Vintage motorcycles take to Whanganui River Rd for Castrol Autumn Vintage Motorcycle Trial

Glyn Clements and his wife were the overall winners in the 2021 Castrol Autumn Vintage Motorcycle Trial. Photo / Lewis Gardner

Riders of vintage bikes left Whanganui at one-minute intervals as the Castrol Autumn Vintage Motorcycle Trial made its way to Raetihi.

About 35 travelled from Whanganui along the Whanganui River Rd, at their chosen speeds, with a stop at Pipiriki and a lunch organised for them at Raetihi School on Saturday.

They were in several classes and were expected to arrive at certain times, organiser Bill James said.

The overall winner was Glyn Clements, who rode with his wife in a Honda sidecar. Robert Hood, a Whanganui sidecar champion, came first in the classic class on a three-cylinder Triumph.

The Coleman Cup went to Sam Wilson, the highest-scoring member of Whanganui's Vintage Car Club. The oldest rider was Willie Woods, from New Plymouth.

The riders returned to Whanganui on SH4. Dave Henwood had engine problems on that stretch, and his bike was brought home on a trailer.

Spectators watch the riders set off. Photo / Lewis Gardner

Spectators turned out at the Patapu St clubrooms to see the motorcycles leave and return, and the riders enjoyed a dinner and prizegiving that evening.

James and his wife Heather have organised the event for many years. They were well pleased with its success.