2 minute read
Motorcycle Report
Ten motorcycles plus Paula driving the backup with one old past rider for company left the park for a weekend in Kaikoura. The motorcycles ranged from Deb’s 2020 Can am down to Zig’s 1946 UL Harley. Phil has completed his journey to the dark side arriving on another Honda purchase, his second in two months. This one a nice 1988 Honda Broz, with Ron and Glenn also on Honda’s, Honda was the predominate make on the run. Is this a sign of things to come for future VCC motorcycle events. Electric starters, indicators, more efficient brakes and lighting, modern technology and dare I say it, aging riders seeking better handling, safety and comfit. Bob Dylan is right times they are a changing.
Barry joined us on his Norton as far as the lunch stop to Kekerengu with Roy taking the Vincent to Kaikoura returning home late in the afternoon and Carol joining us at Kekerengu. Six Norton riders from Christchurch including some of Ben’s family joined us at Kaikoura. Zig thought the weekend was looking promising when a Mercedes pulled up alongside with the occupant waving her pants through the window at him, closer inspection showed the pants bore more than a passing resemblance to his wet weather gear that was or had been bungyed to his rear carrier, his spare electrical odds and sods remain scattered somewhere along SH 1.
Unfortunately, the planned visit to Norm’s motorcycle collection was cancelled owing to a family bereavement. Plan B, a visit to Harmon’s car museum was brought forward. Amazing how small a Morris Minor looks when parked amongst Chev’s, Impalas, Ford Edsel’s and Plymouth Fury’s.
The evening social hour in the Lobster Inn public bar became a mid-afternoon social hour or two which no one seemed to mind. The evening meal was in the upstairs restaurant. Viewing the menu someone remarked the price of dining out seemed to be rising, but the quantity and quality of the meals and the service made the price look more than fair. Some mirth was caused by the expression on one bloke’s face when the spare ribs he ordered appeared to be the entire half of a rib cage from a very large cattle beast. Contrary to expectations he ate the lot down to the last piece of meat and potato fry, that was more than some others could achieve faced with their own generous helpings. It was noted he didn’t need to partake in breakfast or lunch the next day.
Sunday morning most of the group met up for a late breakfast before a final gathering and count of heads before hitting the highway back to Kekerengu for lunch. After lunch some quick machine inspections, minor spanner tweaking and checks to ensure the bungy cords were still holding what little luggage that was
left and it was on the road for home. A final stop at the Cob Cottage to collect packs from the back up Ute and everyone was home in time to clean the road grime, tar spots and the seal blood and guts spread on the road at Ohau Point off their motorcycles.
We had an excellent trouble-free weekend. Our thanks to Paula and Glenn for the organising.
While we were in Kaikoura Roger and Pam attended the Ariel rally in Motueka with 30 plus bikes, it was well attended for a one make rally and a fair amount of mileage was covered over the weekend.
Trev
