Still recovering from our weekend at the Hotrod Hayride (a celebration of the American hot rod scene of the 40/50s
) which is held at the shooting range in Bisley (home of the National Rifle Association). Shooting goes on all through the weekend so you get an audio backdrop of rockabilly music, the roar of bikes and cars and the bang bang bang of rifles. Chevy Rick and I have been to this event quite a few times now and everytime, the atmosphere and the variety of vehicles just hits you as soon as you arrive. It is like entering another world.
Bisley is a great place for the event as there is plenty of space for tents and caravans plus there is existing accommodation there, with many of the buildings fitting the era of the event.
This year was bigger than ever and there were no tickets available on the gate. That was a first and it caught a good many out.
The cars and bikes also seemed better than ever with quite a few not seen at other events, including a few autocyles, which made a nice contrast to the many panheads. Some of the previously unseen vehicles belonged to folks coming from further afield. I think there were more Europeans than ever plus a smattering of Americans.
The period outfits were superb as usual and the ladies' period hairstyles were just lovely. I don't know how some ladies looked so brilliant emerging from a tent!
I didn't see many of the bands this year, I mainly looked around the stalls and vehicles and attended the Hill Climb which was held about 10 mins away.
The climb was really good with many visitors entering their rods or bikes. They were just on their 3rd and final climb when one of the drivers lost it on a bend. Unfortunately one of the spectators was hit by the car. This brought the event to an abrupt end but happily the chap, even though hospitalised, only had concussion and bruising. A shame it happened though, as the Detonator car club who organise it, work very hard to make sure everything is as entertaining but as safe as possible. I hope this does not deter them, or the Hayride organisers from having events like this over the weekend.
It was nice to see fellow Mankies, Renegade and Panthershaun. There was also a bigger group from Victory Wheelers this year, including Mankies, ChrisJ and Calvin.
I took quite a few photos, as did Rick and Renegade, and I hope to post them in the next few days.
As I always say, if you like this era and you like American cars and bikes and/or rods then you really ought to make it in 2014.
JJ
