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Norton Owners Club of NZ Mail Run Rally

21 March, 2015 – Taupo-Napier, NZ

The annual Mail Run from Taupo to Napier went ahead this year in glorious weather, so with everyone in good spirits it was a good turnout of girder forked and rigid framed bikes that assembled at the Marina start point – some 54 bikes of all makes and models. The first leg was concluded with only one bike requiring a lift due to a faulty clutch. Some minor fettling was seen to be done amongst the other bikes but it was then my turn to ride Richard Caudwell’s 29 350cc Indian Prince. Having followed Richard two weeks previously at the Indian Rally held in Wellington, I was keen to feel how this bike went. I’m pleased to say I was not disappointed. It got away steadily through the gears and once in top happily cruised at around 40mph, pulling up the gentle inclines on the way and only having to use 2nd gear to negotiate a hairpin corner on a steeper incline just before the lunch stop at Tarawera. At the lunch stop, the run was meet by about 30 Hawkes Bay Classic Club members who each year come to give all the old bikes encouragement to continue to Napier.

This year, bridge repairs only caused minor delays but tended to split the riders in groups so the regroup at Napier Airport was the scene of some good hearted banter as the bikes duly arrived and prepared for the run into town. At the destination the bikes were parked in their decades for a public display while the riders recounted the day’s happenings over refreshments. A great day and great bikes and riders! The prize giving saw Dennis Bristow “s 1927 BSA to be rider’s choice for the Rally and so was the winner of the “Tin Man Trophy” awarded for the second year. See you all when we do it again next year!