A NUMBER OF GROUPS WENT TO CEDARBERG!

PeterO's picture

It started at Lanner's Landing lots of new faces which is GREAT!  Lots of people passionate about learning ... and the food is important of course!  Good service for breakfast outside on the veranda.  I don't know about the other group... they'll have to add their bit to this post because I only joined up with them at lunch/pool/lie on the grass and later at "Geoff's Landing" after the ride, so they don't really count, except Geoff of course cos he's the Chairman and he organised it and I want to go on more rides so he does count.

Planned RoutePlanned Route

It started well.  I'm a newbie when it comes to carrying a passenger so I was learning all the way and found that having the wife on the back is not that bad, especially on tar; I didn't notice her actually (switched the intercom off) and I did do the gentlemanly thing and make sure she was still on the back every now and then.  Much less power on the 650 with another person on the back but the handling is not too bad - nice learning curve.

Route ProfileRoute Profile

Overtook lots of riders on du Toits Kloof pass to have some fun and see how the bike handled with two up, then stopped at the other side to make sure everyone got through ok.  Waited and waited and had a feeling some were missing.  Used my helmet comms to chat to Andy (leader my leader), and he sent me back up the pass to check.  Things had taken a bad turn.  One of our favorite hooligans, Tiara, had blacked out on a totally straight stretch of road and gone over the edge!  She cut a path through the bushes and landed on rocks 3 - 4 m below.  Serious injuries!

10 out of 10 BMW club though!  Andy's briefing, the club protocols and disciplines and training, all clicked in and within minutes she was immobilised, made as comfortable as possible, first aid and spinal management initiated and the ambulance called. 

She came off far worse than her 650, which has indicators and shock absorber damage.  Tiara has a severe back and neck injuries and a dislocated shoulder.  Thank heavens she has still got feeling everywhere so the prognosis for recovery is good.  She has been shipped off to Groote Schuur where I pray she will have a speedy recovery, but she's going to go through a tough time.  (She kept asking about her bike, so if anyone has a spare shock absorber for a 650, or indicators or hand guards, they would be much appreciated.  It would be great to get the bike operational again and ready for her when she comes out of hospital.  The bike is at Geoff's place so you can let him have any spare parts that we can use).

I don't want to make light of Tiara's accident, it is serious, but I don't want to focus too much on it either as this is a trip report.  She didn't crash as a result of rider error, she had a medical problem while riding.  Despite being in pain, she kept worrying that she had spoiled our ride!!!!  So let's get back to the ride ...

Or should I say rideS?

We now have Geoff's group and Andy's group ... with a Zebra that seemed to be lost and just wandered aimlessly into our group (Mr Stripes ... who proved to be a tireless helper at the accident scene).  Andy's group is now fragmented!  Some at the accident and the rest who were told to "follow Hein".

Has anyone else ever followed Hein?

I'm told that it's an interesting experience. Surprised

Group Geoff arrived at destination - Cederberg Oasis ... GREAT venue, GREAT host who has a GREAT boss that actually does most of the work (boss aka wife Smile).

Group Geoff swims, relaxes, eats and drinks (they can tell us more about their trip).

Now Group Andy Segment 1, is an hour behind Group Andy Segment 2 (Hein's group) because of the medical emergency activities.

Group Andy Segment 1 pushes through eventually and arrives at the Oasis in time to be welcomed by our friendly host and to experience perfectly cooked tender steak, wors, salad etc etc etc plus a bar that operates on a help yourself basis and relaxation at the pool.  Wonderful stuff but ...

... what's that sound?

It's Group Andy Segment 2 (Hein's Hellriders) arriving after taking the "scenic route"! It seems that Segment 2 put in about 200Km more than anyone else!  Amazingly though, the feedback was that their group was the lucky one with an extra stretch of fantastic scenery and fun riding.

Well despite Tiara's accident, there was fun, a great meal, awesome scenery, and some minor "side stand incidents", but there was also some excellent riding by guys who classified themselves as beginners, lots of learning and some new friendships made.

We ended up at Geoff's with mixed feelings after a great ride but with a sad incident that affected us all.

I certainly hope that someone took photos of the trip and will post them, and hopefully someone will give us insight into Group Geoff and Group Hein's trips.

Thanks so much to Geoff and Andy for organising the day!

 

pic 01: Starting pointpic 01: Starting point

pic 02: hitting the dirtpic 02: hitting the dirt

pic 03pic 03

pic 04: Beauty.pic 04: Beauty.

pic 05pic 05

pic 06: happy peoplepic 06: happy people

I think I rode over something orange: I don't see anything.I think I rode over something orange:

I don't see anything.

pic 08pic 08

pic 09: Kool by die poolpic 09: Kool by die pool

pic 10: Now thats a view!pic 10: Now thats a view!


 

Comments

Jeanne's picture
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A little elaboration on Group Andy (Segment 2/Hein's Group)...

