Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

12 Bikes, 12 brothers and 1 sister(pillion) departed from Sasol garage Zilkaatsnek in NW province for Arajeng X plore’s maiden voyage of the 9 province 24 hour challenge. This was province number one. At 03h00 We took off into the dark night with empty bladders and full tanks, high hopes, nervous minds, prayers for good weather and worried partners and friends at home. At both the first two tollgates we experienced frustrating problems which cost the riders precious time, due to sleeping attendants, only 1 gate to let 12 bikes through and a malfunctioning boom. Already behind schedule, we arrived at Limpopo, Province number 2. SAP officers Makhube Voneani and Philip Thapew from Pienaars rivier, greeted us with flashing blue lights, stamped our logbooks and waved us a safe journey as we turned back on the highway, heading for Ultra City Midrand Gauteng. “Ek moet p-p”, “nie tyd nie skatties, ons moet ry!!” Fill up, stamp log get cash slip and fly away. A nerve wrecking few kilometres greeted us with dangerous un even road surfaces, slippery painted strips, roadwork’s Left Right and centre and heavy traffic with inconsiderate drivers. What a nightmare!. At Balfour, Mpumalanga, Roelof from Balfour motors awaited us with friendly smiling staff Grietjie, Lientjie en Mavis, a warm cup of coffee and a lekke sausage roll. Here every one regrouped except for Brave Dave (eagle) whose adrenalin took over and couldn’t wait to fly off, and Ronnie who came in late at Balfour, considering that his residential address is in Tanzania, he had to make a few route guide stops. We left province number 3 and from here onwards, every one started to pick up their own pace and tied up with fellow riders riding the same speed. Unfortunately, Eagle hit a pothole and damaged the front rim. We had to leave him behind because this is an individual challenge and one cannot afford to wait. “Skattie, my boude is klaar lam” “How! Aikona! Ons het nog #$@% ver om te ry, hou boude hou!! . The group became scattered from Van Reenen. KwaZulu Natal, where we again filled up stamped the log, got the witness, for this was province number 5. The ride through the Freestate was magnificent with a variety of early morning smells that filled the air. From smells of kakibos, to wet soil, wild jasmine, cow manure and puttu pap cooking in compounds which woke up the hunger bug. Not to forget the “mielie miggies” and giant “torre” who tried their best, to knock you off your bike or cause a bruised bit of anatomy. At Bethlehem there was only enough time for yet another p-p, bite from a energy bar,”slukkie” energade (which by the way was the main and only type of meal and drink for the day) and off we go again. From there on, the roadwork’s added to frustration where at some points we had to stop and wait almost 15min at a time for on coming traffic. At least at these stops, we could stretch legs to give the South pole of our bodies a bit of blood flow. From Winburg where at last we climbed onto the N1 heading South towards Cape provinces we faced a new worry. The weather looked bad. Due to the fact that you can see for miles around you, the heavens were pouring out gallons of water all around us. Now comes decisions like” should we stop and dress into rain suits?” or should we not waist time and just hope that the rain Gods like us and choose to poor out the clouds somewhere else. Well needless to say,” lamgatija” turned into” natgatija”. So out comes the rain suit and off we go and up comes the sunshine, turning the rain suit into nothing but a sauna. Arriving at Colesberg, Province number 7, 6 riders joined up. Poor Deon, could not shut the hunger bug up, quickly grabbed a cheeseburger, went to one side (probably of fear that any one would ask for a bite) and demolished the burger under 1 minute.”Ok guys.. I’m ready now” and away we go. It was also here, that we got the good news that Brave Dave(Eagle)is back on the road again. Continuous sms’s and words of support and well wishes kept us going. Somewhere along the line, thoughts like “Are we stupid and crazy??Why am I doing this??” or at the next stop, someone makes a remark like ”Ok ek het nou genoeg motorbike gery vir vandag!!” But yet, we just kept riding. Thank Goodness for beautiful scenery. Gorgeous mountain passes and encouraging fellow riders, one soon forgot about the pain in the butt, and after all... this is an attempt for a saddle sore. Next time I will have a helmet video cam so that we can watch our trip in slow motion. Apparently, no one else except me(the only pillion) saw the springbucks, Zebra and rainbow. All the people in all 3 Cape provinces are indeed the friendliest in the world. Graaf Reinett must be one of South Africa’s most beautiful historic little towns. It was here that Willie discovered a very bad looking rear tyre, with no rubber left. With no hope to find a tyre shop that will sell a size to fit his rim he