The Summer Monkey Rally, held on the weekend of 14^th - 15^th February, has come and gone for 2026. The rally, open to VMCC members and members of other clubs, attracted 49 participants and 42 machines from the VMCC and other clubs. Namely: West Gippsland Vehicle Restorers, British 2 Stroke, Cheyenne Social Club, Early Iron Motorcycle Club, Indian Motorcycle Club of Aust (IMCA), and VVC Motorcycle Club (ACT).

We were all greeted with splendid weather on both days, breakfast was of course, available prior to starting off, and Ivor Awty guided us through Gippsland on some truly lovey and exciting roads, with great scenic views.

Saturday

Come Saturday morning, all bikes were checked, all riders were fed, watered, and briefed by Ivor, and raring to get going. But Denis Reed, our back-up man, was missing. Probably slept in as Ivor tells it but Denis said he thought the rally started at 10:00am and  was on time. Ironically, Denis could have stayed in bed on Saturday as the backup trailer finished the day empty … thankfully.

We set off from Mirboo North and headed east to Boolarra before turning south towards Leongatha where we stopped for fuel. From Leongatha we rode the short distance to Korumburra via Ruby. If I’d known this before getting up at ‘sparrows’ to go to Mirboo North, I could have slept in and joined at Ruby as the run passed my house.

After a lunch stop, squeezed into Kelly’s Bakery with the multitude of other riders, petrol, electrical or pedal powered, who descend there every weekend, we set off on the return trip to Mirboo North via the Grand Ridge Road. There was a small gravel section of the Grand Ridge Road under repair and Brian Tyler had the misfortune of stalling his bike next to a rather irate motor car driver. It seems that the chap was not happy about  being overtaken by motorbikes in that gravel section of the roadworks. Brian, despite being late on the scene and an innocent party, copped an earful and could not start his bike fast enough to make his escape.

Paul Mitchell was now experiencing some clutch issues but these did not stop him finishing.  He did not ride on Sunday. I don’t think he was going to tempt fate.

 The Grand Ridge Road is a wonderful road for riding and to gawp at the views. Though any attempts to gawp too long while riding is not recommended. In the end, everyone made it back safely to end a fantastic day.

Sunday

On Sunday, our destination was to the north and into the hills on the other side of Latrobe Valley. As with Saturday’s ride, the weather looked perfect and we were all looking forward to the ride. There was even mention of another perfect day with all bikes making it home under their own steam. Before starting out, there was the small matter of the Rally Trophies to sort out. Chris Lach had made a number of trophies for the Rally and the ‘Brains Trust’ worked through the night to determine the worthy winners. 

The trophies and winners were:

Hand Brake Award - Denis Reed-Smith unanimously won this award. Something to do with causing a 20 minute delay on Saturday morning! If he is late next year we will know he is chasing awards!

Gear Cluster and Shaft Award - Paul Mitchell for having the most genuine oldest bike there, being a 1927 flat tank Norton. With his clutch slipping    problem, which did not stop him, the trophy with the gear cluster with clutch shaft was an easy decision.

Shiny Sprockets Award - Dave Booth is consistently there to help out no matter what, not just this Rally but for many in the past. He must have worn out many sprockets over the years hence the Shiny Sprocket Award was a fitting trophy.

Gearbox Shifting Fork - Kevin and Kathy in their BSA Outfit. No matter what the weather and where the rally is at, they are a huge part of each rally. They amaze all at how quick they can master those country roads, many which have tricky corners. Of course, they have to constantly shift gears to keep the speed up so the gearbox shifting fork trophy was a no brainer.

Thanks to Chris for making the trophies and to Mick  Guilfoyle for making them available to present at this Rally.

Now back to the riding. The first stop was at Darnum for fuel and more coffee and cakes. It was here that mechanical issues started popping up. Alan Scoble’s Indian had something wrong with it. I’m not sure what,  but it did not stay wrong for long. Danielle Stayches’ BSA had a speedo drive issue that too was quickly    sorted and both of them were ready for the next leg. Comrade Brian Tyler, having recently traded his freedom loving Harley for a communist two-stroke MZ 250cc, did not appear as lucky with a complete electrics failure. Denis was notified and the back-up trailer made ready for its first customer. Not ready to be defeated just yet, Brian casually strolled off into Gippsland Oil Distributors to enquire about a replacement fuse.  He walked out moments later with three that fit. Problem solved … ready to ride ... good karma? … go figure!

From Darnum it was off to Neerim South for lunch. All bikes, present and accounted for! We left the straight and flat of the Latrobe Valley and climbed again along winding hilly roads to Neerim South... a pleasant town and a good stop.

From Neerim South it was back to Trafalgar where groups of riders would split for their final legs home. Everything was running smoothly up to Neerim South with no bikes yet on the Backup Trailer.  But change was about to happen before Trafalgar: Denis had finally had some work to do with an Indian perched on the back of his trailer. Ivor’s bike stopped on the wrong side of the highway at Trafalgar. After 300km+ of riding, his ride finished only one block away from his daughter’s house and four blocks away from his own. He could have had to pushed it home. An Indian with electrical issues was successfully jump started next to a petrol bowser … no OH&S issues there as mobiles were turned off. 

 In the end, it was not perfect. But two days of good riding on good roads in good weather with good people was perfect enough for everyone there.