Members of the Suzuki Owners Club have been attending the Sinterklaastreffen since 1985.

It's organised by the Motor Toerisme Oostende club.  The traditional date is the first weekend in December that coincides with Sinterklaas Day.

The rally starts on Friday from around noon, and is based around the Velodrome.  The Velodrome is about 1/4 mile from the Sally Ferry terminal.

In the centre of the cycle track is a large marquee where the entertainment takes place on the Friday and Saturday evenings.

On Saturday afternoon, all the motorcyclists that are able to ride their bikes leave the site to meet St Nick who arrives by fishing boat, accompanied by his helpers.  The entire group moves off for a ride around the city to escort St Nick to the Town Hall. Here we have a drink and the welcoming speeches are made by the Mayor.   On the way, there's a stop for a warming soup!

On both nights there is a full programme of entertainment in the marquee including bands, a rock disco and plenty of beer. Food is available. Drinks are bought with vouchers that are bought for cash (they take all sorts) from a central cashier and then the tickets are used instead.

Most rallyists stay in B&B or in small hotels, although the really hardy (or drunk) sleep in the small woods adjoining the site. It is generally quite cold so you need to be either very hard, or very well wrapped up to camp.

Hotels can be booked through the organisers. All you have to do is tell them the price range in Belgian Francs you want to spend on B&B, and they will do the rest.

The SOC has traditionally stayed in the same hotel for the last 15 years!  We have seen it change hands twice. The latest owners are very friendly and we now book directly with them.

If you would like to join Team-SOC on the trip, contact me via email (subject of St Nicks 2000) or in writing to:

Paul Devall, SOC Deputy Editor, PO Box 7, Egremont, Cumbria CA22 2GE, England. UK

If you write, please enclose a s.a.e. for a reply.

The organising club have their own web page that gives more information and reports on previous year's rallies - Motor Toerisme Oostende