Categorie: Retrospect

 

We, Daniel and Mark, try to honour and continue the wonderful tradition of the biennial Christmas Crib Ride, created by Con and Koos, on Sunday 19th December. Most Christmas cribs, visualising the nativity scene usually with lifesize figures and often live animals, can be found in the Southern part of The Netherlands and Flanders and that will probably remain so, so everyone will again descend to the Southern parts.

Due to the corona restriction measures, we have not planned a dinner this time, but a lunch. Arrival and registration are therefore followed by a joint lunch.

Lunch consists of:

Mushroom soup or vegetable soup (vegetarian), a chicken sandwich and a salmon sandwich. Of course you can also opt for two chicken sandwiches or two salmon sandwiches. If you want a vegetarian sandwich, you can of course also indicate this with dietary wishes.

There will be a contest, but it will not be about the nativity scenes. These forms will be handed in during lunch or reception and the prizes awarded to the winners when they report to the ‘oliebollen’ (deep fried doughnut balls) moment.

The ride will lead us through Moergestel. Moergestel is traditionally known for the shoe industry, the well-known brand Van Bommel is still present here today.

From Moergestel we continue south to Diessen. We continue on the road to Hilvarenbeek, known for the Beekse Bergen, but we are not going there this time. At De Vrijthof (not to be confused with Het Vrijthof in Maastricht), there is plenty of catering, so plenty of opportunity for refreshments and a  sanitary stop.

Verder lezen Christmas Crib Ride

There are some fairly obvious explanations for “night fever” – the tendency for fever symptoms to be magnified during the evening hours. First, it’s normal for body temperature to creep up at night, adding proverbial fuel to the fire.

Or ‘night fever’ in good Dutch… two words, with which the Bee Gees managed to score a big hit. You can undoubtedly sing along easily:

Listen to the ground

There is movement all around

There’s something goin’ down

And I can feel it Verder lezen Night Fever Ride

 

Come out of your crib, room or closet on Sunday October 10th for a super relaxed, festive ride in honour of Coming Out Day!

Coming Out Day, 75 years COC Netherlands and 50 years COC Nijmegen Region

Coming Out Day has existed since October 11th, 1988 and is an annual day that pays attention to the moment when a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender openly reveals their sexual orientation or gender identity. Following a massive protest march by Washington against a homophobic ruling by the US Federal Supreme Court, October 11th became the annual global day on which we are extra visible.

Because the Nijmegen COC will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and the national COC even its 75th, the Coming Out Day Weeks will be organized in the Nijmegen region from September 30 to October 17, full of sports, culture, discussions and parties. Also check out the COC Nijmegen website if you don’t just want to participate in our ride, but are curious about more!

Reason enough for the Gay Classic Car Club Benelux to contribute socially and to organise a wonderful exuberant tour in the region with you. For example, in collaboration with the Nijmegen COC, we let our cars “shine” during a Gay-Filé!

So dress yourself and your car in rainbow colours or make it cheerful in some other way! Of course we also have an item for on or in your classic car.

Verder lezen Coming Out Day Ride

On Sunday 12 September, our GCCC members Marchel and Paul will take you to South-East Drenthe. There you will get a closer look at the historic peat and oil industry.

The diversity of nature and industry has partly remained visible in the Drenthe country after the centuries-long peat production has ended. Very typical of the peat areas are the many channels and ditches for transport and the drainage of the peat areas. As soon as we pass the national border, we enter the German oil fields via the moor areas. This extraction of oil is known for its nodding donkey pumps and the kilometres long pipelines above the ground. Here and there you see the nodding donkey pumps patiently going up and down. There is also a very fine example as a work of art. When we continue the route on the Dutch side, we pass a beautifully restored air watchtower. It dates from the beginning of the Cold War in the 1950s. Verder lezen The Drenthe stage Peat and narrow gauge

It giet oan! 1)    On Sunday August 15, our enthusiastic club members Paul and Daniël will organise a ride through the southwestern part of this beautiful green province that will show its diversity during this summer sightseeing tour. You will drive past centuries-old buildings and discover historical stories from the distant Frisian past.

There will be another ride in Friesland? Tell us more!

