An April Fool's joke?

The plans were already set, to have a look in Hardenberg this year. Had heard so much about it and it was all positive, so I had to see it with my own eyes. And then the weather-predictions are, nice, sunny and dry weather, for the whole weekend...

On my way...
On saturdaymorning, when I leave home, it is quite chilly. I think it must have been around 4 degrees. I've driven already some kilometers, when I realise, that I left without my smokes. I'd better visit a service station on my way there. There is not a lot of traffic at this time of day and I can move quite nicely. I even move faster, once I'm on the A28 in the direction of Hoogeveen. Near Hoogeveen I leave this road into the direction of Emmen. Then I have a short break at a service station, before I move on to Hardenberg. There is a lot going on near Hardenberg. But soon I find a parking spot for my bike in the back of the parking place. With great expectations I enter the manège.

Enjoying...
For the one it will be old junk, for the other these are treasures they have been looking for, for a long time. Right in the beginning in the manège I meet Leo Schuil. We shake hands and say "Hello", he's busy. Loose fueltanks of respectable age, mudguards, crates full of pistons, covers, headlights, indicators, mirrors, engine-parts, you name it. But also new clothing and helmets are for sale. For the restaurer and collector there is a lot to explore. Here and there is an old bike to be purchased, that needs some tidying up. Nice projects for the hobby-mechanic. There are mopeds and motorbikes. Not only is there a large tent as well, but outside on the field there are a lot more stand-holders. For the ones that didn't reserve a place, it was worth the gamble to come anyway and try to sell their goods, especially with this weather.

Homeward...
And so did my brother. I meet him on the field in his stand, together with his "business-partner". We talk a while, but it is not the time for it, as they are busy. I leave my helmet in the car and explore the rest of the market. I know that there are some forummembers around, but with so many nice things to look at, I am not on the look out for them. By noon, I have seen enough. I have another chat with my brother and start moving homeward. Now the road leads me by Coevorden, so I can't make it to move homeward straight away. I pass by at Annie her bikeshop. She is pleasantly surprised. But she is very busy and so is her coffee corner, comfortably busy I must say. It is near two-thirty, when I get dressed up in order to move up north again. With the sun shining it is pleasant to have a ride, better than early this morning. Tomorrow another day like this.

Sunday...
In the past week Roel had contact with some members of the group, we went to Scotland with in 2004. If we would drive the Friesland Toertocht with them, just a small group. We agree to meet up at the service station just south of Leeuwarden. We meet Tjerk and Tine and a while later George arrives. Huite had called him, to say that he had overslept and will drive straight to Oudehaske to meet us there. And so it happens. With the six of us we drive the tour. A lovely tour with these nice winding roads.

The tour...
The tour leads us passed Nieuweschoot, Mildam and Oldeholtwolde. There my kilometre-counter passes the 48.000. By all kinds of B-roads we pass Nijemardum, Aldegea and Workum. I remember these roads from former Elfstedentocht-tours. In Workum the terraces are stuffed and there is no place to park a bike. We move on and drive by Exmorra, Schraard, Witmarsum, Lollum and Kubaard. There we leave the road to have lunch in Wommels. By Baard, Jellum, Boksum, Goutum, Oudega, Drachten, Nij Beets and Heerenveen, we arrive at the finish. We always enjoy the tours with MTC Noord. In springtime the Friesland Toertocht and in autumn the Noorderrit. What a weekend! I had nearly 600 kms passing under my wheels and what a lovely weather! The forcast was certainly no April Fool's joke!

Betty Smit.
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