Page 84 - Mercian Eagle 2013

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joined us. Unfortunately the following: – Sgt Geoghegan, Cpl Chambers and Sgt Pickering, were unable to come at the last minute due to work commitments.
The trip started on the Friday and lasted over the weekend. We were very fortunate to have amazing weather, perfect riding conditions during the day, however, at night we would get the heavy thunderstorms.
There was a vast range of riding experience from the novice (myself), up
to the riders that are now racing bikes, such as Brian Leek. There was also CSgt Williams and Cpl Bird who are now in the early stages of experiencing track days and representing the Army / Battalion, but that’s another story.
The Friday comprised of a ride down to the Harz, the meeting up of everyone at the campsite, then a blast around the local area before setting up camp and getting the BBQ on the go. The plot we were given was a small patch of land with a kind of small round house which allowed for a fire in the centre. Within the campsite were washrooms, a small restaurant, and a beautiful lake where you were able to swim or hire out boats to do some ‘good old water sports’. Several beers later, some outstanding scoff and plenty of catch up everyone retired for the night ready for the next days riding....
Cpl Bird deep in thought over a map...By all means please make your own comments!!!
Saturday morning everyone awoke, some members had a wash at a bathroom whilst other members decided to go down to the lake for a morning dip. After a hearty breakfast we donned our helmets and hit the Harz Mountain roads. Our aim was to get to do
the odd burn out for the crowd. Sweating intensely at seeing the folk eating ice cream whilst under the leathers and helmets our bodies were screaming out for something cool. I think we all felt like stars as people were taking photos and waving us on.
We got back to the camp site late Saturday afternoon, full of adrenaline. It was a case of last one in the lake stinks!! It was an amazing feeling to be in the water. I am sure the locals were looking at us thinking
the 36 Bends. However, it wasn’t meant
to be due to getting carried away with the scenic routes. The bikers were out in force. At some locations it was like riding past “The Sons of Anarchy crew.” Riders of all ages were blasting around the
mountainous roads on
all types of machines. It
was crazy to watch riders
zipping around wearing
only shorts and a t-shirt
disregarding any type of
safety equipment such
as boots, leathers or
gloves.
Due to the hot
weather there were
plenty of water stops in the small villages dotted around and dinner consisted of a kebab washed down with plenty of cola. We even managed to get on to the tail end of a parade going through a small city. Picture the scene – The streets are crowded with families watching a marching band, with a few display floats etc. Then at the rear, with the gear are a ton of bikers, engines screaming out, doing
typical Brits! As we had been out on the bikes our admin bloke, Pte Waitman, had done us proud and went and got in the scoff for the evenings BBQ. CSgt Williams, Wo2 Hudson and
Sgt McGhee managed to join the group that evening due
to being away on the Battalion’s Calfex. Again, it was a great evening of food and beer, before everyone was flat out after having had an amazing ride out.
Sunday morning was the motor bikes group photo next to the lake before a few of us, including myself, departed back to camp due to work commitments etc. The remainder of the group managed to get to
Over all, it was an outstanding weekend and one that needs to be experienced by anyone who owns a bike.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
The sign showing the start of the famous 36 Bends, oh yeah and that’s Nigel-the Ginger Ninja!!