Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Hi Rony What kind of off road experience level is needed?

Remember this is a full “off-road” trip virtually no tar, I went out of my way to find certain sections on this trip however, intermediate will do just fine, it’s not a beginner’s trip but definitely not a difficult one, on a trip like that the pace gets adjusted to the group, and you will have some great fun and camaraderie! No “real” sand on the trip just some steepish up and down hills! Some of the views are just out of this world. Some very experienced riders are assisting on the trip as well! If you have done Ouberg, Gannaga, die Hell or anything like that you are over qualified! Net nou trek jy jou hout jas aan, dan is alles te laat!

WoW Rony Very Tempting ,Looks like lotsa Fun Regards Wayne

I will be driving from Calvinia vs Loeriesfontien to Verneukpan with my family in my Prado on that Friday. I really hope to catch you guys along the way ;-) I will be going on to Van Wyksvlei / Prieska to stay at a B&B though :-(

Hi Rony, I hope it's not too late yet to join? I'm very interested - I'll know by Sunday whether I could make it. (pleeez?)

DTV, you know what to do to get yourself on the trip, would be nice to have you along! Net nou trek jy jou hout jas aan, dan is alles te laat!

Red adventure, dont make your problem my problem!!!! To verneuk in a Prado, shame, still hope though we meet somewhere! we should be at Nieuwhoutville around lunch! Net nou trek jy jou hout jas aan, dan is alles te laat!

:-( ..... ;-) I might have to be ahead of you guys for time sake. :-( but at least if I get lost at the pan I know where I can find shelter and good company :-)

We on the pan on Friday! Net nou trek jy jou hout jas aan, dan is alles te laat!

Shelter in the Pan? Daar is net 'n sterredak!

Trip is filling up nicely, he who has not paid knows what to do and next Thursday 17/09/09 evening is our pre-trip meeting at Ruslamere at 18h30. Snacks provided and cashbar available. See you there! Net nou trek jy jou hout jas aan, dan is alles te laat!

I cannot wait!!! Doing the last scout this weekend!!! We are going to a special place!!! Lets Ride!!!

I'm ready. What are we waiting for - let's go!

Rony asked me to post this, seems like the site was down Monday morning. Here is our last scout written by Rony: "Saturday12 September after the Boks took the tri nation trophy Daniel and I went on a last scouting for the Verneukpan trip. The weekend took us just past 1100 kilometers in one and a half days! Still unsure about one of the routes and not having seen the Thursday nights campsite made me go back up there into the Namakwa land. Leaving the Cape, by the only road out of the Cape, we made our way to Ceres via Bains kloof and Mitchell’s pass. A quick dash up the R355 saw us in Calvinia by 14h00. Made our way to Nieuwhoutville, had a chat to the Barman in the hotel and went and looked for the campsite! Ending up in Loeriesfontein hotel to watch WP getting piped to the post by the Cheetahs! Getting the local butcher to open his shop and letting him sell some of his magic droe wors we made our way back to Nieuwhoutville to deliver a bottle of Upland cognac to Mr. Noel Oethle. That same morning while bottling some home brew beer with a friend of mine on his wine farm I mentioned my quick visit to the flower area and Edmund immediately latched on and got me to take a bottle of his finest copper distilled cognac to a relative! Staying over at the Rooidakhuis B&B and having had the enormous dinner served by George and his sister. After some cigars and red wine on the stoep, we turned in for the night. Sunday morning we left early and enjoyed breakfast in Calvinia and started to make our way to the section of route I was weary about. We found it and man what a ride, this is going to knock the pants of the Verneukpan participants (hope only figuratively) . Having gotten to the rivers edge where a friend and I had to turn around coming from the other side a few weeks ago we had our brunch consisting of droe wors and Windhoek draft before we made an u turn towards Middelpos for my final arrangements there! Damn we had to ride the route again! This time I ended up with a puncture and struggled to get the tire back onto the bead, amazing what toothpaste can do if applied in the right place! We had to stop in Middelpos for fuel. The owner of the hotel opened the pump for us and also the bar. Did the ice cold beer on the stoep go down a treat. Down Gannaga pass which is freshly graded and in a condition I have never seen before we made our way into the Tankwa karoo. Our usual stop over at Santa’s Windheuvel skerm was made very interesting when we were joined by two ladies with midlife crisis that were embarking on a soul searching tour! Telling them they would have to hurry if they want to get to Sutherland before dark they scuttled of into the distance but not without giving them directions for their next day’s trip down Ouberg pass and up Gannaga pass into Middelpos for their next stop over. Time for us to get back home and into the dreaded rain. Santa’s to Ceres must have being done in record time and the speed bumps where used to good stead! Ceres back to Wellington we took easy as it had rained and Bains kloof was wet, don’t want to catch a white line with these worn knobblies. Good pizza and two beers later into the shower and then it was morning! Daniel thanks for a real old school trip! Verneukpan can only be good, still few places open for late entry’s!" Man what a ride!!! It reminded me of old times my friend, thanks a bunch. I hope to see the rest of you on the trip next week, its going to be amazing. Lets Ride!!!

