Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

The Matroosberg weekend 2008 was the third time that Leon Kroucamp and his merry band (Liza his better half, and Lourens van Rensburg) from Country Trax had organized a camping weekend in preparation for the GS Challenge. The event is fairly exclusive, catering mostly for people that have undergone the official [http://www.countrytrax.co.za/ Country Trax dual-sport offroad training]. A lot of the riding is technical. From the comments of those who had attended the previous weekends, the skill levels of the riders has improved over the years. It was clear that Leon and Lourens' training has had a large part to play in the general ability of this group of riders. After the main outride, I was pleasantly surprised that nobody in the whole group had had any problems in spite of the route being demanding enough to please the top riders (and frighten beginners). Had this been an open event attended by untrained riders we would have needed a trailer and medical backup to pick up the pieces. ==Friday Afternoon: Arrival== After weeks of anticipation, Friday noon arrived, and I headed out with fully laden bike to Klapmuts for my rendezvous with Olaf Gaertner for the ride to Matroosberg. Olaf Gaertner: in his purple baby-grow from 19-voetsek We rode up the R44, through Wellington, over Bains Kloof pass, then Michell's pass into Ceres. Filled up and stopped at the Wimpy for coffee (and a waffle) where we met up with Bester and Frank, and later Jacques and Jaco, and then Klaus and his son Nikki. We rode out towards Sutherland together, but split up into our pairs because Olaf has committed to riding at 100km/hr due to the expense and fast wear rate of the knobblies. After one more pass we turned off towards Matroosberg, and finally hit a gravel road. Mr. (scarface) Badger settled into his natural element - dirt. We passed Klondike Cherry Farm, and '''''started seeing snow lying on the ground''''' in the shady patches and in ditches! This was going to be nippy. We arrived to a comfortable-looking campsite in a pine forest, and set up camp. Arrival Home Sweet Home: I thought instructions to bring a camping chair was a bit over the top, but it made all the difference. Ten metres from our tent was a brook, and on the other side were patches of snow. Tonight was going to be chilly! Snow Patches: watch out where the huskies go... Liza Kroucamp made sure everybody was settled, registered and ready. ==Friday Night== As night fell and temperatures dropped, we converged around a huge camp fire and drank, ate and were merry. Leon briefed us on the outrides the next day, and we were entertained to guitar music and singalongs by Robin Rathbone and Stephen (Leon's daughter's boyfriend). ==Saturday Morning== We all did the same outride. But we were split into 4 groups of about ten, riding ten minutes apart. The first group was for the ''very fast'' riders, and the last for the ''slow riders''. Mr. Badger had had some nasty spills in recent weeks (hence the scar), and asked me to ride in the second group. Not too fast, and not too slow where the potential of a mission due to an inexperienced rider is higher. Leon was our leader, and Johan and Tracey the sweeps. When I joined Leon's group, he asked me "Are you sure?". My head went into a spin - does Leon think I should ride with the faster group, or the slower group? He knows what the route involves and what my skills are. What does he want me to do?!? Why don't the leaders just put us in the groups they know will match our skill levels? At least all the groups are riding the same route, otherwise I would be a mess of decision-not-making and worrying that somebody else is getter a better ride. Not to mention Mr. Badger - he is very fussy that way. The outride starts: with snow on the mountains There was some tar The natural beauty was superb Eventually, we came to the first serious crossing. The water was flowing strongly, and underneath the rocks and boulders were very uneven. Those who chose the wrong line were punished with wet boots and Jacques lost his bashplate. First River Crossing: Here Johan and Tracey splash through As we know from hours of coaching by [http://www.countrytrax.co.za/ Leon and Lourens], the way to handle this is to choose your general line, then '''''stand up, look up, and open up'''''. This I did and put all my faith in Mr. Badger to get us through. Melinda and Hannelie: Two of the lady riders in our group Fynbos Galore: The red honda is Deidre Mitton, Gerhard's wife recently taken to riding her own bike We had a few lady riders in our group, and a mix of bike brands. Hannelie rode a stunning red F650GS, Melinda an iceberg silver F650GS, Gisela a new 650 twin, Deirdre a Honda CBX? 230, and Renette a 1200GS (she was in a slower group). Interesting Road: We had to do as we were trained: Choose your line, Stand Up, Look Up, Open Up A variety of obstacles had to be negotiated The road was tricky and we crossed deep washaways and dongas a few times. Once or twice people looked at them ''skeef'' and ended up inside! Olaf's Suit matched the fields of flowers Jacques, Jaco and Olaf: contemplate another river crossing Eventually, Leon pulled over to a large patch of snow and parked his bike for a photo. Jacques parked next to him, and since Jacques' bike is also a beautiful Mr. Badger lookalike, I figured that the two of us together would improve the photo a whole lot. What do you think?... Leon, Jacques and Mr. Badger: posing on snow The scenery was unreal Of course we had great fun getting the bikes out of the snow again! It seems that snow combines the worst of sand and mud. What followed was some dirt and tar highway, and I used