It will be a day when you drive your closed or open classic or less classic car through the National Landscape Southwest Friesland. This National Landscape consists of four very different types of landscape and each has its own historical landscape elements: the IJsselmeer coast, the clay area, the moraines and the peat and lake area. The lake area is popular with water sports enthusiasts. Among other things, the Skûtsjesilen is held here. But you don’t have to go sailing that day, no, we’re going for a stroll. Strolling between the Frisian lakes!

Verder lezen RELEASE YOUR BRAKES BETWEEN THE FRISIAN LAKES

 

After 301 days, the time has finally come: another GCCC tour!

On Sunday July 25, after all the corona misery, we will start with the most fun ride of the year, the Picnic Ride. Paul and Marchel have provided the route from a central location in the Green Heart to the well-known meadows of Piet and Ernst.

Just like we did at last year’s Picnic Ride, we will not start at a catering facility but at a parking lot on the water.

While enjoying a drink with something delicious to eat you can, at last, catch up with the other GCCC members.

On that day you are welcome from 12 noon! We start our engines at around 1 pm and do the touring at leisure on narrow roads to the final location.

Once there, you can take all the goodies from the boot of your car and chosse a spot on the green field around the farm and start enjoying yourself. Then, too, there will be ample opportunity to exchange the latest news about your acquisitions or projects with your GCCC friends, who you have had to miss all this time. Verder lezen FROM FISH TO COW

Dear members,

We hope you are all still doing well.

After an eventful period in which our old and young timers have been mainly stationary, we, the daily board of the Gay Classic Car Club, would like to invite every member to the Annual General Meeting of 2021.

As most of you know, we always have the AGM earlier in the year. Last year on March 8, 2020, the AGM could be held on location just before the lockdown.

By moving the AGM from March to June 26, we had hoped that an AGM could be held on location. Unfortunately, the COVID measures do not allow an AGM on location yet and therefore the AGM has to be held online this year. You should have received the agenda as an attachment by e-mail. If this is not the case, please send an e-mail to info@gccc.nl to receive the agenda. Verder lezen Online GCCC Annual General Meeting 2021

Dear members,

We hope you are doing well.

Unfortunately, we still have to deal with COVID and the COVID measures now. As a result, there was no New Year’s Reception. Organising a new event will depend on relaxation of the measures.

The AGM was to be held on March 21st this year. Because we prefer to hold an “analog” AGM, where we can speak to each other personally, the board has decided to postpone the date of the AGM.

The new date scheduled for the AGM will be June 27th, taking into account Article 15, paragraph 1 “The financial year of the association isn the same as the calendar year. At least one general meeting is held annually, within six months after the end of the financial year,” assuming that by then the measures have been relaxed. If this turns out not to be the case, we’ll have to resort to holding the AGM digitally after all. Verder lezen New date for Annual General Meeting & membership consultation

Dear members,

Earlier this year, we had planned to have a ride in the Achterhoek area in April. Just like now, everyone faced measures to try to contain COVID. In consultation with Aldrin and Erik, the organisers of the ride, it was decided then to cancel the ride and postpone it to December 20th.

Unfortunately, history repeats itself. We are again in a period of strict measures. As you probably expected, in consultation with Aldrin and Erik, it has also been decided to cancel the ride and postpone it to 2021.We hope that 2021 will be a better year for everyone and that events can be held again.

Despite the current situation, we wish you happy and safe holidays and a more prosperous 2021!

The daily management of Gay Classic Car Club Benelux,

Fred, Jerry, Marchel, Rob and Warner

Dear classic car friends,

As had been announced in the Summer issue of our magazine, a special ride had been planned for Saturday November 21st.

The infamous virus, however, has still got hold of us and for the time being there is not much chance of a relaxation of the measures.  We don’t think it is a responsible thing to organize an event in the current situation. That’s why, in consultation with the organisers Mick and Gertjan, we have decided not to go ahead with the ride and are now planning to have it in 2021.

For now, stay healthy, watch out for each other and have patience.

Gay Classic Car Club Benelux board,

Fred, Jerry, Marchel, Rob and Warner

It may be short notice, but thanks to Hans, Emiel and Chris there will still be a ride this month! It will take place on Sunday September 27th.

What will the day look like?