P.S Rony is at the CABC venue at the moment so his mobile will not receive calls. E-mail him or me on ronydesodt@gmail.com or daniel@nelsonscreek.co.za. If you are unsure or have any questions please call me on 083 255 8901. You can also try Rony on 082 825 3880, but he may only be back on tomorrow. Lets Ride!!!

Damn I'm getting excited! Thanks Dan

Pleasure Reggie Just got confirmation Gabriel Verhoef will also be joining us on the trip. Welcome GV, I'm sure you going to have loads of fun. Lets Ride!!!

list updated! Net nou trek jy jou hout jas aan, dan is alles te laat!

I cannot wait. The surprise at what the pan is really about is worth a thousand words. Would love to see the sun set there again, as well as drink coffee with "milk" as the sun rises. It was one of the best ever!!! How come this trip is not on the list!!!! Lets Ride!!!

Anyone have news on the accidents that took place on this tour ? I believe there are a couple of guys in hospital ?

HayleyC, you'd make an excellent media alarmist. You make it sound like mayhem took place. What a fantastic long weekend! Good people, good food & banter prevailed. Thanks Roney, and all the other Rough okes that were always Ready to make it happen!

And you, Gavin, sound like a politician: answer the question and stop covering up with platitudes ;-) Website Administrator [http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]

Hear, hear!! no bull, as it is/ was! Fine/ no fine!:-)

Oh, and did I completely forget to mention the touchstone of a South African politician: '''''Always blaming the press'''''! :) Website Administrator [http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]

Let's get a trip report without all the negatives. Ignore opinions, heed facts. Feet on the pegs, always.

OK, We did have a few incidents this past weekend. For the most part everybody is fine. Unfortunately Andy had an off crossing a dry river bed and badly damaged his shoulder. We dropped him off in Calvinia, might I add a very nice hospital with friendly staff. After I sorted the paperwork we had a look at the x-rays. Not a pretty sight. I have been trying to get hold of him, but unfortunately his phone has been off most of the time. The last info I have is that he will be operated on today. I wish Andy well, hope you have a speedy pain free recovery my friend. Daniel Nelson Lets Ride!!!

Absolutely awesome weekend!!! Well organised Rony, and thanks a million!! This has got to go down as one of my best trips yet. Also to everyone else on the trip... fantastic company, and thanks to you too for your support on the weekend... Given the opportunity, I'd happily do it all again!! To answer HayleyC's question... There were a few 'spectacular' side stand incidents, but unfortunately this did result in one pretty serious injury. Andy Lovegrove dislocated his left shoulder and broke his arm (don't know the doctor terms) quite high up. He's having a nerve scan this morning and an op this afternoon. Despite starting to feel the pain, Andy sounded like he was in high spirits, as this indicates that there may not be any permanent nerve damage. Good luck Andy! Hope all goes well this afternoon!!! You're in our thoughts and prayers. In the end it's the life in your years that count, not the years in your life...

That is pity, all the best to Andy. Looking forward to the Trip Report.

All the best to those that purchased plots in the platteland and to those who sustained damage to their bikes. Thanks Rony for leading what appears to have been another great ride!!

The higher echelons will not engage the press. This is a task for the serf class.

