Weekend Trip to Assen for the BSB

[Matt B]

Decided that I wanted to get over to Holland for the BSB this year so I booked it all up back in March and set off on Friday.

Harwich to Hook of Holland on an overnight crossing leaving at 23.15 and arriving 07.45. Uneventful trip down to Harwich until I hit the A12 and the fog descended.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/20140919_213846_zps761486c1.jpg

Excuse the fuzzy phone pic. Got checked in and onto the boat. Couple of jolly Dutchmen came and strapped everyones bikes down, made sure they were all safe.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/20140919_214726_zps2b2d9b98.jpg

Found the cabin, eventually. These superferries are huge and pretty impressive - 538 cabins, shops, couple of restaurants, bars, casino, cinema, internet room... Anyway, cabin was nice, better than I expected

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/20140919_221732_zpsc84a09fb.jpg

Found the bar, got a beer and wandered outside. Still foggy.
Up the next morning, on the bike and out into the glorious Dutch fog... 2 hours later arrive at Assen. I like riding in France, the roads are good and they seem to respect bikers more than people do here. I like riding in Holland even more - the roads are great and the Dutch seem to know how to drive properly.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/IMG_2286_zps76c148b1.jpg

Had a wander round the paddock and the pits on the Saturday before the BSB qualifying.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/IMG_2288_zps3fc3630a.jpg

Looked at some bikes.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/IMG_2291_zps269f9ac6.jpg

"Stalked" some BSB riders. I think Chris Walker was overwhelmed by being in the presence of a rider as awesome as myself. After this photo he went out and had an abysmal weekend.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/IMG_2298_zps838b35c3.jpg

Sat under the main covered grandstand for the wet BSB qualifying.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/IMG_2302_zps7420ebf0.jpg

Off to the B&B for the night, about a 20 minute ride from the TT circuit. Time for some sightseeing on the way. Loads of nice countryside, canals etc.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/IMG_2305_zps6a60ac80.jpg
https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/IMG_2306_zps56d1908a.jpg

B&B in a little village called Gasteren was excellent. the owner had even put a few beers in the fridge for me. Couple staying in the room next door were also over on a bike for the BSB.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/20140921_075956_zpsee4b9432.jpg

Immense breakfast next morning. That basket was full of bread and rolls so made up some sandwiches for lunch and filled a plastic container.

https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/IMG_2310_zps5507ddd0.jpg
https://i1077.photobucket.com/albums/w462/MattB70/Assen%20BSB%202014/IMG_2311_zps25641356.jpg

Sunday sat at the chicane before the start/finish straight for the race. Excellent spot - a few offs and loads of overtaking including Shakey last lap of the second race.

Then a 2 hour blast back to the ferry after the second race had finished for a 21.30 departure. Bit tight but no problems and really just a repeat of the outward journey.

Only difference was that the boat back seemed to be manned by Brits, on the way out they were Dutch. We boarded and some miserable twat in an oily boiler suit threw some ratchet straps on the floor and glared. No attempt to strap the bikes down for us. This seemed to be the case in the bar and the restaurant too, miserable staff whereas the Dutch had been great.

Holland 1 Britain 0

Great weekend, really enjoyed it. Meet some nice people out there and I'm looking forward to next year
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[robbyb]

A great post and great photos

Something I have wanted to do since BSB has been at Assen.
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Yamaha FZ8

[Matt B]

Do it next year, it really is worth it.

I went out on my own, got chatting to a guy on the crossing over. We rode up to Assen on the Saturday and knocked about together during the day. Met an English couple back at the B&B that evening and got chatting, went to the circuit with them on the Sunday. All good.

Only thing I would change is staying another night and coming home on the Monday via an afternoon crossing. Just couldn't do it this time.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.