Dannevirke: A good excuse to ride with mates

Kevin Dawson (left), Craig Lancaster, Jamie Bramley, Tony Buckley, Dereck Gregory, Ian Emslie, Graham Bury and Paul Greeve. Absent George Watson, and Jim Hey. Photo / Christine McKay

Riding south to the Burt Munro Challenge was all about camaraderie for a group of Dannevirke and Hawke's Bay riders.

The first eight riders, who were joined the next day by another two, were along just to enjoy the company of fellow riders in the 2600km odyssey, Dannevirke's Craig Lancaster told the Dannevirke News.

Although one rider insisted it was a week away from his wife, others said it was simply an excuse for a ride with mates.

"The Burt Munro is the biggest bike event in the southern hemisphere, with 6000 people there. That's about the population of Dannevirke," Mr Lancaster said. "It's awesome to see all those people on the beach and not a cigarette left behind when they leave."

While the weather was windy as they left Dannevirke, the men said they would "just tough it out".

Taking just two days to get to Southland, the men and their bikes, including Ducatis, Hondas and Triumphs and Dereck Gregory's Vulcan Voyager, had fantastic weather all the way down and home again.

"Riding back north through Alexandra and Cromwell was awesome. It was brilliant biking weather. We couldn't have asked for anything better," Mr Lancaster said. "The scenery was stunning and picturesque. But news of a motorcycle rider who had been at the challenge, killed by a foreign driver who overtook on a double yellow line, crashing into two cars and killing the motorcyclist, was very sobering."

For Mr Gregory, who had been a car salesman with KB Ford in Dannevirke and who now works for Toyota Hawke's Bay, his bike, nicknamed the Starship Enterprise by other riders, is his pride and joy.

"I spend half my life cleaning it though."

Mr Lancaster said the chance to meet and socialise with other bikers from all walks of life made the trip south worthwhile, even though the event was down a bit on entries and Saturday's speedway cancelled.

He said the group plans to go again, possibly every two years.