Biedow Valley Flower Weekend

29 August 2011 - 8:40am — Weedkiller - Adie

ATTENTION: do not read the was/were/is/was....

Thanks for a WONDERFULL WEEKEND. Mike and I reached home pretty tired.

At The start

We had a 17th birthday bash for Michelle last night and something flowed too much. Mike was pretty bomed and took every oppertunety to catch up some lost sleep. Not so sure wheter he required prepaid electricity but energy, defenately.

Way In

The road to the farm was nice and easy. At this stage we were relaxed and did not realise that the mountain in the background is on the cards for the afternoon. Mike and I are sitll rookies (I think Mike advanced to the 'middle' group this weekend. Well done Boetie) but enjoy the graded road.

Looking back

If you are lucky you take pictures like these, if not you fall. (I've done both)

Artwork

(Don't get gatvol if most pics is of me and Mike.)

The Campsite

This is where they talk with 'gomtande' during pitching according to Warren. (I noticed Natalie spoke like that during packing on Sunday )

Camping

Nou rus ek 'n bietjie. Lam arms en bene, klaar ge-ry, Rum in die hand. Dis mos ontspanning. (I plan a 'packing and equiptment' article for us beginners with tight budgets.)

The Outride to view the flowers.

Lone Rider (not Mike whe whe)

Helping the farmer plough

We had quite a laugh here. I waved Mike down to make a u-turn for the photo. He made such a short/slow turn that he just went down. That's probably what they call 'lapse of concentration'. We summons the 'Barefoot Lady' (Nolene) to take the picture as I could not get the self timer and the fence pole to work. At the next gate I thought I will impress the lady (Nolene) and open the gate first. The inners of my pants were sticking to my legs and I could not lift my leg high enough to get off the bike. WHAM me and bike on the ground, I pulled it right off the sidestand. Lesson one: Oumense moet nie jong dames beindruk, jy kom met 'n 'crash' aarde toe.

Hou die Koker regop

Thanks Neels for this one. There was nowhere to put the camera on self timer.

We took a few videos of the water crossings to the river. (not placed here)

Rowing on the bank

Mike took the 'boat' for a spin and landed on the bank. (Joke) Next time we will bring straps and cross the river!!

Enjoying the flowers.

On the way back we stopped for the 'other reason we are here' flowers.

Train of Bikes

From the other side

It is quite amazing. These flowers decide (without a brain) to grow, spawn (or what flowers do to multiply) here in this patch, not bothering with their neighbours or whatever. The seed will be blown outside the 'patch' and just 'die', like an outcast, wheareas (?) those that stay in the patch will grow another season. This reminds me of the Truman show movie. Like the waterfalls (and a fish tank) it can become mesmorising. Just sit and think.

The Thinker (or Atlas)

Love is in the Air (flowers)

Ladies of the night (err patch)

At some stage in your life you get tired. The descision is simple, lie down. Nobody said beware oft the thorns. I did not move as it was like lying on a bed of nails. Once pulled up there wew no sing nof any thorn, except the thorn in my flesh.

And there was flowers

Plat op my rug, waar is die matras?

To the Plateau. After lunch we went up the 'hill' to the trig beacon.

Trig beacon

Most of us see these 'things' from time to time as we travel along the black stuff without realising that they were erected by surveyors with primitive instruments compared to our current GPS and electronic theodolites. I was involved with testing a surveying GPS and we checked the accuracy of a few of these beacons and they were within 10mm of the GPS. What a feat as these beacons line up in a grid all over the country before there was roads to them. On a lighter note I told the crowd on the plateau about the team setting these up in the Kruger Park and the Elephants.

Flowers at the top

Long way down

I was watching the crowd up top with anticipation to see who/when they will start the trip down. AHA, the ladies decided to go, now is my chance (not to impress them) but to take a relaxed ride down. (I never did an up or down like this before). What a pleasure, again the day in the dunes gave me some preperation for the 'livelyness' of the bike on loose terrain. I waited at the gate to appreciated my achivement. No matter what I did I could not capture the true scale of the acend/decend. The bike snake coming down were just to far for the camera (mik en druk) to capture the headlights as they came around the turns.

