Hamilton Rally
This mini-rally, although held in Victoria, was organised by the Velocette Owners Club of Australia (SA), and proved to be a very enjoyable several day’s riding around the roads in that neck of the woods. Most rallyists arrived on the Friday; from SA, Victoria and even from northern NSW. Those driving or riding down from SA had some difficulties with high winds creating dust storms that at times reduced visibility to less than 300 metres. In fact, one major road north of Adelaide was closed. The nearer we got to Hamilton the less dust there was. The total number of 25 machines comprised 18 Velocettes of different models plus seven other makes, and 35 rallyists in total.
Day 1 saw us riding from Hamilton and doing a circuit that included the Lava Blisters at Tumuli, Macarthur, Hawkesville then lunch at Port Fairy, returning to Hamilton via Bessiebelle, Hometon and Condah. Total distance covered was 168 miles. There had been rain around, especially the morning, but we were fortunate enough to skirt around it with only a few km of rain to contend with.
Day 2 was a ride to Dunkeld then to Willaura and on to Ararat for lunch. We then rode to Halls Gap via Moyston and Pomonal. Halls Gap has a famous ice-creamery which was well patronised by us. The route back to Hamilton was via the Grampians Road and Victoria Valley. A total of 174 miles covered with great riding weather all day.
Day 3 we travelled to Cavendish and Vasey for the trip down through Coleraine via the Coleraine-Balmoral Road. It was then on to Casterton for lunch via Merino and Henty. Some rain at Casterton as lunch ended held us up for a short time then it was straight down the Glenelg Highway, with some more rain, and back to Hamilton to give time for everyone to pack ready for departure the next day. 131 miles covered.
All in all an excellent few days with some new friendships being forged and others catching up with old friends again. Such are Velocette’s “good companions”! A farewell function was held on Sunday evening at the Caravan Park, with “Pud” Freeman presenting the VOCA SA Meritorious Award to Julie and Ray Goulter for their work in assisting with the organisation of the 2019 VOCA Good Companions Rally to be held at Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills this coming November. VOCA SA is again organising another Velocette minirally to Hamilton again next year.