A good party at the Vincent County Rally is a crowd of 300 people still dancing at 3am.
Bronz (Bike Riders Organisation New Zealand) president Phil Scorringe said the motorcycle rally at Galloway, near Alexandra over the weekend, went ''really well'' despite lower numbers than last year, and the late night partygoers were a sign of the event's success.
Organisers had been concerned on Friday night, when only 387 bikers turned up to stay in a paddock designated for the event, compared to the usual 600 700 riders.
''But we always say if you build it they will come. The weather gods came out to play and we had an extra 800 people through the gate on Saturday,'' Mr Scorringe said.
In total, about 1100 people attended the 31st Vincent County Rally.
Mr Scorringe said the rally was, simply, a gathering of like minded people for a party.
''Everyone is laid back and mellow, the average age about 48.''
Riders from as far away as Takaka, in Golden Bay, and Whangarei turned up on any sort of motorcycle, from a ''Honda to a Harley'', he said.
Despite the perception by some people of bikers, the rally had no issues.
St John ambulance staff were on hand during the event, and breath testing was conducted as riders left yesterday. Two riders remained at the site until sober.
The event took a team of helpers about three and a half days to set up, and 15 hours to pack down, Mr Scorringe said, thanking the team.
Bronz rally
The 31st annual Bronz (Bike Riders Organisation New Zealand) Otago Vincent County Rally was held over Waitangi weekend in Galloway, near Alexandra.
Leith Huffadine went along to check out the motorcycles and found out a sense of freedom is a common theme among bikers as a reason for their attraction to the machines.
Three questions were asked: 1. How long have you been riding motorcycles? 2. How long have you been coming to the Vincent County Rally? 3. What's the attraction of motorcycles?
Sammy Smith, of Dunedin
Rides a 2011 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster.
1. ''I have been riding bikes for about 40 years. This is my first Harley after having Triumphs.''
2. ''I've been coming for five years.''
3. ''It's that bit of freedom. You can get away. It brings everyone in together. My work mates drive motorcycles as well.''
Kathy Tirczka, of Gore, and Russell Miekle, of Mataura
Rides a 2007 Suzuki Boulevard 800.
1. Kathy: ''About 45 years.'' Russell: ''All my life''
2. Russell: ''We have been coming for about 10 years.''
3. Russell: ''The atmosphere of riding.'' Kathy: ''Being away from home, meeting new people.''
Jim Read, of Christchurch
Rides a 2013 Harley Davidson Heritage Soft Tail Classic 1690.
1. ''I have been riding bikes since I was 15. I will be 60 in a month.''
2. ''I have been coming to the rally for about eight to nine years.''
3. ''The freedom. You can go places you normally would not bother with in a car. In cars you just go from A to B. And the people you meet, the camaraderie too.''
Graeme Lowen, of Winton
Rides a 1989 Honda Goldwing 1500 with sidecar: ''If you have a sidecar, people think you are a safe sort of a nutter.''
1. ''I have been riding bikes for the last 45 years. I think it was in my blood. My father and grandfather rode bikes. Probably 200 years ago we would have ridden fast horses.''
2. ''I've been coming to the rally for about 25 years.''
3. ''A sense of adventure is what it is. I do things on this that if I was in a car or something else I would not do.''
