A small pub in a NSW Northern Rivers village has defended their unofficial motorcycle friendly status after having to reject a booking from a social motorcycle club.
Historic Tumbulgum Tavern manager Aaron Kelly says they simply couldn’t fit the booking for 100 riders on Sunday 29 March 2020 because there would be nowhere for them to legally park.
“It’s simply not possible on a Sunday because we are already so busy,” Aaron says.
“We love bikes here and could fit 200 during the week or on a Saturday. We could cordon off the pub carpark. We do the same for car groups.
“But the Tumbulgum village is full on a Sunday and you would have 100 bikes all over the place.”
Friendly pub
Tumbulgum pub on the junction of the Tweed and Rous riversSocial media posts claimed the scenic pub on the junction of the Tweed and Rous rivers was no longer motorcycle friendly because it rejected the booking.
However, Aaron says he has been there five years and always welcomed riders who are attracted by the tourist region’s many great riding routes.
“Ninety-nine percent of riders are courteous and don’t rev their engines going through the village,” he says.
“My concern would also be that with 100 bikes there would be a couple who would do the wrong thing and just give all motorcyclists a bad name they don’t deserve,” he says.
A social media post claimed Aaron had threatened to call the police if the motorcycle club showed up, but Aaron rejected the claim.
“I told him that I could guarantee one of the locals who are not as tolerant of motorcyclists would call the police and it would end up being a mess,” he says.
“The local community welcome small groups of riders, but it’s a small village and they just can’t accommodate that many vehicles in one go.”