The 28th annual Ponoka Vintage Rally and Tailgate Swap Meet, hosted by the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group (CVMG), will be held at the Ponoka Stampede Grounds from July 26 to 28.
This year's rally is celebrating longtime member Glenn Turple.
Turning 96 on July 28, Turple still rides - a lot. He estimates he hit the 2 million kilometre milestone in January, 2024.
Born in Cereal, Alta., Turple lived on the family homestead south of Chinook, until 1938 when the Turple’s finally settled in the Olds area.
Those early years around 1946 saw Turple and brother Rex work on mainly used British bikes and war surplus Indians and Harleys.
With a move off the farm to downtown Red Deer in 1956, and again in 2000 out to Gasoline Alley south of Red Deer, the business and product line continued to grow.
The motorcycle on the poster and the T-shirt for the rally this year features a 1965 Honda CB450 ‘Black Bomber.'
Turple Bros. started selling Hondas in 1959, starting with the C100 Cub 50cc step-through.
Glenn’s first Honda, purchased for personal use, was a 1966 CB450 Black Bomber.
"Glenn rode that bike to Key West, Florida in 1967 and back and forth across Canada and the States many times over the years," said Bill Hoar, an organizer of the rally.
This was Honda’s first ‘big twin’ offering to compete with Triumph, Norton, Harley Davidson and BSA. It was the first volume production double-overhead cam, complete with excellent brakes, electric starter and no oil leaks, Hoar explained.
"The most radical feature was in not using typical valve springs but ‘torsion bars’ to provide the valve spring action required. It didn’t sell. It was considered ugly and after a final upgrade to the CB500 in 1975 it was done," said Hoar.
"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.
For more information, contact the CVMA at infocvmgcentralab@gmail.com or call Hoar at 403-83-6946.
