Christmas came early for us… or, at least, the annual Rebel Christmas Meal came earlier than usual.

With Lyn (Salem) and myself heading off on our holidays very soon, we decided to bring forward the Christmas meal so that we didn’t have to miss out. See how kind and thoughtful we are? Seeing as Lyn and I will be suffering the terrible weathers of Australia for the next couple of months we thought it only fair to bring forward the meal and t o get together with friends and Club Members for a bite to eat and a bit of banter.

An hour or two previous, some of those who came along for the meal had been quad biking – you could see who they were due to their hardened, wind-chilled faces and their rosy cheeks! Others were already waiting at the pub or would turn up shortly thereafter.

With everyone happily seated, the Rose and Crown staff began to take the food orders whilst we sat around and engaged in various topics of conversation. It was enjoyable, if a little quiet in the conservatory area, and we were soon tucking into the first course (which was either a fruit juice or a rather delicious onion soup). For the main course we had a choice of either roast beef, pork or chicken and this was served up with the usual mixture of vegetables, stuffing and gravy. It might not have been the biggest of portions but it was quite tasty. For dessert there was a small selection of sweets available – including strawberry trifle and apple pie. Again, the portions weren’t huge but considering we’d paid less than £9 for the 3 courses I don’t think anyone could be too disappointed!

After the meal, some folks had to leave. They said their farewells and the rest of us made our way into the cosier bar area (with a lovely open fire). Here we continued the conversation for a while until it was eventually time to make our way home. It didn’t feel particularly “Christmassy” (where were the decorations and Christmas tree?!?!) but it was still an enjoyable afternoon that gave friends and Club Members the chance to meet up and enjoy the social aspect of Rebel Motorsport Club.

Thanks for joining us folks and for your continued support and friendship. Have yourself a great Festive Season and best wishes for the New Year.

The rain was falling hard and the wind was a little on the ‘fresh’ side, but it didn’t in anyway stop the fools, er, fearless group of would-be quadbikers from mounting their Honda emblazoned steeds…

Having arrived pretty much bang on time (a little early if anything) we parked up the cars, which was a fun exercise in itself, and made ourselves known to the staff. The first thing that struck me was the fact that a) they weren’t expecting us, b) they weren’t ready for us or c) both of the aforementioned points. The result was a wait of almost 45 minutes whilst another group completed their activity and whilst we waited for a batch of quad bikes to arrive for our own use.

Prior to jumping on the quads, we were herded into a wooden outbuilding where we completed the required paperwork (disclaimer/indemnity). Into another room we went, the kit room. This is where the fun started… We were asked to ‘kit up’ and all made moves to choose from the supplied waterproofs, boots and helmets. They were stinking! Due to the lack of suitable equipment some of our group literally took the gear from those who had just returned… with Duncan even having to wear the boots that had just left the feet of an earlier quadbiker. Sure, they were warm but…

Luckily I got some good waterproofs and boots (which would actually keep me completely dry) but the helmet didn’t do me any favours. Still, safety and function above all else! Once kitted up, we headed outside to find the activity leader and were given a briefing on how to ride and control the quad bike. This was followed by a quick question and answers session to ensure we had picked up the basics. That done, we hopped onto the quads and got ready to fire them up – Malc and I chose the smaller recreational quads whilst the rest of the group went for the larger agricultural type quads.

From neutral, into first, release the brake, apply throttle, away we went… and followed the instructor to a training area. Here we did a few laps (of increasing difficulty due to changes in elevation and surface) to become familiar with the quadbikes and receive a little more tuition and guidance. 15 minutes or so later and we were off following the instructor over various parts of the centre’s 360-acre grounds. The rain actually made for a lot of fun. It was hard not to drift the quad sideways despite being warned not to!

The route took in grassy hillsides (very slippy!), rocky brooks and streams, mudbaths, tarmac and gravel surfaces and some fairly steep inclines and declines, too. Being high in the hills, the views (when given chance to admire them) were pretty impressive. Half way into the ride we stopped for a short break and were split into two groups. Malc and I were to head off with the older instructor whilst the other 8 members continued on with the same instructor. I have no idea what those 8 guys go up to…? Malc and I, however, followed our instructor up and down and around and around and went up high into the hills. The instructor also removed the throttle restrictor (usually in place to stop over enthusiastic kids from killing themselves) and the increased power made the quads much more fun in all truth.

