573 Miles - To Assen and back

Just a quick note to say Assen was a roaring success, had some great times with some brilliant people, long stretches of motorway and various straight flat roads but on the way back from the track to the hotel was really special, the locals were having parties in the streets, at bars, on motorway bridges, pulled over on the motorway hard shoulders.... Families young and old at the roadside cheering us as we passed on the bikes, to pull wheelies, speed up, rev the engines all sorts, these people were truly behind the spirit of the GP and what it did for the local economy. Literally thousands of people lining all the routes out of Assen, it was pretty special and something I won't forget for a while.

The riders who could, did pull the odd wheelie, perform the odd stoppie, there was engines popping and revving and the local police were even out in force cheering everyone on, a true carnival and a spectacle of a nation who truly love motorcycling and all that goes with it. Can't wait for next year to do it all again, the GP tickets and hotel rooms already booked plus we're staying an extra day to have a day finding some roads.

On a serious note when we arrived in Rotterdam every single truck, car, can, motorbike and even pedal cyclist was breathalised before they could continue with their journeys!! There were a few nervous people in them queues that morning I can tell you!!

Bit tired from the trip so I'll post a couple of pictures and report a bit more when I can see straight!!

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Just one or two bikes
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Roll call - a 916 & a 996, three fireblades (one custom rebuilt), an R1, a triumph Daytona, a Fazer and of course The Mistress!!
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A bit of culture
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Fuel stop and drinks before the ride to the track
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Some very happy lads having a well deserved drink after a very long day

Looks like you had a superb time, great write and pics too. I enjoyed my trip to Assen recently too, but didn't get cheered through the streets!!

Looks like you had a great time, nice one

looks ace, glad you had a good time mate

A few more pics...
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Quiet stop off before heading for the boat and a load of Mods turned up, Quadrapheania anyone??
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There were just one or two bikes there
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Slightly glum bunch of bikes ready to get on the ferry home
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We christened this "the ducati stance" or I'm a little teapot