WIMA Finland writes: We had chosen an excellent location for the 2018 international rally in Parainen. The lofty trees on the campsite provided shade during the very hot week in July, when women from all over the world gathered for an action-packed WIMA rally. The lake provided a very welcome opportunity to cool off and the party tent was open everynight providing beverages, music and other entertainment. This being Finland, of course there was a sauna on site! The heat stayed with us until the last day – only when we were packing up and saying our goodbyes, did it start to rain.
Barbara McEvoy from WIMA Australia said: We were allotted a lovely little chalet at the top of a very steep drive. From our spot on the top of the hill, we had a bird’s eye view of the whole camp and I think someone said there were about 300 bikes of all makes, configurations and sizes parked throughout the grounds. The setting was right on the water with a little rocky beach and the girls made good use of the warm shallow water. Breakfast was supplied every morning – the eggs were all white shelled which we found odd, but the food was healthy and there was plenty of it. For the week we sometimes organised a meal in the chalet, and if we were in Turku we ate out.
We took part in the treasure hunt, but I didn’t win. At the main tent there were different craft workshops every day and there were lots of different competitions going on all week. We were also treated with a trip on a real restored steamboat in Helsinki, and although it was high summer in Finland it was quite a lot hotter than normal, and we had to retreat downstairs as we were in danger of getting sunburnt. Sounds like Aussie – a big surprise to us considering how close we were to the Arctic Circle. On the Saturday morning, all the bikes gathered and lined up for the parade through the streets of Helsinki. It was quite spectacular, and many people lined the streets to watch. Everyone gathered for a group photo on the wharf. A moment to remember.
Trui Hanoulle from Belgium (also known as Elektrogirl) rode a new electric Zero DSR from Helsinki to the rally site and beyond: Although the Zero makes almost no noise, as soon as I drive up, heads turn. Electric cars are now well-known, but electric motorcycles are not. When I plug in the power cable, the first curious questions arise: How far? How long to charge? How expensive? The news buzzes through the camp. Halfway through the week there was also a test day at the distributor in Turku where all interested could try either an electric motorcycle or an electric bicycle.
