Riding gangs and clubs are not new. We all know of the many Harley Davidson lovers who band together in biker gangs and take over the roadways on Sundays mornings to play with their beauties.  The image of a leather jacket clad, tattooed, bearded rough-and-tough-looking guy associates with a Harley, but it doesn’t really fit with a scooter… until now!

The Vesparados are the Vespa equivalents of just such a biker gang… except their love and shared passion is for the sleek design of the Italian scooter that has become increasingly trendy in Cape Town. Cape Town Magazine sheds some light on this growing gang, of men’s men, founded by a small group of friends.

Irishman, Peter Forbes is considered the founding member of the Vesparados and his shared love for the scooter quickly gained momentum.

 [T]he Vesparados (around 15 people) meet every Wednesday night for chats, beers, stunts and fun at the Vesparado Clubhouse which is located on Peter Forbes welding-workshop premises. Architects, coffee roasters, builders, panel beaters, electricians and metal workers come together to celebrate what life is about.[…]

“The Vesparados are the rebel off-shoot of the Vespa Club,” said Ray [Chairman of the Cape Town Vespa Club]

“We are the coolest”, added Anthony, who owns a social media company. The guys are proud to be Vesparados: “We’re not old men with beards”. Most of the Vesparados are in their 30s and 40s and own older Vespas, meaning they are at least from 1985.

You can check out pics from their rides and of the gang themselves on their Facebook Page.

Grab your beloved Vespa and go to the next Wednesday meeting if you have been longing to combine your love for your scooter with your inner hardcore-rocker.

[source: Cape Town Magazine]