A Community to the Rescue

“It could have broken us, but it didn’t.”

Cyclespot Group’s Grant and Melissa Woolford understand accidents happen but nothing could prepare them for how last year’s Auckland flooding affected their motorcycle business.  

Cyclespot has supported our charity and essential service for over 25 years and was principal sponsor  of the first Cyclespot Group Rescue Ride last year. While Aucklanders enjoy an amazing summer this year, the inaugural event, in support of our life-saving work, would be postponed three times due to the unusually wet weather - in the interests of safety.

After having just moved to their dream premises in Wairau, a year in the making, the severe weather on the 27th January 2023 would see the couple suffer a tremendous loss overnight.

“Not discounting the tragedy of the loss of life in our community, everything was destroyed,” Grant says, “Our showroom was flooded to a height of about a metre. We lost 427 motorcycles overnight including 75 of our customers’ bikes, motorcycle clothing and gear, our technicians’ tools… the lot… with a big yellow sticker to prove it.”  

“We were insured and Melissa and my thoughts were, ‘Oh well. It’s just work. We can rebuild’,” Grant says.

In hindsight, a lot of good things came out of the flood.

“Our 30 plus team, all bar one decided to stay on and help rebuild,” Grant says, “They hadn’t signed up for this and, amazingly, we were open again eight weeks to the day. In time for the Rescue Ride.”

At the first Cyclespot Group Rescue Ride, Grant’s gratitude for how his staff and the wider community rallied around was evident. (Quite possibly, a tear or two was shed)!

Over 600 riders came to the 2023 event bringing motorcycle enthusiasts and motorcycle sponsors Yamaha, Indian Motorcycles, Ducati, Kawasaki and KTM together. Grant and the team now have up to 200 riders meet every Sunday for a ride. They also host club and themed events at their brand, brand-new premises.

Grant is hoping for 1,000 attendees when the Cyclespot Group Rescue Ride returns 21st April 2024 - to represent the annual number of missions we’ve been tasked to over the past ten years.

Cyclespot Group caters to people of all ages. Their oldest customer is 92 years of age.