FIRST RALLY WAIRARAPA MOTORCYCLE TRIAL WORDS AND PHOTOS CLIVE SOMERVILLE
Where is Carterton? AttheridersbrieQngofthe 2021 Wairarapa Motorcycle Reliability Trial, Branch Chairman, Willie James, said, “…and I would like to thank Clive for coming down from the Waikato for…” I interrupted. “To be clear, I wasn’t sure where Carterton was, and it was much to my chagrinthatspentsixhours in the car last night.” My interjection received a warm chuckle. This, and the welcome, set the precedent for hospitality and support during the weekend’s endeavours. Growing up I loved hear tales about my Grandad riding the Wall of Death; going over the Wall in Whangarei and spending his 21st in hospital, how a smaller 2-stroke bike was easier to ride, only needing to go about 30mph to put on a show. My favourite story was of his having saved £225 from theWallandstuzngthe money in his breast pocket he caught the train from HuntlytoAuckland,taxiedto White’s of Newmarket, and purchased a new Triumph SpeedTwinotheRoor.The shop owner admonished him for carrying £225 in his pocket on the train. The TriumphT)5 ( wasaQnebike with a maroon tank – he proudly rode it home.
38 Beaded Wheels
