104 BSA National Rally
The BSA Owners Club of Qld had a jam-packed agenda planned for the 16th B.S.A National Rally. The Crows Nest Tourist Park on the New England Highway 2km from the centre of the thriving town of Crows Nest north of Toowoomba was Rally HQ. The Park has a designated camp kitchen known as the “Clubhouse” which is offered exclusively to clubs for their rallies by Park Management. Also on-site is a restaurant (open to the public) that we could use for our presentation dinner. No need to travel off-site for the night. Usually a 2-day event, this year we were trialling a 4-day Rally in an effort to accommodate those coming from further afield. Planned excursions included visits to 5 of the top tourist locations around the Darling Downs with a 25-seat bus supplied for nonriders, partners and the unfortunate riders of bikes of dubious reliability. We had short rides for veteran bikes and longer rides for the younger ones planned all on beautiful country roads. Everything was rolling along perfectly. Then COVID-19 hit.
Borders closed, reopened and closed again. Gatherings were banned and then allowed but at reduced numbers. For months the question of should we postpone or cancel hung in the air. Regardless of these changes we kept a positive attitude and forged ahead in the hope that participants from the other states would be able to attend. Unfortunately, by the start of October it was evident that this was not going be possible. So, taking into consideration the impacts cancelling the event would have on already suffering local businesses we decided to go ahead with a COVID Safe Planned almost National B.S.A National Rally.
Thursday was day 1 and following registration there was a short ride for older bikes to Gus Beutel Lookout in the picturesque Ravensbourne National Park. A nice little 90-minute round trip to kick things off. Once back at the Park it was Happy Hour which included a sausage sizzle and some welcome refreshments. Day 2 was a massive day with an early start. Our first stop would be The Barn and Scotty’s Garage at Flagstone. Travelling via Murph’s Creek and Helidon this section of the trip was mostly downhill and along flat roads. So after a huge morning tea in The
Barn and a tour of Scotty’s Garage we had to do the enviable climb back up the mountain. With a lot of “I think I can… I think I can…” moments from the bikes (and riders) we made it to the top of the mountain and started to head south to our lunch destination, the iconic home of Dad and Dave – Rudd’s Pub in Nobby. With wet whistles and even fuller bellies we slowly made our way back to the park via Drayton and Growie Junction. We need to acknowledge Gary Bowman and his 1962 Bantam at this point. Both managed to do the full 223km without issue. Yes, even the steep incline from Flagstone to Toowoomba (albeit he did get a head start).
Day 3, Saturday. After yesterday’s big ride, we slowed it down a bit with a later start and a shorter distance to travel. This ride was aimed at getting those older bikes out on flatter roads. The route to the Australian Army Flying Museum Oakey would be via country roads with little traffic. In total a round trip of 98kms. The Museum treated us to a tour conducted by WOFF Clark who really knew his stuff explaining in detail all the high-quality displays and machines on show. Following the tour of the Museum we were treated to a wonderful BBQ lunch and yummy desserts prepared for us by the Bunya Park Scout Group. Great work kids (and
adults). Later that afternoon was our opportunity to show our pride and joys off to the world. The Show and Shine had been widely advertised by the local paper, the Tourist Park and the Crows Nest Motorcycle Friendly group which meant that there was a constant stream of onlookers all afternoon.
Our presentation dinner was held in the Parks restaurant, “The Curly Carrot” that night. Jess and her team did a wonderful job of catering for us all. Following the meal, it was Trophy presentation, raffle draws and then the fun of Trivia. Winners were certainly grinner’s with Pat Ernst taking home the 2020 Rally Banner, Table of Knowledge (a pun I’m sure) winning the trivia. While there were 8 trophy winners the Best in Show – B.S.A Owners Club National Rally Perpetual Trophy – was won by our own Fred Jupe. Fred at the age of 87 is the last of our B.S.A Owners Club of Queensland founding members and now with his name on the trophy he will be remembered forever.
The final day (Day 4) was again a later start with a short ride up the New England Highway to McCoy’s Café
Cooyar. Here participants not only got to enjoy wonderful food and great coffee but they also had the opportunity to meet the legendary MotoGP rider Gary McCoy. Always gracious he signed coffee cups and posed for photos. Perhaps after our visit he might be inclined to add another Beezer to the shop. A mate for his wife’s Dandy. Sadly, it was also here that we needed to say goodbye to those participants heading back to the park and returning home. A small number of determined riders continued onto the Bunya Mountains for lunch returning triumphant later in the day just in time for our final
Happy Hour and a meal of leftovers. The B.S.A Owners Club of Queensland would like to thank all those who worked hard to make the 16th BSA National Rally a success. Thank you to the local business and clubs that accommodated and provided for us. The biggest thank you has to go to our participants. Without your attendance we would not have been able to go ahead let alone had as much fun as we did. We look forward to seeing you again soon. ■