Once Andy got the callback for the accident, he advised Hein on the direction we needed to take over Slanghoek pass to get to Ceres. From there we'd decide on our groups next plan of action... So off we went in our group of 10 bikes...

In Ceres we filled up, and after some discussion with Andy, it was decided that we'd head on through, and wait for Andy (Segment 1)'s group at Cederberg Oasis rather than in Ceres...

Instead of turning off towards Op-Die-Berg, we continued straight out of Ceres towards Calvinia on the R355. And so we rode... and rode... and rode... and eventually stopped at a turn off the road, Swartrigpad (at least that's what I remember it saying). We thought we'd give another quick call to "headquarters" to see whether we were on the right track... but alas, we had no reception. All we knew was that at some point we would have to go over the huge mountain on our left, and decided to take the exit and see where it would lead.

As we reached the top of the mountain, Hein stopped to again to check for reception and give Andy a quick call. We then realised were missing a few bikes. Marieta's chain had fallen off at the turn off, and thus couldn't get going. The guys soon managed to get the chain back on and we were ready to ride on.

In hindsight, I couldn't be happier that we'd taken the wrong route. The scenery was beautiful!! Stunning mountains and beautiful valleys!! Incredible roads!! Though this road was not the easiest dirt roads around. Some stretches were quite sandy, some stretches were very rocky/gravelly (is that a word?)... and for some people this was the first time they'd taken their bikes off road. They handled it brilliantly!! Very well done to you all!! Soon after going down the Katbakkies (I think) pass we finally managed to find the road which we initially were meant to be on. Who said we were lost?

And so we road the last stretch through to the Cederberg Oasis, losing only one more bike along the way - mine. Thinking the battery has given up on me... not yet sure. Anyways, so decided to pillion the last few Km's to the Oasis with Hein. 200m later his bike also died! But this was thankfully more of a hiccup than an flatline.

So much for us getting to the Oasis first and waiting for Andy's (Segment 1) group. Everyone there looked like they'd been lazing around enjoying the good life for hours!!! We soon took our turn for a swim and dig into the awesome lunch prepared by Gerit... Our own batteries recharged we regrouped with Andy and head on back on the road we were intended to come in on.

Great getting to meet and see new faces!! Thank you Andy for leading the tour, and Hein for standing in!! I think Claire took some great pictures en route. It would be good to see those if you get the chance to post them... Thanks Geoff for organising!! Although Tiara's accident lay heavy with many of us, it still turned out to be a great ride!!

In the end it's the life in your years that count, not the years in your life...

mr.stripes's picture
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Joined: 2008/10/22

Hey Goat, you haven't dropped the bike recently, have you? The dakar has a problem in that the battery liquid leaks down a pipe when the bike is lying on its side - on my bike this is the left hand side more than the right..

When we're so chuffed to get the bike upright again, we forget the battery, and it gets dead cells (or very dry ones!)..

[1] Check the battery fluid..

 

mr.stripes

mr.stripes's picture
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Joined: 2008/10/22

Actually come to think of it, I had the exact same problem once, and it was the switch attached to the side stand. Some knowledgeable fellow cut the wires and the bike started.

 

 

mr.stripes

Neil Terry's picture
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Joined: 2007/07/01

VERY, VERY good point, about the battery on the 650 GS and Dakar!!... Those batteries NEED their fluids checked, wether or not the bike has been on it's side, as they are not sealed batteries, AND the checking of the breather pipe...is it still attached to battery and correctly routed?

It can cause an acid spill which can mess up  bike and electrics.....Pantsula had it happen on his 650 GS.

PeterO's picture
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Joined: 2007/09/11

It's 99% battery related.  The side stand switch kills the circuit completely.  Jeanne's bike just hisses quietly electrically and has no power to start up.  I think you're probably right about the dead cell.

If you can dream it you can do it!

Geoff Russell's picture
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I will work on Jeanne's bike this evening, Jeanne you are welcome to pop by and hopefully i will find the fault.

Battery something me thinks!!

Committee: Ride Captain

Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14

If your rectifier bridge is going or damaged (that little black thing with fins on your bashplate I think), it causes the battery to overheat and boil off the water.

Committee: Webmaster / Ride Captain

GregOnGS's picture
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Joined: 2008/12/02

Charles, is there something wrong with the website, I can't see the pictures in the two latest trip reports.

Jeanne's picture
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Joined: 2009/06/02

Mr. Stripes, my bike unfortunately gets dropped way too often for my liking. However, I've recently filled the battery up with new battery acid, so am not sure that it's on empty. BUT... if it was on low for a while before me topping up the battery fluid maybe that would've had some impact on it?

Geoff, think I might just pop around after work some time and see whether we can find the fault... I'll give you a shout later. Thank you!!

In the end it's the life in your years that count, not the years in your life...

Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14

When the battery runs dry(ish) or gets totally discharged, the lead plates get little growths on them that can cause a short inside the battery.  This might be your problem.

