Scrambler Fever Rally 2023
Custom and classic bikes, off-road, wild nature — if that sounds like you, June is bringing a one-of-a-kind Scrambler Fever rally.
This will already be the 8th edition: a four-day gathering packed with spectacular routes, off-road challenges, and skill contests. And a shared campfire, an open-air moto-cinema, and a chill-out by the little lake? That is the cherry on this very tasty cake.
It all starts on Thursday, 8 June, in Pszczew.
As per Thursday tradition at Scrambler Fever, the organizers have planned a little warm-up on the bikes, and after the first skirmishes — a welcome campfire.
Friday is the big day everyone waits for — the rally. The off-road route is about 100 km, stitched through with fun tasks along the way.
Saturday is for exploring the area together on the bikes and swimming in whatever lakes we stumble into along the route — and in the evening, the official rally recap and the prize-giving.
On Sunday we scatter, full of memories and already hungry for the next edition.
The organizers of Scrambler Fever — the rally we are (#OMG) going to ride — are Red Hot Chili Customs (RHCC), that is the incredible pair Marta and Krzysiek (also known as Redu). Today I get to know them a little better — and I am inviting you along.
Wheels & hills (WH): Scrambler Fever already has a rich history — it all started in 2016, when 21 brave souls lined up on a start that was still breaking new ground. This year's rally will see as many as 110–120 riders. And because this will already be the 8th edition — I have 8 questions for you. First up: the origin story. We know a passion for motorcycles has always been with you, but how did the idea of organizing the Scrambler Fever rally come about? An event like this is a serious undertaking.
RHCC: Almost ten years ago we went (still) as tourists to Wheels and Waves in Biarritz (France). Later we went back many times with our own stall. During that festival, besides a whole pile of attractions, the organizer had prepared a few routes for exploring the Basque Country. We liked the idea of combining a gathering with riding. Neither of us likes getting bored, and we cannot sit still in one place for long. We like spending time in nature….so we joined those two things: nature and motorcycles, and SCRAMBLER FEVER came out. The rally grows every year. The only limit is the bikes. The rally is dedicated to scrambler and vintage enduro motorcycles, and those are the ones that are welcome..
WH: What can we expect at Scrambler Fever 2023?
RHCC: Come, you'll see. There will be interesting routes, dust, mud, beautiful views, funny tasks, scramblers, great people….
WH: Krzysiek, let me cast a line at two names — Siberia and "Wild East" — we know those are big subjects. But they intrigue us no end. Could you tell us a little about those adventures…?
WH: Wow! Incredible! And tell us something more about the machine you built quite a few years ago, modelled on a 1960s legend — the MV Agusta 350.
RHCC: Vintage motorcycles have always been (and still are) close to my heart. Once, in Świat Motocykli, I read a report from the Super Veteran races that were held in Lublin. I knew I had to start in the next edition. At the time my stable happened to have an original MV Agusta, but a civilian, small-capacity version. I decided that I was going on it anyway, and that is how I raced the next two editions on that very bike. Appetite grows with eating, and in the end I had to get something faster and more spectacular. The budget did not leave much room for madness, so the base had to be cheap. Eventually I managed to buy an old twin-cylinder Suzuki GS400 from a friend — it already ran somehow, and it had a visually cool engine and fuel tank. After stripping it to zero and leaving only the tank, a vision of how the racer should look slowly took shape in my head. I spent a mass of time picking the right fairing and making the tail section. I had nowhere to test the motorcycle, so I started the next races still on a raw version. The road tests went well, I made the necessary fixes after the races, and then painted the bike in the legendary MV Agusta colours. In 2011 I started racing it in road events: the Czech TT in Hořice and Branná. Being able to really "hammer it" through mountain villages together with a few dozen other lunatics from all over Europe is a truly incredible feeling! I recommend everyone a visit to those events, even as a spectator!
The MV Replica was the first motorcycle I built. Everything started with it.
WH: How much time do you need, on average, to build a motorcycle? Can you give any kind of range here?
RHCC: Unfortunately there is no rule. Some projects can be done even in a month, others take half a year. There are many dependencies we have no control over, and lately supply shortages have not been helping either.
WH: Marta, on your history card you have races against the men in the Polish Classic Motorcycle Cup, open class — tell us what it feels like to be the odd one out in that world?
RHCC: All in all it was a turning point in my life. After a long stretch of motherhood, after an even longer stretch of not sitting in the saddle, suddenly there was this impulse…. And of course it was Krzysiek who talked me into it. At first I did not want to ride on a track, because of the little kids. Krzysiek would not let it go and kept nudging: "go for a ride", "just try", "see what it's like…".
I was mega nervous, because I had not ridden for several years. But the urge to get back on a motorcycle was stronger. At first I was riding super square, but with every new corner I could feel the adrenaline filling my body and a smile appearing on my face. That was what I needed.
It is true, I was the first woman to get a racing licence in that class…. I remember that at the training and the exam, the instructors kept correcting themselves from "Gentlemen"… to ladies and gentlemen, please, because there is also a woman among us… and so on, every other minute… they just could not get used to it.
I felt a little nervous, mega emotions: Will I manage? How will it go? Will I be last? Luckily I was not. :) With every lap I had better times. My fellow riders — rivals — were very kind (and a sincere thank-you to them, by the way, for the valuable tips), but on the track it did not matter whether you were a woman or a man: the same rules applied.
WH Marta and Krzysiek — besides being the creators of this incredibly atmospheric event, Scrambler Fever, and of one-of-a-kind motorcycles, tell us a bit more about yourselves, what you do day to day.
RHCC: In our life, passion turned into work. We spend most of our time planning and carrying out our "work" plans. Besides the workshop where we build custom motorcycles and the shop with motorcycle clothing and parts, we also organize: Rajd Pękniętej Gumy, Szczecin's The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride. We ride and support all sorts of good events in this vibe, sometimes we do garage sales…. and when we find the time, we just ride! We have three wonderful kids and we give them a huge amount of time. We take them to all kinds of motorcycle events, we travel a lot.
WH: Just as you said at the beginning — you do not like getting bored! Okay, time for the 8th and last question: what can you not imagine life without? What drives you to keep going?
RHCC: Right now, family, kids, and motorcycles
WH: It is great talking with you and watching the spark in your eyes when you share this passion. Personally we cannot wait for the rally… and for "Wild East". Thank you for the conversation, and see you in June at Scrambler Fever Rally!
Do check out RHCC on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/scramblerfever
https://www.facebook.pl/redhotchilicustoms