Going by the photos of his NSRA cards, Mark Bennett has a few years on me but his story of getting into scooters resonates. I really enjoyed the trip down memory lane and Mark's account of the social history and music of his youth. I was also lucky enough to also experience the joys of Vespa Super ownership, albeit more roadworthy than his!

 

What we don't have in common and what makes this book for me, are the numerous photographs of Mark and his friends from the early days that really capture the times. His book also includes images of memorabilia, club membership cards, tickets, flyers, some fabulous illustrations and, of course, maps.

 

The last few chapters chronicle Mark's more recent rally adventures and his scooter endurance racing career to date. Reading these brought back memories as we have attended a lot of the same rallies. From the cracking C2C, Derby 150, Isle of Mull and numerous other riding events, enjoying some of the best scenery and roads the British Isles can offer. There's lots of humour coupled with scooter tuning trials and tribulations.

 

The chapters on European Lambretta Jamborees and venturing further afield included photos of some of the roads I've also enjoyed. You can get a flavour for Mark's adventures in editions 40 and 41 of Scooter Nova magazine, where he shares his Scandi Raid tale.

 

I hope you enjoy Mark's first book and I for one am looking forward to the next.

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Ann Murphy - 

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