THE success of the Inverell Motorcycle Restorers' Club's 14th annual rally last weekend has organisers wondering just how much bigger the event can become.

A massive 147 riders registered for the rally, while another 50 machines joined the ride to Warialda and Bingara on Saturday.

The number surpassed last year's record field of 137 entries.

When organisers first began planning for the 2006 edition they estimated a field of about 80 riders because of the clash with the Tom Roberts Festival opening and other local events.

They never envisaged doubling their early expectations.

"It was just brilliant," club secretary Mac McCulloch said. "It was far bigger than what we could have ever hoped.

"It keeps increasing each year, so I don't know how we are going to follow that up next year."

Riders from the Sunshine Coast, Sydney, NSW coastal areas, Coonabarabran and the North West joined Northern Tablelands enthusiasts for the weekend.

The rally stopped at a Delungra winery on its way to Warialda and Bingara, where the Bingara Sporting Club served lunch to 211 people.

Riders then returned to Inverell via Copeton Dam, while some continued on to the Inverell Transport Museum.

More than 150 meals were served at the Pioneer Village on Saturday night before riders saddled up for a trip to the Bruderhof community the following morning.

Mr McCulloch said the generosity of Inverell people had helped make the rally such a huge success.

"The help we got was amazing," he said.

"We are only a small club of about 28 members, but everybody pulled together.

"Even the Inverell Jockey Club was marvellous ... they provided tables and chairs.

"The Pioneer Village was absolutely brilliant. It is such a great asset for the town.

"And many riders were highly impressed by the Transport Museum."

One of the more unusual, and one of the oldest, bikes in the rally was a 1925 Veloce.

Mr McCulloch said the Brisbane owner rode the bike to all stops during the rally, while another couple travelled the entire distance on an Italian 125cc Vesper scooter.

There were few incidents during the rally, although Inverell's Paul Saint had a breakdown on his German-made Pusch and a Brisbane rider's BSA Twin seized up on the journey to the Bruderhofs.

"He rode it to a standstill," Mr McCulloch said of the BSA rider. "He left a long skid mark on the road."

n Your Say Page 6

© 2006 Inverell Times

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