This year’s Isle of Wight rally came hot on the heels of a heatwave, and although the temperature had reduced slightly there was nothing but glorious sun forecast for the weekend. Perfect scooter-riding weather!
We left early, with me on the Lambretta and Lee on the GTS, as his new custom scoot was ‘so near and yet so far’ from being on the road. We arrived at the Wightlink ferry port and headed to the upper level where there was a decent queue of scooters already gathered.
We were so close to getting on the first ferry, but we were thwarted right at the last minute so were at the front of the queue for the next one. This gave me time to look at the scooters behind us, and one in particular caught my eye, a lovely green Lambretta which went perfectly with my hoodie! The owner let me sit on it, and told me it was previously owned by Mani from the Stone Roses!
We made it onto the next ferry, along with the Definitely Maybe gang, once again. No matter what time we leave home, we always end up on the same ferry and with the same people (who, in this case, got to the port over half an hour after us!).
On the ferry we learned the very sad news that a scooterist had died the previous night. It really hit me hard, knowing that someone had gone over to the island to have a fun weekend but wouldn’t be riding home. Our thoughts are with their friends and family for their devastating loss.
The green at Ryde
Once off the ferry we rode the short distance to Ryde and onto the green, which looked quite different this year. There had been some building work to extend the pavement and some of the space was still fenced off, but there was still plenty of room for scooters.
Lunch and Sandown
As it was our anniversary (and obviously always is at the IOW – 12 years married, and 20 years together this year!) we then headed to the other side of the island for a celebratory meal. We were going to try somewhere different but ended up back at The Propellor Inn at Bembridge Airport. We’re such creatures of habit but it’s so peaceful sitting outside the pub, watching planes and gliders taking off and landing.
Next we rode into Sandown, stopping briefly for a photo with the Culver Down cliffs and headed to Lake where we parked up and walked down to the sea path for a quick drink.
Then it was off to the campsite where we caught up with Tori and a few friends working there. It was a bit hot for Lee though who was keen to get checked into our hotel, so we headed back to Ryde where the Nuneaton gang were gathering.
We nipped down to the Crown for what I thought was a quick drink but turned out to be for the whole evening! I didn’t even get a chance to wash my helmet hairdo or freshen up!
It was lovely seeing them all, and we spent a while catching up before heading inside to listen to some soul and have a bit of a boogie. It was great as it wasn’t super busy so there was room on the dancefloor to move around and also easy to get served at the bar.
Saturday
We met the Nuneaton gang again for breakfast in a cafe on Union Street. Lee had taken his Bad Company SC t-shirt and he wasn’t the only one – it turned out to be a Bad Company reunion!
After breakfast we headed down to the green and I bumped into my neighbours, Marcus and Karen, who’d just arrived on their GTSs. There were more Bognorians over too, with Aaron and Reuben joining us for a chat.
Then it was time to head to the campsite so we had a glorious ride through the middle of the island, down (and up!) country lanes, with me, Booty, Lee, Marcus and Karen in convoy. On one of the hills my scooter started playing up – it couldn’t deal with the incline! Poor thing, she’s over 60 years old so I’m not surprised she’s a bit creaky. Luckily we made it though, and Tori directed us over the bumpy field to park in the overflow scooter park.
Serena Chamberlain was once again on Scooternova sales duties, and posed perfectly with Parker for a promo shot!
Loz, Trotsky and Champs were already outside the custom show, sitting and drinking in the sun. There were some lovely scooters outside the main tent, including Tik Tester’s street racer. You can watch my Instagram video of it, it’s so nice that everyone is honouring Tik by bringing his scooters to rallies still.
One of the loveliest scooters was this AF, which wasn’t even in the show. I’ve got a video of it too but it just sparkled in the sun looking stunning. The toolbox was signed by Ray Kemp which made it even cooler!
Next it was time for the show itself, and there are loads more photos in a gallery at the bottom of this post. It was busy when I went in, so hard to get all the angles I’d have liked to.
By the time we came out, Mark and Putt had arrived, along with more Bad Company lads. It really was scorching hot and although I don’t complain, Lee generally just melts when it gets over 20 degrees, so he was keen to head off. We bumped into Jamie and Toby Mace, and also Rob Spratley, all working hard to herd scooter people in the right direction (with the help of foam fingers!).