We start at a nice location in Elshout. As usual you’ll be welcomed from 12 o’clock with coffee/tea and pastry. The ride itself starts at 1 pm.

From Elshout we head for Drunen, driving along Giersbergen which has a number of beautiful old farmhouses. From there we can walk to the dunes.

We continue through Udenhout and Loon op Zand and then we leave this ‘Loonse en Drunense Duinen ‘ area, go through ’s-Gravenmoer and Raamsdonk and head for Overdiepse Polder.

This polder lies between the river branches ‘Bergsche Maas’ and the ‘Oude Maasje’ and serves as water storage with high water level. The farms were all built between  2010 and 2015 and have all been built on mounds.

From there it’s back to Elshout.

We plan to be back at around 17:30h, so we can enjoy a drink (at your own expense). At 18h dinner will start.

Corona measures allow a maximum of 80 persons taking part in the drive and a  maximum of 50 personen registered for dinner.
Verder lezen Dunes and Meuse and in between

Update (August 14, 2020)

Verder lezen From Markiezaat to Scheldt | CANCELLED

Dear classic car friends,

These are tough times.

Only two weeks ago at our Annual General Meeting at Culemborg we were a bit giggly about ‘not giving hands’. Now two weeks on we are confronted with new measures and a new reality.

Unfortunately this means that large events, such as the Eurovision Song Contest, The Netherlands’ Grand Prix, Utrecht Gay Pride, but also several oldtimer events will be cancelled.

Naturally the GCCC board takes its resposibility in this too. Verder lezen Cancellation events

All members of  Gay Classic Car Club Benelux are invited to the Annual General Meeting of  2020!

At this AGM we  will look back at the events that took place last year and other things that have gone on within our club. Apart from that, we will be looking forward to the national and international events planned for 2020.

The board will, of  course, also present details of the financial situation of the club. Members present will have the opportunity of voting. One of the other points discussed will be the plans for the future of the club.

All members and partner members are welcome and can vote. Non members are not allowed.

The meeting will take place at the  Visscher PGH Autogroep showroom in Culemborg. We will be surrounded by new cars, miniatures and classic French cars, because our host, Mr Henk Visscher is an avid collector. In the interval we are allowed to see his extremely nice collection. The Visscher firm is also well-known for the annual French Car Day in the first weekend of Augustus. More info on the Facebook “Fad’ 20” page! Enough reasons to come to this AGM. Hot and cold drinks, rolls and snacks will, of course, be presented. Verder lezen Annual General Meeting 2020

By now it has become a tradition to start the new GCCC year with New Year’s drinks on the last Sunday of the first month. So the GCCC board is inviting you for informal drinks. That gives us the opportunity to look back at a successful year and raise glasses for a prosperous start of the “ Twenties”! 2020 is sure to be a good year with relaxed and nice events in the Netherlands and Belgium. A good opportunity to see your fellow car lovers again and have a pleasant chat.

Where and when?

So, why not come to the place on the water, well-known to us on Sunday January 26, 2020 at 13:30h. That place is ideal for our cars to be photographed. The exact address will  be sent to you by email. You will get a cup of coffee or tea plus a glass of festive bubbles and on top of that some tasty bits to eat will be presented. If you want to consume more, you’ll have to use the drinks cards which you will get on arrival.

Classic Car Pub Quizz

Even though we drive our old cars, our club is cleverer than the usual car club. That’s why the board wants to test our members if they really know a lot about classic cars, news and other facts. The quizz will be led by a real quizz mistress and her assistant presenter. All this can be done in teams and, of course, we’ll all go for the first prize!

Verder lezen GCCC New Year’s Drinks …. with Pub Quizz

So far, GCCC has organised enjoyable Christmas Crib rides every other year. This year it will be the tenth edition, taking place on Sunday December 29th. A good moment to look back at the past year and to welcome in 2020 together with your GCCC friends. The ride is located in western North-Brabant, but we’ll be crossing into Flanders as well.

What car will you take?

Of course it will be appreciated if you can take your oldtimer. But if the roads have been gritted and weather conditions are bad we can imagine that you prefer taking your daily car instead. Verder lezen 10th Christmas Crib Ride

On Sunday November 17th we will have a ride centred round the Saint Nicholas celebrations. For those unfamiliar with this, it is a festivity mainly intended for children, but adults celebrate it too, with surprise packets and tongue in cheek poems. Special sweets are associated with this celebration, a.o. chocolate letters an marsipan figures.