Snake down the mountain

And then we went home to the campsite for a WONDERFULL supper and an early dash to bed. Next time I will bring the telescope to view the stars. no city lights and sounds. A few snores around us during the night just clipped the stream running behind the campsite. It made me long back to the farm where I grew up.

Sunday morning a leasurly trip to the waterfall and again being mesmorized by what decay (erosion) can do over time brought peace to the soul.

Waterfall

Erosion

Rabbit out of the hole

Apparently this hole is open at the bottom and they climbed through it. I just saw the 'boer se seun' appear there.

The late bloomer

As far as I know this one will wait till all is over and done and then push out a flower. It will wilt and 'disappear' till next year after pollination. (correct me if I'm wrong)

The afternoon outride.

After lunch Warren took us (the few brave or stupid ones) for a 'little' technical ride. At the foot of the 'real' 4X4 track Warren went up and disappear round the corner with the 800. John took the 1200 up but got distracted by a 'wall' and some very loos stones. Picking up a 1200 is a man's job and getting it to go again on the loose stones require more of an ice pick than a back tyre. After manhandling the bike out of the way Trevor went up with the plastic. I said NO WAY for me on the Dakkie, Sian tried on the other plastic but the loose stones made the descision for her. Mike decided to go on his Dakkie. He made it about half way and slid into the bushes. No fall yet. Reversed out and on a patch of firm rock started the next leg. bumping and hopping he disappeared round the corner. (no pictures as the camera was at the bottom with my bike.)

Then they came down again. (Forced decision?) Mike first, then Trevor and Warren. The same obsticle that claimed John on the way up claimed Warren on the way down. Rocks aint no sand fairy fall.

Warren using the bush to assist stopping.

We rode back along some sandy, rocky, bushy track. I was caught twice by a schrub pulling the handlebar and made me veer into the velt. Push back and continue. Alas the right side indicator did not survive the attack from the branches. To me the track was fairly technical and again the sand fairie day experiance kicked in again. No falls.

And then the cherry on the cake. The exit from the mountain to the valley. NOOO not for me. Warren went down without issues, Trevor took the 230 down. when I arrived Trevor came walking (climbing) back up to get his plastic. Long discussion, Mike, John and Geoff and the quad arrived, long discussion, go down, turn back, throw bike down etc etc.

Mike went first with is bike. Took track to right, put it down at the turn due to all sorts of cambers. Reached bottom without any furter issues. Descion time again. Maybe straight is better. John went straight, no fall but some interesting stop and goes. Tried to do a standing start after one stop while Trevor and Mike (who came back with the quad to take my dakkie down) held him upright. Mike took my bike straight down without any issues.

Helluva steep hill down (Mike with my Dakkie)

Dankie Boetie

Further down

Warren came up twice with the 230 and was asked to take Geoff's 1200 down. No can do. Neels appears on the quad with helmet and jacket. He and Trevor went back with the 1200 and plastic along the more 'managable' route. Second free ride for Neels I think. Geoff went down with quad and I walked.

Geoff on quad with farmer

Lekker tired we all packed up for the trip home. Mike had to do a 'facelift' oops screen clean for Natalie to get rid of the bugs (not you Warren) with the car screen thingie during the fuel stop in Clanwilliam.

Facelift (wash)

And then we went home on some different route.

Thanks to all involved. Named and nameless.

Adie

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Comments

29 August 2011 - 9:49am

Geoff Edwards

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Joined: 2008/01/28

Another one of those brilliant weekends by the Ellwood team. The flowers were wonderful, the weather was kind, the food was excellent and the company was exceptional.

This weekend I discovered that, like her husband, Natalie is a hooligan. I am sure that those who saw her performing on her plastic bike would agree.

Some of us went on one of Warren's "sprinkling of sand" and "one or two loose stones" rides on Sunday. This was the toughest ride that I have been on. Mr "Kay Why" Ellwood got the better of me and I had to chicken out twice. On the second occasion I was too scared to take my bike down the last descent and too tired to ride back the way we had come. Neels came to the rescue and rode my bike back. Thanks a million Neels - it is much appreciated.

Thanks Warren and Natalie. Your rides are always fantastic - I can't wait for the next one.

