Popular motorcycle rally a vintage performance

Motorcyclists line up outside the Beaumont Hotel during the South Otago branch of the Vintage Car...
Motorcyclists line up outside the Beaumont Hotel during the South Otago branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand's 40th annual rally on Saturday. Photo by Helena de Reus.
More than 30 old motorcycles and their riders took to Clutha roads on Saturday for the South Otago branch of the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand's 40th annual rally.

Otago men Allan Budge (78) and Bill Veitch (75) rode the same bikes they used in the first rally 40 years ago.

Mr Budge, of Balclutha, rode his 1930 BSA Sloper on Saturday for the first time in four years.

''It's been about four years, but she started the first time around.''

Mr Budge said he rode the BSA in the club's first rally 40 years ago, and has since missed only two rallies.

For Mr Veitch, of Dunedin, it was a 1930 Scott motorcycle that returned for this year's rally, with his friend's son Ryan Roxburgh (13) riding in the sidecar.

The 120km rally began in Clydevale, winding through the Rongahere Gorge along the Clutha River to Beaumont and on to Tapanui via Raes Junction, through to Waipahi before returning to Clydevale.

Rally convener Gary Beaumont said the event was held annually on the second weekend of March.

''It's the biggest motorcycle rally we've had yet - a good turnout and good weather.''

Riders came from Rangiora to Invercargill, with the oldest rider aged in his 80s, Mr Beaumont said.

The oldest motorcycle in the rally was a 1925 Henderson Deluxe owned by Graeme Williams, of Invercargill.

The rally finished with a prizegiving in Clydevale.

-helena.dereus@odt.co.nz

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