Sumary of the 2016 Ride

​In ideal conditions the Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari set off for the fifth time from Christchurch across the Southern Alps to Hokitika. The goal of this bi-annual charity event is to complete a 252km route over the main divide on a small city scooter to raise money for the New Zealand Cancer Society. As with previous years, the event struck a chord with a large number and the 250 registered rider spaces were quickly filled.
 
After a cold wintry blast that had swept up the country during the week, Saturday morning dawned fine and clear as riders, support crews and spectators assembled at the Mike Pero Motorsport Park. Riders included cancer patients, survivors, hospital and care workers, corporate teams, along with many hard core scooter and small motorcycle enthusiasts. The furthest traveled came from Sydney, Australia with the remainder from right across New Zealand. They came from all walks of life and ranged from university students to those in their 70's.
 
In keeping with the tradition that has grown around this event many wore fancy dress and the costumes included super heroes, TV stars, California Highway Patrol officers and even a dog-carrying bus sidecar. One rider even said: "This is like the Wellington Sevens of motorsport!" which illustrates the importance participants place on this aspect.
 
Anticipation for this year's event was huge and the pre-start mood was enthusiastic despite the cool temperature. An estimated 1,000 spectators lined the track to see the start. The journey began with a smoky roar at 9am with a series of laps around the track before heading westward on SH73.
 
First stop was at the famous Sheffield Pie Shop where riders and support crews were rewarded with a warming pie, a welcome comfort in the cool temperatures. Road sweeping trucks were seen returning from freshly sweeping the road ahead especially for the Scooter Safari, which was another example of the widespread support for the event.
 
Next was the challenging climb over Porters Pass. With fresh snow bordering the road the small machines laboured up the incline and most were successful albeit with the odd pair of legs being required to assist at times. A quick regroup at Lake Lyndon restored the pack and then it was off again across the snow frosted alpine countryside. The scene here was quite idyllic, almost fairytale perfect with the contrast of the rich blue sky and the pure whiteness of the snowy hills.
 
Numerous areas of grit and moisture in shaded places made the road somewhat hazardous for small wheels, but caution was duly exercised and there were no mishaps.
 
The stop at Arthur's Pass township included a supplied lunch by the Rapid Relief Team under the pristine cloudless sky and with abundant sunshine to warm chilled fingers and toes. Enthusiasm had not diminished a bit, and the talk and banter of the journey so far gave way to preparations for the next stage over the top of the pass.
 
The run up to the summit and down the steep Otira viaduct with the descent into lush West Coast forest was the most treacherous section of the entire route with large amounts of grit having been applied over the last 24 hours.
 
With the smells of the forest mixed with two-stroke exhaust, the group wound it's way down to the next pitstop at Kumara Racecourse, with still not a cloud to be seen anywhere. By this time the sun was beginning to hang low in the sky and it was the last opportunity for riders to grab a quick break before the final push to Hokitika. With the reduction in altitude came a noticeable rise in temperature and many were shedding a layer or two.
 
During the last few kilometres along the coast, majestic Mt. Cook could be seen through the clear air to the south projecting into the sky, seemingly sending it's own greeting down to the riders as they arrived in Westland.
 
At 5pm, 8 hours after setting off, more than 200 surviving scooters descended on Hokitika with engines buzzing and horns beeping. Locals lined the streets to cheer the riders on to the Beachfront Hotel where they were welcomed by Westland’s Deputy Mayor Pauline Cox.
 
After a couple of hours to load scooters onto trailers, check into accommodation and freshen up, everybody convened at the Westland Boys Brigade Hall for a hot meal, drinks and the prize giving ceremony.
 
The event organisers awarded prizes for such things as, Best Dressed Rider and Team, Best Presented Scooter, Oldest Scooter to make it, Most Uncomfortable Ride and Hard Luck Story.
 
One of the event organisers said: "How can we top this?" When the Tranz Alpine Scooter Safari is next run in two years time, people who are prepared to give something for a worthwhile cause will be able do their best to better it.
 
To date the event has raised over $750,000 for the New Zealand Cancer Society, from it's humble beginnings as a madcap idea by Air New Zealand engineers for a sick work colleague, to the current large scale events seen by thousands.
 
- Written by Les Simkin

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