A PHOTO STORY BY NICKI TWANG/ TEXT BY CHRISTER LUNDEM
We always had a soft spot for Scooters and cafe racers. It all started in the 60s. The Rockers saw themselves as working class heroes and fans of rock n´roll. They liked to keep away from society and had their own rules and rituals. Their idol was the typical Marlon Brando type, as seen in the movie “Wild Ones” - a macho fantasy of freedom and recklessness. Mods on the other hand were fashion-conscious and by rockers looked as less masculine. Dressing sharp was considered “suspect”. The mods where ambitious, aspirant working class kids that liked to take drugs. Preferred transport was Vespa’s and Lambrettas. The cocktail for a conflict was served cold.
Back in 1964 gangs of Mods and Rockers fought battles on the British beaches in the holiday town of Clacton-on-Sea, South-East England famed for its eleven hundred foot pier and golden sand. This was the first major battle between twenty-something Rockers and their teenage rivals the Mods. 97 people where arrested, and Clacton was reportedly beat-up by scooter gangs. But it was only the start of trouble between the two rivals. Over the May and August bank holidays over thousands of rockers and mods collided in what must have appeared as war like scenes at the seaside resorts of Margate, Broadstairs and Brighton.
Today it is all-together a much friendlier mood between the rivals. The conflict is more of a friendly bullying than real fights. Flat Out Oslo and Restless SC Oslo organizes for 4th time Rockers versus Mods in Oslo. Mods and Rockers meet at their respective venues. Isabella Alexander Kielland plass for Mods and Ryes on Olaf Ryes plass for Rockers. Mods on the west side of the Eventyrbrua Bridge, Rockers on the eastern side of the bridge.
The dresscode is strict and required. For Mods : Italian suit or Fred Perry shirt, pointy shoes, parkas and thin leather gloves. Sunglasses must have real glass and be expensive. Style is everything. Dress Code for Rockers: Cafe racers of all motorcycle brands are welcome. Choppers are of course unwelcome. Clothing: Leather, jeans and open-faced helmets. No Gore-Tex, reflective vest, full helmet or any camouflage.
Rockers versus Mods in Oslo will be held in Oslo in May. Follow Flat Out Oslo on Facebook and join, if you think you can handle it. Benzina is attending, well if we get that Guzzi café racer that is.
We love this video enjoy:
Today it is all-together a much friendlier mood between the rivals. The conflict is more of a friendly bullying than real fights. Flat Out Oslo and Restless SC Oslo organizes for 4th time Rockers versus Mods in Oslo. Mods and Rockers meet at their respective venues. Isabella Alexander Kielland plass for Mods and Ryes on Olaf Ryes plass for Rockers. Mods on the west side of the Eventyrbrua Bridge, Rockers on the eastern side of the bridge.
The dresscode is strict and required. For Mods : Italian suit or Fred Perry shirt, pointy shoes, parkas and thin leather gloves. Sunglasses must have real glass and be expensive. Style is everything. Dress Code for Rockers: Cafe racers of all motorcycle brands are welcome. Choppers are of course unwelcome. Clothing: Leather, jeans and open-faced helmets. No Gore-Tex, reflective vest, full helmet or any camouflage.
Rockers versus Mods in Oslo will be held in Oslo in May. Follow Flat Out Oslo on Facebook and join, if you think you can handle it. Benzina is attending, well if we get that Guzzi café racer that is.
We love this video enjoy:
Tunnel of Love from Steve Doyle on Vimeo.
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