Bikers’ annual ride of remembrance today for war vets
Organisers of the South Canterbury Ride of Remembrance hope Easter Weekend will not impact the turnout for this year’s charity fundraiser.
The region’s four motorcycle clubs – Bronz (Bikers Rights Organisation New Zealand), Post Vintage, TTAG (Timaru, Temuka and Geraldine), and the Town and Country Club’s motorcycle division – will ride together today to honour war veterans and raise money for RSAs in the area.
Last year 85 riders signed up, some from as far afield as Dunedin, raising about $2500 for war veterans.
Despite a showery weather forecast for today’s ride, Combined Motorcycle Clubs of South Canterbury committee member Graham Wyllie predicts that the holiday will be more of an issue.
‘‘We wanted to fit it in before Anzac Day,’’ Wyllie explained.
‘‘We probably should have done it after but we still hope to have 50-80 riders.’’
The ride starts at Timaru’s South Canterbury Returned and Services Association (SCRSA) on Wai-iti Rd,
‘‘We probably should have done it after [Anzac Day] but we still hope to have 50-80 riders.’’ Graham Wyllie
with registration at 8.30am before a 9.30am departure.
In addition to the $15 registration fee, funds will be raised through the sale of commemorative patches.
This year, the route will miss out Ashburton and instead loop through RSAs in Waimate for morning tea, Fairlie for lunch, Geraldine for afternoon tea and, finally, Temuka before returning to Timaru.
‘‘We wanted to give the opportunity to other RSAs to be included.’’
Wyllie described the event as one of the few opportunities to bring the region’s motorcycle clubs together.
Everyone is invited to stay on afterwards at the SCRSA where meals will be on offer.