Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126913
, , P'rix, and 19'49' Wor\d Chain'pion:'" Gentleman Freddie. as fie is still known, was awaiting on the approach to Lincoln, astride a Bonneville. It was an education in riding technique to follow him and when we arrived at the harbor I told him so. I recalled the times I had stood at Creg-ny-Baa on the TT circuit and watched riders flash into view around Kates Cottage bend a mile away on the descent from the Snaefell mountain road. There was never any mistaking the immaculate style of Frith and the style was the same after nearly 20 years. (Now in his 70s. Freddie went back to the Island in June last year and rode his old racing Velocette around the circuit in the fast parade of great riders of the past. His old racing leathers still fitted him perfectly.) I said farewell to Freddie, rode the Triumph into the car deck of the Tor Line's flagship Tor Anglia and roped it securely, well clear of the nearest truck. I had been across the winter North Sea before and had seen the damage caused when a 'truck broke away from its hackles in a force-nine storm. In my cabin, a bottle of scotch waited on the table with the compliments of the Tor Line. I already had one in my haversack which would be opened and shared with friends when I arrived in Stockholm on April 2, my birthday. Then, as now, Sweden strictly controlled the consumption of alcohol and I had a probJem with the customs men when I arrived at Gothenburg with rather more than one bottle. The Tor Line had arranged a surprising and pleasant reception after I had negotiated the customs check and with a pretty hostess holding up a welcome sign, the press took pictures. I was greeted by Bengt Bjorklund. the editor of the Swedish jour· nal Motorcycle News, and I followed his Volvo to the town of Lerum a few miles to the north where the journal and its sister papers are published. At his offices we checked over the route we would be taking the following day to Stockholm, some 400 miles of roads which varied from fair to reasonably good. (I travelled along most of them in November last year and found that they are still mainly two, lanes, passing through beautiful forest and lake scenery.) On April 2, 1968 I saw very little of the beauliy; I was too busy keeping the Triumph straight and watching for the brake lights of Bengt's Volvo. It was not yet light when w.e left Lerum, and the short daylight hours of late winter in Sweden are not much brighter than twilight. I had arranged with Bengt that when his Volvo headJamps picked out a rough stretch of road he would stab the brake pedal and when a 'really bad section showed up he would stab it twice. There were many double stabs. The cold sleet alternated with snow and the thought crossed my mind more than once' that this was one hell of a fine way to spend a birthday. I was grateful for theSwedish law which makes vehicle lights' compulsory at all times, otherwise I would have had no warning of the big trucks which loomed up out of the sleet and brought an avalanche of road spray with them. The blast from their passing shook the Triumph as though it had burst a tire. Two stops had been scheduled to meet the press and the first was at the Esso hotel in the lakeside town of Jonkoping about one third of the journey to Stockholm.. I would have preferred not to stop, for it was a temptation to l'njoy the warmth of the hote1longer than time permitted. Too soon I was back in the cold sleet heading nc:mhwards along the lakeside road for 50 miles and then northeastwards over the Holaveden hills to (Continued to page 26) Sanda" June 15 8:30 Per•• h PigI.. Fo,.. WtIc c..... 9:80-10:30 Sandly Uomi., B.... 10:30 C1IIpIIStnica(CIIrisl* '.lt 12:00-6:00 Saturday, June 14 MOlD' AssaciIli.I) . . .2:10 IIegislrMion ~5:tO Edg. Se,vic. & S.,.t, CIIec:. l2:tIG-l:18 P"', lUI ~ 8:»-1:30 Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 9"" 0.,_. IIiIIa JIIlIgi.. s-d., EntntI fI..t Gigutic E...... Show II_ill, Sit" P.r1CllI PrizlDr...... &. . . We Cordially Invite All Motorcyclists To AttendRegardless Of Brand You Currently Own! PRIZES Grand Prizes '1986 Radian Street Bike 1986 Riva 125 Othe' Prizes Include Over $1000 In Merchandise & Gift Certificates, PLUS a Black Powder Rifle & Pistol TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JUNE 10TH FROM YOUR YAMAHA DEALER 21