Welcome back to Part 4 of our Motorcycle Trip through New Zealand – Burt Munro Challenge

 

 

If you missed Part 1, 2 and 3 of our trip through New Zealand, click here…

 

7.2.19

Recap….Ashley went to meet his friend Deb and the rest of us carried on to see the classic Hill Climb Championships at Bluff Hill/Motupohue, Bluff.

The race is just over a km long and climbs to a height of 265m above sea level with spectacular views over Foveaux Straight and the Southland Plains.

Could not believe how close we were to the start of the race!  

Start of the Hill Climb Race

Once we climbed up the Hill, the view was absolutely incredible.

Bike racing up Bluff Hill/Motupohue.

I am putting together some of the video of the whole trip, so once I have finished that, I will add the link here.

After we watched the Hill Climb, we went to E Hayes & Sons Hardware and Homeware Store. I have never seen any other store like it!

They have a Motorworks Collection in the store which is the home of Munro’s original “World’s Fastest Indian Motorcycle”.

Burt Munro’s World Fastest Indian

In 1977 Burt suffered a stroke and sold his machines to his good friend, Norman Hayes. That is how it is sitting in E Hayes & Sons Store.

E Hayes Store also houses classic motorcycles, automobiles and engines.

E. Hayes & Sons, Invercargill

What an absolutely magnificent store and this private collection is free to see!  We spent ages in this store. Mind blowing!

If you have a passion for motorcycles then this must go on your bucket list.

8.2.19

Today was the Beach Racing and as there were sooooo many bikes in town Sue and I went pillion again. 

We actually got to park on the beach and again the day was perfect!

Oreti Beach

Lee Munro, Munro’s great grand nephew, was riding the Spirit of Munro on Oreti Beach as a tribute. This is the same beach that Burt Munro tested his Indian Scout all those years ago.

 

Lee Munro’s Bike

9.2.19

Rest day for me today.

10.2.19

This is the day that everyone took off to the West of the South Island and I had decided to stay a while longer with my new found friend Deb.

So we all went to see the Burt Munro Statue to farewell each other off.

Burt Munro Statue

I really wanted to watch the Street Racing.   We had done close to 4,000kms in two weeks and I wanted to stop and see more sights other than the roads before I left.   This was my first time to New Zealand.

The street racing was fantastic.  I can’t believe how close you can get to the bikes.

Street Race

Burt Challenge 2019 Events. 

• Southland Honda Have A Go Day
• Classic Motorcycle Mecca NZ Hill Climb Champs
• HIrepool Twightlight Drag Racing
• Indian Motorcycle NZ Beach Racing Champs
• E Hayes & Sons Teretonga Sprint Races
• Sievwright Oreti Park Speedway
• Honda Invercargill Street Races

I would love to have seen the Twilight Drag Racing and the Speedway but unfortunately we couldn’t fit it all in.  

The whole atmosphere in Invercargill during this time was “party” and we met so many wonderful people. 

Seriously, put it on your “List Of Things To Do In New Zealand” if you love motorbikes.

I knew New Zealand was going to be beautiful, but I never realised how much I was going to love it.

Nothing beats going on holidays with your mates and experiencing new adventures, especially by motorbike AND to experience the atmosphere which is The Burt Munro Challenge.

 

Burt Munro (no copyright infringement is intended)

If you want to know more about Burt Munro,  click here to read the Wikipedia content.

If you haven’t been to New Zealand, I certainly recommend you do.

CONCLUSION

I WILL be back to continue riding. There was so much to do and see, though we did manage to pack a lot of it in.

Next time I will spend more time in checking out places. Ya can’t do it all in one trip.

I also need to say a huge thank you to Ashley Gill and Mario Papasidero for organising my bike, otherwise I would never have been able to make the trip.  As well as Bryan Barnsley, Michael Eglington, Sue Stewart and Jason MacDonald for the friendship and companionship.   Thank You!

I also can’t go without saying thank you to Lew, Ash’s cousin for his wonderful hospitality.

Last but definitely not least, to Debbie Henderson a bit thank you for your hospitality and friendship.  

It was a trip of a lifetime and one which I will never forget.

Thank you for letting me show you our trip and I hope you enjoyed reading about our little jaunt over the Land Of The Long White Cloud.

Stay upright wherever you are!