Welcome letter from the Editor
A warm welcome to the 400th edition of Scootering.
This month's a ‘big one’ for Scootering magazine, so we’ve included a few rather poignant articles, images and references throughout the edition, to help draw it all together. I hope you enjoy reading this edition as much as I've enjoyed putting it together.
Amidst the work the team and I have put into creating this celebratory edition, I took a little time out to reflect on the fast-paced digital age we are all now engulfed in. As I pondered the various digital platforms, from dot.com booms through social media, one thing which stood out like a sore thumb is the poisonous element of Facebook. When I thought of all the websites which popped up, way back when, as various businesses first got a chance to share info and sell services/ products over the web, I viewed that in a positive light. Despite owning a website, then costing a fortune, it was a progressive step. As things moved into the ‘My Space’ era, individuals and groups became more connected, so again, I saw this as a positive. Then came the forums, and by heck… there were plenty of them! They were fabulous for clubs, enthusiasts, businesses and individuals alike. As you are no doubt aware, I founded the Scooterotica forum, and it quickly became the UK’s No1 classic scooter forum. The information, discussion, friendship and cameraderie which came out of it was fabulous. To be fair, even the arguments and minor conflicts were largely constructive and interesting, or at least entertaining. Anyone remember the ‘Sticky vs Randall’ saga? Brilliant. Now Instagram and Twitter have a popular place in the digital arena, I don’t care for them myself, but many do. They serve a function at least. However, Facebook… well, that’s a different beast altogether. I’ve never seen anything which has so many positive aspects to it, be used (and abused) for such a large amount of vile, hate-spreading, vindictive, small-minded, disinformation and abuse. The arguments, opinions and comments that reel down the screen like pre-soiled toilet roll are just mindboggling. The topic could be a post about politics, or which way round the toilet paper goes on its holder, the resulting nonsense (and usually abuse) is always the same. So when hordes of the scooter community, with all its illustrious history, rich tapestry and many facets, get online (in the usual tribal manner) it's often soul destroying to read. My hope is that, outside the virtual screens of negativity, Scootering magazine offers readers a refreshing oasis of joy amidst a raging digital storm. A real, tangible, solid, familiar and reliable platform, which leaves the digital discourse firmly outside the door. I view the mag as an old friend, to be picked up and put down when the mood takes me, something to get lost in for a while, to escape the online madness… and, for me, it works. I hope it does for you too.
The last thing I want to mention, before you dive in and enjoy this special 400th edition, is the one-year anniversary of the death of scooter legend Kev Walsh. It’s been a pleasure to run the 'Kev's Chronicles' series, and though it’s soon ending, we still have a few cheeky secrets up our sleeves yet to be unleashed… so keep your eyes peeled on that front.
Anyway, that’s enough of my ramblings, it’s another belter this month… so please enjoy this, the 400th edition of Scootering magazine in particular.
Dan