Red Knights about to hit the road for Saturday's 20th anniversary ride, from left, ride captain Patrick Scelly (Paihia), Red Knights Pacific director Ken Mahon (Nelson), New Zealand Chapter 1 president Russell Rawiri and Kelvin Murray (both Hikurangi). Photo / Peter de Graaf
Red Knights about to hit the road for Saturday's 20th anniversary ride, from left, ride captain Patrick Scelly (Paihia), Red Knights Pacific director Ken Mahon (Nelson), New Zealand Chapter 1 president Russell Rawiri and Kelvin Murray (both Hikurangi). Photo / Peter de Graaf
There are few things former volunteer firefighter Russell Rawiri likes more than motorbikes.
So when a chance came along 20 years ago to combine those two passions — bikes and firefighting — the retired Hikurangi community cop jumped at it.
At that time the Red Knights, a motorcycle club for firefighters, was a US-only phenomenon.
Rawiri was a member of the Blue Knights, a police motorcycle club, when he discovered the Red Knights via the internet.
''At the time I was a firefighter and there were a few members who had bikes — so we thought, 'Let's form a club'.''
The first of 60 members of the Red Knights cross Waitangi Bridge at the start of Saturday's ride. Photo / Peter de Graaf
The chapter Rawiri and his mates set up in Hikurangi in 2001 was the first in New Zealand and the first in the world outside the US. Eventually it grew to take in bike-loving firefighters all over Northland.
Just over a decade later, a charity motorbike run the length of New Zealand spawned a series of new chapters. There are now 10 stretching all the way to Bluff.
A Red Knights rider surveys the line-up of bikes at a Waitangi Golf Course lookout. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Rawiri, who rides a Harley Davidson Tri Glide three-wheeler, said every year a different chapter hosted a national gathering.
This year's event, based at Paihia, also marked the club's 20th anniversary in New Zealand.
The Red Knights now boast about 200 members nationwide, 60 of whom took part in last weekend's ride, and 11,000 members globally.
A Red Knight displays his patch with pride. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Pacific director Ken Mahon, of Nelson, said the club existed to promote safe riding and camaraderie.
It was open to all past and present firefighters, paid and volunteer, as well as industrial firefighters such as those belonging to airport and refinery brigades.
Most chapters also raised money for charity, he said.
Ride captain Patrick Scelly, a volunteer with Paihia Fire Brigade, and Vanessa Hyslop hit the road. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Ride captain Patrick Scelly, a volunteer with Paihia Fire Brigade, said the Red Knights converged on the Bay of Islands on Friday afternoon.
After breakfast at Paihia station on Saturday they rode to Hikurangi Fire Station where it all began 20 years ago.
After returning north via the old back route to Russell, enjoying the road's twists and turns and coastal views, they had lunch at Russell Fire Station before reconvening in Paihia for dinner and prizegiving.
Trophies were awarded for, among other things, the chapter that had travelled the furthest. The Bluff bikers were this year's winners.
Riders get ready to start Saturday's 20th anniversary ride. Photo / Peter de Graaf
Club members dispersed after breakfast on Sunday with some heading to Cape Reinga to cap off the weekend tour.
Each stop was an opportunity for the hosting brigades — Paihia, Hikurangi and Russell — to do some fundraising.
The Red Knights don't favour any particular brand or style of bike with everything from Harleys to Hondas and trikes to sport bikes represented in Saturday's ride.
