2003 A personal account
By Simon Cuerden
Well it’s that time of year again,
out with the old and in with the new, Auld Lang Syne
and all that. Just
before I started to write my review of 2003, I had a good look at our gallery
section. To see a pictorial history, well some of it at least, of our little
club’s forays into the Scootering world.
The Hamburg Custom Show 2003 was a
great start to the year and an event that set the pace for the
Germany based AFSC
members. I thank
my good friends Borgo and Ecky for completing my Lambretta in time for this show.
Winning best Lambretta and Best of Show was a personal high that will take some
beating!
We traveled a long way to get to Hamburg in dreadful weather conditions, Dia Ranson taking two Lambrettas and reserving our little corner of the show for the AFSC Scoots was a stroke of genius. This event set the standard for 2003. The AFSC German chapter re affirmed friendships with other clubs such as the time we stayed with Nico of The Speed Demons. Nutty Newton, Mick Holt, Mick Fulbrook, Dia and Elaine all had a wonderful weekend.
My
next outing was to the coldest Scooter Run I have ever been on! The Scytheman
Scooter Club Rally in Oldendorf Easter (Near Hamburg) 18.-21 April 2003. Borgo
and I riding Lambrettas to this run was grim to say the least. Meeting Ralph of
the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers complete with his fully “Modded” P200E Parka and Desert Boots and
enjoying the company of my German club The HEIDE HEIZER.
Filthy
& sly 04-06 JULY 03 always a good Run and one that I have never missed barring
Operational
Tours. Meeting Harry Barlow and Andy from the UK as usual and talking bollocks
as we do is not to be missed. Teaming up with The Cloud 9 Scooter Club, who are
always good for the crack and good friends with the
AFSC
having a number of their club members enjoying membership of The
AFSC, Special
thanks to Mick Holt for putting the tent up yet again.
Next
up is on the 28th day of July HOLIDAY IN HOLLAND 2003 “A shhhmoke and a
pancake?” The AFSC’s favourite run and a Run we co organised with The Speed
Demons. Dia Ranson did us all proud with his Herculean efforts. The highlight of
the year was our ride out all wearing the club T-Shirts. I DJ’d in the main room
on Saturday night, great feeling both nerves and excitement. Judging the custom
show and laughing from Friday to Sunday, having me tent flood didn’t even spoil
the weekend! Cheers Craig Ballytine for letting me crash in your tent.
The last run of the year for me was
The Danger Seeker Scooter Run at Wankum. The week following
HiH so this small run lent it’s self to a chill out session with a brilliant
band on Saturday night. The ride from my house to this run took in total of 25
minutes! Oh and I won best Lambretta in their custom show…….result.
I was a bit sad to see Mick Holt and
Tom Keating getting posted, Mick being my partner in crime on so many Runs and
Nighters. We did have some giggles and your map reading skills will be missed.
Tom's posting mid summer to Scotland will see him remerging in German later this
year in Fallingbostel making Hohne the centre of Germany based Scooterists with
no less than eight AFSC
members in close proximity!
Along with a health smattering of
Northernsoul events such as The Cologne Soul Weekender and The
Dusseldorf Soul Bowl it was a pretty good year for me. I regret not going to The
Isle of Wight but I will make an effort this year, her in doors willing.
Operation Telic saw a lot of
AFSC
members getting sand in their kit and disrupting
2003 for a while. I recon this is were the web site comes into it's own and I am
encouraged as to the amount of members on tour use this means to stay in touch.
I look forward to 2004 and another good year for The Armed Forces Scooter Club.
If you would like to send you 2003 revue sent it to afsc50@hotmail.com