Mr Badger's Midwinter at Atlantis

Charles Oertel's picture
I arrived early at the Total Garage at Rondeberg. Amazing how well heated grips work - but the rest of the body goes into a bit of a death-grip, going faster and faster to escape the cold sooner. From the South to the garage in 30 minutes... First to arrive after me was Andrew - and I realized immediately from the see-through tank on his KTM that this was Renette's sand mentor, Kamanye on Wilddogs. Checking permitsChecking permits By 07h30 we were at the gate - practically woke up the guard and the sun was not yet up. The dreaded entranceThe dreaded entrance The entrance to Atlantis is a bit daunting - you are still not yet into the sand-riding for the day, a bit rusty and stiff, and are faced with a rutted, soft, windy uphill to the dunes proper. Renette became the first victim here. Getting going uphillGetting going uphill Andrew rode Renette's bike out up the hill as it proved difficult to get going uphill. Andrew shows Renette's bike howAndrew shows Renette's bike how The dual-purpose tyres on her bike don't help much. WynandWynand Since we all stopped to help Renette or take photos, we all had the fun of getting going again on that uphill. Andrew pushed most of us out. Pete da ManPete da Man Tristan is quickTristan is quick Tristan was last, and did the usual 'make-it-to-the-top-then-relax-cos-its-easy-then-fall-down' routine. Despite riding the adventure, he had it up and ready to go before I could whip out the camera and capture the embarrassment. DunescapeDunescape We rode to a central dune, not far into the sand. Andrew was waiting, and I told him that Renette had gone down again, close to the entrance. He asked me to stay on the dune as a marker while he went back to help. She had had a nasty fall that damaged her new helmet. After all our euphoria about the good deal she had gotten, I felt really bad for her. Pete, Tristan, FreakPete, Tristan, Freak On my way to meet the others playing a bit further on, I hit some very soft sand. The bike stopped dead. But I was on the downhill side of a dune and out of site of the others. I had to dig the bike out before I could lay it on its pot and manipulate it out of the hole. But this was not enough. I then had to dig a path through the soft sand to the bottom of the hill, and it was a good 30 minutes before I was mobile again. At one stage, I walked to the top of the dune to call for help, but the others could not see me, and I saw Andrew pillioning Renette back to the entrance. Wynand rode her bike out - she had also hit soft sand that catapulted her over the handlebars and she hurt her shoulder. PlaygroundPlayground Finally I rejoined the group and we played on some big soft dunes. In his FreakamentIn his Freakament AndrewAndrew Where's WallyWhere's Wally When we had had enough, Andrew offered to take us for a ride to the most North-western corner, then back to the entrance. The Northwest CornerThe Northwest Corner Tristan having funTristan having fun Andrew leads the chargeAndrew leads the charge The exit for me was spectacular evidence of how the Advanced Sand Course paid off: # I hit the now very rutted and soft road without stopping to worry and fret. # I rode in a deep landrover rut for some of the way, but when I broke out of it I was not concerned and I did not give up and fall. # I made the turns in thick soft sand, gunning around as required. # When I nearly went over, I opened up and righted the bike (pretty sure I left an imprint of my right pot in the sand there too). We met in the parking lot and said our goodbyes. I noticed how my arms were cramping up and my fingers and toes scrunching into little welwitshias. Awesome fun.

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rynet's picture
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Joined: 2008/03/17
Jaco wrote:
Hi Rynet Hope you feel better soon. May I offer some uncalled for advice? Looks like a tourance type front tyre on your GS? Replacing it with a Heidi front or knobbly will make a huge difference in sand and general offroad riding. Regards
Thanks Jaco , yes I agree . It was still managable on the level sand , but on the dunes the dual tires did not have the grip , I think the knobblies will make a big difference, as they will dig in to be able to climb those steep uphills. ''"4 wheels move the body,'' ''2 wheels move the soul"''
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Tristan's picture
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Joined: 2008/02/13
Nice pics Charles. I must say I was feeling a bit battered and bruised the next day!! Next time I won’t be pushing it until I fall! You rode like a demon on that 1150…. I believe they are even heavier than the 1200’s. Awesome riding Charles and awesome 30minute recovery…..we wanted to help but couldn’t find you anywhere?? ;-) ;-) Adventure is out there!

For the Adventure!

