The Royal British Legion Riders in Spain: FARO Bike Meet 2013

LEGION RIDERS AT FARO 2013

Although this year was, I’m sure, down on numbers it was still a great event.

The great Faro 2013 Rally was on from the 17^th till the 21^st July. This rally, organised by the “Moto Club Faro”, is said to be the largest annual motorcycle meet outside the US and this year was no exception with an estimated 30,000 plus present – it was somewhat like Glastonbury with bikes and no trouble. With the entrance fee only €45, this includes all your camping, a tee shirt, badges, three meals, medical facilities and beer at only €2 a pint you can see why it’s such a popular choice.

Located, on church land, next to the Faro Airport it’s easy to get to by air and easy to find if you are coming by road, as most people do.

The first group from Spain arrived at lunchtime on Wednesday the 17^th after leaving Benajarafe (just east of Malaga) at 0700 hours. We had taken the simple route going up to the A92, main motorway Granada to Seville, through Seville on to Huelva crossing the Portuguese border at Ayamonte & then straight down to Faro. Many thanks must go to our support vehicle which carried our promotional tent/material, a few spare bags/tents for those arriving over the next few days.

Once again we had the same tented area which we had asked for near the Oasis Bar, very noisy but popular with all nationalities. RBLR banner and our tents put up and we were ready to receive our members/friends. After setting up we were off to the entrance bar to meet old friends & make a few new ones.

One of the changes that we noted this year was the large amount of couples who were with our group. This included Bruce & Gunila Perry plus their friends Tosh & B. Gunila & B made up our on-site medical team. Gunila being a vet & B being a midwife so we were well covered if anyone had kennel cough or was pregnant!!

Over the next few days around 35 “Riders” and friends arrived and were accommodated in the shade. A number who were not too keen on camping stayed in local hotels & came in every day.

The entertainment is always varied from rock bands, folk groups to gospel singers. Entertainment this year was predominately from the UK, Portugal and Spain headed up with Saxon from the UK, Our local group Mama Paula was playing in the Oasis Bar plus lots more groups plus children’s entertainers for the cresh.. If you add to this the Custom Bike Show, Wet T Shirt Competition, Erotic Show etc etc plus a “Bikers” market selling everything from T Shirts to Tattoos you can get the feel of the event.

To feed the needs of the attendees there were numerous bars and food stalls with the beer being dispensed from 40 foot tankers.

As you would expect there were more motorcycles than you could shake a stick at with everything from Custom Trikes to Mopeds and everything in between. These had come from all over Europe with riders coming from as far away as Russia.

Over the last five years The Royal British Legion Riders Branch in Spain has organised a dedicated RBLR camping area plus a RBLR promotion tent, this year, in the main area – this being provided free by the Faro Club. We met a large amount of Legion Riders at our tent, around 200 plus, this seemed to be down on last year with a lot of kilts missing.

Interest, in the RBLR, was shown by a number of ex-pat. Bikers from Portugal this will be followed up & looks good for the future.

Given the terrible tragedy of Lee Rigby, earlier this year, it was decided that our commemoration T Shirt would include a tribute to Lee by having a drum on one of the sleeves. On the other sleeve we had a pair of prosthetic legs as a tribute to Paul Burns who died just before this event. Paul was a double amputee - he was a biker, skydiver, skier, ocean sailor, author (just to name a few) & was an inspiration to many amputees.

Everyone seemed to have a great time over the 5 days and to end the event there was a prize giving for the many events and the grand raffle was drawn for a trip to the USA and a Harley Davidson.

There was a Custom Bike Farm with bikes from heaven plus everything else you get at these major events.

A number of us stayed until the Monday and we were entertained on Sunday night by the Faro Club President and his team of willing volunteers who laid on a great free Bar B Q & drinks for all those staying.

Many thanks must go to all “Riders”, and friends, who provided assistance before, during and after the event with special thanks going to the Faro Club for all their help & assistance.

For information on The Royal British Legion Riders Branch (a National Royal British Legion Branch) or Faro 2014 contact DP direct on 0034952514226 or 0034653108415 rblrinspain@gmail.com or look at our local blog; http://rblrinspain.blogspot.com/

Words by David Pusey, pics by “Legion Riders”

FARO BIKE MEET 2013

RBLR and FRIENDS

AS AT: 12th JULY 2013

Dates: Thursday 18^th to Sunday 21^st July 2013

Numbers pencilled in at present: 47

Numbers confirmed (included in above) at present: 47

Venue: Faro, Portugal. The rally is in on the edge of Faro Airport in a terrain belonging to the local Diocese (related with Church) and located in a natural and protected park called "Ria Formosa", that specific small area is named "Vale das Almas / Ludo" (Souls Valley / Ludo). In the rest of the year nothing happens in that area and is kept clean and cared by the members of "Moto Clube de Faro". It is about 2 to 3 km from the beach. If you fly to Faro Airport the site is within walking distance.

Accommodation: Camping – As previous years we have provisionally booked a 50 plus person tent site; I am assured it will be in a good position close to the “Oasis Bar” this is shown on the Site Map. All camping is under the trees, the ground is soft but with sharp pine type needles (flip flops are not recommended) sleeping mats can be purchased on site for a few Euros. If you want you can arrive two days early & stay on till Monday – but, possibly, no facilities – showers etc for this extra period. I will be arriving on the Wednesday to fine tune the camping arrangements.

