Going to Milton Keynes (UK)

During the International Treffen in Middelkerke (B) Roger asked me if I would like to join him and the rest of the NSU OC UK Quickly’s at the Transport Day event in Milton Keynes.  As I had enjoyed my visit to the 2008 International Treffen in Aylesford I answered that if I could, I would.  I might push some of the UK-drivers to try and best me for the prize for Furthest Ridden Quickly.  Now, personally, I do not care too much about prices.  I think driving the Quickly is enough of a reward in itself.  However I would like to pose a challenge to some others.

Sadly, the “could” was not decided until just four days before the event.  Online booking of the ferry became first priority.  In 2008 I ferried from Zeebrugge (B) to Ramsgate, but the company that ran that line went bust (again).  The only viable option was Hoek van Holland – Harwich, which was a bit better anyway as Hoek van Holland is about 100km’s closer to my home.  Tomorrow I will add a checkmark next to “Hotel”, trying to be able to sleep close to the museum grounds.

In the evening I decided that if I was to drive one of the Quickly’s to the UK, it might be a good idea to give it a once-over.  Especially since all my drivable ones (as you may have noticed elsewhere on the site I have a small collection) were having minor issues.  The easiest to get ready, and the one that never fails me, is my green 1960 model N, apart from the rear wheel in original condition.  I had a chuckle when I pulled the bike from the shed the next morning; the 2008 Treffen-sticker was still on the front mudguard.  As my paying job was requiring my attention, I asked my father to swap the ignition on Thursday – it had been backfiring on longer drives (I almost always run at approx. 95% of max speed) and I wanted to make sure I had a new ignition coil and condensator in place.

Booked the ferry with Stenaline from Hoek van Holland, tomorrow I will check for a hotel near the Museum grounds.