Eurolambretta
When Zakopane was announced as the
Polish venue for Eurolambretta it raised
quiteafew eyebrows. Famed asaski
resort and marketed as ‘The winter capital
of Poland’, many assumed that winter
sleeping bags and waterproofs would be in
order.How wrong they were! Whilst the
UK experienced unprecedented rainfall,
Zakopane basked in glorious sunshine,
with the mountains and lakes offering
riding conditions that were the equal of
anywhere in Europe. Unlike VWD,
Eurolambretta events tend to be more
low-key and less commercial. That’snot a
criticism of either event, merely an
observation.Tr aders at Eurolambretta were
fewer in number,but more specialised,
and although the campsite acts asafocal
point for the rally,other than the Gala
Dinner there’soften little in the way of
organised entertainment. Fortunately,
Zakopane isahidden gem. The cafés, bars
and restaurants that cater for the ski
crowds open all-year round and the
weekend was one for sharingafew beers,
enjoying some food and swapping tales of
adventure with friends old and new.
Other than an unfortunate collision
betweenascooterist and outrider,the ride
outs were planned and executed with
precision.With around 2,000 scooterists
in attendance, Zakopane was undoubtedly
asuccess for all concerned and exposed a
beautiful area of Europe to people who
would not usually have travelled there,
which is the very spirit ofascooter rally.
Next year Eurolambretta moves to
Belgium forafestival of chocolate, beer
and waffles.
If you’ve never made the effort to attend
aEuroitreally is time to make the effort,
although in many ways they’re reassuringly
familiar; they have their own twist on what
makesagood scooter rally.Ifthe Euro
bug’sbitten there’sonlyone way to secure
yourticket, and that’sbyjoining the
appropriate national club.
http://www.vespaclub.uk
http://www.ilambretta.co.uk
Words:Stan
Photos:Brad Preston, Pat Joynt
w
w
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MORETHAN
ONE WAY
AEuro adventure can take many forms.
Rather than makingastraight line trip to
the event, Stuart, Rob, Neil,Tomand Pete
of Leeds opted foratour that started and
ended in Florence, taking in Vienna,
Ljubliana, Maribor,Zanka (WorldVespa
Days), Zagreb, Zadar,Split (ferry to
Ancona), San Gimiano (Vespa Museum)
and Pisa. “WeusedEurobiketrans in
Manchester to freight the scooters over,
flew in and collected them at their depot
outside Florence,” said Stuart. “It was an
unforgettable experience.”
http://www.eurobiketrans.co.uk
Worldwide representation
Tino’sTrike!
114 |SCOOTERING|AUGUST2019
