August 29th and August 30th 2008: a CBX-weekend to a motorcycle event and dragracing at Drachten (NL).

On the left you see a map of my trip. Start and finish: Nijmegen (lowest point).

Summary

Saturday August 29th, 145 km: Nijmegen - Hollandscheveld. Visiting 'Trommelslagertreffen'.
Green way on the map.

Sunday August 30th, 75 km: Hollandscheveld - Drachten. Visiting dragracing event 'Goodridge Dutch Finals'.
Red way on the map.

Sunday August 30th, 190 km: Drachten - Nijmegen. Home sweet home.
Blue way on the map.

  
       
 
  Main goal of this weekend: the 'Goodridge Dutch Finals', Holland's main dragrace competition. My original plan was to go all the way on Sunday but, as you can see on the map, it's quite a trip.  
       
    So on Saturday I searched the internet for a nice bike event on the way, and I found one called 'Trommelslagertreffen' (free translated: 'Drummer event'). It's organized by MC Hoogeveen for the 34th time this year. This however does not mean I've heard of it before ;-)  
       
    I might own a hightech bike with fancy camera system and touch control. But my navigation is still based on oldskool printed itinerary.  
       
    After a nice trip with perfect weather (unbelievable!) I approached Hollandscheveld.  
       
    Like always it wasn't too hard to get in contact with other bikers.  
       
    And like always it's about talking, drinking and a lot of stainless steel-tapping.  
       
    Good diversity of bikes and a nice atmosphere.  
       
    One of my favorites was this old, dark brown GL1000. Ugly and beautiful at the same time.  
       
  5   I met Wolfgang and Willi from Hamburg (D) and we had nice talks about bikes and other things that matter.  
       
    Once a while I demonstrated the bike to curious bikers.  
       
    Bands, beer, campfire, conversation. Who needs more?  
       
    The next morning I enjoyed the view from my little tent: Ducati's, Triumphs, old and new ones.  
       
 
  Some bikers (or what was left of them) were still sitting at the camp fire (or what was left of it).  
       
    At 08.00h I understood what the name 'Trommelslagertreffen' was all about: three bikers from MC Hoogeveen made a tour along the tents, banging their drums. I couldn't detect any melody but it was loud and effective.  
       
    Again: good weather and good company, combined with good breakfast.  
       
   

The campfire promoted to incinerator.

  
       
    On the way to Drachten I withdrew some cash. The dispenser offered me some free icecream but I refused.  
       
   

At Drachten Airport, where the dragraces are held, I tried to find a safe parking place for the CBX. I found myself a personal bikeguard.

  
       
    The perfect weather attracted a lot of spectators.  
       
    Like the proverb says: they got a good run for their money. Lots of runs actually with powerful classics ...  
       
    ... and hotrods.  
       
   

Real beauties amongst them.

 
       
    A funny attraction was this 'Little Green Wagon' which wheelied almost the entire strip.  
       
    No wonder as it is powered with a very strong Mopar engine.  
       
    Between the runs a stuntdriver entertained the crowd.  
       
    On the left you see the blue Super Street Bike owned and riden by Aldert Tjoelker a.k.a. 'Fast Frisian'. Prior to his run he made a spectacular burnout.  
       
 
 

Although he lost the run his main mechanic, Peter Scheepers from Scheepers Motorport, was very satisfied with the way the bike performed: his portion, the bike's hard- and software, did great. Nice to hear because it's the same hardware I'm going to use in my V8 bike.

  
       
    Aldert himself was slightly less pleased because he damaged the engine. But a good beer and a nice cigar eased the pain somewhat.  
       
 
  Drachten was not only for watching fast cars and bikes, it also had a real practical goal:Niels Saarloos took my first turbo to deliver it to Klaus. He's gonna mount it on his Funny Bike dragracer.  
       
 
  During the day his dog Shy watched over the big windmill. Yes, it's a small dog but I advice you not to mess with it.  
       
 
  I found another 'old' turbo of mine bolted on the Yamaha XJR1300 from Jeroen van de Belt, owner of VDB Works. One big reunion.  
       
 
 

It's not easy to contact Niels as he has a very busy new job which takes almost all his time. But he was present at Drachten so we discussed the latest progress on the V8 bike.

Yes, I know, the pages are blurred ;-)

 
       
   

Talking about a reunion: Erwin was present and took his Ducati to Drachten. We rode together on the way back.

About the picture: "Love is ... refuelling together"

Although there is still a lot of work to do, there's a small chance I'll take the V8 bike to Drachten next year. A nice dream, anyway.