Crossroads-tour...

When I came back from a reunion on saturdaynight after 10, there was some fog here and there on the way home. When on sundaymorning the alarm goes off and Roel gets up straight away, the first thing I say to him is: Better look first if the world is covered in fog, if so I will turn around once more...

Departure...
Here in the village everything seemed clear and so Roel lets me know. I stayed in bed for a little longer and then decided that today I would join for the tour with the FMC. While I was still busy with my morning ritual, Roel already puts the bikes outside the garage. Just before 8 am we drive off, because we need some fuel first. Near Quatrebras I see that it is only 3 degrees. On our way, between Zwartewegsend and the Bonke-bridge there is still some fog, but the sun is already winning. We go to a service-station in Leeuwarden, on the way to the Elfsteden-square, behind the Frisian Expo Centre. The weather predictions are looking good, so it may become a nice group. There is already quite a group present, waiting for departure. I quickly make a few pictures. When the leader tells us that we are going to move, my ignition-key is still in the securing of my panniers. Quickly I open one of my panniers, throw in my autumn-gloves and get my winter-gloves out. When I counted right, a group of 11 motorcycles is moving into the direction of Heerenveen at 8.30.

Intermediate stop...
During our trip King winter is gnawing on my fingertips and I am glad I took my chance on wearing my winter-gloves. Many a person is stamping his feet and rubbing hands on arrival in Heerenveen, where we stop on the parking at the MacD. Here is the second startingpoint, for people from the area. That way they don't have to drive to Leeuwarden first to join in. Also here a large attendance, there are 6 bikes and 7 persons waiting. After a sanitary stop for a member, we move on to Nieuwleusen with 17 bikes. Simply by A-roads. Between Meppel and Staphorst it is still very foggy. The sun is gone for a moment, but is soon joining us again. In Nieuwleusen we drive to the inn where we started the tour last year, but it is closed. The bikerclub has a club-building of its own now. The GPS is consulted and then we drive there in one go. Well and then there is coffee, hot and fresh. Today very welcoming. You could call it quite fresh this morning, we're not used to it anymore. A thicker sweater would be more appropriate for some members.

The tour...
When we start the tour, we have to deviate from the track, as some members with small fuel-tanks need to fill up again. Then we start the tour itself. It is a wonderful tour which takes us along known and unknown places. I have never known that Zalk lies between zwolle and Kampen. Now I will never forget it again. In Sint Jansklooster my thoughts go to Evert van Benthem, who used to live here and won the Elfstedentocht on skates twice. Just after Genemuiden we pass over "het Zwarte Water" by a ferry. We have our lunch in Blokzijl, where we park our bikes near the water and move ourselves into an inn. The innkeeper has just served us, when another group of about 20 bikers arrive. He keeps his head clear and serves everybody in his own quiet way. Then we start on the second half of the tour. In Ansen we come across a large group of solex-riders, who greet us enthousiastically. Of course we greet back, don't we all enjoy this beautiful autumnday? Here and there a single tree shows its autumn-colours. Beautiful tour, wonderful weather and on the last part of the way back, I open my throttle. Near Heerenveen I take the exit to Drachten with 130 km/h, I love it. Around 6 pm we are home again. Over 400 kms, but it was worth it, to get out of bed for.

Betty Smit, Motormeisje.nl

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