The Island Invasion rally of 2001 commenced for the
Islanders straight after the finish of the 2000 event. As anyone who runs such an event will know the fighting, the bickering, and the arguments at the Club meetings are an essential part of the organisation. The event is put together over such a long period of time during which we beg, steal and borrow anything and anyone we can to make the rally a success. From the feedback received this year we appear to have succeeded. Everyone who could remember agreed it was a great weekend, the rest said they were too pissed but they would be back next year to try again. We came to the conclusion that it was worth all the hassle when counting the number of ‘Heavy
Bikers’ attempting to do the Scottish jigs on the Sunday night!
The Thursday before the rally was the major start for the Islanders (well some of us) we took the day off from our regular work to become Marquis erectors, removal experts, bar fitters, stage erectors, haulage contractors (amazing
the amount of alcohol you need to move). The tent was up, the bar ready, the stage awaiting the bands, so where were all the people?
In our excitement we had all forgotten that it was only Thursday! A bloody good excuse to go on a drinking
spree?… but we were so knackered after all that physical work that we needed our beds so like good little Islanders we decided to retire for some well earned kip and save ourselves for the end of the rally.
The first arrivals came upon us late morning, then as the afternoon progressed the numbers rolling off each arrival of the Cal Mac`s main ferry service increased, swelled by a small but steady stream from the Colintraive Ferry.
There seemed to be a lot more than we had bargained for, or was just that we're not used to so many people in one place! Everything seemed to be going like clockwork.
This year we invited a young band (16 to 18 years old) called "Throwswitch" very eager, keen young guys and although their music wasn't quite to some peoples' taste it was generally agreed that they could have a bright future, this was their first rally.
The time between groups was ably filled by a local biker "John Boris Brown" with his own brand of folk and acoustic entertainment. The second group to play was again from the Glasgow area, "The Horny Goats", one member of which is a former star from Gringo (last
year's up and coming band who have since split). "The Goats " played the night out. Most people were understandably tired out after all their long journeys to the
Island and they all went to their beds, hopefully happy and pissed.
Saturday morning was sunny and dry and many people went for a wander round the Port to take in the stunning views or took the bus into town, a few heading off to visit the Cowal Highland Gathering just across the water in Dunoon. The bus drivers don't know what hits them when the Island Invasion is on and old folk on the
Island cannot believe how many "bikers" actually give up a seat for them!
Saturday afternoon and things began to liven up. The run out attracted 20/30 bikes and picked up more en route, through Rothesay to the Kingarth hotel for a refreshment before the short thrash back to the town.
This year we had the additional attraction of The Blue arrows motorcycle display team performing an impressive 45-minute show of stunts and tricks riding Suzuki DRZ400's. The stunt where they jump over two cars (see
photos) caused a bit of a problem in that no one wanted to volunteer their
car but eventually a couple of old scrappers were found and pressed into service (thanks Graham & Billy.) The salute at the end of the event was taken by one of the
display's sponsors Lennie Moffat, Managing Director of local firm TSC.
Argyll & Bute Council also helped sponsor the display team and gave kind permission to use the events field.
With the display finished the crowds dispersed back to the pubs and we headed back to the rally site where the Islanders were all busy! Stocking up
the bar, preparing food etc for the night to come. The evening arrived.
The bar as usual was as busy as…. well a bar at a rally. The "Goats" & "Throwswitch" gave us a session each before the main band "Blockbuster". No not the
Miss Transvestite competition but a vast musical extravaganza ranging from Mud's
'Crazy Feet' to Abba to gawd knows what, but it was bloody fun. With
blockbusters' first session over it was time to judge The Island invasion Miss Transvestite
competition. Miss Nude was first to appear but had put far too little thought into her outfit and was
immediately disqualified!
Various contestants from various clubs (the Islander’s own entry being notable by her absence) adorned the stage and with the crowd
's cheers deciding the winner, "Baby Spice " got the vote and the prize. A special award was given to MC Pendragon from Vockerode in Germany who turned out at the rally with 13 members! They were presented with a "Dirk" by the
Chairman (A Dirk is the BIG knife highlanders carry in their belt, If it is drawn it must be used, so tradition goes.)
We then went on to the prizes for, best bike, farthest travelled, etc finishing off with the presentation of a ceremonial axe to the "Saints & Sinners" from Fife for the highest
Club turnout.
We ran quickly through the raffle (Prizes kindly donated by M&P and Hein Gericke in Glasgow as well as local businesses). Then just for the children amongst us it was time to let the fireworks light up the sky of the Port Bannatyne rally site. Blockbuster returned to round off the night in style with the marquis rocking & bopping the night away until it was time to adjourn to the bonfire.
Sunday saw us waving goodbye to the majority of the visiting bikers who had to depart for one reason or another. You honestly don't know what you missed!
As last year a fair number had stayed on for the Sunday night we decided to make it part of the event this year with a distinctive Scottish flavour, and it proved to be such a success that the 2002 rally will continue again into the third night.
Sunday night’s entertainment was courtesy of the Strathspey Reel Society a local (large) group of talented musicians who were without doubt the surprise hit of the weekend with their foot tapping rhythms and reels.
The Scottish dancing went down a storm led by the Islanders in their Kilts pretending they knew how to do the dances (fortunately the lasses knew what they were doing and took the lead).
Midway through the evening Graham, our secretary accompanied by a piper, performed the age old ceremony of toasting the poor,
defenceless (& by this time legless Haggis -four legged creatures that run roond & roond the Scottish mountains). The Strathspey Reel Society later expressed how much they had enjoyed the evening. It was for them a new experience performing for a bunch of "hairy arsed bikers" but once they realised the type of people they were dealing with they thoroughly enjoyed the event as much as we did and are looking forward to playing again next year. So get practising yer dances!
Thanks to everyone who stayed over for the Sunday night, you almost caught us out with the amount of Haggis neeps & tatties you ate!
We hope that everyone who attended " THE ISLAND INVASION RALLY" of 2001 enjoyed it just half as much as we did. If you did all the effort was worth it.
A big thank you to all those who willingly gave their time and energy to help run the event, it is much appreciated.
AND HERE'S TO 2002 ANOTHER INVASION RALLY
YEH!!!!