The Velocette Owners Club of North America is notorious among one-make motorcycle clubs for its cheek in actually riding their old motorcycles for long distances every year, just for the hell of it. Their annual Summer Rally has been a calendar fixture for 40 years now, with the first ride in BC Canada dubbed the ‘submarine rally’ because it rained so hard every single day. The 40th anniversary of that first ride was named the 2 Million Mile Rally, as an approximation of the total miles ridden for the participating Velocettes over that span. As a risky possible repeat of the first rally, this year’s ride was organized on Vancouver Island, but was an example of how much the global climate has shifted, with the weather sunny and warm, the province in deep drought, and Canada’s central forestlands on fire since May. Luckily the wind blows eastward from the Pacific coast, so while the Midwest and East Coast are reading Canada’s smoke signals, and the air on Vancouver Island was clear.































Not what you’d call a Velocette fan …. but thats some mighty fine iron being ridden across the land .
Oh …. but the De Havillend Beaver …. oh yeah baby … now that I am a fan of … major league STOL fan … especially Beavers Otters and the Pilatus PC-8
But… but …. PdO ???? I’m assuming you’re a member of this ( not so ) wild bunch … so where’s yer fuzzy mug in the photos ??
Great collection of photos by the way ..
So two thumbs up … Ride On – Rock On – Remain Calm ( despite it all ) and do Carry On …. both you PdO .. and the ( not so ) Velocette wild bunch
😎
Ahhh … there’s yer fuzzy mug … did I scroll over it or did you add it in ?
And err … PdO ….. y’all painted that jacket ??
Damn fine job …. if yer ever up for a commission …. gots me a damn fine black leather vest what’s needing a painting to replace the one destroyed in .. well … you know
The original had HST’s ‘ Freak Nation ‘ fist ( replaced the poppy with a mountain peak ) in the center … with the Japanese kanji for Ronin below it …
The original was painted by an ex pat Brit that did work for everyone from Clapton to Rob Hlasford before his passing
Sigh .. you know yer over the hill when everyone you looked up to are falling by the wayside … not to mention more than a few of your own contemporaries
😎
Yep, I painted a lot of jackets in the 1980s, but not since.
Hmmm …. well ….. its a Schott NYC classic ( 70’s as best as I can figure ) black leather vest in mint condition ( seriously … if it was ever worn I’d be surprised )
Soooo … still got yer chops in order ? Or’d you rather recommend someone else ?
Hmmmm … a PdO original … hmmm …….
Have you seen my friend Russ Blow from Victoria Vancouver?? (rigid MSS or Thruxtonised Viper)
Yes, Russ Blow was with us this year! I should post a photo…thanks for the prompt.
First rate. And I missed a nice ’39 Velocette OHC racer a few years back. Should have jumped on it.
Excellent issue, Paul.
Looks as though my ’51 R 51/3 or 62 R 69 S would not have been lone stalwarts of the Teutonic range,
great temptation for next year. The gals look like a hoot!
The open secret is, all bikes are welcome. I’ve ridden a Triumph several years as Suzie finds it more comfortable than my clip-on Velocettes, so I’m building an Endurance now with standard’ bars for us. I’ve also ridden a bevel-drive Ducati, in the early 90s. Just come!
If Id only known!!! my back yard!
Ah, we need to do more PR…
Great write up Paul! A trip down memory lane, how I wish I had my Clubman back!
We miss you Rick! Join us anyway!
Good piece and good pics. Ride the bikes and maintain the need for parts and keep the breed(s) alive!
great pics, and one of my favourite parts of the world: especially the grizzly watching trips from Telegraph Cove ( over to the mainland by boat)