Author Topic: Ben 10 Challenge - Getting high and saying goodbye in the Eastern Cape (Read 12259 times)

Noneking · « **on:** May 13, 2019, 10:51:26 am »

It doesn't take much to convince @Ghato (Righard) to join any sort of adventure. Righard has great difficulty saying NO in general, but especially when it comes to taking on a challenge. His recent acquisition of of a beautiful BMW R1250 GSA seems to have reignited his love of biking after a few years spent frustrated on an array of Ducati Wannabe Adventure bikes

It therefore came as no surprise when he agreed to join Thomas Bohm of Sabie Vallye Rider Academy's Ben 10 trip. I was grateful to have a old friend join the trip and the two of us had an awesome time, cementing our friendship over 5 days of spectacular riding.

This was also to be my last trip on my much loved 1090R. It had been a stormy relationship but I have come to be in awe of the big monster's ability in tricky terrain. I made the decision to replace it with a 790R a week earlier and was looking forward to this 5 day long goodbye.

chopperpilot · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2019, 10:59:58 am »

Ek volg! Wag in spanning vir die res!

Dwerg · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2019, 11:02:14 am »

Lekker. Ek skop myself dat ek nie saam gekom het nie

edgy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2019, 11:04:19 am »

Looking forward to more!

ClemS · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2019, 11:07:39 am »

ChrisL - DUSTRIDERS · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2019, 11:12:05 am »

Sub!!

Noneking · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2019, 11:30:08 am »

Thomas Bohm showed me how little I knew about riding a bike 5 years ago. I did several courses with Thomas and over the years we became friends and have done countless rides together since. Those who know Thomas and his wife Jacqui will tell you that a they make an amazing team and this trip was to be no different.

Lars · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2019, 11:57:10 am »

Noneking · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2019, 12:16:19 pm »

The rest of the riders:

Mike and Shirley - KTM 790R and KTM 790Adv

Deon - BMW 1200GS

Mat - BMW 800GS and Laurie BMW 1200 GS

Gus - BMW 1200 GS & Pikkie - BMW 850 GS

James & Karen - BMW 1200GSA

Boris - KTM 790R and Michelle - Backup Vehicle

Noneking · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2019, 12:48:22 pm »

The group was to depart from Mike Grimsted's Boulders Lodge and Riding Academy in Fouriesburg at 12pm on Wednesday. Righard and I decided to leave on Tuesday and meet up with Jacqui and Thomas for supper in Fouriesburg. Bikes were loaded on Monday and we left Nelspruit at 1pm after I spent the morning tying up a few loose ends at work.

Noneking · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2019, 01:51:30 pm »

We arrived in Fouriesburg and met up with Bohms. We had a great meal at Di Plaasstoep, nearly spoiled by some drunk framers and their dogs at the table next to us.

After supper we booked in at Boulders Lodge and got into bed early. Little did I know that Righard developed a snoring habit since we last shared a room and I was left searching my luggage for my ear plugs in the early hours of the morning.

With ear plugs in place I eventually fell asleep and slept like a baby until 8am. It was a cool, wet morning in Fouriesburg and as we sat down for breakfast, Mike started scaring Righard with horror stories of Bastervoetpad and Ben Macdhui

Last minute KTM maintenance

The rest of the group started arriving from Gauteng

Noneking · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2019, 01:56:49 pm »

We left Boulders around 1pm and headed for Caledonspoort border.

Noneking · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2019, 01:58:02 pm »

Bikes and kit still clean.....

Noneking · « **Reply #13 on:** May 13, 2019, 02:02:27 pm »

Laurie, the Ausie diplomat had a nasty surprise waiting......... he packed his wife's Ausie passport instead of his own and the look on Laurie's face as he tried to comprehend what happened was priceless.