OFF THE WIRE
A HEAVY police presence kept a close eye on bikies who cruised about the Fraser Coast on Saturday.
The second annual Snake Eyes Roll the Dice Run was hosted by the Rebels Motorcycle Club in Hervey Bay.
The police took a keen interest, with a mass interception near the Rebels clubhouse by the Hervey Bay airport.
Police said 51 motorcycles and eight other vehicles were pulled over.
Throughout the day, 588 roadside breath tests were carried out.
A total of 53 traffic tickets and three notices to appear in court were issued. However, only one was for drink-driving.
Two outstanding warrants were executed on participants as well.
The level of police scrutiny on bikers having a social ride on the Fraser Coast was described as "sheer madness" yesterday.
Viv Jocumsen, acting president of the local Rebels chapter, said the Snake Eyes Roll the Dice Run was a great success in spite of the close attention of the Queensland Police.
"I know they have a job to do, but the level of their harassment was just not right," Mr Jocumsen said.
"In the end, though, there was no real trouble and everyone had a great time."
Mr Jocumsen said well over 50 bikers came to the Fraser Coast from all over Queensland for the run.
"We had people from Mt Isa, Mackay, Toowoomba, Brisbane and the Gold Coast," he said.
The Roll the Dice Run went from Urangan up to Apple Tree Creek and then back again.
Mr Jocumsen thanked the Burrum Heads Hotel, the Apple Tree Creek Hotel and the Miner's Arms Hotel in Torbanlea for their support of the event.
The run was open to anyone for a $20 entry fee.
http://www.frasercoastchronicle.com.au/story/2012/02/06/police-keep-a-close-eye-on-the-rebels-poker-ride/
