Holland 2008

Wilko from the Dutch club invited all the clubs from around the globe to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the launch of the mighty Z1300. We went over and supported the event. Here's the story of the trip.

The trip starts in Nottingham with us me and Mrs Dread on the 13 with Dave on the full power Max blasting down the A1. I have to say that we didn't even get out of Nottingham before a pillock in a Merc tried to have us off resulting in us being forced up the wrong exit from an island...thanks.

3 and a half hours later we arrived at the Stingray in Harwich where the landlord cleared some tables away in the courtyard so we could park our bikes off the road. The Stingray was great value and very clean and tidy. Harwich was dead though loads of pubs all with 1 punter in. Friday Morning we headed to the port where we hooked up with Rich and his brother John and Terry and Jane the ferry across was very smooth and more like a cruise ship, the crossing took 7 hours though.

We arrived in Meerkerk at about 7ish where we met up with Richard and Heather and Keith from retro city Motorcycles who told us Les and his friend were up the road. We decided to go to Uterich for a bite to eat...Yeah right there was a festival on and for some reason they didn't want anyone to get to it and closed every road in...after 3 hours of trying every route in we decided what ever they were trying to keep from us just wasn't worth the effort for us to see. MacDonald's was the answer.   :-)

I should mention that I made two discoveries about Dutch drivers 1, the are mad and I mean crazy mad with no respect at all. 2, they are very respectful ? Yep while driving they cut you up try to push you out the way and generally try to kill you but in a jam they all make room so you can filter. Odd but true. We realised we had to adopt an aggressive style of riding to get anywhere. (not too difficult for some of us.)

Saturday saw us go to the meet at Noordloos for 10am where our host Wilko met us making us feel welcome.

Wilko on the mike.

Below are pictures of all the 13's that came. (If I missed one I'm sorry I did my best.)

If I did miss one you'll be on the pic below.

And off course Dave on his Max wasn't allowed in the exclusive club area.

We mingled and talked 13's listened to each other stories swapped advise and generally had a good time. There we're members from not just England and Holland but France, Germany, Denmark and Australia. Yep you read right Ron came over from Oz and borrowed a 13 here are pictures he took capturing some of the characters who came.

 At 12 when we went on a ride out to a classic bike show somewhere along a lot of very narrow streets with lot's of water on each side. The ride was great with fantastic views and a few windmills thrown in. Below are some pictures from the show. Note some odd machines like a Renault bike, a Hercules etc

Funny thing this time they wouldn't even let the V Max in the show Dave had to park outside.

We rode bike to the shop where a few other bikes turn up too.

Wilko's bike.

The bike below could actually be louder than mine. It must be said in my opinion whilst it isn't super charged it does look the best 13 on the planet except may be for Phil The Anoraks.

below are the UK owners that made the quick hop across the puddle.

Saturday night we made merry and drank a couple of beers.

Then Sunday we had a quick blast to the ferry and home.

A huge thankyou to Wilko and everyone who made the event possible it was great and we'll come over again. To the club members who came with us or met us there I hope you all had as good a time as we did. And to anyone who missed it we'll be doing it again so don't worry you'll get another chance.

Photo's by Dread, Sandra, Ron Weste and Richard Mills