29 August 2011 - 11:07am

Lyn Nicol

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Joined: 2010/06/21

wow! wow! wow! wow! is all I could really say. Thanx to warren for the guidance into the valley from tar. he allowed everyone to go ahead so that I could not get in the way and hold the troopers up. phew! made it down the hill. saturday afternoon I was under the impression the ride into the valley to see the flowers was a similar road. and I suppose in some minds it is. well with a few amazing race "roadblocks" through rivulets with what to me seemed like boulders, and soft sand that only "sand faeries" would attempt (slip sliding through, thought this is me gone) but I got such a fright that I jerked back and in so doing opened the throttle and wow! was spat out the other side still upright, loose stones which to me were the same as the ones Geoff above did not want to attempt. but hey, i did it and phew! I will admit it was exilerating and scary, i think about 20km's in, then Neels and I swopped places. my excuse was while riding I could not look at the flowers due to concentration on the road.

Neels then took my bike for a mountain climb on the technical ride, I followed in the bakkie and was shocked that my baby shoes made it up that mountain and the 4x4 i was in rocked like a boat in a storm.

okay, tis was not that bad afterall but fitted a bash plate this morning. I will do beginners offroad rides now.

thanx Rob for adjusting my bike (I think it was the suspension) my feet very comfortably touch the ground now and i felt a lot more comfortable in the corners.

I am most impressed with the decision to ride home via Lamberts bay on the westcoast, what an awesome ride and views. it could not have been a better ending to a fabulous weekend. Think the N7 might have been congested which would have split us up.

arriving home in the dark I thought cleaning the bike could wait until the morning, upon awakening I remembered that my brakes had to be done before this 9 day ride coming up, so BMW have offered to wash her for me, lucky girl. while I sit in the waterfront with a late and read the trip report.

THANX to everyone for a stunning weekend. specifically the organisers for knowing their stuff.

29 August 2011 - 11:57am

Warren Ellwood

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Joined: 2007/06/18

Just a few lines to say a big thank you to all who joined us for the weekend. I trust everyone got home safely.

According to Barry, if that wind keeps up for a few more days we were probably the last group to see the flowers in their magnificence. Let’s hope they keep so others can go see them as well.

I hope you all enjoyed yourselves, the scenery and the riding. I know the trip there was probably a little boring but we needed to get there as fast as possible. Still, is riding a motorcycle ever boring? The weather also played along on Saturday. A little windy but not enough to close the flowers.

Well done to our two “first time ever on dirt” ladies. Lyn and Charmaine, you rode like stars.

For those who decided to come on the outride on Sunday, well done to you all. I’ll tell you, this one caught me out as well and I will admit I was shattered when we finally got back to camp. You were also in a position to witness my first ever fall on an adventure bike, hopefully my last. The damage to the bike was limited to a few nicks on my Wolfman rails, which obviously can take a beating, and some minor scratches on the hand guard.

Special mention must be given to Mike Adendorff who went up and down everything, one of them twice, well done boet. Awesome riding.

I learnt a few things on this outride.

If you haven’t driven a 4x4 trail in a while, don’t assume the trail will be the same as last time. It was in fact in a much worse condition than I remembered. Hectic in some places.
My new 800GS has the engine braking of a bobsled.
Rocks hurt when you land on them from the height of an 800 saddle.
Wisdom will keep you safe, ego will not. Well done to those who decided not to do certain parts of the trail.
I need to get even fitter, so will stop escaping the mountain bike rides from now on.

On a whim and after chatting to Barry at the garage I decided to take remaining part of the group the long way home, well 30km extra anyway. Graafwater, Leipoldville, Elands Bay, Veldrif and home. We got home a bit later than expected but what a ride. Flowers everywhere, stunning scenery and awesome roads until we hit the R27 where it straightened out and became a dash to get home.

A big thanks to Neels and Annamarie for driving back up for the group and for all the help and laughter.

Graham had written his 1200 off on the Sutherland ride, and we decided to take Natalie’s CRF230 along for him to ride. Who’d have guessed by the end of the weekend we would have two ladies learning to ride motorcycles, well done to Megan and Sandy. To Trevor and Sean, my condolences on the impending financial outflow.

Well that’s about it, flower trip over and now I look forward to changing tyres and hitting some tar.

Look after your selves.

Cheers

Warren

"Before you speak, ask yourself, is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, and does it improve on the silence?"