the opportunity to pull out my camera while riding and snap a fluke beauty of Johan and Tracey in full flight. Johan and Tracey: Our intrepid sweeper team Around a bend and to a T-Junction, where Leon had lined up the whole group for a group photo. I took this myself, not with the camera timer - because I have not yet grokked it. Team Photo Headed for Home: towards the camp at Matroosberg Once back on the farm we rode along some quad-bike tracks and stopped for a frolic in a patch of snow. I was amazed at how effective it was for me to say to Robin or Rayne: "Don't you dare throw that snow on me". They must think I am old or something, because they didn't dare. Ice Cream Anyone?: we found some snow to cool down and unwind in ===Aperitif=== We got back to camp at about noon, and had an hour to wait for lunch, so Leon led a group of us on a quad-bike track on the farm. The track started with a rather scary river crossing, and ended with some deep mud and snow. Mr. Badger had a chance to try various approaches to mud: * slow, balancing, controlled. Works very well except when you are the 20th bike and the rut through the mud is deeper than your pots. Mr. Badger got stuck in such a rut and we had to manhandle him out of it. * fast, along the edge of the road where the mud is unrutted and slippery - works well until about three-quarters of the way, by which time your direction of travel is more-or-less random. You have a 25% chance of heading in the direction you want. * stand up, look up, open up (the legs, not the throttle) - works. ===Lunch=== Lunch was a salad, some vegetables and lasagna. As always my stomach had shrunk and I struggled to eat as much as I knew I should, even though the food was superb. ===Dessert=== We had an hour before the skills challenge, so went on another ride. This time I went with Lourens on a technical route that had Mr. Badger pretending to be a mountain goat over a tricky rocky path. One corner up a ledge threw us (metaphorically speaking - but also literally). I think that is where Mr. Badger broke his indicator. Russell was quick to help us up again. We rode through the mud again - this time I stopped to help Arno negotiate the mud. Although I took care to keep out of the way of his back wheel, his bike spun sideways and sprayed me from head to toe with thick black mud. (''Note to self: never push a bike so hard you have to pant and cannot keep your mouth closed.''). Funny how everyone back at the camp assumed that I was full of mud because I had fallen. This ride ended with a horrendous river crossing. I had to witness Bester struggling to get through after getting stuck on a rock, and was wondering what I was doing there at all, and that I should perhaps have gone with the other group. Figuring that since I knew Bester's line was difficult, I took a different line and nearly fell off my bike when I got through without a hitch! ===Skills Challenge=== '''''Warning: Do not try this at home. The obstacles were set up by professional trainers, and the participants have all been trained to execute these manoeuvres.''''' At 3h30 pm we mustered for the skills challenge. I had said that I would do it, but when I saw the course I was in two minds - none of them mine own. Obstacle Course Walking the Course: For some this was already hard work Incredulity: You want us to do what?!? The challenge was laid out on a quad-bike obstacle course, and included: * a standup start right up a hill with a sharp descent on the other side, * a sharp turn in the middle of a steep controlled descent on a slippery surface, Jacques negotiating the turn * several sandy holes where you needed to turn '''and''' gain momentum to climb up a ledge, Jacques bike also likes digging * a mud hole just before a steep sandy climb with a turn in the middle of it, Mud Holes: look easy from above * a sand pit where you had to stop, then pull away and up a ledge ''without spinning the back wheel'', and * a turn at the crest of a steep climb. Hill Turn: Ruan with Mareike Skills or Nerves? Leon called for someone to volunteer to go first, and Russell stepped forward. On the one hand he would have a virgin course with no damage from other bikes. On the other, he would not benefit from seeing others negotiate the obstacles. First Competitor: Russell did very well and finished fourth in the Adventure and 1150 category. Gisela at the start The crest before the left turn on the controlled descent is very daunting, especially when watching others do it. Wayne powers through Surprisingly, the course did not deteriorate as the competition progressed (perhaps it could not have gotten worse than it was). Eventually, I resigned myself to participating, because I knew I would have regrets if I did not at least try. I told myself I would not compete, just try not to fall and try to avoid needing help. (And at the back of my mind was a fear that I would topple down one of the slopes the long way down - not the book). Concentration Leon told me that I should relax, Mr. Badger is well-suited to this course, as he has knobbly paws and a long first gear. I was not as confident, because I knew he also liked to burrow in soft sand, and sometimes forgot I was on his back! My turn came. When my name was announced the crowd cheered and this bouyed my spirits no end. Stand up, and pull away up a slope and over the crest to the descent with the sharp turn. KTM Skill: Start with a bang Halfway down the descent, I lock the back wheel, and Mr. Badger slides around with a flourish. Someone in the crowd shouts "Olé!". Jacques gains momentum I put my foot down and line up for a sandy climb up a ledge, followed by a sharp right turn, then down over some stony uneven