Scooters - primarily Vespas and Lambrettas, but a few other makes thrown in for good measure - converge on the Island from far and wide. For a few days each August bank holiday the Island plays host to several thousand ardent scooterists.
Yesterday N and I walked into town to admire the scooters parked up along the front by the pier. Some of the paint jobs are amazing, real works of art. Then there are the traditionalists who prefer the original colours. Some scooters are decorated - and goodness, how many mirrors do you really need on a scooter? - and mascots are strapped onto the back seats.
Then there are the riders themselves. N and I had a wry smile to ourselves as we noted that the average age of the scooterists is probably nearer 60 than 30! A lot of parkas and Doc Martens about.
The shops in Ryde join in with the spirit of scooter weekend, and many had decorated their windows with all the paraphanelia - black and white clothing, 50s and 60s memorabilia, and we even saw one or two actual scooters on display.
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| This toy shop window display caught my eye - just love the dinky scooter! |
Today saw the much-anticipated 'ride-out' from Ryde seafront (I'm never sure exactly how far the route is, or indeed, how many of the elderly scooters actually make the full distance; several didn't manage to make it along the esplanade!) As hundreds of scooters puttered out of the marshalling area the air turned blue with 2-stroke fumes. Many had turned out in their best outfits, others were in fancy dress while others were in parkas and jackets covered in badges.
It's a wonderful spectacle; everyone just seems to want to have a good time. A really good weekend.
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