Spoke to Rony earlier, he had managed to get hold of Andy this morning. I got asked to relay the following message. Andy is in good spirits despite the crash. He also said he really enjoyed the trip until the slip in the sand. They will be operating on him this afternoon and he also has one of the best surgeons in the country looking after him. From what I understand he would get back onto a bike tomorrow and go for a ride. Thats the spirit!!! Lets Ride!!!

What an amazing trip! Thanks very much to Rony, Daniel, Generaal, and Bakkies who helped with the trip. I had a awesome time with some really good people. I learnt a lot and had plenty of time to put into practice some of the teachings. This was by far the longest trip I have been on but definitely the best! I hope Andy's op goes well and wish him speedy recovery. With the pain, he sure put on a brave face! Wait for the RR to be done, complete with pictures!

Andy we wish you a speedy recovery. Ignore opinions, heed facts. Feet on the pegs, always.

Thanks Rony and Danny , this was one of my best trips yet :) , wonderful company , yummy food, lots of laughs , great routes with beautiful views , some in lovely isolated spectacular places , fantastic obstacles to delight us, like thick sand in tight corners , with slip sliding down Ganagga Pass in the rain and mud on our last day the highlight of the trip ;) Thanks Chris Hamman for the support , and showing us that bike riding can be poetic. Thanks Harley for having us in stiches. Thanks to Holger for coming all the way from Germany for the trip. Thanks to Sha for making us smile often. Thanks to Sean , the very nice back-up driver, actually thanks to everyone who came on the trip to make it the most memorable yet. Once again special thanks to Rony for your superb organisation skills . We got everything we asked for , and more . You are the best ! ''"4 wheels move the body,'' ''2 wheels move the soul"''

Thanks girls and guys, I enjoyed it tremendously and yes Andy’s mishap puts a dark cloud over the event but as Andy himself said this morning the thing he regrets the most is that he missed the rest of the trip! He would climb on his bike now and fill in the missing parts if he could. To answer haleyscomet or anyone else’s question, my number is 0828253880, call me in future and I gladly give anyone the facts, better even, join us and get your share of the fun! Like everyone said lets do this again! Dankie my "pellion" dit was baie lekker! Net nou trek jy jou hout jas aan, dan is alles te laat!

Hi Rony, many thx to you and your organising/back up team. It was really a great trip, and very international as well: Germany (3 no), USA, Malaysia, Italy, NZ (or has Harley finally decided to become an Oz??) and that Varadero owner must surely be Japanese, as I heard him speak that language fluently after he had to pick up bikes so many times (no names mentioned....? You're all a great bunch of guys. Now only to work out who's who on the web with all these skuilname? Slippery/snottery Gannaga was really the most challenging part for me, despite the free "bike wash" in the Tankwa Karoo thereafter(not everyone knows about it yet....). Rynet, in future pse. don't sleep downwind again...? Shah, you owe us for not looking back; however, the 45 min wait for help in the dorre veld was not bad at all. Got new batteries this morning from Justice at Dixon - thx Terry for the reference (the battery was only 20 months old, and packed up within 20 km from good to absolutely 100% useless - it's really alarming how quickly they can go. One might be stranded somewhere in an even more desolate place, and without help. How does one allow for it: always take an extra battery with?). No vehicles passed me in those 45 min. Fortunately we've had back-up riders in the group: thx Chris for towing me that 40 odd km, and thx Jeanne for lending me your battery! I still owe you those Jagermeisters.... I bought batteries (plural) yes, as my RT's battery also packed up this morning(not too bad after three years service though). You clever okes: why does the RT have an 19 Ah (R720), and the GS only an 14 Ah (R470)? The side pannier bracket broke off on the bumpy roads on the 2nd day already, so pse be aware: the 1200's panniers are not really meant to go (roughish) off-road! All in all, one helleva trip: Rony, when and where to is the next trip?!

Eish, sounds magic....soon, very soon. Sorry to hear about Andy. Get well soon.

