Well, it doesn’t feel like a year ago I was heading up to Stirling for the VCB’s British Vespa Days, but it certainly is, so that means I’m off on my travels again.
This time to Bristol, or more precisely Cleve Rugby Club. Bristol is apt as it’s the 75th anniversary of Douglas taking on the UK production of the Vespa.
Tail wind
Apart from a stretch up the A34, my ride is mostly motorways – M27, M4, then M5- pretty straightforward and, on the whole, an easy ride. The weather was OK, though I did seem to be chased by quite an angry cloud; fortunately, I didn’t need my waterproofs, which is lucky as I’d left them at home!
The M4 was my usual game of chicken with the lorries, which I mostly won, though on one occasion the wind picked up and had my front end skipping about (my back end was skipping about a bit too!). After that the wind changed direction and powered me down the motorway!
Goody bags
Arriving at Cleve Rugby Club, I signed in, grabbed my goody bag and set up camp. The rugby club is well set up, with a bar (of course), and plenty of space for camping, or Glamping if you’re so inclined.
There were also large open tents for people to hide from the sun or rain, as applicable; glad to say it was the sun we hid from.
Beer pressure
Daytime was spent catching up with my VCB family, continuing conversations we’d started weeks or months ago.
I always find VCB events a bit more relaxed than your average National. Though not necessarily more orderly, as the bar was soon very packed, and lots of drunk Vespisti got VERY drunk!
I must admit I did partake, though the Jägerbombs and shots were not my idea. The big boys made me do it!
Circus time
The band, 6 o’clock Circus, played a very good set… Or so I’ve been told, as I was a little bit squiffy by then – I do remember enjoying what I heard though. Friday night ends in a blur and a trip (probably on all fours) back to my tent to sleep.
Saturday morning and I’m a little woolly-headed, so fried breakfast it is then.
Andrea once handmade a life-size Vespa from fresh pasta for his wife; she didn’t believe it would work until he rode pasta.
Mr Pinasco
There’s a lot going on, with a ‘pop-up’ Douglas Vespa museum on site, various stalls and a question-and-answer session with none other than Andrea Pinasco- yes, the bloke who designed all those brilliant Vespa kits in the 80s!
Did you know he actually started off making… pasta (no jokes from the Lambretta riders out there, thank you).
Geek
There was a ride-in (similar to what Cleethorpes used to do), I missed the scoots coming in by five minutes, as I was off doing my geek stuff. Oops. Then they had a gymkhana for those brave enough to risk life and limb; I wasn’t.
Twerzels
The custom show was excellent, with some outstanding entrants and I’m glad I didn’t have to pick the winners.
Saturday evening’s entertainment was supplied by The Twerzels Band; yes, they are a Wurzels tribute band, but so much more. They were worth it just for the back-and-forth heckling. Back to the bar and more catching up, though a fair proportion of the conversations were ‘Wow, I’ve never seen you that drunk before’.
Next year – Driffield
Old age finally catches up with me, and I call it a night. Listening to the final band, Buckaroo, in my tent was a relaxing end to a great weekend.
Sunday morning and it’s pack-up, breakfast and goodbyes before I’m off down those motorways again.
British Vespa Days have grown and matured over the last 12 years, and I’ve learnt to love them as an integral part of my scootering calendar. I’m already looking forward to next year’s in Driffield, in Yorkshire.
Words and photos: Booga
