OFF-ROAD CLUB RIDE-GREYTON BY WAY OF TESLAARSDAL SUNDAY 17TH JULY
The Greyton relaxed ride on Sunday 17th July 2011 will be well remembered for its fantastic vistas on the route, verdant greens in many many differing hues, lots of sheep and cows, often in the road, and for 8 pillions.
Yes, 24 bikes, 30% carried pillions.
I do believe this is a first.
And then there were the newer riders. New names and new faces.
People who have just joined the club and coming out for a ride.
And what a day Sunday the 17th was.
I’m sure everyone, with a lot of group support took their bikes to places they would never have gone alone.
Many, looking back later, could not believe they had ridden their bike themselves over roads they would not normally have dared.
In fact one could be forgiven for mistaking bikes on the road for your own group.
Twice this confusion nearly had riders going off in the wrong direction.
Passing Grabouw, Traffic officer KL Geldenhuys, all on his own, stupidly took on all 24 bikes in our group and then the group form Donford as well.
I appealed to Geldenhuys that he was only one man detaining 30+ bikes while he manually wrote every single ID number and registration number while checking licenses….
A no-brain pulling a no brainer.
Go figure.
Many realized he had lost the plot and just pulled off, and he never got through the whole group.
At this stage, John Carr’s group quickly got tangled with our group and it took him some herding to get the 2 flock clear of each other.
Then shortly after taking a gravel road, some of our bike tore off after a group thinking they were part of us.
But that too was quickly sorted thanks to some quick action.
We rode off from the start point to our gravel road at Houwhoek and there Arno took his twelve bikes off on the piste after the briefing.
I followed after giving him a start and we never quite caught them, but had them visual from time to time as they breasted a rise in the distance, or their dust trails lifting from each bike in the distance.
David G took a turn, pulling another 2 bikes with him on the wrong road only to find it was the milk tanker he had followed, not a bike trail.
Annie in the back up alerted the front by radio and this is where Hein jumped to the fore.
He took off after the errant threesome, riding his new 1200GSA like it was stolen.
He caught them and herded them back to the group with not much but a time delay to show for it all.
Arno and his group took an unplanned ride on the ‘chicken run’ instead of Hell’s Hill and they sure met the Anatolian sheep dog that guards his ‘family’ of sheep so thoroughly.
What they missed descending Hell’s Hill, they made up for in MUD, which made the chicken run more challenging that the hill descent.
Everyone made the hill descent without mishap, crossed the river and made it up the stony hill also without mishap.
Then we had just clean, flat, smooth roads and everyone was able to relax.
Belinda had taken to the BV when the roads got technical and now could join Al as pillion and stayed there.
The two groups arrived at the lunch stop almost together and we all parked, making a fantastic photo collage of bikes on Jeremy’s farm.
We were literally on top of a hill with panoramic views of the Riversonderend valley and mountains beyond.
Lunch was excellent once again, with Bruce and Sam Logan catering wonderfully and her homemade lemonade gaining fame.
The ride back was also fun, good roads, good ride discipline.
Hein loving riding No:2, because this meant he had to wait a few minutes for No:3 to reach a turn (every turn), and then he would launch off and ride at top speed to catch up with me, with a grin from ear to ear on his face.
Bot river valley was beautiful and we were at Houwhoek on the button of 16H00.
Could not have planned it better.
Great weather, great ride.
- 2123 reads
Comments
Re-Post cause i can - dont ask - i'm special!
@Charles: Does the forum support tracking how many posts we make??? ;)
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Thanks Andy for yet another great ride. You have however forgotten to mention a thank you to someone...Annie for riding backup ;) Thank Annie!!
Great views, weather was just Fan-Dam-Tastic!!
Have a good week everyone and be safe out there, it back to school again time!
