North meets South (2005 TOMCC New Zealand National Rally)

With the 2005 rally being hosted by the Auckland Chapter and based in Clevedon, South Auckland it would never be closer for the Waikato BOP Chapters without us being directly involved in the organisation. A good opportunity to sit back, drink some rum and enjoy. With this in mind not a lot of planning was required, apply for annual leave , the usual WOF and Rego stuff (got to keep the Bill happy), oil change etc then with still 4 weeks to rally day sit back and wait.

Just prior to Christmas a flurry of emails from 'Corky' in CHCH confirms upwards of 20 from the south intending to make the trip north. A quick E to Auckland to keep them informed and the JAFFA's are ecstatic that such a strong contingent from the south are heading north. The rally proper for us commenced on the Thursday night with soon to be President Ray hosting a group from Wellington, Wanganui and Manuwatu at his house in Whatawhata (South of the Border) on their way to the rally. Trev arrived at Rays around 7pm to find Ray & Maxine entertaining Rob & Selina and one Wanganui member (stanto), hmmm something has gone wrong. However not long afterwards there were the familiar sounds of several bikes going up and down the Te Pahu road looking for the turn off, strange how on a still warm Waikato night you can pick the sound of a Triumph miles away. An hour of activity soon sees all the greetings over, bikes parked (and some repaired, Donald) tents pitched and the cap off the first of 'Willies' finest, the BBQ's fired up and everyone settles in for the evening. Friday morning sees the visitors push their bikes out of Ray's shed and commence the tighten down, oil top up and replace those missing nuts and bolts (man there were a few missing). A small contingent shot into Cycle Torque to purchase a new battery and a few odds and ends. With all the last minute maintenance completed the group is soon reassembled and head for town were they spend an hour kicking tyres in Road and Sport and Hamilton Motorcycles.

 After first fixing a puncture in the car for 'Her on the back of the tractor' who was not coming to the rally Trev turned up on Grumpy and that signaled it was time to head onward so Donald now designated official "time" caller gave the 5 minutes holler. The next designated meeting spot was BP Ngaruawahia to refuel. One Taupo member was there (Dig) on his Hinckley but no sign of the Orton's…….with the Orton's always being late the group allows an extra 10 minutes but with still no sign of them Donald gives the 5 minute call (which coincidently coincides with him rolling a ciggy). It was a short 30 minute ride to the Rangiriri Hotel which was the next designated meeting place. Word must have gotten out about the Waikato Chapters notorious 12 hour ride 3 years ago to cover the 90k ride to the last Auckland rally in the Hunua Ranges as surprise, surprise there were no Triumphs waiting for us at the Rangiriri. It must be 5pm somewhere in the world so while we wait for the stragglers it's decided to order the first beer of the day. 40 minutes later Donald, who had turned back at Huntly to gas up and get some cash from the money machine had still not appeared so the support van is dispatched. They returned half an hour later with a very dejected Donald and bike in the back. The problem is quickly diagnosed as a blocked fuel cap breather and he is soon mobile again. Trev received a text from the Southerners updating us on their progress up country and at 11.38am they are only at Waioru about 4 hours away so our group who would not be able to stand up let alone ride a bike if we waited for them, decide to head north once again. We have now picked up another 2 rally bound bikes Paul and Wendy (Tauranga) and Barry and Denise (Waihi). Donald gives the 5 minute call and rolls another ciggy and we are soon on the road again. On leaving the Rangiriri we meet the first and only rain of the weekend and although heavy we can see sunshine is up ahead so don't bother to stop to put wet weather gear on. By the time we get to Mercer most are dry again.

 A quick blast up the Northern motorway and to the meeting point at the Papakura off ramp where we had set up to meet Stretch (Akl Chapter) who was to guide us to the Rally site. But as we know best laid plans always seem to fail and for some bizarre reason the group didn't stop. Tailend Charlie Ray the only one to stop on the off ramp to the motorway and wait for the back-up van which didn't front. Turns out they took the Drury turn off ramp and by the time Ray got mobile again everyone was gone. Hmmm he would have to find the Rally site by himself, this didn't turn out to be much of a challenge as it was well sign posted. But you can imagine his surprise when the group arrives at the Camp site behind him, go figure that one (yep lost again) Registration is soon out of the way, check the rally T shirt which this year is a collared T, unpack the bikes, purchase some bear tickets and check the rest of the site and catch up with early arrivals.

