Mike Marshall moves at a more sedate pace these days.
In the his younger years, the Wanganui 53-year-old was a top flight speedway, road and motocross rider, but for the past two New Zealand Masters Games in his hometown he has competed in the Motorcycle Road Run.
Organised along similar lines to
car rallies, riders are given a series of destinations around the lower North Island where they receive a playing card. At the end of the run, the competitor with the best poker hand wins.
On day one of the Games, Marshall was dealt three fives among his five-card haul to claim gold.
"The first day we rode over 300km and on day two 350km, but the longest ride is the last day when we travel 450km. It's not the short hard work required for motocross or speedway, but it's still strenuous work," Marshall said.
"I like socialising too much these days to compete in motocross, road or speedway events, so this suits me."
Marshall doesn't partake in socialising events until after he completes his road run on his 2006 VTX 1800 Honda.
"You've still got to keep your wits about you on the open road," Marshall said.
The 450km trip on the last day involved navigating the Forgotten Highway in Taranaki and returning to the River City some six hours later.
