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British
Motorcyclists Federation Rally 2002 If all of the people who think they know all about the legendary BMF rally in May and have therefore never gone to it, actually did, there would be five times as many people there. As it is, though, the BMF is not starved of bodies - hundreds of thousands of bikers do go every year - why?
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The
reason is extremely simple, they love motorcycles … and the BMF delivers
what they want in bucket-loads. Some people are there to hunt down a biking
bargain in one of the hundreds of trade stalls, staggering later with armfuls
of unbelievably cheap swag. Some are there to hunt down parts for their
70's Guzzi, 80's Honda, 90's Suzuki or 50's Brit and they stand a good chance
of finding them too in the huge covered Autojumbles.
Some
families are there too for the sheer spectacle; eating ice creams in the
stalls while watching motorcycle stunt and formation teams leap and jump
and balance in the huge show ring, followed by maniacal moped racing and
mass parades of proud rider's astride their grand wazzoos. Some settle
in the paddock, surrounded by bike shop, bike magazine and bike club tents,
beer vendors and different stages offering bands, minor celebs and dancing
girls.
Some even go for the actual 'Memba' Rally, held over Saturday night and a darn sight more lively than I'd ever suspected. Somehow I'd never really associated the BMF with blistering rock bands and wet T-shirts! 'Learn something new … ' as they say.
Hundreds
of British motorcycle clubs are affiliated to the BMF, many use the rally
to show a presence (and to show off their motorcycles) and possibly attract
interest and even new members. I was pleased to see both the Indian Owners
Club and the Harley-Davidson Riders of Great Britain had turned up in
force and made a point of visiting both marquees to say hello. Both were
kind enough to invite us to their big Summer rallies. 
The
first is the Indian Owners Club Rally being held this weekend - 7th, 8th,
9th June. We hope to get down to the rally over the weekend and as well
as feature the event, also use the opportunity, if we're lucky with the
weather, to add a few more Indian feature bikes to our rather sad effort
so far.
The
Harley-Davidson Riders of Great Britain are hosting this year's International
Harley Rally on the 23, 24 and 25th of August in Hungerford and if previous
rallies are anything to go by (and they usually are) it proves to be a
stormer. Join the club, get to the rally, see you there.