Iron Thunder M.C

10TH WORLD VIKING RUN – Germany 2017

A must read!

Iron Thunder MC sent five representatives to the World Viking Run in Germany, hosted by Waterkant De Wikingers MC this year… and what an epic trip it was!

 Departing June 05th the boys boarded their Southern China Airways flight and headed off. Their first stopover after 11.5hr first leg was in Guangzhou, China for 18hrs. China Southern Airlines treated them to a free hotel and food.  They were also lucky enough to get a day pass into China where they got to mingle with locals.

 The next leg to Amsterdam was an 11hr flight. All was going well at this point and excitement was high… then they landed haha. Due to a storm in Northern Europe, the teams direct flight to Hannover, Germany was cancelled. The Airline decided to book them on alternative flights, however, they sent three of the team to Hannover via Zurich in Switzerland and the other two via Paris, France. Thankfully those flights eventuated and they landed safe and sound.

…BUT, a bag from each flight was missing; meaning two of the boys were without their luggage. This might not have been too much of an issue, if it wasn’t for the fact the gift created for the host club was in one of those missing bags. (the bags eventually found their way to the owners approximately three days later – what a relief!).

So, with the flights landing only 15mins apart in Hannover, Germany it was not long before they could then continue on their way. They were met by Fred Laqua from Samhein MC, who took time out from his busy life to provide transport for the guys (and remained doing so throughout a lot of their trip) with the first port of call being the Island of Sylt.  It just so happened that the trip to the beautiful Island coincided with Harley Davidson Bike Week.

On Sylt, they reunited with Mathias Bahre (Met-Bruder MC) who planned and arranged the first part of the trip all the way to the World Viking Run event, and beyond. Joining him a couple of days later and adding to the fun, festivities as well as allowing his bikes to be used, was Jorn Striegl (Met-Bruder MC). An outstanding time was had on Sylt with plenty of late nights and memorable moments.  We could not forget the hospitality shown to the boys and generous nature of Charley Kamlah and his wife Bine Sylt, who went above and beyond to ensure all had some amazing nights.

They left the Island of Sylt after five days and headed for Rinteln and the incredible hospitality continued with Michael Reinmann (Met-Bruder MC) and his wife Iris Baden as they accommodated the boys at their hotel.  It must be mentioned that always throughout the entire trip upon arriving in Germany, all expenses for accommodation, travel, food and copious amounts of alcohol were covered by our various hosts – such is the Brotherhood of the World Viking Family!

Met-Bruder MC and its members were outstanding in the way they cared for the boys while they were there. Words cannot do justice to the gratitude we all feel.

…and then came run day. Off to Norden and the 10th World Viking Run. Upon our arrival to the grounds that houses the Waterkant De Wikingers MC, it was apparent that a lot of thought and care was put into the planning of what became a truly epic event. Well run and organised with Viking Clubs from all over the world represented and as usual, not a single incident occurred between anyone (except plenty of drunken nights and a lot of laughs haha).

We must thank Andre (Waterkant De Wikingers MC) and Silvia for accommodating the boys throughout the run at their home and ensuring two of them got to Italy afterwards by sorting the train arrangements. Two of the most genuine people you could ever meet and like a limited number of others, considered family.

The run then sadly ended and it was time to depart. Three of the boys travelled back to Hannover with Mathias Bahre and his Wife. A little downtime and then a last excursion for the boys with a day trip to Berlin saw their trip end. Then came the time to depart… BUT, unfortunately, they missed their scheduled flights due to mistaking days and had to arrange new ones that then saw cancellations and extended times at airports and on flights home. They did get their bags to arrive at the same time though, so a silver lining indeed.

The two members that travelled on to Arezzo, Italy were picked up from the train station and hosted by Francesco Benedetti and his wife Marica with the type of hospitality Italians are famous for. Accommodated at the highly recommended La Crezia Bed and Breakfast run by Gianluca Gaggi, they wanted for nothing.  Everything was sorted for them and once again, all expenses covered.

They even managed an official welcome by the City Mayor with a great write up as well.

The restaurants, the parties (such as the one with Bats of the Road MC), the sightseeing and the amazing friendship and generosity, made for a humbling experience indeed. Strong connections and true family bonds have been formed with the hosts in Italy as they have with those special people in Germany.

After five action packed wondrous days in Italy, the boys were driven from their Italian base in Citta di Castello all the way to Rome by Francesco and Marica where they caught their flights home…. And yes, all went well except one missing bag that was reunited with its owner a few days later haha.

To all that showed such generosity and hospitality to our boys, we give our thanks and we look forward to returning that support in kind. To all the World Viking Brotherhood clubs, we shall see you again soon. Some of you, sooner rather than later 😉

THUNDERHARD – VFFV!