 Summer of the 17th Gresford
This years Gresford rally had near perfect weather. The previous year had thrown proverbial cats and dogs at the riders but this year the sun shone, the countryside was green and lush and I had one of the best rides in ages.
The ride from the Blue Mountains to Gresford via Bells Line of Road and the Putty Road was excellent. I was aiming to meet up with the Hunter Valley riders in Singleton at noon but I was too late heading off from home. But when I reached the Gresford and found the Beatty Hotel I was greeted by the site of a half dozen Nortons parked all over the car park, under trees on the grass. There was even a Guzzi in the bush. The front bar was full of locals in cowboy hats but I found the rest of club out the back. Time to catch up with them over a cooling ale and a very tasty counter lunch. Good to catch up with people I have only had email contact with for the last year or so.
I was keen to get down to the camp site and get comfy so I headed down to the banks of the Paterson. Very nice shady spot by the river under the trees. Bob was there in his favourite spot have a look at Gresford 2008 and compare with the picture from this year. The only thing that has changed is that the bike has morphed from a 16H into a Big 4. Bob gave me a run down on the history but I should have taken notes. Perhaps we can get him to put a page together for the site. It was fascinating and really wetted my appetite to one day ride a vintage bike.
Col had his cherry red 74 Commando Roadster 850 parked up next to his tent. Stan's grey 750 S with the Roadster pipes was under its cover for the night next to a heap of cruisers which seemed to be the preferred mount of many a member whose Norton was for whatever reason back home in the garage. I have to put my hand up for this as I had travelled on my Triumph.
Then there was the Italian sector with Mazzo's beautiful 750 sport and Lynn's new Moto Guzzi Breva and Germany was represented by Tommo's BMW 1150 GS. A truly international rally. But back to the Nortons John's 750 Fastback LR was there in all its glory sporting a number plate that must be reserved for the new Norton! And it was Kirsten's turn to ride her pretty 750 Roadster to a rally. There it was in all its glory resplendent in Ford Thunderbird blue with extra sparkle. Steve had driven up with their daughter in the car loaded with snags, steak, bread, onions and drinks. I have to say The Hunter Valley branch host a great rally, they have a great set up, food, bbq, the super esky and club trailer the works. Thanks for all the hard work lads and lasses
And then the Steely Dan started, lots and lots of Steely Dan. I love Steely Dan and it was the perfect soundtrack for a lazy summer afternoon. Before too long the bbq was fired up and I had the best steak and sanger sandwich that I have had in years. Great fun talking Nortons and bikes in general.
I woke in the morning to the sound of a Norton twin making its way up the Gresford road and after pulling myself out of the worlds smallest tent I was greeted by Steve on his Mk III with custom ceramic coated 'S' type headers from Viking in NZ. Parked up next to him was Armo's Mk2 850 and they made a handsome sight in black and yellow. Then Jeff turned up on his unapproachable Atlas with Bevan on his chook chaser. So a total of eight Nortons, one Triumph, a Ducati, a Moto Guzzi, a BMW, two Harleys, a Honda and a Yamaha
Breakfast was as good as dinner and it was good to a have a natter over a cuppa tea. But the sun was up and there was a days riding a head. I took the road up towards Allynbrook which was a delightful mistake, beautiful country, I will have to go back with a map one time. Then back to Gresford and off to Singleton and back to the Blue Mountains via Broke, Wollombi, Wisemans Ferry, Freemans Reach and Bilpin. A few hundred k's. What a hoot.
Paul Photos and video from the rally can be viewed on the clubs  site. |
