BMF Kelso 2002

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BMF Kelso Bikefest 14th July 2002

Although several members of the VJMC had been to previous Kelso shows this was to be our first time (by invitation) that Lothian and Central section of the VJMC would be putting their beloved machines on display. Our Marquee, which had been allocated to the club, was set up for us on the Thursday. Thurs, Fri. and Sat. are for BMF members and exhibitors only. with Sunday being for the public.This being the case some of us decided to take advantage of what could be a great weekend by setting up early and having some free time to ourselves….some more than others.

Timetable

Friday: Stan arrived Friday night to check out the local pubs.

Saturday: Mike, Brian, Jim and Craig arrived at 8.30 on Saturday morning with van and trailer load of bikes. We unloaded the bikes and set up the display and camping area and were in the bar mid afternoon for refreshments. Richard and Petra arrived late Sat. morning. Maureen arrived late afternoon and organised the marquee, she would have organised us but we were still in the bar. When we returned Petra and Maureen managed to put on a superb meal for us all and then Linda arrived about 8.30pm with her infamous trademark…a bright Yellow VW beetle. The rest of the evening was spent having a good relaxing time in what was still fantastic weather, with lots of drink good company and plenty of good-humoured banter! The weather was so good that Brian decided to sleep on the grass.

During the day there was the Honda Mac ride-out to St Mary's loch, Tala Reservoir and the Grey Mares tail. Bikefest had arranged for several bands to play from early evening in the bar area which didn't close until 1.00 am.

About 11.00 PM we decide to call it a night and get some sleep, some being the operative word as a few artistic drunken persons decided to stage what seemed like a mini folk festival at around 2.00 `o clock in the morning with their Grande finale being an impromptu firework display which consisted of one (probably) expensive and very loud explosive device which they ignited around 2.30 AM. (I did eventually see the funny side to this) This was later followed by some guy who could only have been using a mate's bike as it sounded like he was trying to see how long the bike would redline before the engine would blow, as there were no reported bodies in the morning I guess the engine didn't blow! What a pity!

Sunday: Mike set the pace for breakfast at 7.00 am and had the rest of us up by 7.30. Maureen got the breakfast going for the bleary eyed while we set the bikes out on display at the front of the Marquee.

The show was opened to the public at 10.00 am with a full day of activity Including: -

Stunt shows - Entertainment for younger children

Parade of bikes - Scottish track championships

Parachute jumps - Space hopper race

Helicopter rides - and also a flypast from the red arrows

There were some great bargains to be had: -

Leather jackets/trousers/gloves/boots etc

There were also several other stalls selling bike related products, including camping equipment and also some auto jumble.

The atmosphere was very relaxed; it is very well organised and well supported by both BMF members and the public on the open day.

Bikes Displayed

XS 850 - Stan Smith

XT500 - Mike Easton

Suzuki GT 380 and 550 - Alan Wright

Honda 400/4 (red) - Brian George

Honda 400/4 (yellow) - Brian George

Honda 750 - Richard Mackay

Honda CB 360 - George Beer

Kawa Z1 - Gordon Stark

Kawa Z900 - Dave Cullen

Day Visitors GPZ1100 - Dave Kinnear (Glasgow)

Honda CB 750 - Duncan Staniland ( Balquidder)

Dougie Cromerty Bill Bruce Angela Easton

Special thanks to…. Jim Readman…for organising the VJMC entry

Mike Easton…..for use of van/trailer and equipment

Maureen………for her usual organisational skills

Petra…………..for help on the stand and keeping us from starving

This is just some of the bikes that were on parade in the main arena.

Thanks to Stan Smith for this article.