MORE than 200 motorbikes were on parade through the main street of Rosewood as part of the 50th anniversary of the Historical Motor Cycle Club of Queensland, last Wednesday.
The club was established in September 1970 and now has more than 1,300 members from all parts of Queensland including Brisbane, Burnett, Childers, Dalby, Fraser Coast, Gladstone, Gympie, Ipswich, Kingaroy, Pine Rivers, Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast, Tamborine Mountain, Toowoomba and Warwick.
In explaining the members’ motivation, Club Chairman, Bailey Rowe said they took great pride in keeping motorbikes which were 30 years or older, on the road, while encouraging the restoration and preservation of post-war and other historic motorcycles.
He said the Club’s ‘half-a-century’ anniversary was in reality last year but due to Covid, that celebration ride was cancelled.
“It was great to be back on the road again this year to formally recognise the Club’s 50th anniversary.”
The celebrations were headquartered at Ivory’s Rock at Peak Crossing.
“The rally took place over eight days,” Mr Rowe said.
“We set out each day exploring local country roads and we were even part of the Ipswich Galvanised Heritage Festival.
“One trip took us from Ivory’s Rock through Rosewood where we stopped for a coffee before going on to Laidley’s Historical Village where we all shared a delicious lunch.”
The oldest bike at the rally was a 1911 Triumph.
All of the bikes are kept to their original form but this can prove a challenge.
“My bike is a 1916 Rover which was put to the test during the ride when we hit the very steep hills both on the road to Laidley and also on the road through Tallegalla,” Mr Rowe said.
“At one stage I had to push my bike up the steep hill to Laidley, performing hand signals to other motorists who were on the road.
“Facing these challenges is just part of the ride and when you are on these bikes that are over 100 years old it can sometimes be quite scary.”
Apart from a few minor obstacles along the way, Mr Rowe said that … “there is nothing like the country roads and the sense of freedom you feel when riding the old classics with like minded people who all share a common interest in the history of these monumental bikes.”
