We knew it would come but probably hoped it wouldn't, today was the day of the proposed photo shoot of the charity calender for the Spinal Injuries Association.
The plan was that we would reveal all or nearly all to the camera in what should be a light hearted combination of our ancient classic bikes and possibly even more ancient members stripped for action.
The charity photo shoot was to include various outside scenes, so naturally it was pouring with rain as I drove my car with the moped in the back down the track into Marks farm.
On arrival it was clear we had a very good turn out, plenty of people and even more bikes, Matt having brought several bikes of his own.
As well as some of our finest members, there were three ladies from the SIA, one to organise us, one to photograph us and one to make us look good by applying make up to us, obviously she had the most challenging job. Make up was something new to us all, atleast thats what everybody claimed. It seems it was necessary to make our wrinkly pink shiny faces match our white bodies.
The result may have looked good or rather better for the benefit of the camera, but to my mind it made our group look like we had just emerged from a previously unreleased episode of the Adams family where uncle Festus owned a bubblecar.
After make up, the next stage was to undress and put on your bathrobe and wait for your turn whilst watching others strike poses in scenes with the bikes.
Emailed insructions had specified we should wear plain coloured underpants to help with electronically air brushing them out of the photos as needed. This turned out to be totally unnecessary, the moment the camera appeared pants were abandoned with quite alarming enthusiasm.
All went well with various staged scenes showing off our bikes, our members, our bottoms etc in scenes appropriate for the month to be depicted on the calender.
Featured in the calender to emphasise the connection with the SIA was a modified Ducati monster sidecar outfit brought to the event by Mike from South Wales. This bike has enabled Mike who lost the use of his legs many years ago to visit places as far flung as Italy and Portrugal driving it from his wheelchair. Mike was happy to discuss his machine and its performance but drew the line at getting his kit off for the photos.
For me it was a day on which I saw sights I never thought I would see and possibly never wish to see again. I think the highlight was in the midst of the group photo when it was pointed out by the lady photographer to one of our members that his underpants were wrapped around his ankles. Never before have I seen the sight of a man in his mid seventies hopping about naked on one foot trying to remove the underpants in the cente of a crowd of about fourteen hysterical naked men all observed by two fully clothed women.
The calender shots were successfully completed and all agreed it was a great day with a good turn out, but it does make one wonder though how come so many are willing to turn up for a group session involving cavorting about naked yet so few generally turn up for our motorbike rides.
They do say there is nowt as queer as folk. and I think they are right.
Some behind the scenes photos taken by me are on the website on gallery two.
PS: The calender should be out for Christmas, dont forget to buy your granny one she will love it.
The plan was that we would reveal all or nearly all to the camera in what should be a light hearted combination of our ancient classic bikes and possibly even more ancient members stripped for action.
The charity photo shoot was to include various outside scenes, so naturally it was pouring with rain as I drove my car with the moped in the back down the track into Marks farm.
On arrival it was clear we had a very good turn out, plenty of people and even more bikes, Matt having brought several bikes of his own.
As well as some of our finest members, there were three ladies from the SIA, one to organise us, one to photograph us and one to make us look good by applying make up to us, obviously she had the most challenging job. Make up was something new to us all, atleast thats what everybody claimed. It seems it was necessary to make our wrinkly pink shiny faces match our white bodies.
The result may have looked good or rather better for the benefit of the camera, but to my mind it made our group look like we had just emerged from a previously unreleased episode of the Adams family where uncle Festus owned a bubblecar.
After make up, the next stage was to undress and put on your bathrobe and wait for your turn whilst watching others strike poses in scenes with the bikes.
Emailed insructions had specified we should wear plain coloured underpants to help with electronically air brushing them out of the photos as needed. This turned out to be totally unnecessary, the moment the camera appeared pants were abandoned with quite alarming enthusiasm.
All went well with various staged scenes showing off our bikes, our members, our bottoms etc in scenes appropriate for the month to be depicted on the calender.
Featured in the calender to emphasise the connection with the SIA was a modified Ducati monster sidecar outfit brought to the event by Mike from South Wales. This bike has enabled Mike who lost the use of his legs many years ago to visit places as far flung as Italy and Portrugal driving it from his wheelchair. Mike was happy to discuss his machine and its performance but drew the line at getting his kit off for the photos.
For me it was a day on which I saw sights I never thought I would see and possibly never wish to see again. I think the highlight was in the midst of the group photo when it was pointed out by the lady photographer to one of our members that his underpants were wrapped around his ankles. Never before have I seen the sight of a man in his mid seventies hopping about naked on one foot trying to remove the underpants in the cente of a crowd of about fourteen hysterical naked men all observed by two fully clothed women.
The calender shots were successfully completed and all agreed it was a great day with a good turn out, but it does make one wonder though how come so many are willing to turn up for a group session involving cavorting about naked yet so few generally turn up for our motorbike rides.
They do say there is nowt as queer as folk. and I think they are right.
Some behind the scenes photos taken by me are on the website on gallery two.
PS: The calender should be out for Christmas, dont forget to buy your granny one she will love it.
