It was a packed slate of events during the 28th annual Ponoka Vintage Rally and Tailgate Swap Meet held July 26-28 on the Ponoka Stampede Grounds.
Things kicked off with a potluck supper Friday evening followed by a panel discussion with Glenn Turple and Glenn McDougall (Glenn's Sports Line).
The rally, hosted by the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group (CVMG) Central Alberta section, was a celebration of Turple (of the Red Deer-based Turple Bros.) Adding to the milestone event was that his 96th birthday also fell during the weekend - on July 28.
Turple has estimated that he hit the 2 million kilometre milestone this past January.
The CVMG has more than 30 'sections' across Canada, with three in Alberta, said Bill Hoar, a founding member of the Central Alberta section. He said there are about 70 members locally.
"We have meetings, a post-Christmas party in January, and we also do spring and fall swap meets at the Westerner in Red Deer," he said. Regular meetings run on the last Wednesday of the month at the Original South China Sea restaurant in Lacombe.
For Hoar, a passion for motorbikes stretches back many years.
"I bought my first bike from Glenn," he noted, adding the Central Alberta group's strong sense of camaraderie is a key part of what sets the community apart.
His own motorcycling experience has seen him hit the road for several lengthy treks, including a cross-Canada venture back in 2007, plus various trips into the U.S.
Meanwhile, other weekend highlights included the Scenic Poker Run, a couple of Show 'n' Shines, and Motorcycle Jeopardy. Sunday wrapped up with a pancake breakfast and Turple was also back to chat with attendees for the morning.
Those in attendance said the weekend was a terrific time for connecting with old friends and making new connections, too. There was also plenty of time to share information and just chat about their common passion for all things motorcycles from all kinds of eras.
"I think a lot of it comes from the enjoyment of fixing them up and making them work properly - especially the older models, and collector ones," said Tom Colbourne of Spruce Grove.
He brought his 1950 Ariel Red Hunter for display during the Show 'n' Shine. He bought it in 1969, and it's been in various forms of restoration in the years since, he said.
"That's what I do, too - I don't just ride them, I work on them. It's just as much fun as the riding part," he said, adding he's been restoring bikes since his 20s. As to the rally, Colbourne said he will be back next year.
"It's been really fun."
For George Trotter of Calgary, the rally is essentially about being part of a community.
"You come to these, and you see everybody once a year," he said,
"We also all want to be like Glenn Turple! He's an amazing guy."
Like Colbourne, Trotter's interest in bikes extends back to his youth.
"I started riding when I was about 14," he said. For the rally, he had a bike on display that he virtually assembled from the ground up.
"I spent two and one-half years digging through boxes of parts," he explained.
"I'm mechanically inclined, so I enjoy doing that. I also enjoy riding. I have a number of buddies who I went to high school with, and we still ride together 60 years later."
For more about the CVMG Central Alberta section, email infocvmgcentralab.gmail.com.
"These early ‘Black Bombers’ are highly collectible now, if you can find one, but they are around, in various states of repair."
Hoar says Glenn loves to talk motorcycles and his whole family has a rich history surrounding two and three wheeled conveyances.
Rally attendees can meet Glenn on July 26, at the Stagecoach Saloon around 7 p.m., and listen to him talk about those early Honda years and his many seasons of touring.
"There are always lots of vintage bikes to view, or talk to the owners of a bike you want to know more about. (There's) family fun for everyone Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning," said Hoar.
Registration details can be found at www.CVMG.CA under the events tab or on their Facebook page, Central AB CVMG.
