Moped rally takes to roads

Bruce Watt (far right) leads the way on his 1957 DKW Hummel during the North Otago Vintage Car...
Bruce Watt (far right) leads the way on his 1957 DKW Hummel during the North Otago Vintage Car Club Wee Willie Wander Moped rally last weekend. PHOTO: NIC DUFF
A fleet of vintage vehicles took to the roads of North Otago on Saturday, but they were not what you would expect.

The North Otago Vintage Car Club held their Wee Willie Wander Moped Rally.

Seventeen riders brought out their pride-and-joy mopeds for the ride.

Barbara and Bruce Watt organised the event and Mrs Watt said it was a great success.

The only mishap was a few people went "sightseeing" before finding their way back to the group, she joked.

Their ride began at the vintage car club rooms and they travelled 50km on their way to the Fort Enfield Tavern for lunch.

Along the way they stopped at the waterwheel in Old Mill Rd and went past the wetlands in Airedale.

"The roads were pretty quiet, so it was a nice wee drive," Mrs Watt said.

The riders loved the event.

"Some of them said it was the best ride they’ve ever been on."

Mr Watt brought out his 1957 DKW Hummel for the rally.

He had owned it for "maybe 10 to 15 years", he said.

His interest in vintage mopeds was sparked by his love of vintage motorcycles.

Mr Watt’s collection consists of his moped and two motorcycles, a 1952 Velocette and a 1929 AJS.

Hamish Pasker, of Oxford, won the Publican’s Choice Award, which was given to the best bike as chosen by the publican at the Fort Enfield Tavern.