Zottel Zossen Run 2004 – Bremen

By John Wymark

The AFSC Hohne-Fally crew departed at 1700hrs sharp heading west for the third German Scooter Run of the year. It was touch and go if the weather was to be on our side, but we were in luck and the rain managed to hold back for the entire journey to Bremen. After meeting up with Dai and Dave Bellis just west of Verden, 9 scooters in convoy set off down to the site just south of Bremen. We arrived there at around 1900hrs, Dai, Elaine and Dave Bellis had earmarked a spot for the club far enough away from the function tent so we could get some kip when we needed too. Pitching tents while Johnny Cash and DJ Bobo were playing in the background was something that some of us found a little disturbing, was this going to be the music genre for the whole rally or was it going to improve? Tents up, deckchairs out and barbecue on (yes we really did have the admin sorted out this time) we started to chill out chatting and drinking. It was not before long that our little AFSC enclave became something of a focal point for many of the German Scooterists and soon it became a bit of a gathering.

Dinx Sutherland arrived with the VDT Scooter Club and pitched his tent close by whilst telling us of his adventurous journey down. Although the ride down was a dry one, the rain refused to hold back and just about every half hour there was a sudden downpour accompanied by strong side winds. The plan was to have a gazebo that we could congregate under, Jimmy Foalle secured one from his Unit but unfortunately the roof was of the invisible variety so none of us could find it! Craig and Kath Ballantyne brought this magnificent barbecue which double up as a brazier when food was not being prepared, this turned out to be a godsend as it was a place to warm up and dry off.

Personal recollections of Friday start becoming a little hazy around here because a certain young lady from Bremen insisted that we drink a few schnapps and I was well and truly drank under the table. By all accounts everybody was having a good time with Craig getting up on the dance floor at around four in the morning! Most of the music played was some very rare northern that only the purists would have heard of, this was combined with some spatterings of ska. Ian, despite returning from exercise on Friday afternoon still managed to be the last to get to sleep.

Saturday was much the same as most rallies, cheese rolls and copious amounts of coffee followed by sitting round and nursing sore heads. We managed to get some gun gum and repair Dinx Sutherland’s eexhaust. Dai, Borgo and Marion managed to make the ride out and some of us took a local trip down the swimming pool for a shower. Dave Bellis and myself were actually brave or stupid enough to swim in the outdoor pool for about 30 seconds. Some also ventured to the rolling road for about 15 minutes before the fumes in the main tent became overpowering. The rain continued to appear very half hour despite this we managed to get the barbecue on. Simon and Jo Brunskill’s two sons Harry and Tom showed some of the Germans how football should be played during the remainder of the afternoon.

Around 1730hrs some of us headed to the main tent to watch the Germany/Latvia game, some of us wish we hadn’t. On returning to our patch Borgo informed us that the organizers would like us to bring all our scoots into the main tents, this was done with the minimum of fuss and all the AFSC Club members got their scooters lined up in front of the bar. Little did we know that we were now all entered in the custom show. Whilst waiting for the judges, the DJ’s were playing some true mod revival sounds much to the delight of Steve Evans. Simon B was introduced to sherbert and korn courtesy of Boris from the Heideheizer. Ian also gave us a fine rendition of a skinhead moonstomp.

Once completed we made our exits, unfortunately as Dai was moving out of the tent he slipped on some gravel and himself and his Lambretta ended up on the floor. News flash Dia had infact broken a rib he was later to learn! At around 2200hrs the prizes were announced. Craig picked up the prize for best Lambretta Street Racer with Ian B coming a close second, Marion picked up a the prize for best oldie with her beautifully restored scooter. Dai also won best mod scooter (goes without saying). Next came the raffle We also managed to get some prizes from that as well, Ian managed to win a t-shirt with his name on and Nicole won the top prize of a Vespa P200 (should’ve been mine).
 

That over and scooters once more safely put to bed for the night, it was back to the main tent to repeat as much of what happened the previous night, laughing, dancing and drinking. Sunday morning, everyone was up bright and early (0900hrs). We packed up camp said our good-byes and mentioning when we would meet next. The journey back for the Northern based lads was uneventful bar Chris Atkin’s throttle cable about 2km from the site. We in the north look forward to our next run, which will be the Tarmac Spirits whilst those a little west and south will be heading for Filthy and Sly.

Big thanks for all the wives that came along, to Jo, Kath, Barbara, Lisa and as always to Elaine. Finally to Harry and Tom thanks for looking after the Barbecue.

AFSC Members at Zottel Zossen

Ian and Lisa Botham
Dai and Elaine Ransom
Steve and Barbara Evans
Craig and Kathleen Ballantyne
Simon, Jo, Tom and Harry Brunskill
Jimmy “the coat” Foalle
Chris Atkin
Borgo and Marion
Paul Dinx Sutherland
Dave Bellis
John Wymark
Finally a mention a Nicole S, the korn drinking, vespa winning nutter
 

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