Issue 133 : February - March 2004
Millennium Ride
Fazar FZ6
The Treffen
Elephant Rally
HD Shipley Rally
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Millennium Ride
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The Treffen
I'm not sure quite what I expected, but Wednesday saw me heading into the Scottish borders town of Kelso to man a MAG stand during the event. The first thing that struck me was the number of bikes already on site with the organisers doing a quiet and efficient job of ensuring new arrivals got a comprehensive information pack on the event and were processed quickly. I was given a a complementary cup of tea and then it was time to check out the facilities and set up shop. Initial impressions were not wrong. Good toilet facilities augmented by hot and cold showers and an enormous marquee with a well equipped stage and with seating for about 1500. Five star camping and only a short walk from the town centre with a fair selection of bars, restaurants and cafes to provide a bit of variety. Nor was the selection of stalls and traders a disappointment. Anyone looking for parts and accessories for their Wing were well catered for with everything from the humble nut and bolt to complete bikes and trailers being available. In addition a local bike mechanic was doing a brisk trade changing tyres and fettling any sick Wings, while others were busy applying custom paint, engraving screens or fitting accessories. One rider turned up with an idea of seeing if he could find a buyer for his bike and was advised to advertise it right there and then. The result was a cash buyer within half an hour - for £34,000. As the afternoon wore on, the numbers on site were swelled by new arrivals and those returning from runs into the local countryside. This was to be the pattern for the next couple of days as more and more Wing owners converged on the Treffen from all over Europe and places further afield. A brief respite, then time for the evening's entertainment. A trip into Kelso revealed that the wing owners were being well received in town with a lively atmosphere in most of the bars with locals enjoying and getting caught up in the festive and convivial camaraderie. For those looking for something a little different, an outing to the Edinburgh Tattoo was laid on. Those attending were treated to performances by the massed pipes and drums and other performers including the Swiss Top Secret Drummers and the American Drill Squad in the spectacular setting of the Castle esplanade. Judging by the reactions of people I talked to the following day, this was a popular and enjoyable outing, particularly for the overseas visitors.
Saturday - more of the same with bright sunshine helping maintain the relaxed atmosphere on site, this time climaxing in the parade of nations run. Again the sight and sound of about 800 wings had crowds of spectators lining the route, with over a thousand eagerly awaiting sight of the bikes and trikes in the town square for over an hour. Great stuff and with such positive reaction it was hardly surprising that many of the locals took the opportunity to visit the site on the Sunday to chat to the wingers and see what it was all about. What about the name, 'Treffen'? It's German for a meeting of friends. Here were people with a common interest in their bikes dedicated to customising them to meeting their own requirements and happy to share some of the experience with anyone who can appreciate the attention lavished on their bikes. I left feeling privileged to have attended and extend my thanks to Jim McEwan and Gary Ford with their team of helpers who made it all happen and made us all feel welcome.
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Gold Wing Owners Club of GB National Treffen Kelso. Scottish MAG rep Steve Wykes takes a look.
As well as being close enough to enable Edinburgh to be visited, Kelso also provided a good base for exploring the often neglected borders countryside. So it was not really surprising that runs to Alnwick taking in some of the stunning Northumbrian coastline and along the Tweed valley to Peebles and a local distillery proved popular among those attending. The highlight for Friday was undoubtedly the lights parade through Kelso by a couple of hundred Wings. Definitely a sight not to be missed, from running lights to strobes and fibre optics, the effect and ingenuity would have put many a disco to shame and once again the locals loved it, turning out in droves to witness the parade. Another nice touch was that the police allowed participants to wear their fancy dress costumes without the encumbrance of helmets.