and Mindy in next magazine issue.
Events | Classifieds | News | Contacts | Trade Adverts 
| Help | Links | Join The Club | Archives