Parking: By your tent or in one of the many parking areas, there is a handicapped parking area, if required – badges must be displayed. Only bikes or trikes are allowed on site. If you have a car/van you can park outside but it is ad hoc on the side of the road (you can park on the grass although this was very very limited last year).

Costs: €45.00 (last years price), this includes camping, Faro Meet T-shirt, badges (metal, cloth & stick on), 3 or 4 free meals with drinks, condoms, postcard, free raffles for 1. Bike 2. Trip to the USA, shuttle buses & more.

Reception: This is simple pay your money, get your bag of goodies, have your wristband put on, change your T-shirt if you need a different size & away you go. Wear your wristband on your left wrist, clutch hand – it’s easier when you have to show it. We will have a notice on the entrance gate close to where you pay with details of where we are & there will be some RBLR signs, on route, to help you find the location – keep your eyes open. A RBLR banner will be flying where we are camping, which will be close to the Oasis Bar.

Ablutions: There are areas spread around which offer toilets (portaloos), cold showers & sinks (with mirrors). With beer at around €2.00 a pint there is a lot of p... & s... as you can imagine & I find it’s best to have a run out for breakfast to do the inevitable which will make for a good day.

RBLR Promotional Tent: Located in the Market Area, we will have a promotional tent this will include RBL, RBLR & LIC information any volunteers who would like to help out over the period Thursday to Sunday AM will be welcome – please contact me direct if you are volunteering.

Volunteers to act as Faro Club Marshalls: The Club have asked if any of our group would like to assist the Club over the five day period. Volunteers will be provided with free entry & food for them & their partners plus an invite back to the clubs post-event party. If you’re interested or need more information contact me direct.

Previous years: Over the years the Faro Rally hosted by the Moto Clube Faro (Motorcycle Club of Faro) has been the largest event of its type outside of the USA. It’s busy, lively, noisy, but with non-stop entertainment (of every description), beer, sold everywhere, at €2.00 per pint it’s the place to be (available 24 hours per day). All sorts of food are available from Roast Pork Rolls (whole Bar B Q Pigs) to pancakes. Most of the sales - beer, food etc is by ticket which makes things very easy & you don’t need change. Do not expect much sleep because it’s very very noisy. There are the inevitable Custom Shows & Competitions, stunt riding etc. There is an excellent biker market selling just about everything bike. In addition to the market there are trade stands displaying action cameras, security systems etc all seem to offer a good deal at the rally. The atmosphere is good I have never seen any problems, you get a few happy people but that’s it. You can take your own food & drink, into any of the areas if you wish, but no fires. I attach a few pics from the past, at the end of this, for

information.

Entertainment: There are ongoing activities during the day, from local dancing, through classical to rock music, but on Friday & Saturday nights there is a “Wembley” style pop festival. In addition you get the normal Wet T-Shirt Competitions & Erotic Shows. You will also get stilt walkers, clowns & general entertainment.

Weather: Good but, as it’s close to the Atlantic with a beautiful beach only a couple of kms away, you need a lightweight sleeping bag at night – well I do. Don’t forget your sunglasses, hat & sun cream. There are many marquee areas to keep the sun off your head.

Security etc: The site is controlled by a military style (I think they are Portuguese Military on leave) guard force who are everywhere. Fire patrols are constant using Golf Buggy style fire fighting equipment (no fires are allowed on site). There is a hospital on site, with doctors, to provide emergency treatment. All in all the administration is very slick. All the entrances security is controlled by the Faro Club members, I can assure you no wrist band - no get in.

Children: There is an excellent covered play area that provides fun & games plus music, painting etc during the day. It is fully staffed & is co-located by one of the Marquees & provides an excellent secure area for you to leave your children.

The Local Town - Faro: You are made very welcome everywhere you go, Portugal is going through a hard time & all the extra revenue generated is most welcome to the locals.

Other Accommodation: There are always some that need a soft bed & a flush toilet. Look on the web for availability & prices?

Police: There are a lot of them outside the site but they don’t seem to bother anyone but, I am assured that, not wearing a helmet (of some description) & “Drinking & Driving” are no go areas.

Additional needs: If you have any I will try to fix it for you. Got any questions – ask me & I will give you my best answer.

Got some mates who could be interested? Give them these details, you don’t have to be a member of the RBLR but expect to be encouraged to join during the bash.

What Do I Want You To Do Now? E-mail me & let me know you are coming & how many in your party – if you want I will send you a simple Performa. This will help us get things jacked up for you & make your arrival as simple as possible. Those who have been to Faro before know it can get a little hectic for arrivals from Thursday night onwards. My pals & I will be at the site from Wednesday lunchtime to make sure everything runs smoothly, some of us will stay until Monday, Sunday night there is, normally, free beer & Bar B Q laid on by the Faro Club members. I will contact everyone, direct, who went in previous years. RBLR commemorative T-Shirts will be available if you want one let me know ASAP only €10.00.

When You Are There What Will Be Expected Off YOU? If you are not a RBL or Riders Branch Member we would like you to join (by standing order so bring your bank details). It’s a small amount to pay for you to be part of a great cause. If you are already a member we would like you to encourage at least one other person at the event to join – all paperwork & promotional material will be available.

Additional Information and Tips

Anyone who has special needs let me know, all is possible with a bit of notice.
There are some great bands playing with Saxon playing as the lead act: