Velosolex Owners Group

ROYCE VOG 1

March 2021 Run

I’ve just been back in history and I see March 2020 New Zealand went into a Covid lockdown and the VOG’s were unable to get out on the roads. Not a lot has changed in that 12 months but at least we’re not in lockdown this year so thankfully the VOG’s were able to get out and about for another blast of excitement on our wee motorized velocipedes.

What a magic day Tuesday 9 March was. A huge team of 15 riders arrived at VOG 1’s base in Halswell ready for a day of thrills and excitement out on the roads around Halswell, Prebbleton, Lincoln & Tai Tapu. First off was a visit to a local collection of motorbikes, cars, chainsaws, exquisite china and gemstones all well worth a look at. The “sheds” these were displayed in would blow you away, everything is as neat as ninepence, even the workshop area hardly has a tool out of place and yes John (the owner) does spend a lot of time out there working on his projects, he has enough there to keep him busy for a few years yet.

A quick jaunt out to Lincoln led us to our lunch break at the Famous Grouse establishment with great food and even better conversation.

The return trip back to base took us via Tai Tapu. I had told the lads before we left that when they hit the Old Tai Tapu Rd they could open up the throttle and not worry about following the “leader” as it was a straight forward run. Well most of them took this to heart and despite there being a stiff head wind they really “rung” the beasts out and I believe even hit the earth shattering speed of 35km/h. It was great to be out on these roads during the week as there was very little traffic or lycra-clad cyclists hogging your little piece of the road.

Only a couple of breakdowns this month – nothing too disastrous and with the brain power available within the group the bikes will be back on the road again ready for our April run.

Scrap Metal Scrap Metal Drive Drive

A big thanks to all who cleared their garages, sheds, workshops and sections of unwanted scrap metal and brought it out to Cutler Park on 13th March. A couple of members even had to make two trips! By the end of the day the huge bin dropped off by Trillo Metals was completely full, and another pile of larger objects was put to one side for them to collect as well. A small half-size skip left for aluminium scrap was partly filled, and a drum full of electric motors and about 40 car batteries were collected too.

At the time of writing we are waiting for the funds raised to be advised, but hopefully it will be a good return that will add a little to our finances in this otherwise-compromised fund-raising year. I would like to thank all of those who contributed scrap to the cause, and I’d especially like to thank our Chairman Ross Butler for his support and assistance for the whole of the day.

Colin Hey