On a sidenote, it was great to see so many new faces, just sorry i didnt get a chance to say to everyone :(
Or actually remebering names properly....and yes Ma'am (you know who you are) name tags are maybe an idea.... ;)
And Lastly, for those who did take pictures and who will be coming to the club meeting next week (Last Tuesday of the month at the Multi Motor Club -http://www.bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/map-bmw-motorcycle-club-cape ) please bring along your camera's so that i can get a copy of the pictures. You dont need to label them or edit, in there raw format is perfect! I will have my laptop and various cables along.
Thanks Again Andy and Arno!!
PSss: Office KL Geldenhuys is not part of my Family!!
Very ambitious chap, but a plonker!
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Thanks Andy for putting up with a novice pillion like me. I had a fantastic time. Actually that doesn't even begin to describe the experience I had. After the initial bit over the pass I could start to relax and enjoy it all..... and then you go and show me how you can put both hands in the air .... Eeekk!
Seriously, you are an amazing rider and I feel priviledged to have been on the bike with you :)
I think every rider can be very proud of their ride.
Many dragons were slain.
It was really great to see people enjoy the countryside and the roads and getting kilos under their belts.
I was so surprised to see everyone come out in Bot river without and incidents.
I was dreading a call form 'Bravo Victor' the back up vehicle to stop and get back fast.
The call never came.
Every time I asked how the tail was doing, Annie told me the bikes were doing just fine.
I was more surprised see everyone do the descent of the hill and come out the steep climb up stony hill one by one looking very excited.
Yes, John, thanks to Annie for riding the BV and waiting for the bikes who went West.
Well done to the riders, if you feel very proud, you deserve it.
Makes me want to to put another ride together.
Having experienced riders along gives me a lot of piece of mind.
Sweeping and leading the second group requires good people with loads of group experience.
We are blessed because there is always enough people willing to pitch in and do the job.
Hein is absolutely great to have along to ensure every one stays mad, and to save situations by rounding up lost sheep.
The venue turned out to be a real treat.
Never before has a caterer offered up someone else's private home for such a mass invasion.
But good friendly service, good food and a relaxed way of plonking down was really lekker.
It kept the focus on the group and the ride and less on the food.
Again a Huge thank you to Andy, Anne and Arno for yesterday's ride. I know in our group there were guys that had never been off-road until yesterday - and what an experience it was! That ride would have done wonders for their confidence - I know that finally I am becoming more in-tune with my bike and it is just a case of going on as many rides as I can. I am fortunate that I always have my safety blanket (Trevor) with me talking me through rough/tricky areas 
. The food and venue was outstanding and a lovely change from the norm and the scenery was spectacular. Can't wait for the next one Andy .
Talking you through?
...I always have my safety blanket (Trevor) with me talking me through rough/tricky areas....
Is that talking or coughing?? 
@Pam:
Glad you enjoyed riding with Andy... the rest of us had to eat dust a little, which is a good thing, since my brothers bike hasnt ever seen the dirt. Now it's got some character! ;)
I have to admit it was more coughing than talking on Sunday - but I am getting to know what the different coughs mean now! I might consider ear-plugs for the next ride
@GS John
Glad we could be of service... LOL!
My new boots also got christened in the first mud puddle, so now they look more "real" 
Thanks Andy ... and a great day it was too. Always enjoy your rides
Thank-you to all who made such a great day out Arno Annie and Andy .There was just enough challenge to keep the adrenalin pumpin' and not too scary for us less experienced pillions .
What a plonker from the traffic department as Rob muttered something about a box and we were off before formal introductions could be made !
With so many other BMs out, on and off road, it all became a bit confusing...indeed we were hot on someone elses tail at some stage ,luckily we were caught up with and rejoined the legit group .
The lunch time location was stunning and a delicious lunch choice of vegi with home made lemonade or fresh milk straight from the tanker !
All ended well with a very brief detour bushward. All home safe in time for tea AND with real glorious mud to show for the days venture .
Thanks pilot Rob for putting up with the pecked head, pulled jacket and trusting me to stay on the pegs!
These rides are always brilliant and they just keep getting better.
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