Out of isolation

HMCCQ Fraser Coast Days of Glory Rally

Finally, our Days of Glory Rally arrived and due to COVID-19 isolation and not being able to ride bikes, everyone was keen to dust their bikes off and get away for the weekend and a ride. Riders started to arrive Friday and set up, some from as far as Emerald to attend the rally at the Kilkivan Showgrounds.

After everyone had settled in, we decided to travel to Woolooga Hotel for a short ride and a beer. Leaving the showgrounds with 32 bikes we got a couple of kilometres up the road and down came the rain but we continued on. When we arrived at the hotel the publican came out and gave his horse a carrot. Someone asked if he would like to buy a calendar but he said “I wouldn’t be here next year” and closed the doors on us. So, there we were standing under the verandas of the hotel and looking at all the closed shops waiting for the rain to stop; soaked outside and dry inside. When the rain eased it was decided to make a run for home which Burt Monroe would have been proud of to see the old bikes using his moto “there’s only two speeds; flat out and faster”.

Back at base campfire pits had been spread out and lit so riders could warm up yet keep social distancing. Once everyone was nice and warm, they enjoyed a quiet ale and a good feed and much bantering about getting locked out of the pub – not recommended as a bike-friendly hotel. Next morning the bike display was cancelled in town due to COVID19 to keep our members away from the public who usually are travellers coming through. The afternoon ride got underway heading up the Tansey Range into Goomeri to refuel then return home. We had two breakdowns on this run, a 1924 Indian and a 1979 Triumph Bonneville. Both bikes were repaired that night thanks to other members who had spares and they were ready next morning.

Sunday morning was a bit brisk with 41 bikes and one sidecar assembling for the 160 kilometre ride. There were bikes from all Japanese makes, British BSA, Norton and Triumph, Czechoslovakian Jawa, German BMW, Italian

Moto Guzzi, Ducati and Benelli and American iron, Harley and Indian. We set out for Goomeri via the back roads with me as tail end Charlie and after a couple of kilometres and a few turns I noticed riders heading towards me, apparently the leader had missed a turn. Once back on track we continued along the roads with the picturesque countryside surrounding us towards Manumbar Campdraft grounds, only to realise the leader took another wrong turn. Eventually we arrived at the grounds for a hot cuppa and morning tea to warm everyone up, then back out onto the road towards Kinbombi Falls and back to camp without a single breakdown.

The weekend turned out to be enjoyable even though COVID-19 restrictions were kept in place and everyone adhered to the rules using sanitiser and distancing. A big thank you goes out to all the support crew and volunteers that made this rally possible and safe. It goes to show with careful planning these rallies can go ahead.

7-9 August, 2020 – Kilkivan Showgrounds, Qld