Bevel Rally
Beaudesert was buzzing on Saturday morning when a bunch of Ducatis rumbled into town. While this rally was for the benefit of Ducatis of the bevel variety, plenty of belt drive and a chain drive came along as support. 2018 was the 11th running of the event. Brad Goostrey (rally organiser) assembled the crowd for a briefing while a few dark clouds also mustered in the hills around us. Yes, a sprinkling of the wet stuff greeted us most of the way through Boonah, Rathdowney and to the first stop just before Woodenbong where the Mt Lindesay highway intersects with Summerland way. Next stop was Casino for lunch where again a little rain did fall, but as we rode the Bruxner Hwy to Tenterfield sun poked through every now and then. We had all pretty much arrived at our overnight destination in Tenterfield before the heavens really opened. The dinner venue at the Best Western Henry Parkes Motor Inn was a sight to behold. The owners had set up four rows of white clothed tables and black fabric draped chairs in the centre of their function room. We wheeled in 48 bevels (including four singles) and parked them around the perimeter. The bar was stocked and the chef busy in the kitchen, having to cater for 97 hungry people. This year’s B & B shirts were handed out and the talk-fest began. Pre-dinner, Brad said a few words. He took great
satisfaction in mentioning that over the 334 km of damp squiggly roads from Beaudesert not one bevel required the recovery trailer. Taglioni would have been as proud as we bevel riders, and the pleasure it brought was visible in the smiles on all our faces. We also need to acknowledge the bevel owners who had ridden from as far afield as Rockhampton to the north and Sydney to the south to join us at the best one-night Museum Restaurant in the world. The bevel owners must be applauded for not just the strain of the ride but the risk of damage to these now very expensive machines. Brad had hung a B & B T-shirt from every one of the previous 10 years on a partition at the back of the room. Yes, they were all from his wardrobe so well done Brad for riding every rally. New DOCQ President Rob Stevenson took over with a short presentation. He had some framed certificates to present to Terry White (rally founder all those years ago) and Brad Goostrey for taking the reins up until now and slowly growing the rally to the success we witnessed in 2018. Well done I say. A few raffle prizes were handed out and thanks must go to the people who donated them. Ian Oakes of Warana Imports donated a motorcycle front wheel stand, won by Wayne Sanderson. The Hotel Cecil donated a bottle of Bundy Rum which was won by Ian Murray. Finally, Kerrie Sprong donated a backpack, hat, water bottle etc from Sunprints which was won by Narelle Wright.
Next day at breakfast the talk fest continued as we all spent a little more time together before farewells and returning home. Those that rode the Bruxner found it littered with bark, leaves and the odd fallen branch which was a reminder of the severity of the storm we thankfully dodged. Many thanks must be extended to Brad, Terry, Rob, and all the participating ‘bevel heads’ for embracing the early part of Ducati history. Although thankfully not needed, we also must acknowledge Martin Smith who towed the recovery trailer down and back. Thanks also to the Best Western, particularly Tamalee, Leah and staff, for a fantastic night, welcoming the club and allowing us to park the bikes inside the venue. So, for 2019 dust off your old bevels and join in. The Saturday night dinner surrounded by all those magnificent motorcycles is just the most amazing thing I’ve been a part of for a long, long time.