PETE ’ S PEOPLE
This is the first in a series of articles about guys like us ; dead keen on bikes and lifelong devotees of two motorised wheels for one convoluted , but individual reason , it makes their lives better .
The first is Mike Elliott from Christchurch .
by Peter Elliott
CAPTAIN T AND THE CHRISTCHURCH CREW
There are only three reasons you get up early on a Sunday . Fishing , bladder needs , or trials riding . Reason one is , sadly , a bit rare , and reason two ... well , those of a certain age all know why that is . Reason three , after twenty plus years of trials riding , is it still feels good to have the adrenalin pumping and anticipation building while loading the bike , tools , boots and all the gubbins . My first Trials bike was an old Honda TLR200 , bought sight unseen after a fit of desire . This came about after a Sunday jaunt with the family to the last Cust Motorcycle Race ever held . Of course , having a rare weekend off , it was planned meticulously . Nah ... was the next weekend . Jeez . Driving home we passed a paddock chocka with vans , utes , and bike trailers . “ God ! Dad we ’ re not stopping here !” Ah , yep . There were at least thirty old bikes spluttering , coughing , and wheezing , air filled with the magic smell of castor oil , and leaving a contrail of their progress . Riding around the trees , over creeks , logs and banks , were ages from 12 to Father Time . Not one person knew how to frown . Talk and camaraderie was plainly evident . There ’ s usually a few riders musing over every obstacle , with much discussion and hand-waving , walking round with one arm pointing like a sniffer dog at the direction planned , and I thought ... “ This is a bit of me !” Both road bikes were sold within two weeks ; I knew my reasoning was sound . I ’ d had a few
KIWI RIDER 65