7th European Cade Raid at Kotka, Finland from 5th to 8th of July 2013 Friday 5th of July 2013 Today   is   The   Day.   The   day   when   long   planned   European   Cade Raid     2013     will     begin.     First     time     this     Finnish     Raid     was mentioned   back   in   2007   in   Holland.   Confirmation   for   the   Raid arrangements   was   given   in   Sweden   2010.   I   was   thrilled   to   think how we could manage everything here in Finland. Before   noon   I   received   already   several   SMS-messages   when   the   participants   informed that   they   have   driven   first   meters   on   Finnish   soil.   A   thought   that   foreign   Cades   shall be   seen   driven   on   our   roads   made   me   feel   so   good   and   brought   a   wide   smile   to   my face. I   was   in   Hotel   Santalahti,   Kotka   about   noon   and   the   first   Cade   arrived   about   1PM, ridden   by   our   “royal   photographer”   Yves   from   Belgium.   Reaching   to   3PM   I   heard   the low   sound   of   V4   from   the   distance.   I   knew   that   a   caravan   of   Cades   were   about   to arrive.   There   they   came,   sliding   slowly   in   the   dignity   of   their   royalness.   “Welcome   to Finland”,   “How   to   You   do”,   “How   the   trip   went”   and   other   greetings   were   on   the   air. One could really touch and feel the friendly spirit of Cade Raid. The   first   evening   was   spend   getting   to   know   the   surroundings   of   Hotel   Santalahti.   At 9PM   David   and   I   started   the   welcoming   ceremony   and   Timo   told   the   plans   for   the weekend.   Evening   went   on   its   own   happily   on   the   coast   of   Gulf   of   Finland   enjoying the company and the midsummer nature and sundown. Saturday 6 th  of July 2013 After    well    slept,    although    short,    night    the    sun    was    already    high    up    on    the    sky requesting   Cavalcade-group   to   join   the   breakfast.   Today   our   goal   was   to   introduce Finnish   nature   and   the   views   of   the   Kotka   city.   Almost   all   joined   the   attendees   of   our caravan   at   9AM   on   the   hotel   yard.   Weather   was   pleasing   and   the   mild   sea   wind escorted   us   when   we   started      our   Cavalcedes   to   the   150km   trip   towards   the   Russian border at Vaalimaa. We   drove   the   Kotka´s   Hyväntuulentie   (a   road   of   a   good   wind)   to   the   motorway   E18 into   City   of   Hamina.   Established   at   1653   the   City   of   Hamina    is   the   oldest   town   in Kymenlaakso   area.   Back   in   1720   the   town   planning   has   been   drawn   as   a   circle,   which is   very   rare   shape   of   town   planning.   Because   of   that   Hamina   is   called   by   the   other name as a circle town due to this unique town plan. Leaving   Hamina   behind   we   turned   to   the   Old   Kings   Road .   This   road   has   been   used   by kings   and   their   couriers,   bishops   and   bourgeoisies,   artists   and   armies.   Declared   as   a museum   road   this   road   is   very   popular   among   Finnish   bikers   because   the   curvy   roads it has. Unfortunately the speed limit was lowered some years ago to 60km/h. Driving   through   Virolahti ,   closing   to   Vaalimaa   we   met   kilometer’s   long   truck   queue   waiting   for   their   turn   on   the Russian   border   control.   Vaalimaa   border   has   the   heaviest   traffic   between   Finland   and   Russia.   At   Vaalimaa   border   we had a little snack in Rajahovi Teboil gas station. On   the   route   back   to   hotel,   we   arranged   our   bikes   for   show   at   the   front   of   Sokos   store   house   in   Kotka   center.   Did some   shopping   and   enjoyed   fresh   strawberries   at   the   market   place.   Located   on   the   shore   of   Gulf   of   Finland    the   City of Kotka  is an important harbor and industrial city, being also a diverse school and cultural city. After   returning   the   first   Cade   Raid   2013   to   Santalahti,   we   had   a   common   photo   set   up   arranged.   Being   proud   we watched   the   color   matching   line   set   up   having   Cades   from   England,   Belgium,   Norway   and   Finland.   I   had   invited   the local   newspaper,   Kymen   Sanomat    ,   to   write   an   article   about   this   fine   every   year   in   Europe   occurring   Cade   Raid event.   Being   fast   enough   the   newspaper   published   the   cover   and   two   page   article   on   their   Sunday   issue,   which   we quite quickly bought to end from the local newspaper stand. Finnish   Sauna   on   the   beach   was   warmed   up   on   the   evening.   Only   some   of   the   brave   joined   us   there      bathing   in   the heat   and   getting   a   cold   shower   to   wash   up   dust   of   the   long   day   before   common   evening   dinner.   I   have   to   give   credit to Andy and Aaron for their bravery to “swim” on the sea. We   Finns   have   a   manner   to   offer   awards   to   the   motorcycle   rally   participants   in   different   categories.   So   it   was   to   be in Cade Raid 2013 tool. The categories and  award-winners were; Longest run Yves Rummens, Belgium Oldest participant Timo Vaalimaa, Finland Youngest participant Loke Sorum, Norway Smallest bike on site Juho Heinonen, Finland (Yamaha DT50) Rat Bike Kåre Tweit, Norway The Ladies All four participating ladies were awarded by Iittala  design glass. The   evening   went   on   quite   by   itself.   Norwegians   arranged   a   long   board   where   we   all   sit   as   a   one   big   Cavalcade- family.   Geir   kept   the   neighborhood   awake   composing   us   with   guitar   singing   his   “Cavalcade   Songbook”   through   again and   again.   We   drink   and   eat   snacks   and   had   fun   together.   I   managed   to   persuade   Kåre   to   give   a   good   rub   and   shine to   his   Rat   Cade´s   front   forks,   as   shiny   as   mine   for   the   prize   of   owning   now   two   sewn   badges   of   SCC   Finland,   although it seems that he had done it the easier way by buying a shinier Cade right after Finnish Cade Raid. On   midnight   we   got   some   shower   which   urged   us   to   move   to   the   shelter   of   hotel   terrace,   continuing   there   until early hours. Sunday 7 th  of June 2013 Breakfast was really tasteful after last night’s celebration. The strength of food was needed. We   made   a   short   trip   to   Katariinan   niemi    (Katariina   Seaside   park)   in   Kotka   where   we   again   assembled   to   a   common photo shoot. Even Anthony get to pose on his Cade right on the seaside. As   the   sun   shined   at   +25   celsius,   we   had   some   refreshments   at   Tulikukko    in   Sapokka.   Leaving   Sapokka   we   stopped   at the   newspaper   stand   mentioned   before.   Some   of   us   did   some   shopping   and   had   a   lunch   at   Route   66    which   was   very interesting place itself. Sunday     evening     went     on     quite     a     bit decently.    Majority    of    Finns    had    gone home     getting     ready     for     a     Mondays workday. Monday 8 th  of July 2013 Breakfast   was   on   place   at   6AM.   Anthony and   Aaron   started   their   longer   route   to home   driving   up   to   north   for   Santa    and passing   to   Sweden.   Eventually   it   was   time for    goodbyes    and    Cade    Raid    2013    was over.   Long   planned   event   had   now   gone to    its    end.    We    wished    good    and    safe journey    back    home    and    hoped    to    see each other in Holland at Cade Raid 2014. Warm   thanks   to   you   all   participating   our first Cade Raid in Finland. Kouvola on snowy Sunday 1 st  of December 2013 Juha SCCF President Cade Raid 2013 was organised by Juha Heinonen and his team

Raid was noticed by a local newspaper

Read English translation from Cavalier Magazine