All3wheels (English)

Even though your razing reporter was a little bit under the weather due to an operation on a fistula 2 weeks previous to the trike rally, he could not be stopped to drive up to the rally. I have to admit though that for the first time ever I went by car because 3 hours on the trike was simply on doable….. Okay, we had to stay in a hotel, but anything better then to miss this event which is described as one of the best!

 

Anyway, the trike rally. It was an event organized by the dedicated people of the trike club 3Wheels. This club was founded in 2000 after the members of the Trike Club Netherlands got a newsletter of the board in which they stated that they would stop the activities and were looking for people who would like to continue with the club.

 

Some enthusiastic picked up the glove and started a new club with the name 3Wheels. At first the club had 62 members, but now 7 years later there are 258 members / trikes!

 

The first 3Wheels rally was held in 2001 where 60 people showed up. Now, 6 years later there were quit a bit more trikes and people. On the first day of the last rally there were not less then 139 trikes who were signed in. On Saturday there were another 119 trikers who showed up which meant that it was the biggest turnout ever. It also meant that the 250 enrolment forms were not enough. This itself should be seen as a big compliment to all the people who have made the event possible for all these years. Thanks to the devotion and dedication of these volunteers the 3Wheels rally has grown out to a big international event with visitors this year from England, Scotland, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium and off course the Netherlands. It is the believe off yours truly that the event of next year will be even bigger if I go on the comments of some visitors. Many told me that next year they would bring more friends over to this rally exclusive for trikers.

 

On Friday there was a big turnout in the tents at night, and many people made new friends. Unfortunately the music had to stop at 02:00 o’clock, but that didn’t stop bunch to stay and chat and drink some more. The atmosphere was really great!  

 

Then the main event on Saturday. Every year the attendees of the rally pick up kids from a centre for kids with ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) These diseases refer to a range of problem behaviors associated with poor attention span. These may include impulsiveness, restlessness and hyperactivity, as well as inattentiveness, and often prevent children from learning and socialising well. ADHD is sometimes referred to as hyperkinetic disorder.

 

The purpose of the drive out is to give the kids a beautiful day, which again was done with great success this year! Not less the 150 trikes went over to the child’s centre to make the day for these little rascals. Half way the tour there was a lunch break at the rally site where the kids and got a great lunch. After  the lunch there was some time for various games: There were blow up cushions, games, but best of all the kids could ride a long with a driver in a real sand buggy, This turned out to be a real thrill.  

But to all good things have to come to an end, and so the kids went on the trikes again to return to the child centre after an other tour. 

For those who didn’t attend at the kids tour there was enough to do and see to enjoy the day. Besides of the beautiful weather there were several stalls. Amongst others Trike Centre Vinkeveen who represented BOOM trikes Netherlands, the two Dutch trike manufacturers Boss trikes and Courage trikes, TEC trikes, VTI trikes, Lumimoto and  many more. Also some visitors had great stuff for sale. And for those who were hungry or thirsty there was enough to find at the bar and snackbar.

At the end off the afternoon it was time to honour a special person. Many persons had contacted the staff of 3Wheels with the request to honour triker Arie van Ent. The reason for this was the fact that Arie is one of the biggest die hards in the Dutch trike scene. Arie is attending many ride outs for sick children and disabled persons, ride no matter what the weather is like and makes the most mileage of us all. Also everywhere Arie shows up he is the first who volunteers to help out where ever he is needed. Arie was given a year free membership, a club sweater and a special certificate. 

 Around six o’clock the BBQ started. For only €10,- (£6,85) we got a BIG meal with the best meat and salads I have ever eaten at a trike or bike rally. You got that much meat, salads, bread with garlic butter, you could hardly eat it all!

 After we cooked our own meal we head for the tent where the great rock band 100% katoen (100% cotton) gave one hell of a concert. The party went on to the very early hours and at 05:00 o’clock the last ones went to their bed.

 Up from 08:30 the was a breakfast served which was very needed for a lot to recover from a great (late) night. After breakfast  it was time to pack up and go home.

 

Before me and the Mrs. went homewards we had a chat with the cubs president who told us that the over 10 people joined the club during the weekend and that they could look back at the crowded event ever and without any dissension.

 

All ready they inquired if there would be more space available next year to accommodate the participants even better, because if everybody keeps word it will be a hell of lot more crowded then this year.

 

Also the clubs president asked me to thank all those who made the event possible such as the volunteers and guest who volunteered as well for instance to keep the toilets spotless!

 

3Wheels was not only made possible by the volunteers alone, also a big thank you to the sponsors: Bohaze trikes, Boss trikes, Copy en Co, Courage Trikes, Delft Express, Trike Centrum Geerts, Luminoto, Trike Centrum Mierlo, Paruzzi (westenwind),  de Assurantie Persoon, v. Roesel Trikeverhuur,  Triketec, Trike Centrum Uden , Trike Centrum Vinkeveen, Trikeplaza, VTI trikes, de Zeeuw Verzekeringen 

 

We have thouroughly enjoyed this weekend and will be back next year for sure!

 

For more pictures and information have a look at www.3wheels.nl or www.dutchtrikers.com

 

Trike safely,

 

Dutchtrikers Rick & Heleen