Graeme Marshall has a glint in his eye as he remembers the best night of his 34 Brass Monkey rallies, when the temperature plummeted to -18degC.
Asked if it was the worst rather than the best night, the Christchurch motorcyclist confirms it was definitely the best and one to remember, even if he can't recall exactly when it was - ''maybe 10 or 15 years ago''.
''That frost sorted a few bikes out. There were quite a few that didn't start in the morning.''
This year campers at the site had a 4deg frost on Saturday night - a ''positively mild'' evening for the 69-year-old who has attended all 34 Brass Monkey rallies, held at Oturehua every Queen's Birthday Weekend. Mr Marshall is already looking six years ahead to the 40th one.
''I've got to do at least another six, to get my next 10-up [a decade of attendance] badge.''
He makes no concession to his advancing years and is proud to say he still camps out at the site, unlike some who opt for the ''soft'' option - riding through the gate to get the badge but later heading for the comfort of motel accommodation further up the track.
However, his chosen tent site is as far from the bonfire - the focus of the evening's festivities - as it is possible to be and he camps alongside the same six people every year, including his friend Ken Hobden, from Springfield.
The men said the trip to Oturehua was part of the attraction, along with studying all the bikes and catching up with mates they see only once a year, at the rally.
''In all the years I've been coming, I've never seen any trouble here; no scraps or anything like that. I don't know if people get liquored up as much these days as they used to in the earlier days, though.''
Mr Hobden rode a 1965 Honda 90cc to this year's rally ''and it only just got me here before it died - it was too much for it.''
The Brass Monkey is organised by the Otago Motorcycle Club. This year's event attracted about 1330 riders, organising committee chairman Brendon McMahon, of Dunedin, said.
Bikes on display ranged from trail and quad bikes to a $30,000 Spyder trike, and new Ducati and Kawasaki models worth about $20,000 each.
Senior Constable Steve Burke, of Ranfurly, praised the behaviour of rally-goers.
''It was very good and there were no complaints to police, that I'm aware of. The weather turned it on for them, with a nice day, and there were no concerns about speeding or anything else,'' he said.