Jaco's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/21
I have the Heidenau on the front permanently and commute with it dayly. Tourance on the back for commuting and Heidenaue when going on a trip. Taking the heidenau back tyre off mainly due to stocks not being availible all the time. The front on tar is excellent for my use.
Wynand's picture
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Joined: 2009/05/25
Thanks evreyone for a great ride, especially Andrew for all the help and great tips. Here are some pics. Until next time! Pete and Tristan after Pete's amazing gymnastic flip flop over the bars, what a proPete and Tristan after Pete's amazing gymnastic flip flop over the bars, what a proPete helping Tristan, check the front end of that GSAPete helping Tristan, check the front end of that GSATristan and PeteTristan and PeteCharles, Pete and MariusCharles, Pete and MariusAndrew, showing how easy it isAndrew, showing how easy it isTristan, Andrew (front), CharlesTristan, Andrew (front), CharlesAndrewAndrewTristan, Pete and Marius giving a helping hand to RenetteTristan, Pete and Marius giving a helping hand to RenetteRenette, big smiles after hard workRenette, big smiles after hard workPetePete
rynet's picture
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Joined: 2008/03/17
Haha great photos Wynand thanks . SO that was not an entirely successful day for me , I struggled with getting onto the dunes , and Andrew eventually had to ride my bike in as the ruts were just too scary . I then tore over my handlebars breaking my 2nd helmet in 5 days. My brand almost new one I got yesterday from Andy1200 .He still said lets hope you don't test it out real soon haha his words were not even cold . But it's only the part where the visor clips in the helmet. Then I freeze, but after some more coaxing from Andrew I do ride some of the smaller sand dunes, and it is much easier then I thought except I can't get up the hills, I am scared of opening up the throttle. Then I happened on a soft powdery patch of sand going downhill, and the bike stopped dead as if crashed against a wall. I again fly through the air over my handlbars, but tear my right arm muscles and am in excruciating pain and can hardly get up. I call it a day and Andrew rides me back on his KTM , both of us sitting down , that was exhilirating , boy can that man ride, man can that boy ride ;) Wynand rides my bike to the entrance. Thanks guys. The dunes will see me soon , but first I am going to practice some more dune-less sand riding before I attempt it again , as the entrance is hard , the dunes too steep and the powdery parts still too daunting for me. Thanks everyone for the help , you guys rode really well , you were an inspiration to me :) One day when I am big I want to ride like you ;) Ps Charles honey ,please bring my vest, visor and bike mirror to the club meeting. Pps who wants to ride zone 7 or surrounds next Saturday afternoon ? ( I am sure I will be able to use my right arm by then) . ''"4 wheels move the body,'' ''2 wheels move the soul"''
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Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14
Hi Renette Dear, We all had our moments in that sticky soft sand. I had to dig myself out when I got stuck going downhill, and nobody knew where I was for a half hour. Sand riding is like that - one day you are king of the mountain, the next you just can't get going and you feel as if you never will. But even a bad day on sand is a learning experience, and every time you venture onto the sand you will get better at it. I really felt for you, and when I saw the patch of soft sand that caught you out I got a bit of a fright - it was not in the same position as all the other soft sand (on the SE-facing steep slopes). This patch was where you would have expected the sand to be hard! Website Administrator [http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]

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Andy1200's picture
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Joined: 2008/04/25
Geez Rynet....You didn't need to take me so seriously...I'm Glad you're Ok!! Trust the helmet made your fall a bit more comfortable...:wink: Andy1200 Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly!!!
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rynet's picture
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Joined: 2008/03/17
Thanks Charles , that means a lot to me. :) ''"4 wheels move the body,'' ''2 wheels move the soul"''
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Jaco's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/21
Hi Rynet Hope you feel better soon. May I offer some uncalled for advice? Looks like a tourance type front tyre on your GS? Replacing it with a Heidi front or knobbly will make a huge difference in sand and general offroad riding. Regards
Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14
I have come to realise that too - those smooth so-called 'dual-purpose' are actually more 80% tar and 20% gravel road. One of the reasons Andrew has so much fun is because his knobblies actually lift him out of the sand, instead of digging him in like the tourances do. Website Administrator [http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]

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Pete Mann's picture
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Joined: 2008/11/17
Thanks for a great morning of fun guys and gal. I am still feeling a tad battered. Wynand, I thought of doing a take 2 on the "over the handle-bar" trick, but I was still too sore from laughing at take 1. After a few hours on the dunes who needs a gym! Thanks for the photies (Charles and Wynand) and a special thanks to Andrew for all the much appreciated tips. Rynet, you are a star and a very brave one at that. I hope the shoulder is on the mend and that it (the shoulder) hasn't kept you off the bike. Keep smiling. Pete da Mann
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Freakonaleash's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/19
The 800GS I was riding was fitted with Anakees both ends and actually getting the bike to climb the big dune or go in a straight line was fun and funny. 021 715 7182 biketique@motorlease.co.za skype: marius-burger RIDE,RACE,PLAY! I RIDE THEREFORE I AM!
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Charles Oertel's picture
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So, what's your verdict on the Anakees compared to knobblies in sand Freak? Does it really make an enormous difference? Website Administrator [http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]

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Freakonaleash's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/19
Yes it makes a huge difference in the sand, getting the bike to come up on the sand without the knobblies is a lot harder, on Sunday I was often running a gear up to limit wheelspin. At the big dune I had to run pretty much third gear pinned to have enough momentum to get to the top. Also to get the front end to track and turn took a lot of body english and footpeg pressure. 021 715 7182 biketique@motorlease.co.za skype: marius-burger RIDE,RACE,PLAY! I RIDE THEREFORE I AM!
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Rony Desodt (not verified)
Looks like great fun, pitty I could not make it, few weeks and I can join again (had some pannel beating done at Medi clinic) Net nou trek jy jou hout jas aan, dan is alles te laat!
Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14
Finished the text part of the report. Comments welcome. Website Administrator [http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]

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rynet's picture
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Joined: 2008/03/17
Thanks Charles , great report :) ''"4 wheels move the body,'' ''2 wheels move the soul"''
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Charl Smit's picture
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Joined: 2007/09/07
How did you know it was a Land Rover rut? Was it because it was clearly marked by oil spots? ;-)