We had been looking forward to this for months, the Polish International Rally. Mike, Phil and myself had never been to Poland before.  We were heading for the Tunnel and meeting up with Tim and Sue Berry and heading through France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

It was a very long journey.  We proceeded with no problems stopping every now and then for coffee, a bite to eat and check the bikes were securely tied.

After many hours we found the campsite near Berlin, which had been suggested by other Indian travellers, who shall be nameless. Tony and Henny Leenes greeted us and we were glad to see them.  The road up to the campsite was the worst we had ever come across; it had the biggest ruts we have ever encountered.  It was also the worst campsite we have ever stayed in.  We named it Stalag 52 minus 20 stars! Needless to say we left first thing in the morning.

At this stage we were only halfway to the end of our journey. The roads improved somewhat due to the world cup being played in Poland some years ago.  After Warsaw they reverted back to norm.  The Polish people must be amongst the worst drivers in the world and we had many near misses.  Philip complained I had ruined his dash as I was holding on so tightly.  Mike ruined his seats gripping on to the fabric!!

It took about another ten hours to reach Debowa Przystan Resort where the rally was being held.  The campsite was situated on the edge of a lake, a very pretty setting surrounded by a forest of pine trees.  The only problem was this was a family site not big enough for 300 people.  When all the participants were on site, the three ladies showers and toilets and the same amount for the men were simply not enough.

We were amongst the first arrivals but it didn’t take long for the rest to follow. There were approximately 300 people and 183 bikes. There were lots of Harleys and Sokols. Lots of sidecars mainly Sokols and of course all models of Indians.

Registration was Thursday and we were all given a goody bag with the rally pin, very nice leather key ring, and wooden plaque, DVD of the area and other bits & pieces.  This was also the time to meet old friends from many countries.

Friday was the start of the rally and they had organised an afternoon ride out for us which was supposed to take three hours.  I am sure no one rode the circuit before or if they did it was done in a car, or it was planned via Google!! 

It was unsuitable for old bikes, the road was atrocious mainly forest roads and the bikes were shook to pieces.  No drop off system which we are used to, so we were lost within 10 minutes before someone rescued us. The first wave had raced off so we had no one to follow.  There was no coffee stop.  It was actually twice as long as it should have been and when we returned back to the camp site there was hardly any food left for us and those who arrived after us, there was nothing left at all!  Not a good start. At one point I thought the sidecar body was going to part company with the bike.  I had also been given the job by the photographer to hold the video camera.  This was hilarious as I spent more time in the air than on the seat. I only hope there was no sound on the camera!

Saturday was a very busy start with more people arriving, the dealers had set up their stalls and we had a chance to find the bargains and spend some money.  The ride out started at 10.00a.m.  Mike and I decided not to go in case the roads were in the same condition as Friday’s ride out. Instead we explored the site and enjoyed the scenery.  There was a pretty bar and small restaurant where we could have a drink and meal.

This time the ride out was shorter and everyone was back before supper, entertainment on both nights was a band and we also had some Red Indian dancing to entertain us.  Prize giving was held in the evening and Mike got the prize for the oldest rider.

Sunday was the end of the rally, time to pack up and say goodbye to all our friends, old and new.  It was a very interesting visit especially as I did not know what to expect.

We made good time on the way back and avoided the overnight stay at Stalag 52.  Instead we stayed the night in Magdeburg on the motorway. It was sheer luxury.  Managed to get an earlier train and back home at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday, a total of 2450 miles

Roll on next year when it will be Denmark’s turn.

Sybil DeBidaph  

Poland is a long way from the UK, 2 days intensive driving by car 1200 miles from the channel ports, however a few hard line (or foolish) members made the trip to sample Middle European hospitality.

A first time opportunity for the organising Club “Oldtimer Motorcycle Club Poland” to host the event and they tried their best.  A great venue in the Polish lake district in North Poland, easy to access from the port of Gdansk, so Scandinavian members would find it not too difficult.  The site was formally a Scout campsite with rooms for sleeping, an adjacent more recent restaurant was open with showers and toilets.

We arrived Wednesday evening just as dusk fell, luckily we found the site with not too many problems, I had many opinions on which route to take, but in the end used my own judgment.  Sybil, Mike and Philip travelled with us and Tony and Hennie Leenes also tagged along from meeting us in a campsite near Berlin.

Thursday was spent relaxing and watching new arrivals meeting old friends and a bit of shopping.  We luckily met up with John Wright, Jess, Claude, Rollie and the rest of their companions in a local Lidl supermarket, so they followed us back to the site.  Kevin Wilkinson with his nephew and Polish friend Peter also arrived.

A really good display of early Indian racers and usual vendors selling related Indian material was worth a browse.  Many people took advantage of the lake to swim as it was very hot.

Friday afternoon was an optional ride out which comprised of 2 separate groups, the second seemed to have some discussion of where to go!  Challenging roads a ferry crossing and sandy tracks were the norm.  Too much really for a late social run, and Mike was quite tired after wrestling his outfit along the rough tracks.  Evening meal was provided but for early birds only, as when we arrived at 8 pm all was consumed, we got a meal in the Restaurant instead.  Entertainment was played on the stage in the evening normal Rock Music type of stuff.

Saturday and the main ride out started in the morning to a local restored castle, with lunch a few speeches, and a coffee stop in a local town with local media and photo shoots, returning to prize giving, of course Mike won Oldest rider after disposing of the opposition who claimed he was older!

Sunday breakfast and people start to depart, always a little of an anti-climax, we decided to leave on Monday, encountered a very fierce sudden storm which almost blew the tent away, this destroyed some Germans tents, but as they had been drinking since 9 am they were past caring. 

Always good to come to an International event, not perfect, understandably so.  Tempered with a long slog to get there in the van I would choose to do it differently another time. Now looking forward to Denmark and Italy, any ideas?

Tim Berry