vespastics

Happy Birthday and welcome to new member Craig, keeping it Vespastic in PA. Well done, sir!

August 21-25…

We set out for the North Circular Road, midday on Thursday, August 21, later than we wanted. It was a quick run down to Portsmouth, where we just made our 3:30 ferry. Waiting in the Queue were my mates Tony and Pete from the Aces High S.C. in Sussex, along with Tony’s girlfriend Claire. Just like old times…

A short ride to Smallbrook Stadium, and we were at the VFM campground, where we were given comp. camping. We set up camp with our Brighton friends, and set off for Tesco, where we got amenities, along with some healthy fare Stacy set up buffet stye on my Vespa seat. A few bottles of cider, some grub, and catching up with mates well into the evening was a good first night.

Day 2, Friday, August 22, we rode into town to explore the seafront and get some breakfast. Back at the campsite, Stacy took my PX for a spin. A pretty mellow day culminated with a coach ride to town and a “do” at the Ryde Ice Rink, featuring “Secret Affair” on the main stage, and a mechanical bull as well. Stacy gave it a go. I wasn’t so bold.

Day 3, Saturday August 23, we set off to town for the amazing custom scooter show. “Hippy Killer” was my favorite. We also managed to get over to the dealer fair at the stadium racetrack, for badges, patches, etc. Stacy got a nice blue bomber jacket. I joined the Vespa Club of Britain. After making some new friends and getting some sunburn, our night plans put us back into town for a few drinks at The King Lud, followed by more live music at the VFM show. 

Day 4, Sunday August 24, brought our first bit of rain. We were prepared, with rain suits, but it managed to burn off by noon. First order of the day was laundry in town. We finished up just in time to make it to the island rideout. Thousands of scooters, all riding i parade formation across the island, with the locals cheering us on all the way. The rideout was followed by a supplemental ride, thanks to Fay and The Bar Italia Scooter Club. We ended up having an early supper at the White Mouse Pub, followed by a lengthy ride back to camp, just in time to get ready for the final VFM do at the Balcony Club, where we said our goodbyes and had our last drinks.

By dawn on day 5, Monday, August 25, we were up and packing on very little sleep. We bounded off just in time for the next ferry to Portsmouth. There we would await a Brittany Ferry to Caen, France. It had been Stacy’s first Isle of Wight and my third. Up to 20,000 scooters…there’s nothing else like it. It’s something I’ve heard described here as a once in a lifetime thing. That’s certainly not ringing true for us. Maybe next year…

Full pics at: http://scoot.net/gallery/2008/08/iow/VESPASTIC/tinyindex.html

Oi, oi!

Sorry for this delayed post. We survived a brilliant Isle of Wight and made it to Paris. Out of internet contact but photos and stories soon!

Yesterday, we set off around the corner for Retrospective Scooters, a shop we’ll have do the work on Stacy’s bike in the future. There we met owner Nile and his dog Hector. Our bikes will be in good hands. From there we rode to Islington to Dalston Motorcycles, where I passed my MOT inspections, good for one year. We decided to ride back up to the North Circular Road, over to the Ace Cafe. We hadn’t made it very far when it began to pour. The whole 30 minute journey soaked us. Despite a late lunch, we were happy to have some hot tea and chips when we reached the Ace. This was the famous Rocker hangout, celebrating it’s 70th year. Although predominantly a motorcycle cafe, they seem to have warmed to scooters over the years. After hitting the gift shop, we rode back to Turnpike Lane to warm up and head off to the pub. The next ride we take will be to the Isle of Wight!

Monday began with another zip through London to the East End in search of Scooter Emporium, where we’d booked our service appointments with Marco. Stacy’s scooter, still stalling out, was the first one checked over. The list of necessary work was extensive. It seems hers will require more TLC (and Pound Sterling) than we can manage right now. My bike needed some work, but only more standard service issues. It seems we’re adapting to plan B, riding two up to Isle of Wight and Paris. Not a problem, but we’ll need to make some calculated adjustments in terms of re-booking ferries, and re-packing supplies. Long term, well get both bikes back on the road properly, but for today, Stacy’s will be mothballed. Oh well. We’re off to The Ace.

Today we finally caught up on sleep (Thanks to a great many pints), got some Nando’s Chicken, and rode into the West End to meet up with the Bar Italia Scooter Club. It was a fantastic ride to Wapping and then a brilliant and slightly soggy ride through London back up to St. John’s Wood to Fran’s. Thanks to Fay, Nick and all for a great night out!

We made it. So far we’ve managed to get my bike up and running, and made a run last night to Luton to visit friends and fetch Stacy’s. She managed to get hers started on the third kick, and made the harrowing journey back to London this morning, despite a problem with the Vespa stalling. Monday we’re getting them serviced. Tonight, pub.

-B

In a matter of hours Stacy and I leave for Europe. The bags are packed and scooters are waiting to ride from London to Paris, hitting the Isle of Wight on the way. Two weeks on the road and hopping around my old London haunts. It’s a much deserved and belated honeymoon, visiting old friends and logging some serious kilometers. We’ll post updates as we go, and look forward to seeing many of you on the road, or when we return. 

Cheers,

Brian

You lot,
The hiatus is over. This thing is back on the road, five years and counting. vespastics.com is back up, with surprises yet to come. Bikes dusted off and fired up. In two weeks we return to the Isle of Wight. Be seeing you…

vespastic ’til the end,

ZOM-B