A
TRIUMPH SPE
gathering of excitable motorcycle nuts
is something to enjoy. When free food, a
glass of something delightful, and a coastal
tour on a new bike of choice is thrown into
the mix, the invitation is completely irresistible.
We were booked for the Five Stags in
Whitford, with dealers and journos from
Christchurch, Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga
and New Plymouth coming for the launch
of the new Bobber Black and the new
Speedmaster from the Triumph stable.
Nature decided otherwise the night before as
a tempest put 100,000 Aucklanders in the dark,
wrecked thousands of trees, flooded roads,
smashed roofs, and plunged Whitford into
non-cooking gloom. Undaunted, we gathered
at Triumph HQ and some hasty phone calls
secured a venue and a great lunch nearby at
the Waipuna Lodge - still ‘electrico intactus’.
The Bobber Black and the Speedmaster lived
up to expectations and a planned ride in the
afternoon went off without a hitch as seven of
us climbed aboard the Speedmasters for a haul
round the waterfront from Whitford to Maraetai
and home. Six black Speedmasters is quite a
ANSTEY BATTLES ILLNESS
Kiwi road-racing ace Bruce Anstey is
unlikely to ride in this year’s road racing
season. The 48-year-old 13-time Isle of
Man TT winner is battling serious illness.
Bruce’s partner Annie Ramsey posted a
message to Facebook stating: “Unfortunately,
Brucey has become ill. He has multiple
tumours in his lungs, a tumour on his spine
and a blood clot on the lung just to kick him
while he’s down. I doubt very much Bruce
will see any racing this year but we won’t
rule that out! He is waiting for a treatment
plan and should be starting it very soon. I
will try to keep you all updated. Sorry for
the news folks xxx onwards and upwards.”
Annie has requested privacy while
Bruce undergoes treatment. We
wish Bruce and Annie all the best in
Bruce’s battle against the illness.
Photo: Brian Nitto/55 Productions
72 KIWI RIDER