After covering a fair distance we stopped atop a large hill and saw below us the rest of the group.  Here we carefully descended the hill to rejoin them before heading back towards the farmyard where it all began. Many were soaked despite the waterproofs (I was lucky!) and some changed their clothes as a result once back inside the wooden building.

Despite the poor weather and – for some – ineffective waterproofs, it seemed that all had enjoyed themselves. I know I enjoyed it and, with the centre only a few minutes away, I’ll likely be heading over there again soon for more quadbiking.

To finish… a quick “thank you” to those that came along and to Lyn for organising yet another excellent get-together. A special thanks also to Matt for travelling over from afar with friends Will and Steve, both whom enjoyed the quadbiking. Let’s do it again!

For those intrepid individuals who may fancy giving quad biking a go (or some other activity) then take a look at their website by clicking here.

Well it soon comes around and it’s that time of year again for our annual Rolling Road Day at Power Station.  It was as customary with Rebel Motorsport Club meets and events to be an early start and a few of us met at Magor Service.  Ian aka fn1964 had driven down the night before all the way from North Yorkshire just to join us again, I think he must like us but maybe not the early starts!!!

There was a few meeting up at Major Service Humran aka Type R 69 who we hadn’t since August 2007 since then he has brought another new BMW M3.  Also we meet up with Ben aka Cardiff R33 in his DC5 and some of the regulars Malc aka Grumpy, Ann aka Ann Teek, Colin aka Agent Smith and Chris aka CJRamze along with a few others.  Once all fuelled up we made our way to the next stop Michael Wood Services.

I was at Michael Wood we meet up with Scott aka Phunkmastered, Dan aka M4rv3, Chris aka Comp, Jamie aka R8MXX and a few others.  All were in bright spirits Dan had enough food in his car to sink a battle ship along with duckie and his snake which I was informed was won on a fair.

Once all grouped up we made our way to Power Station.  We arrived nice and early which gave us plenty of time to sort out the paperwork and take some photos before the day started as most people had turned up on time and were ready to go.

First up was the BMW’s and sadly Humran was a little disappointed with his figures but I pointed out that maybe the dyno hadn’t warmed up either as his BMW was certainly pulling well enough.

Dan aka M4RV3 Nissan pulled in some very impressive figures and his pipes were glowing up lovely which made for some good photos.  Grumpy was happier with his dyno figures as they were up on last years after he had sorted a couple of minor problems out.  Next up was the Hondas and al seemed very happy with the figures so much so everyone seemed to be waiting for Lynda’s aka Salem car to go on to see if the figures were same as last year seeing as she had done no changes to the car… surprise surprise bang on the same as last year so at least now we know if the read out is wrong its consistently wrong!!

Andy aka SharkyUK was interested to see if there had been any difference made with his new Pro-Speed Exhaust and sports cat needless to say he was very pleased to find it was up by 2bhp and 7lb of torque on last years figure.

The loudest car of the day had to be Scott aka Phunkmastered I have never seen a room empty so quickly and those left in the room all had fingers in their ears, it really was deafening.. Scott’s car certainly got a lot of attention that day as it turns out there is a photographer above Power Station who photographs glamour models and he asked if he could use Scott’s car for some photos and soon Scott car was being photographed with glamour models.  Now you think all the lads would have been out viewing this but no not our lot of petrol heads they soon got bored after a couple of minutes and went back to watch the cars on the rolling road…

After everyone had been on the rollers a few of us went for a meal at a local country pub that stayed open for us.  Sadly they had a problem with chip fryer so there was no chips on the menu which disappointed a couple of the lads however this was soon forgotten when they realised  there was a hen party going on so needless to say a couple of the lads Dan aka M4RV3 were in their elements eyeing up the eye candy.

The meal was lovely despite no chips and I think it is safe to say everyone enjoyed the day. To view these photos and more from the day click here.

On Friday we got a text and post on the forum off our good friend Moggs aka Ian  asking did we fancy going out for a little drive this weekend, before he headed off to a sunnier climate for the winter. Well you know us any excuse for a little drive and we agreed to meet up Sunday morning.

It was very short notice with no firm plans made other then a meeting point and time. The weather forecast was not looking at all good for Sunday with reports of heavy rain, flooding and gale force winds.  However that was not going to stop us… oh no not even Matt aka msprig who travelled down from the Midlands the night before.

