Paderborn Scooterists
Summer Run 2008
Despite all the hassles of trying to set off on time, I finally managed to set off at just after four on the Friday afternoon. This is one of my favourite journeys on a scooter. The roads are German A roads and the traffic is minimal. I arranged to meet Gaz Powell just south of Hannover before riding down to Paderborn to meet up at Ted’s gaff. I was at the RV no more than ten minutes when the phone rang. Expecting to here the worst I answered only to find out that Gaz was at the garage but round the other side. Good job he rung me or we could’ve been there ages.
We set of for Paderborn; this consists of two roads basically, the B217 and The B1. The B1 is quite hilly with many a twist and turn, but the B217 is straight and mostly dual carriageway. Gaz was on a P2 disc with a 210 Malossi kit and I was on my T5 Classic with a 172 kit fitted. Those of you that have been on this route will know you can really get some speed up on this route. Now my speedo goes up to 120kmh, which is around 75mph. Both scooters were off the clock and still going and it wasn’t long before we breezed through Hameln.
We arrived at Ted’s around 1915 and was welcomed by Ted and Hammy(A33SC). We were informed that the rest had already set of and established at the Run and they were waiting for Mick Fullbrook who was on his way through the Ruhrgebiet (Industrial Ruhr area). After a quick brew, Gaz and myself decided to head off to the Run site as the light was starting to fade.
A quick trip down the A33, we arrived just as the sun was disappearing. We were met by Michael and Harry of Cloud 9 SC Paderborn and Gonzo of the Jetsons Lambretta Club at the entrance. Paid the money and rode in. Steve Evans was at the bar, he’d been there about and hour so he had already had ten beers and half a dozen vodka redbulls under his belt. The usual meet and greet ensued. Met up with the General from the Harlekins who informed me that he has now retired from the Bundeswehr. Good thing really ‘cos EOD ain’t really a career you’d feel safe with. Tents up and on the beer. Haggis(AFSC) was on form and it was good to see him again. Mick, Hammy and Ted rocked up around nineish and the night went on as it should. Rosi (Cloud 9) was working his arse off on the barbecue and the beer was flowing. At €1 a bottle, we are definitely spoiled in Germany. The night rolled on with usual banter. The music was a mixture of ska, mod, mod revival, two tone and of course northern soul so there was something for everyone’s taste.
Morning came all too quickly for me. I was awoken by Steve Evans, checking to see how dry I was, only to discover that not only was I dry, I had packed all my kit away when I sacked it the night before while pissed up. Doss bag, sleeping mat, everything. I then got dressed in my riding gear and fell asleep like that.
I Packed up said my goodbyes and headed for home. The journey back was pretty uneventful apart for stopping off for breakfast on the B217. The breakfast was bloody expensive but the massage that came with it was out of this world.
A good night for me personally and thanks the Cloud 9 and the Jetsons for a cracking night out. Thanks to all that I shared a beer or two with; Steve, Anna, Rebecca, Gaz, Mick, Urte, Haggis, Ted, Darren, Hammy, Bert & Kiwi and Tim from Harlekins, who has developed a new interest in scooter racing (you need to meet him to understand this). To Rosi for the Chilli Schnapps and to anyone else I've forget to mention. I’ll see ya on the run.
