Another Friday another rally, though this one is a little different, as it’s the Vespa Club of Britain, British Vespa Days at Llangollen.
These events are always a little more intimate than your average rally, British Vespa Days has old and new friends from far and wide coming to BVD.
Well filtered
My ride consists mostly of my new side hobby of motorway filtering, with no major problems until near the end of the M54. Then I get stuck behind what I would politely refer to as an ‘inexperienced rider’ (more impolitely, ‘a Direct Access test idiot’)’ he’s all over the place, and can’t filter to save his life. I’m stuck behind him as he loses his nerve filtering between cars “You could get a bloody bus through there!” When a large gap appears he shoots forward to the next car, and yes you’ve guessed it, I’m still stuck behind him, this ballet of badness goes on to the end of the motorway, only getting rid of him when I finally get to the A5.
Ed’s note: We all have to start somewhere Booga so don’t be too harsh on the poor lad!
I am one of the faces
Arriving at Llangollen I see many familiar faces (or should that be Ace Faces, more of that later).
Food, then bar, then into the venue for the evening. A DJ is spinning the discs (that’s what the kids say isn’t it?) and he has the dance floor rocking. A set with Blur at one end and Oasis at the other, with a load of indie classics in the middle, truly inspired.
As I’m old, I’m in my tent before the DJ plays Oops Upside Your Head to close the night, though I’m reliably informed that many Vespisti participated in the end-of-night shenanigans.
Sunshine
Saturday morning is a little damp, with the weather forecast threatening rain through the day. Fortunately, for once, the forecast is lying and the weather is glorious, probably the best I’ve had on a rally all year.
There was a ride IN, starting from the Ponderosa cafe on the Horseshoe Pass, taking the scenic route back into Llangollen.
Fun and games
After that, it’s a walk into town for me, and what a picturesque town it is, fish and chips and a wander around before I head back to The Pavillion.
I caught the custom show, then the fun and games, which looked more like keep fit to me, so I sat that one out.
Mods and Rockers
With the evening comes the gala meal, which isn’t as staid as it sounds, with a Mods and Rockers fancy dress theme ‘Ace Faces’, see what I did there? and much silliness, though fortunately no food fights.
Youngest attended
After the meal the trophy winners were announced, first the custom show, then the individual trophies. The most popular of which was ‘Youngest attended’, the lad being greeted with loud cheers when he received it. ‘Oldest ridden’ went to Peejay Hinsley, with the ‘Furthest travelled solo rider’ going to Johnny Vanbillemont, hardly surprising and well deserved, as he’d ridden over from Belgium.
The Tall Faces
Saturday evening’s entertainment was the Tall Faces, which as the name suggests are a 60s-inspired pop band, though what caught my attention was their version of ‘The Model’ by Kraftwerk.
With the night nearly over it’s off to my tent for some well-earned sleep (if you can call it that) before heading home in the morning.
Words and photos: Booga
