It was on . The excitement had been building for months . The BMW GS Rallye organising team were planning ‘ bigger ’ and ‘ better ’ for 2024 .

Every year the BMW GS Rallye team strives to put on the best mix of tar seal , gravel and challenge riding anywhere in the country for a single day of adventure riding . But this year they wanted more . BMW Motorrad wanted more . So , the GS Rallye went big . Between the Kiwi Rider , BMW Motorrad , BMW Motorcycle Club Aotearoa NZ and Lakes Ranch teams they wanted to give the 2024 BMW GS Rallye riders the best riding , best food and best experience ever . And from the smiles and laughs over dinner on Saturday night , they pulled it off . Over 220 riders from as far afield as Dunedin in the lower South descended on Lakes Ranch in Bay of Plenty ’ s Rotorua for a weekend of fantastic riding offering three riding experiences . A 380km road route for the twisty tar-seal lovers , 400km of tar seal and gravel through private forestry for those who like to get their bikes dusty and some Challenge breakout sections for riders with knobbly tyres wanting to test themselves and their bikes , including the opportunity to ride at Ben Townley ’ s Pukemara Dirt World . There really was something for everyone . The GS Rallye is sponsored by BMW but all brands of bike are welcomed . This year there was a 50-50 mix of BMW and non-BMW machines , so don ’ t let the fact you don ’ t ride a BMW put you off coming along next year , it ’ s an event for everyone ; BMW , non-BMW , road and gravel . Some riders come along to the Rallye and support the event every year ( looking at you Liz Bays ) but this year I noted many riders I ’ ve never seen at the BMW GS Rallye before . Probably the most notable for the amount of laughter in their group was a bunch of self-described ‘ Filipino riding mates ’ who came along for the first time and swore they ’ ll be back with more friends for the next one - looking forward to your fun spirit being there again guys !