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Published June 10th 2003
Elfstedentocht
Not many know this, but often the Elfsteden scooter tour of
230 km takes part in the same weekend as the Hengelo race in the
Netherlands. So ideal to combine, if you really want to kick some
training km.
In 2003 Alpo Kuusisto and Ville Vickholm (Finland) visited Elfstedentocht.
Alpo did already earlier take part in this great, but long scooter
experience. The Elfstedentocht scate tocht is so embedded in the
Frysian culture that either you row, walk, run, sail, kano, crawle,
bike or kick it - it is a victory when you reach the finish.
Elfsteden fever is created through the fame of the scate Elfstedentochten,
a historical event (scating is besides to soccer the most populair
sport in Netherlands). The 200 km route crosses through 11 cities
(= 11 steden / 11=elf).
The Elfsteden edition for scooterists is a real beauty among the
many Elfstedens. Only 100 participants can take part every year
and the tour is started at 00.00 hours from a busy, noisy and crowded
square (Bargefenne) it the town of Bolsward.
I had the honour to accompany Alpo and Ville in 2003 ( I waved them
(and 4 of my team mates) good luck at 00.00 hours and saw them disapear
in the black dark night. Then I went inside for a drink to toost
on finishline and later on to sleep some hours. I met the participants
again in morning, when they had kicked 100 km during night time.
Between 180 and 190 km a strong thunderstorm passed. Hail, rain,
some short strong wind flairs and a drop down of 5 degrees C in
temperature. But we were lucky it did not take long. During the
last stop sky cleared again and people could continue without the
fear of being struck by lightning in the flat Frysian grasslands.
From second last stamp post in Hindelopen I guided Alpo and Ville
by car through the last 30 km. 10 km before the finish in Bolsward
(after 220 km kicking) Alpo sprinted a way. Ville tried to clamp
on, but Alpo was so motivated to get to mass of people waiting there
for him on finish line and kicked a gap of 2 minutes.
Beatifull event, great start and finish. In between: a hell of 230
km and unfortunately the Frysian organisation has not lifted the
12,5 wheel ban yet...
1. Alpo Kuusisto FIN 15.59.50
2. Ville Vickholm FIN 16.02.10
3. Mario Reijne NED 16.06.15
(100 participants). Nice weather, not windy, 1 shower cloud of 20
minutes but further great conditions.
Want to take part in next year? visit www.autoped.nl/elfstedentocht
(click on English).
A not-many-of-you-know this II.......there is an even more extreem
yearly scooter event in NL which was kicked in 1955 for first time:
The IJsselmeerronde a scooter event around the inner sea in the
Netherlands IJsselmeer. This is 240 km long, starts at 04.00 hours
and has not wheel ban, nor time blocks. It has some time limits,
like you have to pass a certain point about a certain time. www.autoped.nl/ijsselmeerronde.
Reported by Thijza (NED)
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