RON AND ROCKET VISIT A HUNGRIAN BIKER BASH
THE
V.NEMZETKOZI MOTOROS TALALKOZO ES ROCK FESZTIVAL

Rocket and I were having a bit of R&R before we started our ride back to the U.K. We were staying at Magyar Route 66, which is a Bikers campsite in the town of Szilvasvarad Hungary. When I seen a poster advertising a Bike and Music festival in a town called Kazincbarcika. After asking the owners of Route 66, Bea and Leen for directions and finding out that the town was only a short bike ride away I decided to go along on Saturday. All we would need to take was cooking gear, small tent and sleeping bag.

The ride was along some bumpy roads and through villages that looked like they had not changed for many years. The countryside was mainly farming.
On arrival in Kazincbarcika we headed for a Tesco Supermarket, you will find a lot of supermarkets with names that you know such as Spar, Nett’s etc in all parts of Hungary. Loaded up with wine and foodstuff for me and dog food for the small fella, and some cash from the cash point we headed off to the Town centre to try and find the rally site.

The town was fairly modern with new housing and shops and a couple of car dealerships. During the old communist days it had been a Steel town, you can still see parts of the old Steel works, also a few run down blocks of flats. Most of the grey blocks of flats loved by the Communist’s and found in all parts of the old Eastern Bloc states, they had been painted and made to look brighter with plants and flowers. We were only a few miles from the Slovakia border, so maybe the town is a trying to be more modern and European, it seems to be working.

Once we got into town which did not have a lot of traffic, we came across the signs, like most bike do’s in Europe the words MOTO with a arrow pointing you in the right direction had been spray painted on the tarmac, such a simple idea and it works. We rode into a housing estate and turned into what looked like a park with open air swimming pools.

As my knowledge of the local lingo was nil I was stopped and parked to one side and be came the attraction because, A, dog on a bike and B because a British biker had turned up. I felt like a film star, not what I had expected, while we waited a paper cup full of the local firewater (Plum Brandy) was handed to me, which was downed in one, lovely. The club president came up for a photo shoot with some of the club members. The name of the club was “Kazincbarcika Orzagut Vandorai” Sorry no idea what it means in English.
As we waited I was given more to drink and I had not even got off the bike yet. Then this young lad turned up who spoke good English GREAT! I was then ushered into the V.I.P. area, a large tent with tables and chairs, Beer on Tap, Fridge, and a large pot of Goulash simmering away. I was sat down given a cold beer and with the help of my boy! I was able to answer most of the questions from the club members. Wow it was like a press interview. I was then told that a ride into town was about to start and would I join them for the ride out, of course my answer was yes please.

On the road outside the park all types of bikes old, new, race replicas, trikes, customs, one or two quads and often ridden by youngsters, Makes of bikes I had never seen before were forming up ready to go. The streets lined by onlookers giving it a great party feeling the noise was good too.

The sun was shining and it was a very warm day just right to do a bit of bare head riding. Soon enough we started to roll, the road was closed by the club, so we had a traffic free non stop run. All good fun with the two-stroke smoke, horns blaring, waves from the crowds lining the route, very much like the old M.A.G. demo rides of the eighties. I did stop to take a few snaps, but I had no idea how many machines were taking part. All I can say was every body on the run and those watching were having fun. The route took us around the town giving us an in sight into Hungarian home life.

Back to the park which had about three large swimming pools outdoors all heated, bars serving drinks and food, and a large stage set up with plenty of room to watch. The other side of the park was the camping area. Also a non-stop public address system with plenty of crackles. The park had been built as treat for the workers in the old days.
On the road which was still closed, a team of stunt riders on Quads were giving a good show, watched by a large crowd.

Time to get sorted and put the tent up. As soon as the tent was up a bunch of lads picked it up and carried it to their area while some others moved the BM next to it. I was the guest and would be camping with the club, for me a great honour.