 We stumble across 'Tea Pot Mike" well, as he was on about his 7th Stella he stumbled across us. A quick hi to Jay and Mozzy from Northland, Punch & Judy, Sharron & John, Stretch, Sheriff Don all Auckland Chapter members. It's decided to head into Clevedon village for a solid meal to line the stomach for the night's festivities rather than stay in camp and dine on hamburgers and chips so we walk into town. A short 5 minute walk sees us in the middle of the village where we find a group of bikers as lost as the wool on a sheep's back. Leader seems to be a roundish chap, upon approaching them he removes his helmet and we discover its 'Corky' from Canterbury. We soon point him in the right direction and return to our meal of Lamb Medallions and Eye Fillet steak. Perhaps heading back to camp may well have been a mistake at this point, but as you do we socialized to the wee hours. Someone in the Northland tent (Big Pete I suspect) produced some bloody Sambuca (gee you would think we would have learnt that lesson). That fuel additive mixed with excess amounts of OP Rum and beer was a cocktail that could not be stomached, so a couple of Chapter members decide after drinking too much to spread it across the grassed area. Great weed killer that stuff (for a better description of these events see Trev and the Mad Farmer).

We wake rather late on the Saturday, Ray was greeted with the news that as VP he had to run the AGM, hmmm what a shame, no agenda, no meeting minutes from 2004, this should be good. Obviously the meeting started late as he gathered his thoughts, tried to sober up and pull together an agenda that would get us through. All turned out fine as the AGM was attended by some 70 odd members (a good turn out really). Following that young Paul (Akl Organiser, know as Punch by some) gave a run down of the days events. Two rides were on, one to the city to cover the bike shops and tourist attractions, and one to the Country side. Ray had to travel to Tauranga for a 80th Birthday, the Mad Farmer (still looking pretty unwell) and Des ("Fingers" from the South) headed off for the day with Ray while Trev, likewise still suffering from food poisoning (there's another lesson, don't eat whilst drinking you could get sick) elected to go on the ride through the county side. Both ride groups started to filter back to camp by mid afternoon to watch the bike games. Highlight being a couple with no brains taking one of the push bike outfits as far up the hill as they could and then harrowing down only to end up in a heap in the bottom of the stream ford. Not to be outdone Ken from Dunedin decided to join them. Too much Speight's eh Ken? Quick polish of bikes and they are all lined up for the bike show.

Guest judges, who were apparently open to brides, soon had their winners. Best under 500 was a 250 Trophy Trail with best 500 a very nice 68 Daytona and Trev's café racer despite an argument with a wayward tent pole earlier in the day taking out best custom. Kenton from Auckland and his bathtub Bonny was best 650 and pre unit going to an Auckland member with his 49 pre unit special. Rat bike went to Pete from Northland on a T150 complete with a plastic rat wired to the tool roll. Pity no one told the judges that he had to be trailered into rally on the Friday night. Pete the trooper he is flatly refused to ride in on the trailer so pillioned in with the Mad Farmer. Unfortunately the memory has dimmed and I can't lay my hands on the rest of the winners, best triple, best Hinckley etc. It is noted though that Ray, our newly elected president did not make it back from the 80th birthday party in Tauranga in time to pick Presidents choice. The VP substituted for him and the 250 Trophy picked that one up. The North by fair means won the 'tug of war' but no trophy this year as the south being keen to hold on to it elected not to bring it North. Dinner Saturday night was a hugh plateful of roast pork and vege's for the princely sum of $10, well done Auckland. While we sat around eating dinner and oiling up the brain with 'Willies' finest the band set their equipment up and the party was on. With some still feeling the effects of Friday night the old drinking was a tad slower. Selina was called back home for a family crisis and it was noted Rob had crashed by about 9:30pm, quietly all tucked up in bed (what a good boy). Saturday night wasn't a late one by any means with most of our group in the tent by 1:00am (blame the Sambuca I say). Sunday dawned all fine again, the Akl. Chapter had promised bacon and eggs for breakfast. We did the usual pack up wondering how the hell we got everything into the bag in the first place. We wandered around the camp having another coffee and saying farewells to all present quickly filled an hour or so. Breakfast was still a distance off so our group decided to head away with Trev (who used to live in Akl) leading the way, yep lost again as we rode into some shops we didn't see on the way up. Once back on track and onto the motorway (thanks Rob, who usually always gets lost) we called in to new dump construction site (near Meremere) hoping to spot the new formulae 1 race track and apartment complex that is rumored to have started construction. After much riding around construction zones and roads under construction we gave up. We found the new prison and the new dump, but no new race track (bugga) but never mind back to the journey home.

 We all stopped in at Ngaruawahia for a coffee with Mrs. Orton before proceeding. Trev went home via the main road (didn't want to get lost again) while we took the back way to Whatawhata. A splash of gas and home for Ray whilst Rob, Selina and the Mad Farmer made a dash to the Pirongia (well its 5:00pm in the world somewhere isn't it). That's the National Rally, bring on 2006 in Wanganui (rumored to be a Sambuca free Rally). Awesome to catch up with all those Southerners (great effort guys for making the trip) and the other club members at the Rally. Great work TOMCC Auckland and thanks.

Trev & Ray. TOMCC Waikato.