Every year, on the last weekend of August, the National Vespa Meeting takes place in a different place of Greece. This year it was in Plaka, Litohoro close to Katerini towards the north of the country, organised by the Vespa Club Katerini. A club that was only established in 2009, but with passion and love for the Vespa, and they were ready to give us all an event to remember.
Litihoro is the City if the Gods. A unique combination of natural
and traditional colours at the foot of Mountain Olympus. Here at an
altitude of 300m one can set out on walks into wooded ravines, gaze onto
places of natural beauty and the superb Enipea river valley. Just five
kilometres from the Athens-Thessaloniki national highway, the water
front area Plaka was the location of the camping ground, Campsite
Olympus.
From Athens it is a 420km drive, quite a distance but worth the trip on
my P125X. After a trouble free ride, I arrived at the campsite found nobody there. I was in shock. Opps… I was early and I need a
drink. Yes it’s still Tuesday. Time to check out the site and find a
good spot to pitch the tent. Yet I wasn't the only one who had the same
idea. Quite a few people from Vespa clubs around Greece had decided to
come earlier and enjoy the place a bit more, since the campsite was
close to the sea. Many had arranged their vacation around this event.
The Campsite had all the necessary facilities, including a beach bar
(most important), a pizza place and a restaurant. A small little store
full of supplies giving away the "message" on numerous posters, that the
Vespa weekend was coming. Actually the "message" was spread way before
the event. More Vespas were expected here, than at any other meeting
before. Day by day more and more people arrived at the camp site proving
that the "message" had spread. By Thursday the part of the camp that
had been reserved for us was 1/3 full. Friday was registration day and
all of us who had come earlier, did our part and registered. A sweet
Piaggio plastic bag was given with some goodies (t-shirt, stickers and a
pin of the event, schedule & 2-meal coupon for Saturday)
On Friday afternoon there was a 15km trip to the archaeological museum of
Dion close to Litohoro village and a coffee brake afterwards. Some 50
of us did the ride and it was quite nice just taking that scenic route,
giving away a short piece of what was coming on the next day, as this
would be the same, yet extended route, that would mark the official
Vespa parade of the event. Locals knew about the event but were shocked
when they saw dozens of Vespas vrooming up to their small and quite
village. "Wait till Saturday" some said. The rest of the day was
free to do whatever you wanted, or I should better say free until that
night. Ha...yes the boys from the Vespa Club Katerini had arranged a
party for everyone at the Jam Club in Platamonas, a lively sea-side
village 20hm away. The Jam Club was jam packed by 11pm. Great place with
60's music selected by DJ friends named Dinosaurs, perfect for that
night.
Being an early riser, Saturday morning found me walking round the
campsite. The site was well and truly “stuffed” with tents and Vespas
and the majority of the Vespa clubs from all over Greece had come.
Breakfast (frape coffee) gave the boost to start the day. By 11am we
were ready to start the ride to Litohoro. The ride was amazing, with
Vespas and Lambrettas riding the way up to the small town, ending up at
the main amphitheatric park and square. There it had been arranged to
have the vespa show. It was a perfect sunny day but also very hot and
the shade was not enough for everybody. Though the beauties had no
problem lining up, the wait for the votes and the results until 2pm, did
get us very hot and bothered. The categories were classic, custom,
racing & Lambretta. And the result would be announced later that
evening, at the beach party. By the end of the show the thirst and the
need for drink was pictured in almost everybody's faces. Back to the
camp the restaurant was ready for 300+ thirsty and hungry scooterists. A
quick swim and a cold beer was a must as the temperature was easily up
to 38C. Later, in the cooler afternoon were the games with the good old
slow Vespa race and the quickest rear tire change. Funny moments. The
teacher Sargentis with his Vespa 50s, was quickest on the rear tire
change leaving behind the PX owners, having a fit trying to catch up.
Saturday afternoon found us relaxing and catching up with mates that we hadn’t seen for a while. The beach party that evening and the awards ceremony was next. Around 9pm everybody gathered at the beach in order to enjoy the last evening of the event. There was band playing and a barbeque. The awards ceremony took place together with trophy presentation to all the clubs, as well to the winners of the fashion show. Extra trophies were handed out to the longest distance runner from Zakynthos, with more than 700khm, as well as to a 70+ years old Vespa rider from Turkey that attended the event. The night just passed sweetly and I’m sure everybody wishes we had more time to spend there.
Next morning, yet another hot summer day, found everybody preparing for the return trip. Some of us had to do yet again 400khm in the heat, but the good times we had had mad up for it. On this note I would like to say a big thank you to the organizers. Vespa Club Katerini did a fantastic job overall. A big congratulations to them and to all the Vespa and Lambretta owners, riders and enthusiasts and friends that attended the event, that drove all the way there and joined yet another successful Vespa National meeting. These events are worth making an effort to attend. Till next time. Drive Safe.
Yiannis and Hercules aka hkousoulos ( of http://www.vespaforumhellas.gr/ )
Here you find more pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vespaforumhellas/sets/72157624848707698/
And here are two more videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdElM0IgaOw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esWG5kEVVdM
Posted
Okt 04 2010, 09:57
by
sibylvane