Where will we go?

The ride will be in the area around Harderwijk, a pretty town with a cute harbour. We will gather from 11.30 onwards. The exact address will be sent to the club members in a separate e-mail. The start is at one o’clock and the route will take us through the woody area of the North Veluwe and the newly reclaimed land, the polder in the former Zuiderzee. Lots to see on the way, and while driving you have to watch carefully because you will be asked to arrange photos in the correct order.

Verder lezen Saint Nicholas Ride

Smuggling was widespread in all the border regions between the Netherlands and Belgium. it has disappeared with the abolition of border controls. Before that, whenever there was a price difference on one side of the border smugglers existed. Often this difference was caused by taxes being different, as was the case with salt at the end of the 19th century. But it was butter smuggling between the two world wars that was notorious. The poverty during the economic crisis of the thirties forced many to earn a lilttle extra money by smuggling. Often it was a cat-and-mouse game between the civilian and the customs officer. It’s been known that when some customs officers suspected some woman of having butter on them, they kept her in their office near the fire.  After a while the butter dripped down her skirts!

Are we going to smuggle secretly?

No, we’re not going to do anything underhand during this ride, organised by our members Patrick and Wilfried. On Sunday August 25th we’re going to do a smugglers’ route, which will be very special having exciting narrow roads in parts of Belgium most of you have never seen. We’ll cross the border several times in the areas of Dutch Flanders and the Belgian provinces of Eastern and Western Flanders.  Only the well-known boundary posts will tell you you are in a different country, but don’t be afraid, crossing the border is now completely legal! No customs officer is going to check you. Verder lezen Smugglers’ route

On Sunday July 21st 2019 we’re not taking off into the air, but we’ll explore residential areas of high calibre.  Going through stately avenues, passing opulent residences, admiring beautiful palaces and strolling along one of the most beautiful esplanades on the Dutch sea coast.  Just been renovated for our annual ride. On the pier there is a bungee tower, so if you would want to be high up for a moment just before falling down into the depths, here’s your chance.  The ride ends at the agricultural estate of our members Ernst and Piet for a lovely picnic in elegance, style and class. You’ll have to take your own food, drinks and tableware, so do your utmost!

Our hosts often award prizes and there is a special Concours d’ Elegance-area for the shiniest, most special classic cars. So, not only should you doll yourself up for this picnic meet, but get your oldtimer tarted up too!

Where is the start?

GCCC-members Ruud and Rob have devised a beautiful route and thought of a related theme. Everybody is welcomed with coffee/tea and pastry at a spacious hotel terrace from 11 a.m. onwards, not very far from our picnic spot. That means that you can  join somebody in his car for a bit if you don’t want to drive yourself  all the way. For parking your oldtimer at the hotel special places have been reserved.

When will the picnic start?

In order to have plenty of time for the picnic, the route has been kept shorter than usual, but bear in mind that traffic to and from the beach can be bad when the weather is nice. The idea is to get to the picnic area at around 2 pm. Verder lezen Picnic Ride in the heights

When you are in the west of the Netherlands in the  big busy towns, it’s always bliss to find a grees oasis of peace and quiet just a few miles away. People call it the Green Heart. Fields, trees, mossed trees and walls, duckweed – all varieties of ‘green’. It’s lovely to drive through all that greenery. Now is your chance to do just that with your GCCC friends on Sunday June 23rd.

What are we going to see?

Our members Dick and Marco have organized a nice polder ride for you.  It’s in the area between the rivers Oude Rijn and Amstel.

Broad views over polders and water. A varied ride where you’ll see many beautiful houses, churches and, of course, loads of water. No green landscape without loads of water!

Drive at ease

This ride will offer you ample time to drive at leisure and enjoy the world around you. Why not take a picnic chair with you? Have something to eat or drink and at the same time you can take in all the beauty around you. For bird lovers there is even a bird park.

Spotting old-timers

During the ride you’ll be passing the Vakgarage Tinga at Leimuiden. Stop the car there and have a look!

Where is the start?

