Ribcrackers MCC Soapbox Derby and Valentines Dance

February 10^th 2007

A.K.A learning to bounce

as ever click on photographs to enlarge

If you require high quality copies please email me

Well it seemed a very good idea at the time, this being months before the event, as the call was put out on “Bikerlifestyle” for entries to the Ribcrackers soapbox Derbyshire. A day in Derbyshire racing soapboxes down a hill and a bit of a party after sounded fun, and very shortly I was volunteered to be a victim rider. 

Deciding that I really didn’t fancy camping in February I managed a cracking deal at a nearby ’ish’ travel lodge (for nearby read £7.50 on a cab each way ouch) and I was ready. 

During the week the weather deteriorated with snow over much of the country, discretion being the better part of valour I loaded up my little car and headed north, to snow and sleet. I still felt a bit odd not heading out on the bike, but I was glad of the added safety. 

Safely ensconced in the travel lodge there was a call from Ernie on site and a quick cab ride in the snow and I was settling into the first ale of the evening. Listening to reports of our carts progress as Freak, Kerri and Toad battled up from Gloucester.    

By now the track was fully snowbound, and we were wondering if sledges would be better as we helped push vans up the track, while some tried sliding down on signs. The great feeling of camaraderie as teams arrived, with tales of woe and greetings from friends.    

 

toad....ernie and kerri  .. fat maggots  

The next morning the snow started to wash away and I made my way to the site, to be greeted by the rest of the team, and lots of forum members, some I haven’t seen for a couple of years, all keeping warm in the snow and slush.  

back street heroes cart and Freak builder extrodinaire

With Back Street heroes there in the form of Blue and Yoda we were set for a days racing. We unloaded the carts from Freaks van, and it has to be said the Back Street Heroes cart was a thing of beauty. I even had a quick try around the car park.    

team biker lifestyle jay/toad/me

The carts were to say the least an exotic mix, with three wheelers, four wheelers and even a canoe. With riders as eccentric as the carts it was as they say all down hill from here.    

 Very organised each team (teams of three, two riders with one extra pusher) had two runs, there were 19 teams, and it was a great laugh.  

By the end of the first run, there were some vehicles already damaged beyond repair, Jay who had taken the Bikerlifestyle kart down first was laying third.  

brough tim and the flaminator 

lyn and al  BSH team   Womble and lynn  Team BSH Krammer Ernie and spike

It was down to me now to at least hold the position.

Poised at the top of the hill, with a mighty shove I was launched, the first few yards seemed OK it was as I reached the corner of doom that it all went very very wrong, as I found out the cart did not off road well, and I ended up bouncing down the road, with the kart following me.  

Rescued by Lyn and Freak, who realised I was ok by the giggling, and after checking I still had all fingers I hauled myself back onto the cart and headed back down the hill.  

I will say I was a bit more than tender but what a laugh.

In the end the same teams as last year (despite turning up late) won, results at the bottom of the page.  

 team PIL      fixing a puncture      critch         BSH on the off

 Following awards I headed back, patched myself up and back to party, and boy the Ribcrackers know how to party, the venue was heaving, sadly there was confusion between the bands, and sharing of equipment. The main band stormed out leaving the support with a lack of equipment. The disco stayed on though, and the support band unable to play partied on with the rest.  

The theme was “Valentines Day massacre” and gangsters and molls was the order of the day. To top it all Freak was presented with the best cart trophy for the BSH cart.  

  What a great way to round up a day, and when people wonder about groups of bikers, why is it the Police were called twice to the hotel as the Hen night there resulted in two fights involving police.

A scenic route home via the dales I really must head back on the bike, what a glorious area.

Thanks to the Ribcrackers for a great weekend. And my big personal thanks to freak for building the Kart, and Lyne, Freak etc who pulled me from the wreckage.

Bosun

  a big thank you to Womble and Krammer for the crash photographs (which have kept all my friends smiling) and Yoda for the gif

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