98 Steve Thompson Ride

One of the longest established and best supported events of the classic rally calendar, the annual Bathurst Easter Tour conducted by the Vintage MCC of NSW, suffered the fate of most others in 2020, being cancelled due to COVID. This was a great blow to literally hundreds of regular entrants, many usually based at the event headquarters, the Bathurst Caravan Park. Still, such is life in these times. Amid the subsequent lamenting of the loss of this great gathering, which runs for eight days for those wishing to take in the lot, a plan was hatched amongst a group of Macquarie Towns club members to ride these great roads as soon as we were legally able, and a mid-September date selected.

And so, around 18 riders and several pillion partners descended on the location in glorious spring weather and set out to ride some of the usual Easter Tour loops which allow a completely different route to be covered each day. After a recent drenching with welcome and very worthwhile rain, the countryside was lush and verdant, dams brimming and spring growth everywhere. Perfect riding conditions. Midway through this week, Wednesday 16th September, also marked what would have been the 67th birthday of the late Steve Thompson, one of the club’s keenest and most active members, so that solved the problem of what to call our unofficial rally. Fittingly, Steve’s widow Ferne was part of the group on her BMW.

Actually, the Monday and Friday were really arrival/set up or departure days, but that left three full days of activity. The route for the first two days wasas mapped out and led by local Jim

Merrick on his immaculate CBX1000 Honda. Two members who would normally have been riders, Clyde Ikin and John Steain, were both hors de combat after recent operations, but acted as back up drivers. Tuesday’s run encompassed Tarana, Oberon, Black Springs, and O’Connell before returning to base. Wednesday was the longest run, from Bathurst to Sofala, Hill End, returning via Turondale, while

Thursday took in Newbridge, Blayney, Forest Reefs, Milthorpe Carcoar and Neville – dry roads and clear blue skies. On arrival at Milthorpe we were greeted by a photo journalist working for the ABC, who gleefully snapped away and chatted to everyone.

That story which focuses on how regional NSW is coping with the pandemic and encouraging tourism (such as us!) can be seen on the ABC website, abc.net.au.

While a completely unofficial gathering, the ‘event’ proved such a blast that it was soon suggested that it become an annual event itself. Who knows what the situation will be in one year’s time, but the idea certainly has merit. ■

ABOVE Lunch stop in historic Milthorpe. BELOW History is everywhere in Hill End. Always on the shutter, Mrs Editor at work.

Son of CB1100R; Glen Merrick’s ultra rare CB250RS-Z. The editor’s VF750 Honda in Hill End. Soaking up the sun in Blayney. One of the newer bikes on the run: Geoff Radcliffe’s 2008 Rotax-engined Buell. Born and bred in Hill End, Gary Hocking outside his grandparents’ original home.