We start this ride at Alphen-aan-de-Rijn, a town perhaps best known for its bird park Avifauna. Members will get he precize start address by email.At the starting place you’ll get coffee/tea and pastry.  Verder lezen Through the Green Heart

In the long GCCC history we’ve had so many rides and been through so many places that it seems as if we’ve been all over the country. Still, that’s not the case and our former treasurer has managed to organise a ride on roads most of us haven’t been on before. It was only during Eurotour 2007 that we drove on some of these roads but not many.

And where are we going?
Sunday May 19th ’s ride starts at Teuge Airport. A nice location with a lot of things to be seen. It’s  a coming and going of private planes, with people just jumping out of them, fortunately with a parachute. In good weather we’ll be able to see it all from the terrace of the restaurant which is the  start and the finish of the ride. Dogs are welcome there too.

Details of start address will be sent to members by email. We are expected to arrive there between 12h en 12h30 and will be welcomed with coffee/tea and pastry.

From Teuge we follow the western side of the river IJssel towards Zutphen. We cross the river, over the old bridge. Then we park our old- or young-timers free of charge to explore this city. Verder lezen IJssel valley from Teuge

Early April nature comes to life again after the relatively quiet winter period. The tender buds are opening up and lovely bloom is enfolding. The Betuwe area is of course THE place to enjoy all this bloom. That’s why our members Paul and Marchel are inviting you to join them in this area for a ride on April 7th, 2019.

This event is not only about blooming trees but also about another hobby of these two men. Wine! Fruit trees in bloom are common in this Betuwe area but there is also a surprisingly pretty vineyard.  It is there that we meet on the day, with coffee/tea and something sweet.  After these goodies we re leaving for a ride in the surroundings, passing well known and lesser known spots.

At the end of this ride we’ll be back at the vineyard where we’ll have the opportunity to visit it. All the juicy details of wine making will be touched on and after this we’ll be able to taste the wines too. We end this event with a barbecue in that same vineyard.   Verder lezen Cars and Wine – Juicy details in Betuwe

It’s summer, so time for outdoor life. At this time of year GCCC members start being  creative  again in order to prepare for the customary picnic.  This popular event this year will take place on July 23rd.

The ride preceding the picknick at Piet and Ernst’s meadow will lead us through Westland. The start is in Vlaardingen at 1 p.m. and the end at Leidschendam for the picnic. In case bad weather prevents us from eating our food outside we can take shelter in their barn and consume our heathy salads and things and drink a glass of lovely  bubbly or two there. That last thing of course only for those of us who don’t happen to have to drive afterwards! Verder lezen GCCC – Marine to Meadow

Just before the festive December days spent with family and relatives, GCCC is providing an opportunity to see your club mates again.

On Sunday December 11 you are invited to come to the Utrecht area, where our members Ruud and Mayra have organised an enjoyable ride followed by an interesting slides show on Peter Tsjaikovsky, given by our member Jan. Jan has presented those slides shows before, in December 2010, 2012, 2014 on King Ludwig II van Beieren, Oscar Wilde and Thomas Mann respectively. So this time on the Russian composer Peter (of Pyotr) Tsjaikovsky.  Jan is going to tell you everything about this famous composer.

Start

You are welcome at Maarssen (precise address will be provided later) between 11.30 and 12.00 h. Parking is allowed in the restaurant grounds. Inside coffee/tea with some pastry will be waiting for you. After the ride we’ll be back there. Verder lezen Memory Lane – Ride around Utrecht

The Veluwe, the hilly region North of Arnhem, has been an area we’ve visited before, but never in the Autumn. A period in which the trees are starting to drop or have dropped their leaves. Our club mates Marcel and Arie have joined forces and are presenting a ride in the northern half of this region of natural beauty.

Start

As usual, between 12:00 and 12:30 h. you are expected at the starting point, where coffee/tea is waiting for you. The ride will start at Nunspeet, the exact address participants will get after registering. The route is initially heading south along somewhat more through roads , but soon the roads will change character and have more of an tourist appeal, passing through the heather, which by now will have finished blooming. Verder lezen GCCC: Driving along picturesque Veluwe roads

On Sunday August 14, 2016  our members Maarten and Olav are taking you with them for a GCCC ride to a part of the Netherlands unfamiliar to most of us, i.e. the  Twente and the Achterhoek regions. A gem of a ride through the beautiful east part of our country. Enjoy the Twente hospitality!

