Everyone loves a Euro
Even the most enthusiastic Brexiteer would struggle to find fault with this year’s big two Euro rallies.
Early summer sees enthusiasts of both major marques heading across Europe to gather with like-minded enthusiasts. This year only a week and 300 miles separated Vespa World Days and Eurolambretta, with many opting to take in both events. There’s no doubt that the trek across Europe can be a slog at times, but with attractions such as Vienna, Budapest and Colditz lining the route, this was the ideal two-stroke road trip.
Vespa World Days
First off the blocks on the weekend of June 6-9 was Vespa World Days. Around 5,000 Vespisti from 40 nations attended the event, which was held in the beautiful Hungarian lake resort of Zanka, numbers that were no doubt helped by the central European location and heatwave that enveloped the continent.
Even if the accommodation was more cold war than 21st century chic, holding the rally on a socialist era holiday resort helped to foster a sense of occasion. There are few things worse than travelling hundreds of miles to find no real hub of activity, a complaint that certainly can’t be levelled against the Vespa Club of Hungary. A full programme of entertainment was laid on for the weekend, ranging from live music to ride outs that gave visitors the opportunity to explore ‘hidden’ areas of this beautiful region.
A core part of VWDs is the ‘Vespa Village’ where traders large and small vie to separate party goers from their hard-earned cash, whilst other attractions such as the ‘Original Beauties’ display of factory paint rarities catered for the enthusiast. A highlight of any rally is always the ride out, which in Zanka was in epic proportions. Almost 45 minutes elapsed between the first and last scooter to leave the car park. At this point it’s worth pausing to express our condolences to the family and friends of Belgian scooterist Philippe Withof, who died during the ride out.
The event closed with a traditional Gala Dinner. This is always a unique experience in the world of scootering and Zanka didn’t disappoint. National costumes abounded and there were plenty of opportunities to sing along with folk songs and national anthems from around the world. All things considered, this year’s rally has to rank amongst the best organised and attended VWD that many can remember. Next year the event takes on a very exotic appearance, reflecting the Vespa’s worldwide appeal by moving to Bali, Indonesia. If that’s a little too far, fortunately there’s also a European rally being held in Portugal, a country renowned amongst motorcycle tourers for stunning riding. There’s no doubt that Hungary’s set a high bar, but 2020 looks like being an exciting year for Vespisti.
Eurolambretta
When Zakopane was announced as the Polish venue for Eurolambretta it raised quite a few eyebrows. Famed as a ski resort and marketed as ‘The winter capital of Poland’, many assumed that winter sleeping bags and waterproofs would be in order. How wrong they were! Whilst the UK experienced unprecedented rainfall, Zakopane basked in glorious sunshine, with the mountains and lakes offering riding conditions that were the equal of anywhere in Europe. Unlike VWD, Eurolambretta events tend to be more low-key and less commercial. That’s not a criticism of either event, merely an observation. Traders at Eurolambretta were fewer in number, but more specialised, and although the campsite acts as a focal point for the rally, other than the Gala Dinner there’s often little in the way of organised entertainment. Fortunately, Zakopane is a hidden gem. The cafés, bars and restaurants that cater for the ski crowds open all-year round and the wweekend was one for sharing a few beers, enjoying some food and swapping tales of adventure with friends old and new.
Other than an unfortunate collision between a scooterist and outrider, the ride outs were planned and executed with precision. With around 2,000 scooterists in attendance, Zakopane was undoubtedly a success for all concerned and exposed a beautiful area of Europe to people who wwould not usually have travelled there, wwhich is the very spirit of a scooter rally.
Next year Eurolambretta moves to Belgium for a festival of chocolate, beer and waffles.
If you’ve never made the effort to attend a Euro it really is time to make the effort, although in many ways they’re reassuringly familiar; they have their own twist on what makes a good scooter rally. If the Euro bug’s bitten there’s only one way to secure your ticket, and that’s by joining the appropriate national club.