Never too old for a wild-side ride

This week, 84-year-old Margaret Wilson broke a life-long promise to her father.

More than 65 years ago she promised him she would never ride on a motorcycle, let alone one with five seats and three wheels.

The Dunedin woman shared a ride around a neighbourhood with three of her fellow retirees, Shirley Erwin (91) and mother-daughter duo and Moira (92) and Lorraine (72) Heffernan.

The women were all residents of Abbeyfield Dunedin, a small retirement village in Balmacewen.

None of the women described themselves as thrillseekers, but when committee member and Experience Dunedin driver Murray McKenzie offered to take them for a tour around Dunedin’s suburbs in the a V8-powered trike they could not say no.

The group had little riding experience between them.

Powering around the suburbs of Dunedin are (from left) driver Murray McKenzie, Shirley Erwin,...
Powering around the suburbs of Dunedin are (from left) driver Murray McKenzie, Shirley Erwin, Margaret Wilson, Moira and Lorraine Heffernan in a V8-powered trike yesterday. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH

Moira and Lorraine had ridden bikes around the farm "many years ago" and 10 years ago Mrs Shirley rode on the back of a Harley-Davidson.

Despite their inexperience none of the women were nervous.

With quiet excitement they loaded into the vehicle and strapped themselves in.

Mrs Wilson passed her walking stick to the village housekeeper and they were off.

Thirty minutes later, the group had travelled around Brockville, through Kaikorai Valley and up to the Taieri Plains Lookout and were ready for a cup of tea.

Mrs Erwin said she had never done anything like it in her life and probably never would again.

The trip was "very, very windy" but she had adequately prepared with a scarf around her head, she said.

The group all had a great time and loved the experience, she said.

 - wyatt.ryder@odt.co.nz

 

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