Where is the start and the finish?

You are more than welcome at the start address between 12.00 and 12.30 h. The exact address will be forwarded to GCCC members in a separate email. On arrival coffee/tea is provided accompanied by authentic local pastry. After a pleasant ride through Achterhoek and Twente we’ll be back at our starting point round about five p.m.. Along the way there is plenty of time for a visit to a mansion or for something to eat or drink (at your own expense). For those who have booked in advance a three course dinner will be waiting at around  6 p.m. for € 25 (drinks not included). Verder lezen Ride past Achterhoek and Twente mansions

On Sunday July 17, 2016 another picnic ride through the South-Holland province will take place, organised this time by our members Jerry and John. This varied ride will finish as usual at Piet’s farm. It is there that you can eat and/or share the delicacies you’ve brought with you.

Where do we start?

You are all welcome on the Noordwijk beach between 12.00 and 12.30 h.. The exact location has been notified by e-mail  to the members.  We can park in the grounds of the restaurant.  Inside you will find coffee/tea or soft drink with fresh apple pie from Olmenhorst.

What are we going to see during the ride?

A pleasant, varied and surprising ride of some 70 kms, touching at a.o. De Zilk, Hillegom and Kaag, and finishing at Piet’s farm. Verder lezen GCCC picnic ride: from sand to grass

KOUDEKERKE – On Sunday  April 17, 2016 you are cordially invited to a varied ride through Zealand scenery, organised by our members Arnold & Bart. Zuid-Beveland welcomed you in 2014 with a ride, now it’s the former island Walcheren’s turn. Please note, the start location is not the same as the finish, so keep that in mind if you want to join up in somebody else’s car for the ride.

You are expected from 11.30 onwards  in Koudekerke. The exact location details have been communicated to our members in a separate mail. At this location dogs are allowed inside, but only on a leash.

Lunch on arrival?

Coffie/tea is provided on arrival accompanied by a buffet of mini pastries and for those who

have reserved beforehand, there is a luncheon buffet from 12 noon onards, consisting of a fish soup with a rich filling, a delicious tomato soup, fresh meat and fish salad, sauces, various freshly baked rolls and to finish it off, a fruit salad. For extra drinks, coins  can be bought  at the counter for  € 2,50 (one drink for one coin, foreign distilled drinks excluded). Verder lezen Zealand – Walcheren: dunes, polders and gardens

On March 13 th, 2014 our member Jorden  is taking us to a beautiful part of the Netherlands, between Amsterdam, Utrecht and Hilversum, the Gooi and Vecht region. So gGet your oldtimer out of its hibernation and enjoy the ride and meet your friends.

Where are start and finish?

Ypu are welcome between 12.00 and 12.30 h. at the ”Groot Kantwijk” estate, Bergseweg 28 q, 3633 AK VREELAND. The Healey Museum there is centrally located and withinn a short distance from to from the A2 motorway. Two enthusiastic Healey experts will guide you round the only Healey museum in de world.

After a varied ride through Loosdrecht and the Hooge en Lage Vuursche we finish the day here as well towards 17.30 uur. For those who booked before a lovely buffet dinner is waiting for you at about 18.00 composed by a caterer from Hilversum (€ 25 p.p., drinks not included). Verder lezen First GCCC ride of the season: Gooi and Vecht region

The first GCCC event of 2016 is traditionally our Annual General Meeting.

At this AGM we look back at the events of the past year and we look forward to things to come, including the international events planned this year such as Eurotour.

Apart from that the club finances will be discussed. It speaks for itself that members will have a say in the budget and the contribution for 2017.

All GCCC members and partners are entitled to vote. This AGM is for members only, so please note that guests are not allowed in!

Where and when

The AGM will be held at Van Roomen klassieke carrosserieën, Oosterinslag 5E 3871 AL Hoevelaken on Sunday February 21, 2016. Doors open at 12.30 p.m. The meeting is planned from 1.00 until 4.00 p.m., after that there will be a drink waiting for you until 5 p.m. at the latest. An interval is planned between 2.15 and 2.45 p.m. Verder lezen GCCC AGM February 21st, 2016