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Archive indexI once saw an poster advertising “Ten new ways to cook Potatoes”. I had to go and my effort was rewarded when I learned there was far more to the humble spud that I had reckoned. When Tony Everard wrote to members of NACC living within a buzz of Leicester to join him and a few others for a ride to Bradgate Park and a demonstration of “Indian Fighting Kites” I felt the same compulsion as with the aforementioned Spud fest. What, on earth, is an Indian Fighting Kite? Anyway I was a bit late setting off, the engine seized up at Gorse Hill cemetery. (A brief wait with a cup of coffee allowed it to cool down and I was away again.) On arrival I was greeted by Tony, a man with a pair of NEW motorised bicycles that he and his girlfriend ride with great enthusiasm.
Despite having been a member of the NACC for about ten years, I am embarrassed to say that this was my first event.
There was a collection of other ‘Buzzers’ gnawing on sliced bread and dripping sandwiches already grouped in the Park awaiting the arrival of Stafford Wallace, the kite man. We talked two strokes until Stafford’s arrival. He gave a talk, in perfect weather, on how everyone in India fights with their kites off the rooftops of the cities. The idea being to cut the line on anyone else’s kite with a line coated with powdered glass. Wow!
He then gave a very impressive display of flying. Like a juggler with this frail little kite. He dive-bombed several unsuspecting pedestrians. It was a remarkable sight. A few of us fumbled around with his demo kites soon realising there was a lot more to it than met the eye, but with perseverance we at least managed not to crash!
As the afternoon came to a close I found myself involved in a ride back to Leicester with Roger Caunt on his BSA Winged Wheel. He certainly had the edge on my Cyclemaster Butcher’s bike, but if I pedalled like hell while he wasn’t watching I found I could just keep up. We rode into town two abreast, much to the annoyance of several cars that we covered in blue smoke.
It was a great day out and I now have my own Indian Fighting Kite to do battle with over the roof tops of Leicester. So far, there’s only me, but I’m sure it will catch on.
First published - October 1999