ground, into a sand-pit. Robbie Rocks That long first gear does its thing and I find Mr. Badger scrambling out of the pit up another ledge. Right, caution caution, accelerate, left foot down, step step step, balance. Stop at the top of a hill before the descent into the mud pit. Lourens is there. Lourens is there "You need to stand more" says Lourens. "I know" (but this is ''old man survival technique'' you youngster. I want to get through this without hurting myself or damaging my transport). "You go where you look. You go where you look. You go where you look." Shutup Lourens I think. I have long-ago learned to go where I am not looking (you should know Lourens - you've seen me do it many a time at Country Trax). If I really went where I looked I would have carved up this course and won the trophy, because in my mind's eye were perfect lines over each obstacle. "Stay on the left" says Lourens. Shit! I had planned on a cunning route from the right, making the turn easier. Jacques started right: and cut left Now Lourens says stay left. He is an instructor. I stay left. Mr. Badger chugs through the mud (he loves it). Being left means there is less space for the left turn, but I go wide and lose two points for leaving the course. An expert: in the 'old man' technique - Claus Lutzeler - makes it look easy Now I stop at the green flag next to Johan. Johan gives advice: but may not help He advises me to move back a bit to give myself space to accelerate out of the pit without spinning - but he cannot help me, and I cannot help myself. So I pull away from a less optimal position. Mr. Badger climbs out steadily, dry clutch slipping just enough to prevent a stall and to prevent the back wheel from spinning out of traction. Perfect! Once out, Mr. Badger up and stalls. He has been doing this from time to time, even when standing idle. I try to start while standing, but Mr. Badger will have none of it. I stop and crank the engine until it takes. Then up the steep hill, right, descend, up to the finish. Galloping towards the finish Once over the finish line there is a sandy descent and a soft place where Mr. Badger and I collapse in a heap. Everyone is still watching but I don't care. I crawl out from under Mr. Badger and give a Meerkat salute while on my knees. The crowd cheers. We came fifth. Happiness. The last person to ride the course is Ruan with Mareike as pillion. Their score beat the overall winner by 4 points (11 vs 15), and their performance a pleasure to watch: Rider Pillion Start Turn on a descent: with a pillion - mastery in motion Dragging your girlfriend through the mud: literally Finish with a flourish ===Spit Braai=== That evening the food was lamb on the spit. We ate and drank, but we all knew that we would creep off to bed early and sleep like babies. I woke up at about 3am, and thought that my air mattress would be even more perfect if it was not quite as hard. So I opened the plug and let some air out. But I struggled to put the plug back in and by the time I did the mattress was slightly too soft and I spent the next four hours with my hip digging into the frozen earth. ==Sunday== Another beautiful day, after a relatively warm night. We gather around the fire for an early cup of coffee and cereal and yoghurt. ===Outride to Rock Pools=== The ride planned is for the whole group, on the farm, to the rock pools along a quad-bike trail. In one of the river crossings I spot a bashplate (and as a result of looking at it, hit it). I stop to pick it up, but Daniel behind me beats me to it. He thinks it is mine, but it is Nikki's from ahead of me. I think we are coming back this way so tell Daniel to leave it on a rock were we can see it on the way back. We never did go back. Maybe Nikki did. Arrive at Rock Pools Anybody for a dip? After the rock pools we split into a technical group that rode with Lourens, and the rest who rode with Leon. When the split happened Mr. Badger and I were on the wrong side to go with Lourens, and anyway I was not up to competing with a bunch of X-Challenges on a rocky climb. Dam symmetry The long line of riders against the majestic backdrop of the mountains and dams present several photo opportunites. Follow the leader Hannelie Crosses Over Jaco on his new bike: braces himself for a tricky river crossing ===Prize Giving=== After packing up and loading our bikes, Leon, Lourens, Liza and Nina conducted prize-giving. The top four in the various bike classes won prizes. Thereafter a lucky draw was held - and I think everybody won something. Interestingly, although his entry with pillion in the skills challenge was not official, Ruan de Lange and Maryke had the most perfect run of the entire competition, with only 11 faults (3 less than the next best competitor). ===Departure=== Happy Badger Mr. Badger was in his element - covered in mud, content and happy. He shook his pelt and allowed me to load the tent, panniers and goodies. I pumped up the tyres and we rode home with Wayne and Steve via Bains Kloof. ==The Importance of Training== This weekend proved to me yet again how important training is to the success of an offroad ride. Everybody knew how to conduct themselves in a group, everybody knew what techniques to apply in various situations, and everybody knew their limits. This comes from the kind of formal, off-road training provided by [http://www.countrytrax.co.za/ Country Trax]. My biggest advice to someone starting to ride a dual-sport motorbike, or restarting after the kids have grown up, is to do an introductory course in off-road riding at [http://www.countrytrax.co.za Country Trax], and to join us at the [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za BMW Motorcycle Club Cape].