Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Geoff Russell

Kevin Charleston (Paid) y

Charles Oertel (Paid)     y

Matthew Oertel (Paid)    n

Clayton Laue (Paid)

James Redelinghuis (Paid)

Owen Bell (Paid) sanctuarysa@mweb.co.za    y

Craig Cauvin (Paid)                         y

MarK van der Marc (Confirmed) (Paid)     y

Gerrit Niewoudt (Paid)     y

Jessica Bosman (vehicle) (Paid)     n

Phillip Horstmann (Back up) + 1 (Paid)

Okkie Oosthuizen (Confirmed)        y

Benjamin Droomer (Paid)       y

I cannot wait.  Still need to do some work on Brenda Buttercup (on the last trip Matthew had an off that ripped out the tacho- and speedometer cables).

Also, I need to get Matthew bike fit again with a day ride or two.

Having done Jurg 4 times already I'm sorely going to miss this trip. There's nothing like challenging that soft sand and then spending time with Jurg and his great sense of humour and eating his magnificent food. Enjoy guys, I'll be thinking of you.

There are some spaces on this ride still.  If you would like to learn to ride sand and ruts, and are not a rank beginner, consider coming along to slay your sand problems forever.

Geoff and I ride sand very slowly, and you will be able to learn with our help.  I have tried all the approaches and have been on numerous courses.  I believe I can solve the sand problem for anybody prepared to listen.  So, come on - sign up for a fantastic feast and a great adventure with some seriously nice people.

Packing list for the trip:  I have refined my list over the years, and I keep it on Evernote.com (which syncs top an app on my phone so I can tick off items or add new ones whenever and wherever I want).

Here is a link to my packing list: https://www.evernote.com/shard/s107/sh/21671489-dcb1-47d5-b2b2-723ca3190d72/98a8ea4d48c1f71d118867c1fc0063fb

Principles of Light Packing

Try to pack things that have a dual purpose:

• buff can be used as a beanie
• long-pants zips off into shorts
• clean boxers and sweatshirt for tomorrow are tonight's pyjamas (after a shower)
• rain-jacket is a windbreaker
• towel is a pillow

Wow! Clean boxers, shower & pyjamas in one sentence?
The Kaya is clearly not rustic anymore! 

All right!
I'll admit that I'm really going to miss this one!

Not to late to change your mind Cecil.

Mwendo - We only heard good things about you last night - your skills are legendary 

Oh and something about the Taliban................but that lost me - lol!

Geoff sent out an email with sand riding tips from Simon Pavey, an 8 times Dakar finisher and a BMW instructor.  He makes some important points, which I will highlight here:

1. Higher speed is not better and it will make your eventual fall harder.  It is better to have a constant speed.  This constant speed can be as slow as walking pace.
2. When the sand gets thick, you need to pick up a bit of speed.  Do this gently, otherwise your bike fishtails and things go pear-shaped.  The same applies to pulling away from stopped - do it gently.
3. Never tap off when things get hairy - your front will dig in and you will inspect the ground at close range.  If you must slow down or stop, just pull in the clutch, then do a balance exercise while standing until the bike is at the speed you want (or stopped).  Do this every time when stopping or slowing down in sand.
4. Typically, when I get out of a hairy section where I have had to ride faster, I use the easy sections to slow down again so that I do not end up accelerating faster and faster to beyond my skill level.
5. When you reach hardpack, stop and take a breather if you need to, well before the next sandy bit, so you have space to get going.
6. When you start up from stopped in thick sand (this will happen if you fall or you need to stop for someone in front of you): rock the bike backwards and forwards a bit to compress the sand and give you a bit of run up. Pull away smoothly in second gear (don't pop the clutch and gas it because you will fishtail).  Stand as soon as you can (this is the hairy part), and dab if you need to until you are at cruising speed and back in control.
7. When I need to get going in thick, churned up sand, sometimes I just paddle through sitting until an opportunity arises for standing and going.  Don't paddle for too long because it is exhausting, and sooner or later your leg will get stuck and pull you over.
8. Sometimes the "middle-mannetjie" is hard and has vegetation.  You can use it instead of being inside the rut.
9. Do not get distracted by the spoor of others in the sand, and tracks that show someone weaving wildly and then leaving an imprint of themselves and their bike in the sand (a sand-selfie, or "sandfie").  Sand is soft, just make your own straight tracks through the mayhem.
10. After a fall, make sure your handguards are clear of your clutch and brake levers, and that the levers operate smoothly and properly and are free of sand.  Several people have burned out their clutches or brakes because there was sand in the lever or the guard was snagging it.  That said, do not ride on your clutch.  You clutch action in sand should be fairly aggressive on or off, because the sand acts as a clutch.  It is easy to forget and end up burning your clutch in sand.

Some more advice

Don't be a hero.  No-one is judging you one way or the other.  As we always say "hou kop":

• You have been to the kaya many times and normally ride like a sand god, but today your sand legs just won't come.  Take it easy - this happens to everyone.
• You are not very fit and are barely staying on your bike yourself, but feel compelled to help others pick up their bikes.  Stop helping - if you don't have the spare capacity don't compromise yourself to the point where you end up needing help.
• You have fallen for the third time and are shattered, yet you want to get going before the people behind you catch up and (see you / need to stop / think you are useless).  Chances are that you will fall again because you are exhausted.  Rather wait for the others, have a break and have someone help you pick up the bike.
• They say that you can only pick up a GS 3 times on your own in a day before you are finished.  So rather wait for someone to help.
• We have all, at some point or other, wanted to leave our bikes right there and get a lift home to our mommies.