Yummy foods!! Lunch Day 5 Lunch Day 5: Selected cold meat & cheese Dinner Day 4 Middlepos: Junaid favorite seat at the table Dinner Day 4: Dessert Lunch Day 4: Bacon Burger Lunch Day 4: Toasted tuna and mayo sandwich Dinner Day 2: Braai

Verneukpan at sunrise .... MAGICAL!! Verneukpan at sunset Spectacular places

Group photo at the BELL at Verneukpan Happy Hour at Middlepos Happy hour Civilized dinner: c/w: Mauricio, Cornelius, Rony, Daniel Civilized Dinner: Gavin, Jeanne, Sean, Chris M, Sean, Rynet Civilized Dinner: Boris, Du Toit, Harley, Gabriel, Holger & Cris H Haircut: Sean giving Shah a much needed haircut Law & Order: New Sherif in town with her Deputy German Horse Whisperer: Holger

Our Captain: Pre-trip briefing Our Chef Our Jester: with well earned wings Our backup bakkie driver: Sean

WHAT A REPORT, 100% for you young man. Ignore opinions, heed facts. Bum in the saddle.

Nice report, pity nobody heeds the comments and the very top post in this section: This section is for '''planning of trips only'''. Trip reports (aka ride reports, 'RR' etc) belong in the Trip Report section. Click on 'Create Content' on the menu on the right, choose 'Trip Report'. Website Administrator [http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]

Thanks ZZM great photos ! Your sunrise at Verneukpan is especially gorgeous , thanks :) ''"4 wheels move the body,'' ''2 wheels move the soul"''

@charles: Oops...sorry my bad. New to this. How do I move all these photos into RR? Or do I have to re-post? (rather not becoz it took me ages to figure out how to post the photos) @rynet: thanks. verneukpan had a magical feel to it, hah? @cheesy: tks. my post was not really a trip report. i just post some of the photos bcoz the gang threatened to take my camera away if i don't. others will post a trip report or two (rynet? sean aka reggie?)

Nevermind zzmelayu, I will move your posts to rynet's trip report. Sigh - please help me make the instructions below regarding posting of images a bit clearer... Image Posting Instructions Website Administrator [http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]

Charles, Your [UPLOAD PICTURE] is clear but the process of posting photos is not that simple to the uninitiated. First, the site does not automatically downsize the photos to comply to the 600KB requirement. I have to try by trial-and-error to downsize each photo to the right size. Second, one has to be careful to place the cursor in the exact place while inserting multiple photos otherwise one will get [img symbols all over the place. Any mistake means one has to restart the process all over again. Don't worry. Now that I got the hang of it, it is a no brainer. Also the arthritic fingers (from grabbing the handlebar for dear life) did not help! LOL!

Ja, then I feel sorry for the vBulletin users like on Wilddogs. If ever a process was complicated then it is the one required by that place. Well, ''now you are asking for a tall order''. How can my webserver know how big the image on your PC is? It would first have to upload it and then downsize it - which it cannot do because the process has a hard limit of 800kB on uploads. Once the file is on the server, the system '''does''' scale the image to the smaller size that you see on the page, which you can click to get the bigger version. I find that almost any photograph from a digital camera, when opened in an image editor and then saved again as jpg at 80% quality will be around 400kB. I don't do Windows, but find that Picasa (free from Google) will do the job easily on any system. Typically, I scale images to 1024x768 pixels (because that is the screen size of the common PC) and they come in under 100kB. Myself, I use ImageMagick command-line tools to scale all the images in a directory to 1024x768 in one batch job, then upload them into my posts. This problem is relatively new - there was a stage when it was without complication. I try to have a blank line above and below where I put my cursor and that seems to work. There is no need to start again - you can cut and paste that little magic invocation (from the '[' to the closing ']') anywhere in your post and it will still work. I know what you mean ;-) Still got callouses from the Dune course and Matroosberg. You are right about getting the hang of it - I've noticed a few people raving about this site when a year ago they had entirely other things to say about it and me :) Website Administrator [http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]

Hi zzmelayu I don't have all the fancy software downloaded from the web so when I post pics I down size then using Outlook. I highlight the pics I want to add to the report, Right click on them and send as attachment, Outlook will ask if it must downsize them for you, click on ok; Outlook will bring the mail with the attachments up. Click on the attachment to highlight it, then right click Save As and save them to a new folder and hay presto down sized

For all you PC people, go here http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/Downloads/powertoys/Xppowertoys.mspx Download the Image resizer Powertoy. Steps: 1) select the images 2) Right-click 3) Select resize images 4) select the image size, click ok it does the rest. It even renames them so you dont overwrite the originals. EASY :D