WE SPOKE TO:

Although weather and the late calender date for this event meant scooter ridden numbers were quite low in comparison to summer jaunts, it was still nice to see a few hardy souls braving the elements. As well as the mile eating Essex ‘custom club’ I got to catch up with furthest travelled winner Gareth from the principality for a quick Q&A on his take on Mablethorpe.

Name/nickname: Gareth ‘Big G Oi xxxx’! Scooter club: Cardiff and District cog 13, and Cardiff SC. Scooters owned: Far too many scooters over the years! This is first year since ’86 without owning a Lambretta. At the moment I regularly use a Vespa P125X and what I’m here with a Gilera Nexus 500ie. Years active: Started properly rallying ’81 mostly on the back, then on my PX from ’83! Favourite event: I enjoy all the rallies, each has a different joy to be had! If I have to make a choice it must be the Isle of Wight – top rally by a top crew! Your journey here: 250 odd miles each way on a fine mix of fast motorway and A-roads. I’ve done it for a few years now; always a great ride though bloody chilly and can be a touch damp! Used the big red Gilera (Nexus 500) doing the job it was bought for: my back is not what it was! Journey here was four hours 40 minutes including fuel stop (scooter and body!) Hope the return is as uneventful but dryer! What do like about this rally: The best thing about Mable is it’s a great way to end the season, catching up and swapping stories from the year’s travels with my great mates and fellow ‘ner do wells’ from around UK also no bloody motor-homes! What could be done to improve this event: A welcoming selection of interesting cheeses from around the UK and nice ale or four presented to you on arrival by a bevy of Windmill Dancers! Honestly the organisation and site are top notch!