OFF-ROAD RIDE

Yesterday I joined, despite a serious cold, the annual enduro/offroad ride organized by Bertt/Simako. The 175 km long trip, led by a roadbook, took us through the east part of Holland. Because of the rainy weather the last week it was a very wet and muddy ride. My mate Frank and I formed a group of 4 enduro classics, together with a XT600 and a R65G/S. Thanks to Frank, who overtook me a few times on his 1000cc beemer, I had to chew on sand... How people can take pictures ánd keep up the pace is a miracle to me, so here are ónly some pics of contenders at the start in Diepenheim and at a tankstop along the way.

TRIP

Took a trip for a few days to the island Schiermonnikoog. Had to leave my bike in the harbour ashore, as no motorised vehicles are allowed on this small island. 

Passing 'de Afsluitdijk' (above) and try to avoid sheeps on the dykes of Friesland in the north of Holland.

OFF-ROAD TRIP...

...through open fields in Holland. Back soon.

'DUG IN' BEEMER

No, these pictures are nót shot in the middle of France! I just took my G/S last weekend to Amsterdam-Westpoort. This Amsterdam harbour area used to be a motocross heaven with big open fields full of moto-cross bikes racing on dirt tracks. Nowadays that's all gone and the site is totally packed with huge square hangars of different compagnies... until I noticed this desolated spot with probably the last 'semi' field-roads. By the heavy rains the day before, I even got stuck for a moment in a swampy layer of sand and had to dug the bike out. Was fun though!

FROZEN

It's getting cold in Amsterdam...

BEEMER OFFROAD TRIP

This weekend I joined the 10th edition of the Bert Duursma BMW offroad trip, with my old mate Frank on his 1000cc Beemer, through Twente, the east part of Holland, known as 'De Achterhoek'. Taking pictures while racing through the muddy fields and forest paths was impossible. So only some pics of the beginnig and end of this trailtrip. Bike full of mud, aching legs and a sore back.. but what a trip!

...MY BMW R80RT

This was my first BMW, a 800cc RT build in 1979. I bought it in 1989, and found out it used to be an old police bike. It was complete repainted but had still some police stripes colors on the inside of the cover and had the signs of the battery- and radiobox on its rear. The improvised shortened seat was nearly falling apart. I sold it nearly 2 years later when I had an other bike on my mind. I've checked the registration lately; the bike is still on the road.
See my 'other wheels' here.

BACK SOON....

I' m gone for a trip, will be back half june.... be patient ;)

MY '1981' YAMAHA XT500...

My Yamaha XT500, Holland
I own this '81 XT since 1986, my first 'big' machine. In 1988 it was stolen, parked at my doorstep. I thought I would never see it again but after a few months I was asked to pick it up at the policestation. My bike was used for a bankrobbery here in Amsterdam and was held for a few months as evidence. Luckely it was not very badly damaged; both locks I used were gone, steering-lock was forced, some scratches and a few things bent. After all these years it is still running great and as it is my first real motorbike... I think I' ll keep it forever.

...MY HONDA IN 1984

My Honda SS50, Holland, 1984
A typical dutch view; flowers, green grass, cows and a Honda SS50. This type of handle-bars was a distinctive Dutch Honda gadget in the 80's. I sold the bike a few years later and I sometimes wonder if it is still on the road.

...MY BIKE IN '82

Honda SS 50, Holland, 1982
In the Netherlands the 4-stroke Honda SS-50 was provided from 1973 up to 1978. According to the Dutch legislation pedals were obliged. In practice these pedals were 9 out of 10 removed. Some other typical Dutch obligatory characteristics: 30 centimetres long blank enamelled piece mudguard, a bicycle bell and a mechanically limited top speed of 40 kilometres per hour: also in practice always removed. I had this bike provided with a 70cc cilinder. Althought the SS 50 was succeeded in 1979 by the Honda MB 50, still today they move around.