EDITORIAL
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What ' s With The Show ?
A recent ride across Australian state borders highlighted some of the inadequacies of regional Covid control and the hypocrisy that accompanies it , in fact it was disappointing to see however , that ’ s perhaps a rant for another time .
The ride was to visit the biannual Sellicks Beach racing for historic or vintage bikes ( see our feature ), and once there , it was clear that the event attracts all sorts of riders and bikes , and , in doing so creates a unique culture of family and acceptance . Yes ! There was light-hearted banter about flavour of bike , the abilities of rider , or the colour of leathers , yet when a rider needed help , every single person did what they could to find a solution . It ’ s what motorcycling used to be and , in many ways , still is , it mattered little what you rode as long as you were riding .
The ride home was same , same , but different .
A couple of riders on Africa Twins swapped places with me a few times as we stopped in different locations for coffee , food , or a call
of nature . Each passing came with a friendly , encouraging wave . It was that culture of family I just spoke of . Then came the ‘ pretend ’ Harley ’ s , not a criticism , I have a Yamaharley .
Content to cruise along the highway at 100kph , two black metric cruisers followed for a while until they decided to overtake , in my lane on either side , at the same time .
Okay , cool ! Do what you have to do , but what were you trying to prove ? Middle aged men , black leather vests , on metric cruisers . Really ? And hey , remember , the bike we ' re riding now isn ’ t always the only bike we ride … and we too could be middle aged !
Leigh
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