Isle of Wight Custom Show Results
First time entrant : Captain Scarlet Lambretta
Mod/accessories : Vespa 50 Special DSW 112X
Vintage Lambretta : Red Devil Racer
Custom Lambretta : O’ Fortuna
Restored Lambretta : Dizzy Lizzy
Ridden Scooter : Suzi Quattro
Street Racer Lambretta : Rizla 33
Mural : Stan & Ollie
Vinyl/graphics : Rizla 33
Auto : Scomadi BD66 UUK
Engraving : Stan & Ollie
Individual display : NYPD Police Serveta
Champion of Champions : Breaking Rocks
Cutdown : Old School Classic Cut OJE 62J
Original scooter : FGC 89C Gerty
Vintage Vespa : 979 UYM (GS)
Custom Vespa : Old Faithful
Restored Vespa : 874 UXV
Chop : Top Banana Re-Peeled
Oddity : TNB 379J
Street Racer Vespa : NKW 665R
Paintwork : Jeepers Creepers
Hybrid : Carbon Monoxide
Engineering : Cerbrus
Club display : Saints On Tour – Father And Son
Plating : The Other Woman
Exhibitors’ choice : Lightning McQueen
Punters’ choice : O’ Fortuna
Best of show : Breaking Rocks
Vintage non Vespa/Lambretta : Heinkel Tourist
Saturday afternoon
We rode to Godshill first, to a pub we’ve visited plenty of times, but it turned out they weren’t serving food as their chef was off sick. So after a quick check of the map we headed instead to the Pointer Inn at Newchurch. What a lovely pub! We ate in the garden and it was delicious…
Then we hopped back on the scooters and made our way back to Ryde, where Lee, Putt and Mark fiddled with my scooter, trying to rectify whatever had been causing it to splutter earlier.
They took off the air hose and adjusted the carb and tickover and, hey presto – it worked! Sort of… I had got used to its previous quirks, could start it happily even if it did take a while to get going. Now, I struggled, but they assured me it would be better in the long run.
We hung out on the green for a while and then popped to a new cafe for cake and drinks. Then back up the hill to the hotel and then out for the night. We watched the Arsenal game in The Crown, and luckily they won so Booty was happy.
Ecky was celebrating his 60th birthday all weekend and his mates had brought him a fancy dress for the Saturday night – as one of the Village People! I have to say, he carried it off well and looked the part, in all his bare-chested glory!
Then we wandered down the hill and along the prom, stopping for drinks here and there, ending up at the bowling alley where there was a band on. After a quick drink and a game of air hockey we meandered back up the hill to the hotel, via the chippy.
Sunday
I woke up really early and couldn’t get back to sleep so went for a 5am walk down to the seafront. There was a glorious sunrise and a few waifs and strays hanging around, along with some dog walkers. I really wanted to make the most of the last day and as Ryde wasn’t really awake yet I persuaded Lee to ride back to the campsite with me.
Most of the campers were still asleep too but Tori was on duty, making sure the showers were functioning. They needed an adjustment so she and Lee worked out which way to adjust the pipes to get the right temperature.
We went to the catering vans and got some drinks – mine was the best hot chocolate ever! We sat on the picnic benches and chatted to random early risers, as you do. I really wanted to go to a particular place in Sandown for breakfast so we rode there next. It really was a beautiful morning and after a short walk along the esplanade we arrived at Fin’s Beach Cafe. Lee ordered a veggie breakfast and I ordered the smoothie bowl – and it didn’t disappoint. Everything was perfect; the weather, the views and the food. It was just a shame that we had to go home later.
Once we’d been fed we rode back to Ryde via the petrol station, successfully finding one nearby which did E5 fuel. At the hotel we packed up and then cruised back to the green for the final time. We left the scooters there and walked to the ice rink where the crowds were gathering. Part of the car park was cordoned off so it was even more packed than usual.
I shot loads of video (once again, watch them all on my Instagram) and took a ton of photos, including a couple of Irish lads in alien fancy dress. They were so sweaty in those outfits in the blazing sun!
Mike Oxley was using his Insta360 camera and I was super jealous. I’ve been thinking about buying one for a while and they are SO cool! [Now that I’m writing this some three weeks later, I’ve actually just bought one so you can expect some funky photos at Woolacombe!]
The rideout started, and took around 30 minutes for all the scooters to leave the car park. We mooched around and chatted with friends, including Sandra and the A5 gang and also the Nuneaton lot again. It was time to leave, so we walked the short distance back to the scooters and headed out of town for the last time.
I always say this but the weekend just goes so quickly! Life does, in general, really – is that a sign of getting old? Next year we will definitely come over earlier, just so that it doesn’t seem so frantic, trying to cram everything in.
We got to Fishbourne and managed to get on the first ferry. There were a few people we knew on there too, including Pete Davies who recommended a film to watch [Bullet Train – we subsequently saw it at the cinema and loved it!] and A5 John Barnett. Back on the mainland it’s just a short hop home for us, although we took a scenic route just to make the most of being on two wheels in perfect weather.
We did quite a few miles on the island, mainly riding around the country lanes between Ryde and Sandown. For me, that’s my happy place. When you get to the top of a hill and can look out towards Portsmouth, or over to Sandown or Shanklin. The views are incredible and the weather couldn’t have been better.
Thanks to the VFM for their dedication and the hard work which makes this rally happen. Many people take them for granted but when you see what goes on behind the scenes and how they handle different types of situation you really appreciate what a few people do for so many.
For loads more videos from the rally check out the reels on my Instagram – I’m @scootergirlie over there!
Here’s the full gallery (clicking on an image should open it up in a lightbox which you can scroll through)