made a reckless decision to carry on with the rest. Murraysburg only has one fuelling station with only 2 ancient pumps. And we are still in the mode of, fill up.., “sluk n slukkie en hap n happie, Gin tyd vir p-p” go go go!. Wow!! Is this ever going to end?. Our first stretch of the 9 province challenge, came at last to an end in the little Western Cape town of Victoria West, where Jeremy, Connlan and Keorsdan came all the way from Cape town to welcome us with ice cold beer (Not that I’m too fond of beer, but those first few sips tasted like angels fluids) The hospitality from the Kingwill guesthouse, with a great meal(first decent food for the day at 18h30) was just what we needed to get the happy hormones to kick in and forget all about the burning rear end. Thereafter we were filled with new energy and good faith to tackle the second and last challenge for the day. Willie and Andre decided not to stop but rather move on, considering that he is driving with a battered up rear tyre and wanted to qualify for the saddle sore 1000 certificate. Now it is already turning dark. Everyone is anxious to get to Kimberley and nervous for the dark unknown road awaiting us. Thank goodness the roads taking us through Britstown, Strydenburg, Hopetown and finally Kimberley were in excellent condition. The worst of this stretch were the inconsiderate truck drivers that use up half of your road space, who refuses to dim their lights and the sign boards of “beware of wild animals crossing” . Somewhere between nowhere and anywhere, where the nothingness grows 6 foot high, I lost it.”My gat brand, my lyf het nie meer bene of voete nie en ek wil nou huistoe gaan” So I did the ladylike thing and started crying in my helmet. After a few sobs, I realised that I’m not going to be able to wipe my snotty nose, coz we were travelling at a speed (not allowed to mention facts) which could not allow anyone to wipe or blow your nose. The thought of a helmet full of snot, made me change my mind and sobs turned into hysterical laughter. “Ok skattie, nou raak jy die klits kwyt” But I did feel much better. The day ended at the Formula 1 hotel in Kimberley. 1850km within 19 hours. We joined 8 of our fellow riders who all made it safe. 2 riders turned back to Victoria West to gang up with their club buddy Dave, who managed to catch up on the run. All 12 bikers qualified for their Saddle Sore certificates. After a few cold ones at Spur (no food, coz the kitchen was closed) we all retired to our dwellings and had a well deserved nights rest. All departed from Kimberley at their own leisure on Friday 27th to tackle the third and final part of the challenge, the Bun Burner (1500 miles) which is to finish 2414km within 36 hours. This time we had a good breakfast before hitting the road. Oh dear!! According to the GPS, we are going to be short of kilometres. A quick recalculation with a added extra route became the most nerve wrecking journey of all. Busy roads, more road works with long stops, rain with scary and dangerous take over points, incompetent taxi drivers driving on the wrong side of the road and pedestrians criss crossing the road without looking. We all had 1 question in mind. Are we going to make it? Time is running out and 15h00 is coming dangerously close. But indeed, we just made it with 4 minutes before deadline. And so we learned later that day that 10 other riders also qualified for their Bun Burner certificate. Well done guys. The welcome back and congratulations from our support crew was tearfully(stupid “vroumens dinge”) overwhelming and made up for the painfull bodies. There after we headed for the Impala rally grounds to celebrate. Thanks “oom” Simon for your support on our voyage. For those who missed out on this one, see you at the next run, taking place 2 days before Rhino Rally 2009( Date to be confirmed) To all lady riders out there, we are working on a 9 province challenge for ladies only(date to be confirmed) For all that participated and achieved, Congratulations and see you with the Bun Burner Gold! Riders Edgar Hibbert Suzuki 1200 Bandit, Lourens Erasmus Suzuki GSX 750R, Marcel Schmidt BMW K1200 R ,Willie Trollip Yamaha roadliner 1900, Andre Trollip BMW 1200 GS adventure, Deon vd Westhuizen Suzuki Boulevard, Glen Mathews Suzuki GSX R 1100 K6, Adriaan Goss Honda CBR Fireblade, Ronald Miles BMW R 1100 S, Dave Kruger BMW 1200 S, Hannes v Eeden BMW K1200 GT, Marius Clasen Honda CBR 1100 Blackbird. Yours in adventurous riding Jalene Hibbert(Wingman) Arajeng X Plore Rules from The Iron Butt association USA. 1st step is to qualify for the Saddle Sore which equals 1610km within 24 hours. 2cd step is to ride 2414km within 36 hours for the Bun Burner certificate. Only if you have achieved these 2 steps with proof, you may attempt the Bun Burner Gold which equals 2414km within 24 hours. If you have achieved any of the above, you become part of the International worlds toughest riders register WE'VE DONE IT!!!!!!!!