What
A special event to celebrate all those Vespa models that manage get about on small wheels. Yes, we’re going back where it all started in 1946 on those tiny winy, itty bitty 8 inch wheels. We’ve talking VLs, VMs, VB1s, VNAs, VNBs, VNCs, VBAs, VBBs, VBCs, but you know who you are. There will be a 12” ruler on hand to make sure those “big” wheeled cousins don’t sneak into this event.
While others ride high above us, noses in the air on their huge 10 or 12 inch wheels, we love our little wheels. We’re closer to the ground where all the action is. Our low centre of gravity, short wheel base and small 8” wheels make us nibble. We can zip or is that “flop” around corners with ease. That’s our secret and how good does it feel? There’s also no monstrous headset and instrument panel in the way to spoil our 70mm Panavision view of the world.
We will head off at 10.30 am immediately after the club’s monthly breakfast at Vincent The Dog in Carlton.
Description
This short funky slow ride will amble along quiet inner city suburban back streets and laneways. The event celebrates the joy and special feel of riding an older classic Vespa shod with 8” wheels. We plan to keep well away from busy traffic. There will be some intriguing streetscapes to admire as we leave a smokey trail behind us. Sydney has “The Rocks” but Melbourne has Carlton and Fitzroy North and how lucky are we that so much is still in tact. There are splendid rows of terraced houses to admire through to simple wooden workers’ cottages incongruously situated on wide boulevards.
Get into the spirit of this event by pretending that you are riding the back streets of a small Italian town and in no particular hurry to visit your favourite Nonna. So chill out. Enjoy enjoying la dolce vita and practice your slow riding and cornering skills. We might even pose our collection of old girls here and there for a photo or two.
Our destination is just 4.75 kms as the crow flies and only 6.3 kms by shortest google route. But somehow David manages to turn this distance into a crazy 28 km route that looks like a fractal diagram. This ride is not about the destination, its in the journey. After the delights of Carlton, we’ll spent fifteen minutes meandering in the cul de sac trap of Clifton Hill before discovering an escape route out. Shortly after we plunge into the industrial grunge of Abbotsford and finally we encounter some grand mansions in Hawthorn of the rich and famously richer, you know… the ones with the towers and cast iron gates. Then its time for lunch.
If we have a fun day out then we can plan other events especially for the club’s small wheeled community.
Weather or Whether?
Its gonna be a hottie but our ride should be finished around 12:30 before the heat of the afternoon sets in. Bring some water.
Lunch
Pack a picnic lunch to have in an inner city pocket park by the Yarra where we can discuss how great all things small can be. What is the provenance of our individual scooters? How far have they traveled? Where have they traveled? Who’s got the oldest? What’s going on under the bonnet? Afterwards if you are up for a cold drink at a nearby pub, then we can chat for a bit longer.
Departure Point and Time
Vincent the Dog - 384 Drummond Street, Carlton Location Map
Come along to the club’s monthly breakfast beforehand starting from 8:30 am.
Our ride will depart after breakfast at 10.30 am
Book yourself into the club’s breakfast meet at this link:
Future Classic Blue Smoke Ride
If you’ve got a ten inch wheel classic Vespa and feeling left out, don’t worry, we are planning a fabulous Blue Smoke Ride 7 April so stay tuned
There's nothing quite like 8" wheels going over a cattle grid in the outback
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