Big bikes rumble in for rally

Black leather, rumbling engines and plenty of chrome came together on a field in Galloway, Alexandra, at the 36th Bronz Otago Vincent County Rally in Alexandra at weekend.

Among the gathering of about 800 people were three brothers brought together by a mutual love of big-engined motorcycles.

Brian and Mike Alexander, of Timaru and Terry Alexander, of Ashburton, said the event was a chance to revisit spending time together at rallies in their younger days.

"We used to do it donkey’s years ago," Terry, the eldest, said.

The youngest was Brian, who had returned to New Zealand after 15 years living in Australia about 18 months ago and had just been reunited with his Harley-Davidson.

"I owned it in Australia, so I brought it back with me."

It was good to connect as brothers at events like the rally.

"We are all getting on but we are still doing things together, so it can’t be too bad," he said.

Bronz Otago Vincent County Rally chairman Phil Scorringe said the rally was a major fundraiser for the Dunedin-based club.

"Any proceeds we make go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust."

Last year, they raised about $6000 and hoped to give away about the same this year, Mr Scorringe said.

Many members travelled from Dunedin but there were also people coming from across the country.

Some people incorporated the rally into a month-long tour, including the Hokitika Motorcycle Rally, Bannockburn Bike Week, Vincent County Rally and then the Burt Munro Challenge at Otatara next weekend, he said.