By Mike Rainone for the News
When the 22nd annual Ponoka Vintage Motorcycle Rally roars into town from July 27th to the 29th it promises to be a wild and woolly weekend of fun, celebration, and keen camaraderie for local club members and spectators.
This year’s gala event at the Ponoka Stampede grounds will be a tribute to the mighty Honda Cub Motorcycle as well as the Western Canada Rally marking the 50th Anniversary of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group, and everyone is invited to join in on the action.
The Honda Super Cub has been in continuous production since 1958, and with sales already exceeding 100 million bikes, this top notch machine has become the most manufactured motor vehicle in history. Since Honda launched its initial ‘Super Cub’ advertising promotion by proudly claiming that ‘You meet the nicest people on a Honda’, their ultra-powerful C100-50-70 and 90, the 100Exm and the C70 models have continued to be a top seller around the globe.
All about the Central Alberta Vintage Motorcycle Group
The very active and long-standing Central Vintage section is a part of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group, which features 21 sections from across the nation from St. Johns to Vancouver and is growing fast. These men and women come from all walks of life and occupations, and have a very strong pride and passion for their magnificent vintage motorcycles, which range in age from 25 years to historical models from as far back as the early 1900s. Whether they have one bike or a garage full, it has all become a year round hobby and constant work in progress among a special fraternity of very good buddies and real genuine ‘characters.’ Some of these ‘cycle fanatics’ work for countless hours to restore, perfect, and pamper their prize possessions, while others just love to jump on their bikes for a leisure ride with family and friends. They also love to join in on many poker runs to the Torrington Gopher Museum and Camrose and more, fun swap meets, lots of barbecues, and so many other special events where they can share and show off their very unique set of wheels with everyone as well as helping to fund countless special community causes. The camaraderie is always very keen and great fun among the vintage motorcycle group, to which long-standing member and congenial Ponoka shoemaker Skinny Labine fondly refers to as ‘an eating club with a motorcycle problem.’
Celebrating 22 years at the Ponoka Stampede grounds
The Central Alberta Vintage Motorcycle Group, which has grown steadily to over 60 members, are very pleased that they have been encouraged and welcomed to host their annual Vintage Rally at the spacious Ponoka Stampede grounds over the past 22 years, during which time the event has grown rapidly to become the largest vintage motorcycle rally in Canada. Entry fee to the Ponoka Rally for Vintage Motorcycle owners is $60 (early bird $50), which includes free camping on sight, a chili cook-off on Friday night, steak supper on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday. Spectators are free, and are encouraged to attend the weekend activities, where they can browse through the grounds and check out all the unique displays, admire all the great old bikes and meet and greet the owners, and may also register for the special ‘meal events’ up at the grounds.
The opening Friday, July 27th evening events will include a Tailgate Swap Meet and chili cook-off, then on Saturday there will be a poker run, show and shine, steak supper, and that zany game of ‘Motorcycle Jeopardy’. Sunday-July 29th will kick-off with a breakfast, followed by the exciting bike games and closing out with the annual Award presentations.
Our Central Alberta Vintage Motorcycle Group, which proudly stress safe driving practises and courtesy on the road at all times, hold their regular monthly meetings on the last Wednesday of each month at Sherry’s in Lacombe at 7 p.m. to which everyone is welcome to attend, bike or not. Along the way the CAVMG have also been very pleased to make donations to the food bank, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and other special community causes over the years.
Those wishing to register or get more information on the 2018 Ponoka Vintage Rally are welcome to get in touch with: Ken Wiens at 403-877-5188 (kcwiens@shaw.ca), Jeff Woolley at 403-783-3138 (cvmgcapponokarally@gmail.com, or Skinny Labine at 403-783-4648.