29 August 2011 - 1:46pm

Charles Oertel

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Joined: 2007/04/14

Julie and I had a fantastic time - thanks. Julie's riding is improving each time we go out. I'm sorry I missed the extreme outride - but we had to get home and barreled along the N7 at a rate of knots. Lunched at the Desert Rose between Piketberg and Morreesburg - a lovely spot worthy of business.

Here is a picture of Brenda Buttercup frightening the daisies...

Buttercup vs Daisy

Thanks to all involved in organizing and running this event - another superb club outing.

Committee: Webmaster / Ride Captain

29 August 2011 - 9:13pm

Geoff Edwards

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Joined: 2008/01/28

View from the plateau

The next pics are some of the gang come back from the summit. Unfortunately, I didn't get everyone.

William and Bella

Mike

Sean Hidden

Rob and Amy

Dennis

Neville on the Red Devil

Conlan

Charles

Warren

29 August 2011 - 9:38pm

Geoff Edwards

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Joined: 2008/01/28

The next pics are of the first major obstacle Sundays outride. The pics give no real idea of the steepness and roughness of the terrein. Hats off to those who went up - especially Mike who impressed me hugely on that ride.

A view of the first 50m or so

Trevor on his plastic

John helping Mike

Mike thundering up the incline

Warren at the steps

Warren

Warren followed by Trevor

30 August 2011 - 9:06am

John Geldenhuys

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Joined: 2011/01/31

What a weekend!!

Firstly, I just want to say thanks to Warren, Neels & Co and even though he won't see this, Oom Barry Lubbe at Mertenhof Farm. Warren for organising the weekend, which is never a 5min job. Neels for following us faithfully, with and without a trailer (No trailer for you Julie, you ride well enough to handle everything thrown at you!!). Oom Barry & his family for there hospitality. This is one place that will see my again and again!

The ride up was not the best, coming through on friday already, we hit alot of traffic, people going to the vleis fees and so on, but still worth it! A braai under a star light sky, Litchi juice, goeie afrikaanse geselskap en engels! What a way to start a weekend!

The ride down to the river was lovely, flowers on either side, a little battered by the wind, but still lovely. The day was a beaut! Blue skies, nice and warm! The ride up to the plateu was awesome as well!

Dinner and the post dinner fire chat's was one of the highlights for me! How often do we get to sit and talk nonsense for hours, enjoying the fire, braaing marshmellows in Neel's special chocolate sauce?! Good times!!

The Waterfall: Cecil had better post some pics of me and Mike down in the trenches! Mike and I climbed down into the bottom section of the waterfall area. The view from down there is amazing! The number of years, millions of years, it must have taken to form those circular water holes, so smooth! From leaping across boulders to army style crawling in a crevice no wider than 30cm, awesome! Mike buddy, you bette be coming back with us! Those rock pools need further exploring!
Have to mention Nolene here, the barefoot girl! Boots off, and down the same little gap into the bowls of the canyon! Impressed!!

The Outride: Now, i know i said i hated you Warren when it ended...but i lied!! :) I loved it!! The exhaustion, determination, choosing not to purse the ascent further, the sand and being honest enough to admit i was scared going down that last descent! But, would i do it all again?? In a heartbeat!! The 1200 is a heavy bike and more gym work is required, since monday i died at gym, silently!! Didnt make it today!! But it was challenging and learnt alot about myself and the bike again, which is great!! The more i can learn, the better i will become!

To all the new people I met, was nice meeting you all!! Hope to see you all again on the next ride!!

Thanks to all again, Ride Safe and Be Safe out there!

Peace Out Folks!

31 August 2011 - 4:07pm

mr.stripes

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Joined: 2008/10/22

YES! I agree what a ride... some pics

My favorite - thanks Natalie

three ducks

wallflower

home with a view

star gazers

happy families

nee oom

Conlan the Barbarian

waterhole ghost

tuff stuff

vista

driplets

[more later when time permits]

mr.stripes

31 August 2011 - 10:20pm

Mwendo

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Joined: 2011/04/13

Many thanks to everyone involved - especially Warren, Natalie and the Lubbe family - in making this a truly memorable week-end!!!
Following are a few of my visual memories.