Author : Mr. R. Hadee

After a long wait and making the forummembers quite curious, the day finally came: D-Day was here and some recrutes would get a special training in riding REAL bikes (strange? "real" is written very big, don't you think)

But before that, they first had to make a test of capability and for that, I composed a tour along a methalithic tomb. After gathering together at a famous Fast-Food restaurant, the tour could start.

Because some already had a coffee here, I decided to pospone the coffee-stop that I had in mind, near the megalithic tomb and have the coffee-break at the Lancaster monument (they would probably need it, to catch their breath).

After enjoying some of the typical roads, belonging to the old Drenths landscape, the parade drove to the monument of the crashed Lancaster in Anreep. Here the recrutes were given some tea, coffee and Bossche Bollen. That pastry was delicious and came from the gear-case of the Old-warrior. This recrute has the gift to give each meeting something special and in an unconventional way. This Old-warrior had a complete orchestra in the gear-case as well and stood there, together with JanBMW, giving us the best concert ever. This was probably to cheer up the recrutes. One of them was quite shaky and we can't have that in battle. So at ease.

While touring we did come closer to the race-track, but in stead of turning left, to the Europaweg and in the direction of the circuit, Mr. R. Hadee decides to move on. They will first have a lesson in history at the Horsepowerrun. Luckily JanBMW could drive around a traffic island, he almost drove towards the track on his own. At the very last moment he got the picture of where we were going. Due to the excellent bikecontrol and the sublime driving-qualities of the BMW, he could easily join the parade again.

The bikes that participate in the Horsepowerrun are (sub)devided in groups, by year of build. In this case: Endurancetour for bikes built untill 1915 and the socalled B-class for bikes until 1920. I want to emphasize that here will not be any Japanese bikes. Really 0,0 Japanese bikes. Only the real thing.

After the photo-shoot and tickeling the smelling-organ with fumes of yesteryear, it was time to go to the "Circuit van Drenthe". This trip was a noisy one, especially underneath fly-overs. The best, I thought myself, was the tunnel just outside the racing drivers' quarters. It's a pity that I can only get here full-throttle in second gear, but the hawling of the siren was loud and clear. Geez, what a noise does that piece of technique make. After the ropes were disentangled and everybody, who was present on 10-03-2006, had it's souvenir, we first had a look at the racing plastic knights and knightesses. There were enough riders, that were not really racing. Personally I thought that the Ducati's had charm by the characteristic sound and the power they produce when gearing up. I am not impressed with the Japanese bikes, that should be clear by now.

But, Betty had to ride Libby! Carefully I tried to approach her, but Madam tried to pass, but her reasons made no impression on me. She was shaky, but I told Betty, that everything on Libby shakes, so she won't notice and will be used to it in no-time. Reluctant she put her helmet on her head, even slower she put on her gloves and then she moved slowly towards the green machine.

Decided to start the engine myself, otherwise she probably might be pushing the switch of the horn. Thinking that that would be the starterbutton. Libby runs idle, vibrating she's waiting for Betty. Now it comes.

After a brief explenation about the real meganism, the ride can begin. Betty knows the drill, she almost knows the manuel by heart.

Again explenation that most of the acts are lefthanded and don't use the front break as a clutch, because you stand still, even before you drive. The right use of pre-and after-ignition, probably went in one ear and left the other. Betty was fixed to drive and not on the rest of the acts, she'll be forgiven.

My heartbeat went up as Madam wanted to drive off. Adrenaline rushed through my body. My beloved Libby in the hands of a Honda Devil, how did I get the idea to propose it to her. Silently I hope, that Libby does not punish her, but Libby seems to know her a bit. Betty? Isn't that the woman, that writes about me so much and is crazy about me? Let's go then.

First attempt fails (quite logical really). Then it starts to move, she rides!!!!!!!! With my fingers crossed I hope for a good ending. Photographers all around to place it on record of the sensible digital camera's, for the next generation. After seeing her ride to and fro, she luckily returns and shuts the engine down in an unconventional way.

Done!!!

Oof! Glad this is behind me, but also glad, that Betty made the effort to try it. Mr.JanBMW would like to have a try as well, but he also did not have it come easy. He is used to the high-principled technique of BMW motorcycles and when it comes to the "real" bikes, he does not know either.

This was shortly my impression. Thanks to all, who made the effort to come, good enlistment ( has been different in the past).

On a succesful day and "see ya" on a next forum-meeting.

Rudyhadee.