Mechanical clunks , ticks and thuds filled the air , old legs kicked other engines into life . Something was happening as brightly coloured , modern helmets were pulled over the long grey beards , the only indication that we weren ’ t in another time .
The latest iteration of the Levis Motor Cycle Club ’ s historic beach races were underway , a record number of machines all aged pre-1963 roared their approval and as shades of blue billowed from their exhausts a similar colour appeared above , the clouds were breaking .
This event , held an hour down the coast of the South Australian capital city of Adelaide , dates back to a time when motorcycles were in their infancy , Sellicks Beach held its first race on the sands of the Fleurieu Peninsula in 1917 , an annual event that continued until 1953 .
That first event attracted 300 ‘ motorists ’ and in perfect conditions riders raced in pairs down a 1-mile ( 1.6km ) course . According to a report of the time ( The Mail – 13 Oct 1917 ) only one rider “ got a ‘ wobble ’ and fell heavily ”, despite a “ severe shaking ” the rider was unhurt . One hundred and four years later plenty of wobbles were encountered , with the occasional fall , old bodies obviously ‘ tougher ’ than those of the modern human , a quick brush off of the sand and the riders were back trying to catch up . Mention health and safety to these riders and you ’ ll be met with hysterical laughter , bearded faces jiggle about like an episode of Michael Bentine ’ s Potty Time . I won ’ t explain , just Google it .
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