politbike
YOU'VE BEEN NAB'D 19
Taken at the "You've been NAB'D 19" rally, cheshire, May 2010.
I have been rallying for over 25 years and have been to the NABD (National Association for Bikers with a Disability) rally in the past, but not for several years. To be honest, I was disappointed. I went home after only one (sleepless) night and will not be returning.
Now, before anybody posts comments saying that "I am putting down good people", and I am "trying to damage a worthy cause, blah, blah, blah", let me say a few things.
1) NABD does an excellent work with and for disabled bikers, and is a charity I support 100%. I was a member for several years and am still an affiliate member. I am NOT criticising NABD in any way, but I have a few comments to make about how their rally was organised. These are not just my views, they are shared with other people I spoke to.
2) The programme said that due to complaints from neighbours, the music would have to be turned down by 11.30pm, and turned off by 1.00am. Oh yeah? Full volume 'til 3.30am more like. This is an excellent way to ensure that the neighbours will campaign to have the event banned next year.
3) It was billed as a "family friendly" rally. There was a marquee offering family friendly entertainment. Right next door to this marquee was a provisions store, called "Kumansukme" ("Come and suck me" - how childish), which had a large blackboard advertising "Fags & Porn Mags". Next to the marquee where children will see it? That's what I call sensible (not).
4) There was a trade stall called "Cannabis Cannabis", which sold everything weed themed, except the weed. So, everybody brought their own, and smoked it openly throughout the site. The marshalls obviously condoned this, as they did nothing about it.
Bikers are still a misunderstood bunch, and we often have to stand up to combat prejudice, but if we behave like a load of selfish, immature hedonists, then we can't complain when people label us as such.
If NABD does nothing about this sort of behaviour at their rallies, then they will end up alienating many bikers who do not behave in this way, but rely on the essential services they provide.
Again, I must stress that I fully support NABD, but if they do not at least listen to the complaints of some of their members and supporters, then it would be a sad day for biker democracy.
YOU'VE BEEN NAB'D 19
Taken at the "You've been NAB'D 19" rally, cheshire, May 2010.
I have been rallying for over 25 years and have been to the NABD (National Association for Bikers with a Disability) rally in the past, but not for several years. To be honest, I was disappointed. I went home after only one (sleepless) night and will not be returning.
Now, before anybody posts comments saying that "I am putting down good people", and I am "trying to damage a worthy cause, blah, blah, blah", let me say a few things.
1) NABD does an excellent work with and for disabled bikers, and is a charity I support 100%. I was a member for several years and am still an affiliate member. I am NOT criticising NABD in any way, but I have a few comments to make about how their rally was organised. These are not just my views, they are shared with other people I spoke to.
2) The programme said that due to complaints from neighbours, the music would have to be turned down by 11.30pm, and turned off by 1.00am. Oh yeah? Full volume 'til 3.30am more like. This is an excellent way to ensure that the neighbours will campaign to have the event banned next year.
3) It was billed as a "family friendly" rally. There was a marquee offering family friendly entertainment. Right next door to this marquee was a provisions store, called "Kumansukme" ("Come and suck me" - how childish), which had a large blackboard advertising "Fags & Porn Mags". Next to the marquee where children will see it? That's what I call sensible (not).
4) There was a trade stall called "Cannabis Cannabis", which sold everything weed themed, except the weed. So, everybody brought their own, and smoked it openly throughout the site. The marshalls obviously condoned this, as they did nothing about it.
Bikers are still a misunderstood bunch, and we often have to stand up to combat prejudice, but if we behave like a load of selfish, immature hedonists, then we can't complain when people label us as such.
If NABD does nothing about this sort of behaviour at their rallies, then they will end up alienating many bikers who do not behave in this way, but rely on the essential services they provide.
Again, I must stress that I fully support NABD, but if they do not at least listen to the complaints of some of their members and supporters, then it would be a sad day for biker democracy.