Time to look around. A few stalls had been set up selling biker gear, badges, clothing, etc, also a Tattoo Artist. In another area a page three type model, (a lovely looking lass!) Was posing on bikes while the owners were taking photos of her in a good selection of poses. Good job it was warm as she was only wearing a tiny pair of knickers. Tut! Tut!
The best part for me was the bikes. Big modern trikes, Harleys, Good old MZs Jawa’s the odd Simpson, some very old motorcycles made in Hungary in the 1950's Pannonia’s, complete with side cars and some good home modified machines. You must remember that the wages in Hungary are low in comparison with the U.K. A lot of the modern bikes are imported from other parts of Europe, mostly low mileage models. The only bike shop I found was a Suzuki dealer, also a lot of Suzuki cars are sold here. There was a few bikes from Slovakia mostly Harleys and Jap customs, and of course a BMW GS from England.

Back to the party, once again I found my self in the V.I.P area being served Goulash and Beer. To say I was being treated well was a under statement, more like royalty. I did manage to talk to some people who had a bit of English and make my self under stood. After some good food and drink and very pleasant company I headed back to the tent as it was getting near Rocket’s bed time, he too was well feed as per normal. Our tent area was full of bikers drinking all sorts of homemade drinks and just having fun; I just sat and joined in as the drink flowed and a Dog lay snoring snuggled up in my sleeping bag. No problem with my lack of the Hungarian language we just partied on outside the tents

Sometime later I was taken on stage and presented with award and a certificate for Long distance, after which the bands started to play. Five bands a disco and Sex Show was on the menu for the night time entertainment. So of I popped to join the crowd and PARTY!
The local plum brandy was flowing freely and I had my fare share to drink. The bands were very good but the local brew was starting to take effect, and it just kept coming Hic. I managed to stay until the Sexy show then headed off to bed just after midnight. I fell into the tent and was a sleep in a micro second. What a wonderful day in Hungary

The next morning I dragged myself out of the tent and took Rocket for his morning walk, at the same time having a good look at the wonderful collection of bikes and people, everybody was so friendly. Mind you Rocket did get attacked by a dog the size of a small Rat, the wimp.

Before long I was back in the V.I.P. lounge! Having breakfast, which consisted of Bread, cold sausage and Pickled Peppers, washed down with coffee. Rocket managed to find the Goulash pot, which still had some stew left in, which sent him off into a barking frenzy until he was feed, little bugger that he is.

Coffee is O.K. but I need cups of Tea to get kick started, so time for a brew or three. As I sat drinking my cuppa I checked the time and to my utter surprise it was only nine in the morning. The stage was already packed away and at least half the campers had packed up and were starting to head off home. All I know is that in this part of the world the shops are open at six in the morning and most people seem to be in their houses by early evening.

The club President came over with his daughter, who spoke good English, and told me I could stay in the park and have a swim or just sunbathe the rest of the day and he would come and say good bye before I left.
So the rest of my time was spent having a swim, in a heated pool a beer and in general just chilling. Except for the on going radio station blaring out from speakers all over the park, a good day was had by all. While I was sat near the BM a local guy came for a chat, he spoke very good English and told me he had worked all over the world in chemicals. Head just bought a BM like mine and imported it from Italy, he had wanted one since he was a lad, now at very long last he was a BMW owner, and very pleased. His problem was that he was unsure about a few of BM habits i.e. the whine from the shaft etc, so I started up my old girl and let him have a listen to it’s clatter, which pleased him no end and off he went a lot happier. Sometime later he returned and explained that he owned a small restaurant not far away and I was welcome to go for a meal for free as I had helped him out over the BM. Of course it would have been rude to refuse so I arranged to have the meal on my way back to Szilvasvarad, which I did and had a fantastic meal, but that’s another story.

Later on the president turned up and gave me two CDs a club patch and a club Polo shirt, I was a bit lost for words and thanked him and the rest of the club for treating us so well and I would tell other bikers that Hungary was the place to come for a good holiday and enjoyable roads and people. Good byes said, hands, shook, and, cheeks kissed it was time for Rocket to get into his bag and make our way back to our campsite,

Hungary is fantastic country during the time I spent there the weather was good the motorways very good, food great, people excellent and very friendly. At no time did I feel that I was unsafe or at risk. Just get on your biker and you will enjoy I am sure.

Route66 go to www.magyarroute66.hu they have a very good campsite and rooms or even a house for rent

All part of Ron and Rockets Birthday tour 2008