A mass of bikes at Waiouru

Ruapehu Bulletin, 7 September 1990, Page 5

A mass of bikes at Waiouru

Waiouru was a mass of motorcycles last weekend with the annual "Cold Kiwi" rally on the Desert Road and "The Big Ride" passing through raising funds for Telethon. 4000 people on only a slightly lesser number of bikes converged on the icy Desert Road site for various motorcycle activities including hill climbing, burnouts, tug-of-war, other-bike admiration and general socializing. The weather was clear and suitably crisp for the riders who camped, some Friday and most Saturday nights. Sunday morning saw the arrival in Waiouru of The Big Ride contingent, a group of Honda Goldwing riders and

their machines on their way from Bluff to Auckland to raise funds for Telethon. The group included Waiouru identity Glyn Hill on his Honda Goldwing 1200cc Aspencade "motorised lazyboy", complete with every creature comfort you could imagine on a motorcycle. ..Glyn is a production foreman at Winstones Pulp Mill who has had a long fascination with the machines. The riders sold badges to commemorate the ride to raise funds and amassed $20,000 on the ride, thought they hope to add another $10,000 to that total once all are sold. As the group of about 20 riders travelled along their 1600 kilometre joumey they were joined

by others at various stages, including from Waiouru where a few hundred bikes escorted them out of town. Another mass of bikes joined them at the Cold Kiwi site. Riding into Auckland they were joined by upwards of 1000 bikes - a two kilometre long convoy. The group formed up ready for the final ride to the Telethon Headquarters, which was to be televised but the riders were disappointed by a two hour wait for the camera crew which never came. Glyn said this was a big disappointment to the riders but they achieved success in terms of the money raised and had a great, ride doing it.