insured

scoots (Speedfights and Typhoons),
Runners and Dragsters to maxi-scooters
(X9s, Burgmans, a Gilera Nexus plus a
Honda Reflex), some ever-faithful
Lambrettas and PXs, plus a few
motorcycles thrown in for good
measure. That’s the thing about The
Whitby Run y’see, as long as you are on
two wheels, you’re welcome.
The ride covered 80 miles, from
Pugneys Country Park in Wakefield
heading towards the North York Moors
via Stanley, Garforth, Barwick-in-Elmet,
Pickering, along with a few stops along
the way including The Highwayman Cafe
on the A64 (York) to pick up more riders.
Like last year, one of the stop-off points
was Goathland (aka ‘Aidensfield’ in the TV
series ‘Heartbeat’). With so many scooters
parked outside Aidensfield Garage, the
boss of the place wasn’t all that happy.
Rumour was that he threatened to call the
police... With the prospect of Nick Berry
paying us a visit we started our engines
and set off for Whitby.
Riders had travelled from all over the
country to join the run, so the total
mileage that day for some was
considerable. Worth a special mention
are pensioners Ron and Edna
Mackinnon from Poynton in Cheshire
on their Honda Reflex (below). To the
best of Ron’s knowledge it’s the only
Reflex in the country after having it
shipped in from California, cool.
Ron and Edna
Mackinnon from
Poynton, Cheshire
F.A.S.T.
The Whitby Run can be seen as a
glimpse of the future for the auto scene,
in that the event isn’t just a gathering
(unlike the Ace Cafe Sundays) but a
rideout as well, and a mass rideout at
that. This is the idea behind clubs like
F.A.S.T. (the Federation of Auto
Scooterists). Now auto owners (in
particular riders who’ve bypassed the
traditional scene) have the opportunity
to participate and be
a part of something
much bigger. This in
turn might encourage
more riders to attend
the already
established National
Scooter Rallies.
Bedroom bikers and
cyber scooterists need
to get out from behind
the keyboards and
teenagers should be
encouraged to ride
further than their local
McDonalds… Anyway,
that’s me off the soap
box. Keep an eye out
for F.A.S.T. events in the future!
Apart from a few riders getting left
behind at the start of the run, overall the
event was a big success. As Andy
Stephenson, a Vespa rider put it – “it
was a good attendance of autos and
geared scooters and no snobbery… It’s
the future, young pups mingling with the
old boys, autos and classics riding
together.” Couldn’t have put it better
myself. See you all on next year’s
Whitby Run.
Paul Robinson
NOVEMBER 05 27