Easter in the golden west

• 10-17 April, 2022 – Bathurst, NSW

Vintage Motorcycle Club of Australia (NSW) Inc. Bathurst Easter Tour

For the 48th year, veteran, vintage and classic bikes descended upon Bathurst, the late Easter date seeing the district bathed in the beautiful colours of autumn. Despite the deluges that have caused such distress elsewhere in the state, the weather was nigh-on perfect throughout the eight days, with a healthy roll up of 125 there to enjoy perfect riding conditions, mindful of the potholes. Each day followed a different route from the base at Kelso, and those that rode the entire Tour would have clocked up just short of 1,000 km. As always, the Tour brought out a healthy line up of old stagers, which departed the rally HQ each day one hour ahead of the others, and there were some real beauties such as Ross Inman’s 1916 GCS and Dennis Seng’s 1915 ANA, both Melbourne-built. As always, riding number 1 was reserved for Don Liddle OAM, who started this event back in 1974 and who rode his immaculate 1952 Harley outfit.

Day 1 took the field to the old Trunkey Creek pub, while Monday’s ride went to Carcoar Dam where everyone was fed hot dogs courtesy of the Newcastle Vintage club. The longest ride, 170km return was on Tuesday to Burraga and on to Oberon, and shortest of just 60km on Wednesday to Chifley Dam. The historic village of Sofala was Thursday’s destination, followed by Tarana on Friday. The Easter weekend itself took in scenic Milthorpe near Orange with a free BBQ dinner at the Caravan Park, and the event concluded with a short ride to O’Connell on Sunday.

Thanks must go to Lee Wright and his helpers for putting on another great event and hopefully by the time the 49th Easter Tour rolls around in 2023, Covid will be just a dim memory. ■

ABOVE Everyone arrives at Carcoar Dam for a feed of hot dogs. RIGHT Rob Sommerville motoring into Newbridge on his 1958 AJS comp model.

Mark Vella’s 1930 R10 AJS at Trunkey Creek.

ABOVE The first day’s ride arrives at Trunkey pub.

Rick Nabkey on his Guzzi GTV at Carcoar.

Hans Sprangers on his 1936 Nimbus.

Veterans at Carcoar Dam. Dennis Seng’s ANA, Les Allen’s Bradbury, and Michael Jordan’s unrestored 1916 Triumph.

Founder to the Bathurst Tour, Don Liddle OAM on his Harley outfit.

Hot Cross Buns at Chifley Dam.

Peter Ward heads to Chifley Dam on his Tiger 100 Triumph.

Tony Gosling on his 1957 A10 BSA at Perthville.

Noel Terry sets off for a lap of Mount Panorama on his Yamaha TX650.

Ross Inman departs Carcoar dam on his GCS.