Sunday morning started of very wet it was literary pouring down, we go soaked just walking to the car from the house.  The 3 of us Andy aka SharkyUK, Matt aka msprig and Lynda aka Salem headed off to the meeting point only to find the road in the dip was flooded so we turned around to find another route yet that road too was flooded too, however as this road was higher up and level ut of the two it was thought this was the better option. Lynda aka Salem made the decision to give it a go and was first in at the deep end… it soon came apparent it was flooded a little higher then expected however committed Lynda carried on and Matt and Andy followed thankfully we all got through safe and sound, and was able to joke about driving threw rivers for this meet!!

The 3 of us arrived early at the Merthyr meeting point and no one was there so we decided to go to the Tesco’s car park in Merthyr as it was covered so we could set up the camera and have a chat without getting soaking wet.  Moggs and N100GSY aka Lewis also met us at Tescos and then we drove to the meeting point and picked up Agent Smith aka Colin.  Still raining we made the decision to drive over a couple of mountain roads before stopping off for breakfast and hoping the weather would improve.

The 6 of us set off for the first mountain stop.  Still raining very heavy and with flooded roads it made for interesting driving that’s for sure.  As we got onto the mountain section I think it is safe to say all of us had twitchy moments especially driving over the cattle grids.

We stopped off on top of the mountain and thankfully it stopped raining long enough for us to take a couple of photos and admire the view as well as see the black clouds ahead lol.  It was at this point Moggs noticed Lynda’s aka Salem number plate was hanging off her car.  The screw had somehow come out and the front plate was just flapping about in the wind.  Thankfully Andy aka SharkyUK like all good Renault owners had some duct tape in his car this managed to do the trick and held the number plate on for the day.  It was very cold and windy on top of that mountain so next stop was a much needed food and warmth stop.

As we headed towards the café we came across more floods thankfully nothing as bad as the 1st one and all was well.  By this time it was only raining lightly and now and again and what with the bad weather there wasn’t much in the way of traffic on the road.

We got to the Café at about 11am and it was breakfast tea and coffees all round.  It was at this point Ben aka CardiffR33 and his wife joined us and 6 became 7.  As the weather now was a lot brighter we decided to head up towards Mid Wales before going to the Black Mountains.  We had a good clear drive and hardly saw anyone on the mountain section.  As we all pulled in at the top there was a lovely rainbow.  Although the views are stunning there it was blowing a gale so again it was a quick stop and back on the road heading towards the famous Black Mountains.

As always we took the pretty route and parts of the road where very slippery indeed with wet leaves on the road and again the rain was off and on.  Just as we got to the Black Mountain road we got stuck behind a car some managed to get past this car however some were stick behind it.  Lynda aka Salem got Moggs aka Ian in front so she could get him on camera before we all parked up in our usual spot. A few of us did the road again just for good measure by now the weather was much better and parts of the road were getting a nice dry line, but it was only Moggs who was willing to go on camera.  The sun was out but don’t be fooled it was still cold but hey it is November.

After a little play we all headed off back on the road for the next stage this saw us over a few more mountain roads where we met some wild horses on the way but once past them it was a lovely open road and Moggs was off. We pulled into a little parking spot to decide where to go next and who was doing what.  It was here we said our goodbyes to Ben aka CardiffR33 and his wife as they headed back home, and 7 was 6 again.

It was decided that we would do the mountain road we did early in the morning only the travelling from the other direction.  By now the roads were clear and the sun was out but with that came more traffic and we got broken up a couple of times because of this.  We all managed to regroup again though.  We stopped off at the 1st mountain stop from the morning again it was clear but still very cold it was here we all said our goodbyes. It would be the last time we would see Moggs until next year and the last time we would see his DC5 as it was up for sale, so we all wished him the best and looked forward to catching up with him in the New Year and seeing all his photos from the holiday.  Matt was back off home to the Midlands and we would see him next weekend for the Rolling Road  Lewis aka N100 followed SharkyUK and Salem as well as Colin aka Agent Smith.

It was cold it was very wet the roads in places were slippery but it was great fun with yet again great company thank you everyone for yet another successful driving meet. To see these photos and more please click here.

Here is a short video from the day from onboard SharkyUK’s Clio Trophy.