It’s not how you finish, but how you compete

OVER the years I’ve taken part in a large number of motorcycle rallies and group rides. There’s something very exciting about trundling along as part of a large group of riders. It’s a feeling you simply can’t get while driving a car. Being in a car is rather like watching the world on television: it happens behind a glass screen. On a bike you’re part of it – the breeze, the scents and the sounds surround you.

Some rides come close to being races, while others are more leisurely events.

I’ve travelled thousands of two-wheeled kilometres, both in South Africa and in Europe, and loved every single one. I once completed an epic journey on Vespa scooters with my friend Ben Vandenberg. We travelled from Cape Point all the way to Groningen in Holland. (With a little help from Alitalia along the way).

The one regular motorcycle event I’ve always enjoyed has been the Century Run, which takes place on April 15 this year and is being organised by the Triumph Owners’ Club.

The unique thing about the Century Run is that, in order to qualify, the combined age of the rider and motorcycle must be more than 100 years.

When I last competed I had a 50-year old East German bike and together we rang up a total of 115 years. There was at least one machine that was a century old, meaning it could have been entered by a teenager and still qualified.

There’s a special trophy this year for the combination that exceeds 200 years. Appropriately, it’s called the Methuselah Trophy.

One of the interesting aspects of an event like this is the fact that there are almost sure to be breakdowns along the way. Riders and machines get a bit creaky after all those years, so there’s a great feeling of camaraderie along the route and there’s always a helping hand and some good advice when your old banger groans to a halt at the roadside.

In fact, on two of the three century rides I’ve entered, I’ve crossed the finish line on the back of somebody’s bakkie. Both occasioned by a flat tyre. In spite of that, they were enormous fun.

For anybody interested in fine old restored machines, and some fine old restored riders in pretty good nick, it’s worth being at the start or finish to watch. The organisers hope to get 100 entries this year.

The event starts in the traffic circle at Century City (where else?) at 10am and ends at the Cape Multi-Motor Club in Parow. The riders will start to gather from 8.30am.

For details, and to enter the event, you can call the organiser, Eddie Kirkwood on 021 712 2934. It’s a hoot.

Last Laugh

Late one night, Freddie was returning from a long session at the local pub when he came across a motorcyclist stranded at the roadside trying to fix his bike.

Freddie stopped his car and leaned out of the window. “What’s the matter, pal?” he asked. “Piston broke,” replied the biker. “Yeah,” said Freddie, “so am I.”