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Sat 8th January 2011 Beginners ride to Teslaarsdal, Greyton round trip of 340 km

Andyman's picture
8 January 2011 - 10:19pm — Andyman

Riders  started gathering early- from 07H15 already at the BP start point and by 08H10 we were all there except for a few who did not read the brief and were waiting at the Engen 1 Stop before S/West, but they soon worked out the plot and joined us.

 We set off before 08H30 after a briefing.

Mathilde, a French student doing an internship with us at work joined us as pillion for the day.

She’s ridden pillion with her dad in Marseilles often, but this was to be her first off-tar ride.

 We were eager to get going mainly to get airflow over bodies slowly cooking under ATTGATT.

 We set off up the N2, the traffic made riding together impossible until the dual lanes of Houw Hoek Pass, where after we slowly re-grouped.

Anneke with Jeep n trailer could not negotiate traffic like the bikes, getting left behind and falling back.

However, from the top of Houw Hoek she called me on the radio and we told her we’d wait in Greyton for her.

1st regroup on the N2: The cool chill was losing its bite and the heat was coming on1st regroup on the N2: The cool chill was losing its bite and the heat was coming on

All riders soon caught up and we moved off as a group,All riders soon caught up and we moved off as a group,

In Caledon, we found some welcome shade and a break while the service vehicle caught up.In Caledon, we found some welcome shade and a break while the service vehicle caught up.

some stayed in the saddle, others walked around,some stayed in the saddle, others walked around,

South out of Caledon, we descended Shaws Pass and turned left on to the teslaarsdal road.

 turning onto gravel we stopped to set tyresturning onto gravel we stopped to set tyres

 The pretty Hemel en Aarde valleyThe pretty Hemel en Aarde valley

The safety briefing before splitting into 2 groupsThe safety briefing before splitting into 2 groups

 

 

 more report n photos in the morning

 

 

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Comments

9 January 2011 - 8:52am
#1
Leon1ee
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I want say a big thank you to Andy an Anne for organizing this trip for us. A great success with +- 28 bikes and a few pillions. A thanks must also go out to Peter for leading the second group and for Tony being the second sweeper. Like I said the group was big and eager to ride. Anneke thanks for being our backup. Was it hot or not. I lost a few kilos but made it up when I got home. Windhoek comes in 750 ml now. Again thanks to all.

Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebars to the saddle

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9 January 2011 - 12:19pm
#2
SilverFox
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Thanks for an awesome ride. Heat aside, this is a very pleasant route, not to far. Pete, thanks for the "on site" training at our stops.

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9 January 2011 - 6:28pm
#3
Hamid Khan
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A huge thank you to Andy , Anne , Peter and all involved in arranging this awesome ride . Thanks also to Tony for sweeping and for Anneke , driving the back up vehicle.

Thanks to Peter , in whose group I rode for the advice and tips along the route , being a novice in "dirt riding" this assisted in making the ride more comfortable and enjoyable.

In view of my novice status a special word of thanks to Leon who assisted me with tyre pressures and with my bike , special thanks also to Martin who assisted me with the ABS & ASC settings for dirt riding.

Thanks to all the riders yesterday , it was a wonderful ride despite the heat.

Cheers , Hamid

 

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10 January 2011 - 1:28pm
#4
Warren Ellwood
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Thanks Andy, this was just what the doctor ordered to brush off the Xmas cobwebs.

We've decided this year is the year for plenty riding so I haven't made myself available  to do any 4x4 trips. I am still planning to go see all my farmer friends to keep in contact with them, but just on the motorcycle instead of the truck.

  

"Before you speak, ask yourself, is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, and does it improve on the silence?"

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11 January 2011 - 6:47am
#5
Andyman
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Apologies to all for not uploading all the photos, feel free to load yours.

I'm up in Tzaneen for a few days and connectivity is very frustratingly slow, Hopefully Thursday I can finish loading the photos.

Thanks to novice pillion- 1st time on gravel- Mathilde Delbard from France for the photos.

She was too nervous to take photos for the first hour and I was pleasantly surprised to see upon checking her photos just how many she took on the hoof as the day wore on.

In fact she was whooping with happiness on the homeward ride after lunch as we topped a rise and swept over and down.

 

She stood most of the way and her heel arches are finished for a few days.

She sends her thanks to all who made her feel so welcome and chatted to her.

And a big word of congrats to Jeanne on her 250 who made such an impressive show on gravel and on riding her own pace.

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

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13 January 2011 - 8:06pm
#6
Geoff Edwards
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As always a brilliant day.  I certainly won't miss one of Andy's rides if I can help it.

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16 January 2011 - 2:14pm
#7
rynet
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It was good to bump into all of you in Greyton.  I couldn't help but see the smiles all around despite the heat. Thanks to the club and Andy et al who organised . Look like great fun was had by all. Particular compliments to the newcomers to gravel like Hamid who did such a splendid job, but the heroine of the day must surely be Jean who rode all that way on her 250 and over the loose bits simply chinned up and opened up  . Excellent Laughing

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