Four decades after his first European Vespa adventure, Robin Quartermain headed to Oostend for a wet, sociable, and superbly organised Vespisti Week.
Time flies, as they say, when you’re having fun, and where have the 40 years gone since my first European Vespa adventure happened in 1986, when we headed off to EuroVespa 1986 in Barcelona? Many European trips later, it was time for the Oostend and the Vespisti Week 2026 adventure.
Andy PX and I headed off to Ashford to meet up with other Vespa Club of Britain members for the night, before catching Le Shuttle the next morning. Rain? Yes, it did, and the hotel room’s hairdryer got a right bashing, drying out gloves, helmets, and ‘waterproof clothing’ before we had something to eat and a couple of cheeky beers.
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Up early and down the M20 to check in, and we were surrounded by others en route to Oostend, plus hundreds of bikers on their way to a rally in Germany. Now, having never travelled on the train, the only way to describe it was ‘organised chaos,’ but eventually, on board, it was time to dry off again.
Once out onto the French roads, we headed off to Belgium, yes… you’ve guessed it, through more rain! Once in Oostend and settled into the apartment we had for the weekend, it was off for a bite to eat and down to the Vespa Village to sign in and collect the goody bag and a few Belgian lagers. Obviously, time flies, and you bump into people for a chat, and the evening is gone. So, a local hostelry was found and was soon filled with other like-minded people from the UK.
Friday morning came too soon, and it was back down to the Vespa Village, which was situated in the local horse-racing track. More chatting and story exchanges followed before deciding that a visit to the Museum at a local fort for a fine display of vintage Vespas and memorabilia was in order. Friday night started off in a beach bar for the organised Vespa Club of Britain meet-up, and to be honest, they couldn’t cope and ran out of beer! Vespa Village had its first proper night of entertainment, and with the distinct lack of Ska and Northern Soul, it made a nice change, but something didn’t change: the weather, yep, it showered on and off all evening. Luckily, there was a big building that could house everyone and keep them dry.
Saturday morning’s parade kicked off at 9am, so I went for a walk to take a few snaps. Lo and behold, at 8.30am, the heavens opened yet again, but the 2,000+ riders who obviously didn’t have a fuzzy head went off dead on time at 9am with a big police escort to make sure they all stayed together on the ride to Brugge and back. The ride made national TV and went off without incident. The rain set in for most of the day, so exploring the locality wasn’t an option. Saturday night’s festivities were again interrupted by the rain, but everyone made the most of it, and by the end of the evening, didn’t want to go home, so back to the bar!
Sunday was a bit of a chill day, but sunny, so off to the Vespa Village to buy a few bits and bobs and a coffee, as it was an alcohol-free day. We said our goodbyes to everyone who was still there and promised to meet up in Rome for the Vespa 80th Birthday Party later in the month. Now, if that doesn’t make you feel older after attending the 40th in Barcelona in 1986, the 50th in San Remo in 1996, and the 70th in St Tropez in 2016, then I don’t know what would.
Great event from the Oostend Vespa Club, a credit to their hard work and organisation. Where are we off to in 2027? France is the answer, with a four-way event featuring Germany, France, Switzerland, and Britain, all of which will be celebrating their 75th anniversaries in 2027.
Words: Robin Quartermain – VCB Honorary President
