Subscribe to the newsletter
The tradition of the annual Damen tour for motorbike enthusiasts is being revived after a three-year hiatus. The tour had been on hold since 2019 when organiser Charles Borgs fell ill. His colleague from Engineering Anne van Benthem is now taking over from Charles. She is already busy mapping out a nice route.
The annual tour was first held in September 2007. Colleagues of Damen Naval and Damen Shiprepair took off together on motorbikes for a pleasant ride through Zeeland and Brabant. The meeting and starting point has always been the De Meeuw petrol station near Rilland. But the ride did not take place in 2019 because Charles could no longer organise it due to health problems. Due to Covid, the ride did not take place in 2020 and 2021 either. But now the event is making a relaunch with Anne, also an avid motorcyclist, as the new driving force. “I met Anne at the Oktoberfest and when I asked her if she would like to take over the organisation from me, she was immediately enthusiastic,” says Charles. “I think the organisation is in good hands with her. It is nice that a young colleague is taking over.”
John Wentink, Anne van Benthem and Charles Borgs look forward to the first Damen motorbike tour in three years.
“It am really excited to be organising this,” adds Anne. “There are always motorbikes here in the Damen Naval parking area, and I’m keen to get to know the colleagues who own these bikes. In the last two or three years, many young colleagues with motorbikes have joined the company. I hope they will all participate in the tour.” The tour will take place on 26 June from around ten in the morning, coincidentally the same day as the TT Assen. Anne says that the ride will start and end at De Meeuw again this year. The ride will take the participants to the surroundings of Breda.
"In the last two or three years, many young colleagues with motorbikes have joined the company. I hope they will all participate in the tour.” Anne van Benthem
“I’m going to try to make the route follow small roads and maybe rivers as much as possible. It’s nice if we can see some beautiful nature along the way,” says Anne. “In any case, we will try to avoid the motorway as much as possible.”
John Wentink is the lead rider this year. This will be John’s second Damen tour. The lead rider ensures that the participants maintain a steady pace. Jacqueline Wentink’s husband says he’s really looking forward to it. “Jacqueline has signed me up for the trip and of course I hope she will come along too, so she can ride on the back of my BMW,” says John.
The motorbike tour will take place on 26 June 2022 and will take the participants to the surroundings of Breda.
Everyone is hoping for a fantastic day with good weather. “But actually, every day is motorbike weather,” says Anne. She is still looking for a nice place to have lunch along the way. A good idea, “because we don’t only need fuel for the motorbikes, but also for the people,” Charles adds. Anne will soon be sending an e-mail to all her colleagues asking them to participate. Their partners can also join the tour. She is hoping for many reactions. “I think it should be possible to get at least 20 participants together.”