The East London and Essex Section Run to the 2023 Alternative

At the Bishop Auckland Rugby Club

“Essex Boys (??) on Tour”

Dave Walling (one of those ridning to the event) writes

On Sept 27th, 5 section members left home to attend the Alternative jampot Rally in Bishop Auckland. Roy Bellet , Steve Carvoso, Dudley Woods and myself met at Crown Corner and made out way to Bishops Stortford to meet Graham Eaton then set off on the first leg of our journey, stopping for refreshments at "The Rock and Rolla" tea shack at Whittlesea, near Peterborough, before making our way to our overnight stop at Barrow upon Humber, just this side of the Humber Bridge. After a good evening meal, night's sleep and breakfast we set forth over the Humber Bridge, which although it had 30mph speed restrictions in place didn't cause any issues with cross minds. We made a small detour to visit Mathewson's at Thornton le Dale, home of the TV show "Bangers and Cash". Keeping with the TV show theme we then went to Goathland - Heartbeat Country, where the Heartbeat show was filmed for further photo opportunities, then moving onward to the rally site at Bishop Auckland Rugby Club. Roy's bike had sucked up some debris from the tank and blocked a fuel tap which was cleared to re establish a good flow. After delivering fire buckets and saying some hellos we found our hotel, 4 miles away at Escombe. After breakfast on Friday we returned to the rugby club to meet old friends and a few first time rally goers before going on the afternoon run to Locomotion at Shildon, a rail museum. Unfortunately a small but vital plug departed from Dudley's carb so Roy returned to where he had broken down and took him pillion to get his van and retrieve his bike. Even worse, by the time we'd decided on a course of action graham Steve and I found the café inside closed! We had met up with Sussex members Pete Morris and wife Christine who joined us for the customary Indian meal in town that evening. Saturday morning and a temporary repair was made to Dudley's bike courtesy of half a cocktail stick jammed in the pilot jet to stem the flow of petrol, but his woes continued as shortly after setting off on the run to Stanhope his throttle cable snapped. Graham was also having ignition issues with his G15 which frequently cut out but did re start. The run took in a trip over the moors where the temperature dropped and was wet on both outward and return journeys. Saturday night we had a very pleasant evening at the rugby club who provided a very nice meal and good beer at very good prices! I was given the "furthest travelled ridden on a bike of the marque" award. Sunday morning we set off to begin our homeward leg, stopping overnight at Petwood House in Woodhall Spa, which was home to the airmen of the Dam Buster squadron during their training. Steve suffered a broken drive chain just outside of Caister which we were able to fix with a spare split link, and bad luck struck again when Graham's throttle cable snapped when leaving a coffee stop, which was jury rigged to keep him going, his bike later on deciding to start blowing the main fuse which we traced to what seemed to be a faulty light switch. Monday and we set off on the last leg. Roy had failed to turn off his fuel and a copious amount had escaped onto the hotel car park overnight, presumably some crap had stopped the needle valve from closing. off we went, stopping again at the "Rock and Rolla" for refreshments. Our woes were not quite over as Steve had a plug fail before we reached Braughing so a replacement was fitted. i arrived home around 2-30, tired but happy after a highly enjoyable if challenging at times trip, having covered a total of 785 miles and riding some great biking roads in good company. I'm looking forward to next year's rallies and trips as this year has been my most enjoyable on my AJS and Matchless bikes so far.

The “Rock n Rolla” tea shack at Whittlesea

TV’s Aidensfield Garage from it’s Heartbeat programme (Goathland in reality)

The Mathewson Classic Vehicle auction house at Thornton-Le-Dale

Home of the 2023 Alternative Rally

Petwood House Hotel in Woodhall Spa, presumably before Roy had dumped an amount of petrol over their car park

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