About 40 bikers from around New Zealand, and as far away as the United States, England and Australia, were in Dunedin for the annual Norton Owners Club of New Zealand rally.
On Saturday, the riders revved up early, heading out of the city on a day trip to Karitane, then inland to Middlemarch, before returning to Dunedin.
The club’s Dunedin representative, Kevin Carter, told the Otago Daily Times some enthusiasts had been riding long distances just to take part in the event.
One rider, from Kerikeri, travelled to Dunedin via Cape Reinga and Bluff to participate, he said.
"He gets the prize for the longest rider.’’But the enthusiasm for the event — and the Norton motorcycles themselves — was to be expected, Mr Carter believed.
"They have a great sound and they are very reliable.‘‘It’s a disease. I’ve got three [Nortons]," he said.
The history of the British-built Norton motorcycles dated back to 1898 and the founding of the Norton company, followed by the production of the first motorcycles by 1902.
The New Zealand club’s rally was held each year, alternating between a North Island and South Island venue, and was a chance for enthusiasts to get together, he said.
This year’s event was hosted by the Otago Vintage Car Club, and riders attended a dinner and prizegiving on Saturday night, followed by a breakfast yesterday, before departing.
