Rawtenstall is a town north of Manchester that is known for
its cotton mills, now long quiet. In the past it was also known for its annual
bike show. So 17 years ago I thought why not go, it's only a 430 mile round
trip.
The show, the Rossendale Valley Motorbike Show, isn't really
a show, as far as I could see, just a lot of bikers meeting in the town centre.
The weatherman had promised fine weather and so it was. At first. I had a pleasant
run down in sunny and warm condition but as the day progressed it got cloudy
and then the rain started.
I took refuge in a pub that had a rock band playing but
eventually I thought I'd better head for home. By this time the sky was as
black as night and the rain was torrential. I should have found a hotel and
forgot about work the next day but I ploughed on. I remember the water was so
deep on the motorway that the FJ created a bow wave like a ship.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsr4J_xaRja9lZrke7UXUhr_22MYn9tDwt918EC8drca1W_HE6MIzxpsMo41PBzYBdbtpQAUijbmIJ9ZOG_jLWbax31xq4r3wGDNEfjVcu0G5tjw6KhKS1Fnm_JF79nIiEWVw-C1L_tPQ4/s400/m6.jpg) |
Only 200 miles from home! |
I can't remember why I stopped on the motorway. You're not
suppose to without good reason. The bike was running fine and I had all my
waterproofs on, maybe I just couldn't see were I was going.
I made it home, soaked to the skin. The funny thing was that
my legs were dyed back from the colour washing out of my leather trousers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp45sDJ8-whZkui9yPu21jGPgFh1P9uzhcMi0eQJSegYD8HDUHk8CMun69A4yHbJ1K5NymHb-FGGwz2h8RC7s_k7V3Fa-ekoTnmOS6u8ijdOPFEFRSNRR80FWcY18D2JVRUMijj7ra5r3j/s400/rstall.jpg) |
Bikes in the town |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXtYl1ie4iDsxdFUovY8TeSSZ7jVz7u65figzgqTxR7-1CHgnp4YVap_8Cs4xpnaiUlxRW4ecTwAriT-i8s7G-U57QwV7LDW4UQWoSzdZHByYi2BqvX3TvpQdnySgSYiZpi1sh0KdWFWW/s400/3+wheel.jpg) |
A beast of a trike - note anti theft device on seat |
The bike show ended after 15 years in 2010 (I think) because
it was becoming too popular and the police said they had insufficient resourced
for such a big event.
An
interesting day out but I still shudder a little when I hear the name of the
town!