As in olde times

It is the ultimate moment for every motorcycle riding member of Virgiel. Having reached your seventh-year of study at TU Delft, you’re allowed to ride your motorcycle up the student society’s stairs and through the main hall, to a spot behind the bar, from where you then pour beers for all those present. You do however need to have a motorcycle license and be a member of ‘The Crusaders’, Virgiel’s motorcycle club,  explains Karin Vlaar, a former Crusaders club chairwoman. “The society’s main hall is one the first floor, so how you get up there is up to you. But it certainly isn’t easy, regardless of what kind of motorcycle you have. I was once told that someone made a group of first-year student members carry his motorcycle up the stairs, while he was sitting on it!” Former seventh-year student and motorcycle rider, René van Hinthum, later confirms that it was indeed his motorcycle - and him sitting on it - that was carried up the stairs.
“It’s difficult to do, but it certainly can be done,” says Yannick Vos, Virgiel’s commissioner of inventory. “First, there are five steps leading up to the society building’s front door, then another two steps, and then the big wooden staircase inside, which fortunately is very wide. But nevertheless you certainly wouldn’t want to attempt this feat riding a three meter-long Harley Davidson. Although you primarily ride along the horizontal sections of the stairs, it is especially difficult to make a 45-degree turn while riding upwards.”
Current Crusaders member, Tim Tutert, is just starting his fourth year, but he’s hopeful that he’ll ultimately reach his seventh year. He’s looking forward to the supreme moment. “I plan to take that ride someday”, Tutert says, laughing. “No, it’s not a good reason to prolong my studies, but it definitely would be great fun to do it once though.”

Domestic motorcycle abuse

“I plan to take that ride someday”, says Crusaders member Tim Tutert. (Photo: Hans Stakelbeek/FMAX)

It is the ultimate moment for every motorcycle riding member of Virgiel. Having reached your seventh-year of study at TU Delft, you’re allowed to ride your motorcycle up the student society’s stairs and through the main hall, to a spot behind the bar, from where you then pour beers for all those present. You do however need to have a motorcycle license and be a member of ‘The Crusaders’, Virgiel’s motorcycle club,  explains Karin Vlaar, a former Crusaders club chairwoman. “The society’s main hall is one the first floor, so how you get up there is up to you. But it certainly isn’t easy, regardless of what kind of motorcycle you have. I was once told that someone made a group of first-year student members carry his motorcycle up the stairs, while he was sitting on it!” Former seventh-year student and motorcycle rider, René van Hinthum, later confirms that it was indeed his motorcycle - and him sitting on it - that was carried up the stairs.
“It’s difficult to do, but it certainly can be done,” says Yannick Vos, Virgiel’s commissioner of inventory. “First, there are five steps leading up to the society building’s front door, then another two steps, and then the big wooden staircase inside, which fortunately is very wide. But nevertheless you certainly wouldn’t want to attempt this feat riding a three meter-long Harley Davidson. Although you primarily ride along the horizontal sections of the stairs, it is especially difficult to make a 45-degree turn while riding upwards.”
Current Crusaders member, Tim Tutert, is just starting his fourth year, but he’s hopeful that he’ll ultimately reach his seventh year. He’s looking forward to the supreme moment. “I plan to take that ride someday”, Tutert says, laughing. “No, it’s not a good reason to prolong my studies, but it definitely would be great fun to do it once though.”