Also, have you stuck your battery on an optimate charger?  The optimate will tell you what condition your battery is in and can fix some problems.

I trust also that when you refilled with battery acid, you did it properly.  Normally you top up with distilled water, because only water evaporates, leaving the acid behind.  Adding more acid makes the solution too concentrated. 

If you replace the acid, you need to drain the old acid - but the concentration of that acid depends on the state of charge of the battery, so ideally, you need to mix up a specific solution that matches the state of the battery (and this is almost impossible).  Now I've run out of expertise in this field.

What I do know, is that when I bought a new battery (they come empty), the guys just poured in the proper acid, and the battery immediately had enough charge to start the bike and ride home.

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mr.stripes's picture
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Joined: 2008/10/22

Well, ms PinkG, my bike gets to lie down kinda often too, and not just cos zebra(s?) like to roll.. in a way that's what they were made for. It's an adventure bike! (and one has to learn)

Yes, I know the intent is to stay on, but if you push the envelope and keep learning, you're bound to gently place it in places not conducive to being vertical :)

It has become less n less as I go along, but I don't that is entirely due to my getting wiser - its also due to my having realised that my bones take a lot longer to feel better, and hopping around is not so cool.

 

mr.stripes

mr.stripes's picture
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GregOnGS wrote:
Charles, is there something wrong with the website, I can't see the pictures in the two latest trip reports.

I added some pics on andymans article..

http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/node/17309

mr.stripes

GregOnGS's picture
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GREAT! There used to be a chap (can't remember who it was) who always said "Pics or it didn't happen".

Marits's picture
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Joined: 2009/03/07

Small correction to make, First Marita came of and then the chain!. Classical mistake of a newbie. Stopped on a LEVEL road with everybody before turning to go up Katbakkies and didn't scan the surface before putting my feet out. Put my foot in a hole and had a side stand incident in the middle of the Tanqwa!  Dropping the bike bumped off the chain. BIG thank you to everybody that put in a lot of muscle to put it back, as I had the center stand removed( broken a the moment) last week.  At lunch the guys from the back-up vehicle adjusted the wheel to take up the slack. Thanks again! Just a question, I took the bike in December for an annual service and asked them to check out the rest of the bike as well, Apart from the dealer telling me the chain and sprockets need to be replaced in the near future ,(ouch!) everything else is OK , Shouldn't they have picked up that there is too much slack on the chain and adjusted the wheel to make it safer to ride untill the replacement?

Someone at breakfast mentioned a possible workshop on mechanical know-how. Even if I just watch and learn, I'm there !   

I have to say, was most impressed with the way the club handled all the events of the day! Looking forward to more of this!    

Andyman's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/22

Hey Marita,

Remember meeting you at Oude Wellington, but only put 2 & 2 together much later.

Your side stand incident was not mentioned to protect guilty people involved.  They say when you hit dodgy terrain, you "look up, stand up, open up (legs) and open up (throttle)".

 

But when you fall, you "pick up, shut up, and hope no one ever  busts you".

glad you came along.

P.S.

Arguable, Tell them about the chain tension and the chain jumping the sprocket. Remind them of how you were there of an annual service and then "KAK THEM OUT!".

No, have a quiet word and don't tell us any further, that's between you and them.

 

Andyman
Anyone can ride a bike fast....   But can you ride your bike real slow???

mr.stripes's picture
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so then Andyman and PeteO, I should thank you for no names mentioned at the surprise you had at breakfast..

 

Cool

mr.stripes

Andyman's picture
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Dunno what you're talking about.

what happens on the trip stays on the trip (or Pete's be in huge shit with many ladies)

Andyman
Anyone can ride a bike fast....   But can you ride your bike real slow???

PeterO's picture
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Thanks Andy!  Now I'm going to have to practice tight-rope walking as well as cones!!!

If you can dream it you can do it!

Charles Oertel's picture
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I added the route map and profile to Peter's post (so at least there are two photos in this thread).  Thanks to Peter Mann for providing them.

I don't think there will be a third trip report on this trip to cover Geoff's group:

  1. Nothing exciting happened - we rode there, had a lovely time, then rode back, and
  2. Geoff wouldn't want anybody to know that the only mechanical trouble on the trip was his own bike that needed the sidestand switch to be shorted out.  He even got some dust on his jacket from lying on the ground while fixing it, but nobody was brave enough to take a picture Wink

Good Food: no really, it was that good!Good Food: no really, it was that good!

Impeccable host: who didn't want us to leave.Impeccable host: who didn't want us to leave.

Notice how, if you click on one picture, you get a lightbox that lets you go forward and back through all the pictures in the thread.  So go on, add more of your pictures to this thread and let's make this a killer ride report.

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Cloudgazer Steven's picture
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Joined: 2007/10/03

I've added some pics to to PeterO's original post.

There are so many problems in this world. Luckily there's a wristband available for almost all of them.