MINEHOFF MCC ACE OF SPADES RALLY 2007
Photographs and Words by Grav

Having heard what a good time Dougie had last year at this rally, Mrs Grav and I decided to make the journey into the borders to see for ourselves and a mid afternoon start saw us heading north on the M6 towards Scotland. After a drying out stop at Southwaite, courtesy of getting drenched going over Shap (one day I will ride over that section of M6 and stay dry….) we were soon heading up the A7 and riding through the beautiful border country. Even though the weather was lousy, we still made good time and eventually arrived on site at around 8 ish. One thing I did notice on the way up was why Steve Hislop became a bike racer; the roads up there are quite simply stunning and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

After signing in we got directed to where Bunbag was camped and we soon got busy sorting the tent out, which proved a long task as there was a steady stream of folks all coming to say hello including Al from Bikers1 forum and Wee John who somehow has managed to be sgorter than Ernie. No mean feat.....

After we got settled in we headed for the bar and found Bunbag, Tracie and friends firmly entrenched near the bar enjoying themselves and we soon got acquainted and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. The bands played a fine selection of tunes and several chaps decided to amuse themselves by having races up the marquee poles, all in good fun of course. The only dampener on the proceedings was the wind increasing in strength during the evening and flattaning several; tents and even demolishing the food marquee. The Minehoff members didn't let this 'minor hiccup' get them down though, they moved the food stall into the main marquee and moved the bar up a bit. A simple solution that worked quite well and nobody seemed to mind at all. Result.

Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny and we just spent the day wandering round the site, chatting with friends, takig pictures of the bike show and just chilling out. We climbed a hill overlooking the site and got a better look at what makes the site so good. It is surrounded on all sides by hills and trees, making it a natural amphitheatre. All the noise just goes upwards and not out towards the town of Garvald, so we could basically be as niosy as hell wothout fear of upsetting the locals. Another result!

Dougie and Fran appeared later that afternoon and we spent the rest of the evening with them in the marquee. The entertainment was as good as the previous night and included a performance from three members of the local Pipe Band. Two pipers and a young lad playing the drum who looked really nervous at first, but when they played Flower Of Scotland, the cheers everyone gave put him at ease and they had a hard time getting him off stage to lead everyone outside for the Fireshow. A troupe of Jugglers and Poi swingers who gave us a good show before the grand finalé, a flaming burnout on a specially adapted bike. Unfortunately all did not go quite according to plan when they couldn't get the back wheel to catch fire. Didn't stop the lad blowing the back tyre though and making lots of pungent smoke that wafted over everyone. Spike would have got it lit....... Back in the marquee it was more good music and a few more beers and eventually we made our way to bed, knackered and happy.

Sunday morning was a tad moist, then it got moister....... Still, we had one day of glorious sunshine and the rain could not dampen my enthusiam for the rally. A few awards of note: Club Turnout went to Saints And Sinners MCC from Dundee whilst Best Virtual Club Turnout weant to the Bikers Wan Massive and their prize was a childs toy computer......snigger. The chap who won best in show donated his cash prize to the NABD and Andy Britten won the tale of woe award. He set off from home and shortly afterwards his rear brake exploded. rather than turn round, he valliantly carried on going after a few roadside repairs and got to within 5 miles of the site when he promptly fell off, breaking his front brake lever off. He still managed to ride it to the site, now that's determination. Well done Andy.

Minehoff MCC really do make a big effort to make sure the entertinment and facilities are of a high standard. Even with a few hiccups due to the weather, their determination to keep everyone happy was excellent. Well done to them all for an excellent Rally. I shall be back next year for sure.

 After the rally, Mrs Grav and I headed off to Killin to spend a couple of days at Cruachan Farm Campsite, the stop over point we used on our way to Shetland. It rained.........a lot.......