Rough And Ready Fun Weekend

Henk Kotzee's picture

The weekend had a cold and quiet start. When we arrived at Bontebok Ridge on Friday evening (after collecting some wine en route) it was icy cold and the few guys sitting around the fire had already warmed themselves up a bit with a glass of wine or two.

Needless to say, the cold kept me out of my much needed sleep.  Having lost out to the chalets (I still don’t know how this happened) the tent was not as warm as expected.

Saturday morning started off with the remaining people arriving. Most of them very cold and some of them even a little wet after catching a few rain drops during their ride. Coffee was readily available to warm everyone up and get them all ready for action.

We were split into three groups each with its own leader - Jurg, Daniel and Rony.  Next, each group had their turn to learn and practice some skills. I am not quite sure whether or not the display of Byron kicking at his Dad’s GSA  petrol tank, whilst lying on his back, to prevent the bike from falling on him was part of the exercise or not. Skills included classic cone work, log and hole jumping as well as ascending and descending hills. We were all given a serious explanation as to why we should not try to go through the pool of mud after the camel back hills, but after watching Rony’s demo we all saw his HP2 taking a mud bath to such an extent that we needed to fetch some straps to get the bike pulled out. Better luck next time Mr Desodt. Once we had completed this our minds were rested a little by taking a relaxing sightseeing ride on the farm.

This was followed by some lunch and everyone trying to get in as much rest as possible before heading onto the sand courses.

We were split into two groups after lunch, the more advanced riders and the “sedated riders” (as Rony called them). Each group did some sand riding (and falling) and an adventure ride through the reserve and around the dam. The adventure ride was by far one of the most enjoyable rides I have done. The route was set out to challenge all the skills we had just been taught, some fast stretches, some technical stretches but mostly serious fun.

Upon our return we were greeted by a skills challenge. Rony and his team did not make this easy and they ensured that no one would have a full score once they were done with this.  There were some classic moments and everyone trying very hard to outdo the competitor before them. Even Megan gave it a shot and did not do too bad at all….. we will not comment on my performance.

Saturday evening turned out to be a very enjoyable social occasion. With the delicious Rough and Ready catering, no one could complain that they went to bed hungry.

Sunday morning was greeted by some people who had hangovers and others who had seriously stiff muscles. We left the reserve on an 80km ride, ending in Wellington where we had brunch at the Gecko Louge and Restaurant in Wellington. They were fabulous and greeted us with a nice warm fireplace and some warm drinks which were greatly needed after the bit of rain we met along the way (not a clever move to remove my visor …… Brrrrrrr).

After taking a round trip back to the reserve we saw some people off and then prepared for the mud and more fun for the not so “sedated” bunch.  Rony was challenged the previous evening to do the skills challenge himself and after 1 or 2 attempts, managed to pull it off as close to flawless as possible. I also had the privilege of seeing the HP go down, for the first time, two or three times in the sand later on.

Jurg tamed the mud monster and we then saw Shaun take on the mud, successfully at first and then not so successfully at his second attempt. Needless to say, most of his bike as well as himself were covered in mud. Next time it should be on a 1200 Shaun.

All in all we had a fabulous weekend and I think I speak on behalf of most of the people when I say “Well Done Rough and Ready”. The weekend was well organised and a lot of fun just as Rony predicted. We hope to see one of these weekends in the near future again.

All we need now are some pics……. Shaun, Cecil and Frans or any others that joined us, please add some.

Comments

Henk Kotzee's picture
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Joined: 2012/02/06
whoops, what happened to my paragraphs?
Charles Oertel's picture
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You chose 'Minimal formatting' - you should be using 'Full HTML' (a classic example of YAFIYGI: You Asked For It - You Got It).  Then you will also be able to upload images and make your report more interesting.  The setting is in the 'Input format' fieldset underneath where you enter the text.

I have fixed it for you.

Committee: Webmaster / Ride Captain

Henk Kotzee's picture
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Joined: 2012/02/06
Thank you
Rony Desodt's picture
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Joined: 2011/06/18

DanielDaniel

carnage in the sandcarnage in the sand

CecilCecil

Dirty weekendDirty weekend

Its a nice place to spend a weekendIts a nice place to spend a weekend

Got away from the mud monster!Got away from the mud monster!

Just that little less would do!Just that little less would do!

The KLR and KTM both second place in skills.The KLR and KTM both second place in skills.

A little bit more this way and i may have made it!A little bit more this way and i may have made it!

Just me!Just me!

Stuck again!Stuck again!

Mud monster got him!Mud monster got him!

RewardsRewards

Biggest smile, smallest bike!Biggest smile, smallest bike!

Do it today, maybe there is no tomorrow!

Off road instructor at "Rough and Ready"

Henk Kotzee's picture
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Joined: 2012/02/06
Thank you this helps