Skillful driving
Gold Wing Riders skilfully manoeuver their bikes to thrill the crowd
Muscle motorcycles showed incredible manoeuvring abilities in a limited space during the annual Gold Wing Road Riders Association event in Summerside on the weekend.
Spectators in the grandstand cheered as muscle motorcycles showed incredible manoeuvring and balance skills in a limited space.
The annual event, the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA), was held in the Credit Union Place parking lot on Saturday afternoon. Heavy machines narrowly weaved past one another, before forming a tight circle with knees only inches above the tarmac. The motorcycles then trailed off in an orderly line, before completing another weave while the spectators burst into applause.
“We’re doing a Drill Team Exhibition. It’s just a fun thing for us to do, and there’s camaraderie and fellowship between the bikers. These guys know their bikes really well and can do special stunts with them,” explained Stephen Pineau, the organizer of the Annapolis Valley Drill Team event.
“It requires concentration and knowing what your bike can do. These are 1500 and 1800-cc motorcycle Gold Wings made by Honda. And these guys are exceptional. They practice every week and they really know how to handle a bike.” Many of the riders are aged 50 or older, with plenty of members in their 80s.
“We have an 82-year-old biker with plenty of distance touring,” grinned Pineau. “The Gold Wing’s motto is fun and safety with friends and knowledge.” The main focus of the group is distance touring and spreading safety messages.
“We teach motorcycle courses – how to be safe on the vehicle and how to handle them on the road. These guys are showcasing all the things they practised. And you would think they are going to run into each other, but they don’t,” he added. People came from all over the United States and Canada to watch the drill exhibition that was followed by a motorcycle parade through downtown Summerside.
There are more than 80,000 Gold Wing members around the world.
More information on the GWRRA club is available at: www.gwrra-canada.ca.