And it flew.
Spectators, mainly dressed in leather, and many sporting ZZ Top-like beards which were blowing in the wind, were treated to a variety of bikes from different decades, makers and styles as riders powered their way up the hill in the fastest time possible.
Among the spectators were Christchurch couple Lesley and Barry Cook.
Lesley owns a Harley Sportster, Barry a Honda Africa Twin and Triumph Tiger — and they both ride their Harley trike.
It was a love of motorcycles that actually led to the couple meeting.
They met 48 years ago, when they were both members of the Canterbury Vespa Club in Christchurch.
For Mrs Cook it was the older bikes she really enjoyed seeing and hearing as well as the smell of the motorbike fumes, evident as she inhaled deeply after the bikes had flown past.
"If they bottled that, I’d be into it," she said.
For Tauranga man Paul Schultz, the trip down south had been delayed due to the flooding.
However, for him, it turned out to be a pleasant setback.
Stranded by the road closures, Rob and Leanne, of Owaka, had taken him in, he said.
"It goes to show you don’t really know what’s around until you slow down. It was amazing."
In Invercargill, the sound of motorcycles filled the air yesterday as motorcyclists made their way to the city.
Rows of motorbikes were parked around town, and the thunderous roar of revving engines could be heard during the day.
The Burt Munro Challenge continues today with the Indian Motorcycle New Zealand Beach Racing Champs, which start from 4pm at Oreti Beach.
The Full Noise aeroplane attempt at a New Zealand speed record is scheduled to start at 4pm and beach racing at 5.30pm.
