Rally creates a buzz in Cheviot
More than 150 motorbikes roared into Cheviot for a rally yesterday, providing a much-needed boost for the quake-affected town.
Since the Kaikoura quake turned State Highway 1 north of Waipara into a giant cul-de-sac, townships in the area have been faced with a struggle to stay afloat due to the loss of reliable passing traffic between Picton and Christchurch.
But the now-quiet roads are ideal for motorbikes, cycles and classic car groups, which the township is hoping to encourage to visit.
Rally organiser Kirsten Vaughan said she was ‘‘really happy’’ with the turnout, after her husband, Alf Walker, had said they would be doing well to get 30 bikes.
They encouraged all motorcyclists to attend, regardless of the type of bike they rode, and Vaughan said they ‘‘had them all’’ there on the ride.
She said the goal was to both raise some money for the Kaikoura Mayoral Earthquake Fund and to increase awareness among the motorcycle community that they could go on a good ride to the north.
‘‘There’s no-one on the roads up there at the moment so it’s a pretty free run up there.’’
Participants each paid $10 towards the fund, and local motorcycle shops and other groups donated over $3300 worth of goods to be raffled. The rally raised about $4315 in total, as well as providing much needed business to cafes in Cheviot and Domett.
The couple were ‘‘really gutted’’ to not be able to ride in the rally, after both of their bikes broke down on Saturday. ’’The day started with getting in the car to go to the motorcycle run.’’
The rally was well-received by local cafes.
‘‘Comments from some of them were that it’s pretty much made their week for them,’’ said Vaughan.
The Paddock Cafe owner Frances Robinson said locals were ‘‘lining the street’’ to see the bikes come in, which did the community a huge amount of good.
‘‘It’s been a huge boost for us, for business and morale as well.
‘‘I think you just take for granted everything you see each week, all the beautiful scenery and that, and these guys are getting a lot of enjoyment out of it.’’
Robinson said a group of about 40 cyclists had come through on Saturday as well.
Cheviot tea Rooms owner Lyn Turner said the motorcycles created ‘‘a real buzz’’, especially for her staff.
‘‘They certainly spread themselves around the whole town which was a bonus for everyone.
‘‘It just gives everybody a lift, to think ‘hello, we’re still in business’’’.