Cold bike rally success

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 255, 20 September 1988, Page 4

Cold bike rally success

Postponing the Cold Kiwi Rally by one weekend halved the expected number of motorcyclists but still saw close to 1500 people at the Desert Road event.

Motorcyclists began arriving Friday night at the site which is close to the highest point on the Desert Road. Saturday morning dawned bright, and freezing. Ruapehu Motorcycle Club President Phil Downard said the first day was a 'beauty'. He said the frost was one of those where two inches of ice comes up out of the ground. Bikers were not perturbed however, and survived the night in their sleeping bags, mostly in tents. The rally attracts motorcyclists of all persuasjons, from Harley Davidson and Triumph Riders to 50cc mini-bike riders, big Japanese race bikes to Italian Vespa scooter riders plus trail bikers. Prizes awarded included one for the oldest bike, a 1940 Indian that has been at the past three Cold Kiwis (described as rough but still going well). The 'Rat Bike' prize went to "a pretty sad looking bike - oil all over it, with ripped seat", from Wellington. The bike had suffered burned out rear wheel bearings but the owner had packed the hub

with aluminium beer cans and grease and held the lot together with number eight wire, just allowing the rider to travel at a lazy 30 kph. Hill climb compctitions, tug-o-wars (male and female) and a burnout competition featurcd over the weekend. The burn-out, where riders compete to create the most smoke from spinning their back wheel on the ground while the bike remains stationary, was won by a Vespa rider. Mr Downard said the Vespa's back tyre was completely destroyed in the rider's winning burn-out but, being a Vespa, the scooter carried a spare. A hclmet dash competition was held where a club member stood at the top of a hill holding a voucher for prizes in each hand, with arms outstretched. Competitors then raced to the top of the hill, the winner being the first to grab the voucher. "That competition was well received," said Mr Downard. The mandatory wheel stand competition was also held and proved popular.

Mr Downard said the event was very enjoyable with the diverse groups sharing the one thing they have in common - the fact that they travel about on two wheels. Despite the 14,000 cans of beer that were consumed (not to be related to the number of burned out back wheel bearings) good behaviour was reported. St John first aiders were present but were not kcpt busy, just a few minor cuts and bruises, said Mr Downard.