As I sit here at my desk,looking out my window over fields,watching the rain beat down on my patio I think to myself that it's not that bad a life at all.The last few weeks I've been a bit shell-shocked at being told by my doctor that I've got angina,couldn't drive PSVs until it's sorted and to be prepared to take a long time off work.Imagine how I felt.I have a wife and baby to support and no other source of income.I was starting to panic,the social pay bugger all,in fact they haven't paid me a dime.....yet.I was just about to give up hope when I remembered that I had an XS 750 chop sitting outside,doing nothing.Within 4 days I had sold
it and within another week had started a little"business" up with my mate Fossie buying and selling bikesWe're not making a fortune as I dont like the idea of ripping off fellow bikers or trikers but I'm managing to keep the wolf away from the door. That was one problem kind of sorted.The next thing that was pissing me off was my health.Yeah,I know I had contributed to my illness by partying and basically burning the candle at both ends but we all do it and we're all getting older.(And fatter).I have been a miserable old git and must have been unbearable to live with whilst I was wallowing in my own self pity.That all  changed last weekend at the NABD rally.There were people there with all kinds of different disabilites,some a lot more severe than the others but all of them "worse off" than me.You wouldn't have thought it though,they partied as hard and as long as the rest of the more able-bodied.I'm not ashamed to admit it but they proved a thing or two to me.How can I justify my pathetic moaning and groaning after meeting them?They made me see things in an entirely different prospective.Now we've all heard of the mag Back Street Heroes ?Well the real Heroes were found in a field at York Dragway last weekend.

God,I hate this job but I suppose someone's gotta do it..........I got to Pauls bike shop Friday afternoon,waited for him to close,(by the way,this isn't a cheap plug for his shop,Motorcycle Services York 01904 629926)and then with him and V-Max Paul we made our merry way over to Tadcaster to pick up Ray.After dragging him out of the boozer we sped cheerfully up to York Dragway at Melbourne for my first "You've been NABD "rally.I wasn't sure what to expect but if it was as good as their Cabbaged Rally on the Isle of Sheppey I knew that I'd be in for a good time.
We started off Fridays celebrations with a few cans of beer,wandering round and waffling to various individuals.Chris,Yogi and co were manning the MAG tent and trying to extort vast amounts of cash out of yours truly.(Well it was 3 quid for some raffle tickets actually)There was a small selection of stalls but they seemed to cater for everyones needs although I never saw anyone go into the Thai massage tent.The time seemed to fly by and before we knew it it was time for beddy-byes.So dressed in my newly ironed Rupert Bear pyjamas I fell asleep on my air bed to dream of Jo Brand and other tittilating,erotic images. Saturday morning,head reeling I hastily made tracks for the loos.I walked in,turned round and hastily made tracks for a field with a bush.This is my only rant about the rally,the bogs were disgusting.Even the flies wouldn't go near them and they stayed in that condition all weekend.Nuff said about that,it will be different next year,wont it?Paul had to go and open his shop(Yes that's right,Motorcycle Services York 01904 629926)which left Ray,V-Max Paul and myself to our own devices.I went over to the 100% Biker stand and promptly put my hand through their counter.Sorry Del,it was an accident.....honest.For those of you who haven't heard of 100% Biker it's a blinding magazine.I get it every month and read it cover to cover 2 or 3 times.Whether you're in the States or Europe,if you can get it then do so,you will not be disappointed. The rest of the day was spent alternating between the beer tent and watching the drag racing.What a lovely way to spend a Saturday.The jet engined car "Firestorm" was a crowd puller and once you had got over the shock of finding your ears bleeding you just had to marvel at the sheer power and speed of the monster.There was a good selection of bikes on the drag but my favourite had to be the 250 Lambretta.It went like shit off a chrome shovel.Very impressive.It was evening now so we stuffed our faces full of fodder and headed for the beer tent.I didn't take much notice of the comedian but the band that came on after him were brilliant.They're called the Hoggz and were one of the best cover bands that I've heard in quite a while.They were on a par with Bad 2 The Bone who I believe is the best you can get.They played loads of classics and nearly everyone in the marquee was stomping along to them.Come 12 O'clock we'd all forgotten about the strippers and screamed for more.They done another 3 numbers,one of which was a very enjoyable "Battle of the Banjos"which nearly brought the roof down.I didn't get to see the strippers as everyone was standing up the front and on chairs.To tell the truth it was nice to sit outside and sink another 4 or 5 beers.I think on the whole we all had a good time,I know this because at 3 O'clock on Sunday afternoon there were still loads of us still watching the drag-racing and eating burgers.It was a very enjoyable weekend,I met some decent people,Dixie even turned up for 1 night with his wife and kids but there were no spam fritters this time......phew.I want to say a big HI to Cath,she had a trike wheelchair and managed to get around quicker than all of us old gits.(If only I were about 15 years younger)See you at the Farmyard Cath.Well,that's all from me for now till the next time,just remember,if things dont change soon,they're gonna stay the bleedin' same!

Stay Safe,TINY