Cheddar 2002

CHEDDAR GORGE 6^TH7^TH 8^TH SEPTEMBER 2002

VMAX VS BANDIT 2002 (More Photos here)

After an admittedly unenthusiastic start to the Max event year ( cos of not owning a Max anymore).
I’d been looking forward to this, and was happy that Jon, Martin, Tricky, Geoff, Andy, Sam, and any others
involved, continued the tradition of the Max vs. Bandit concept. (Tricky and I started this up in 1997 as
“The Beast of Bodmin Moor”. It involved three, yes three, campsites, and started in Leicestershire
( MoorBarns Inn) via Cheddar( Church Farm) to St. Brewards RC(Bodmin).) Last year we used the New Forest
, year b4 was The Rodney Stoke Inn, this year, Cheddar, Broadway House.

I see this Rally as a merge between The Max vs. Bandit plus Geoff and mines’ “end of season” rallies,
which were usually at Cheddar or the New Forest.

Funny how things work themselves out in the end.

As many realise. I ride an FJR now.. so was ready for a lot of pisstaking. Or being refused entry at the gate.
Or at least getting my rear wheel nicked to see if it fits a Max Shaft.

A nice run down the A46 on Friday ( on Auto pilot of course) until filtering on the M5 got tedious. (Wide mirrors).
However, I’m sure when I turn the lights on, it’s like parting the red sea ( must look like a coppers bike).
All I need is some white paint and orange strips.

Cheered up seeing the Cheddar greenery where I killed a pigeon many years back ( 1994 I think) on me Max.
going on my very first Max meeting at Cheddar…..but that’s another story. Shut up Geoff.

Luckily I’d checked the vmaxchat site before leaving and picked up on the last minute venue change.

(Your loss Mr. Rodney Stoke Inn new owner). To my delight it was easily visible from the main road….
but still overshot as usual (overtaking as usual).

I was a bit dubious upon entering (looked a bit respectable for us) the camping fees were worth it for the
level of facilities available throughout the weekend though.

The reception sorted us out efficiently and sent us up to the top field, at the far end. (A wise idea I thought to myself).

When I got to the field entrance, the gravel path, the adverse camber, and the uphill turn … brought me to a halt
before the weight of luggage tipped me over. I put a foot down applied the brakes and ……………slid backwards two
feet down the slope… sideways. Uummmm dodgy one that… but got the hang of it before falling off.

Entered the field… I think I was the only bike not immediately anticipated by the recipients. Owing to the lack of my
exhaust burble. (Stealth bike). Loads there already, the old weatherworn hardcore and the new faces from vmaxchat
(Welcome). Trickys Badtin turn out was impressive and for the first time since 1997 he won the attendance stakes.
Rusty introduced me to his Mascot. See piccys.

It was bar time for most, so trundled down to the site bar, for booze and nosebag.

More bikes turned up late into the eve.

Rusty noticed sheep rustlers had made off with his mascot and pined for his companion. (“I thought I was amongst friends”).

Geoff TB organised a ride for the morning up through the gorge and up over that mountain, you know, the one with the
permanent mist on it. A pleasant ride actually, but I stayed to cook me brekky for me smaller half. To strengthen up for the PM ride out.

Interesting over the years how tents have grown…The first time I erected mine…it was open peetaking weekend ( in fact it was the
first three years I reckon) “Marquis” Dance Tent” “Do u park the bike in there” etc…However, other tents have caught up…and a lot
actually dwarf mine now. Particularly Trickys family abode c/w swimming pool + reception desk. People are there with their quick
erections and all Mod cons…Shami still has to help me get it up, otherwise it ends up floppy, and leaks.

Geoff led us out through the gorge again… just to give the tourists something interesting to put in their postcards. Before heading
towards Weston Super Mare.

“Whenever two or three Maxes are gathered together ….it shall piss down”.

Parked up in the bike park on the beach front, totally filled it in fact( see piccys).

Took cover in a café bar for nosh for an hour before exploring a couple of camping shops in the town. A few guys were getting
desperate for a drink and phoned back to site to arrange opening the bar in the afternoon for us. The ride back was drier. A lovely
girl opened up the bar without pay so later we had a collection for her. Which doubled her usual hourly rate.

During the afternoon as people judged bikes, The occasional ransom riddle turned up taped to Rustys bike making demands on the
kidnapped tender lamb chops.

I’ll leave it for others to list the prizes and winners if they want to.

You know who u r..( I hope ).

Broadway House opened the extension/function room for us to fill while presenting prizes for bike categories, booby prizes, Trophies…
which Andy had made up with his own fair hand.

During the raffle prizes…VmaxDude won at least 5 times. Jon won at least twice. It was the most bizarre ceremony I’ve ever witnessed.
I think others’ names came out a number of times. You had to be there…trust me. it was all coincidence. However, Martin did buy a lot of tickets.
(That's a lie I only bought 10 - MH)

Uncle Festers and Griff donated Max Stuff which “Geoff the bolt”…from herein referred to as “Geoff the Auctioneer”, promptly knocked out
in true bartering/bidding, adlib freestyleee. Hey.. “I tell you what”: David Dickinson would have been proud of him “Bargain Hunters”.

He did an excellent job of knocking out quality Max+Bat-tits gear…and provided an impromptu display of spontaneous entertainment for the gathering.

The proceeds were divided between the Bandaid and VMaxchat websites to pay for running and development costs.

(Between u and I, I reckon Janet and Stuart were a little tipsy.) But being the Gentleman I am I won’t embarrass them.

Rustys Lamb turned up hanging from a rafter in the bar in the evening… he tried to get it down but Stu and I couldn’t quite hold the chair
steady for him, it was far too dangerous and wobbly for him. Somehow amidst the confusion, Lambsy vanished and reappeared hours later
hanging from a branch in the tree house in the bike field. We never did solve the mystery… did we …Shami…????

( I reckon she’s a bit Baaaaa-curious).

I think RustyBalls was disappointed to find his Mascot had been sullied by several bikers in several tents. I was disappointed coz I thought
he liked them shaved. I mean sheared.

The bar stayed open till late ( thanku God) satiating our every liquid need. T’was a cold night, and a clear sky. Mike the Trooper bought us a
round ( Brave man) b4 we thought we’d had enuffff.

By 2AM all was quiet except for a dozen or so musical snores competing for domination with the farting in the misty wilderness. I earned some
more Air-miles by making Shami a fresh hot water bottle before passing out.

I wonder if that guy got his max sorted ( one cyl. Down). Wonder if he got home?

Oh yeh…forgot about the alarm ripping Batnads riders:- The alarms were playing up. and at least one had to be ripped out . Apparently Tricky has
had to do a few now… always after nights in damp fields.

I’m waiting for mine to play up. YUK. Ever got the feeling you’ve been cheated?

I think Shami and I were amongst the last few to leave on Sunday after packing up the “Tardis”

Cheers All…This event which started as an end of year reminiscing, pisstaking, small gathering of a dozen at most, seems to be gaining momentum
and growing, in spite of all the odds.

Nice one vmaxchat.

See you all next time.

Andrew P