Issue 129 : June - July 2003
Lee Bay Rally
HD UK's 100th
Ducati Multistrada
Rudge
The Brigadier
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Lee Bay Rally
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Lee BayAnd now for something completely different
Set in a steep sided almost sub tropical valley full of swooping birds, palm trees, promenading ducks and giant rhubarb, there is a surreal quality to this event. After braving the wild and windy expanse of Exmoor with its feared Beast and Lorna Doone imagery, entering the old smugglers cove of Lee Bay at the end of this hidden valley is rather like stepping between the pages of Alice in Wonderland. Every year for the last three years about 100 bikers have done just that and most keep coming back. There's no great amount of organisation, there is a ride out on the Saturday for those who want to take part and anywhere you go in this part of the country is scenic so if you lose the convoy as I did, you don't really get short changed. Those who stayed with the run experienced breathtaking coastal views before meeting up with the B team at the Watersmeet cream tea cafe next to the waterfall, pictured left.  The hotel, featured a little right of centre in the picture far right, is almost in the sea but has a heated indoor pool anyway. Since MAG book the whole place we don't have to worry too much about upsetting other guests which was just as well as organiser Tracey AKA the Sphinx encountered a naked man in the middle of the night, who had become bewildered and was wondering about lost but meaning no harm. We'll embarrass him by publishing his picture in a future issue unless he sends £100 to MAG asap call 0870 444 8448 now! Credit cards accepted. Foodwise the fare ain't bad at all. I had fish one night and a Thai curry on the other, damn good nosebag.
The Falconer turned himself into the lead singer in a band later on and pumped out a great set of classics supplemented by a little help from Marsy who knew the words to Johnny Be Good better than the band did. Many thanks to Julian the manager for selling my book on the reception counter and for joining MAG, he rides a Hinkley Triumph so can't be all bad. Following the success of this do organisers Doug and Trace are planning a December bash at the same venue. The West Country enjoying the mildest climate in the UK it might well be rideable but you will have to book early, like now, many rooms were booked by departing guests. Being a bit of a softy I'm all for this luxury and wish more MAG groups would try the idea, not as a replacement for the big rallies but as an alternative to appeal to those who will never go for the camping option. Quite a few of the people there said this was the only MAG event they had been to as they won't camp. Food for thought and very easy to organise I'm told, as of course, the hotel does virtually all of it. Lay on a run to a local beauty spot of site of interest if you like, run a raffle or something for MAG funds and let the hotel do the rest. All reps please take note. Mutch  |
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It's not exactly trad rally stuff but this is a MAG event and since the Lee Bay weekend sells out every year months in advance of the event I reckon that speaks for itself.
I mentioned birds and there are lots in the valley but what were the chances of an Eagle landing on the 'editors' Harley-Davidson? Absolutely amazing
and nothing to do with the fact that there was a falconry display taking place on Saturday afternoon in the hotel grounds.