Ok guys! Here's our contribution........
First of all......thanks to all the organisers and sponsors! What a great weekend!
A special word of thanks to HabaHaba for his patience during my stressfull and nerveracking first encounter with gravel!!! No wonder I love this bloke soooo much!! He's so relaxed and peacefull....
Thanks Groenie, Deepbase and JJ for your help in picking up my bike 2 along the way......This rookie really appreciates your help.
So let me start at the beginning.....
We finished packing only on Friday morning and still had to go to work. when you're your own boss, the business of business usually has to be sorted out before one can leave for the weekend and because I was so nervous about tackling the unknown, I played for time. DeonDJ actually phoned at one stage to find out where we where. To his shock he had to hear that we're still working.
Only got to leaving at 12h32 - not too far to ride - only 298km to Van Stadensrus!!!!
After a quick milkshake in Bloemfontein we headed out to Dewetsdorp and then Wepener. Nice long straight strech of road.
Arriving at Van Stadensrus I saw this little house covered in roses-made me think of "Doringrosies'" home from the fairytale......
OK I know some of you guys are laughing your hearts out!!! I'm a romantic, so shoot me!!!
This rookie now had to get onto gravel for the very first time (not pillioning) but in control of my own - newish Dakar!!! No training, just hubby coaching me through every sandpatch and turn.
It's defnitely not the same as opening up the throttle of the Fazer on the open road!!! Totally different!!!
At some point we took awrong turn but luckily met up with Groenie and company. Stopping uphill
and trying to turn the bike around resulting in me toppling it twice.
Groenie gave some inpromto instructions and off we went. Every now and then he would stop, show me to stop next to him and say " Stop woman, switch off the bike and listen to me woman......." Thanks Groenie!!! You rock Boet!!!
We got to the bridge near the camp and had to stop for a break again. The 3 musketeers was in need of little thirstquencing!!!
While relaxing on the bridge Rassie and company arrived with the news that Rassie fell and they think he broke it. This guy actually rode his bike from Worcester and near the bash had the nasty fall. He was so white in his face from the pain, I thought he might collapse. He got onto his 800 GS again and took of to the bash! OUCH!!!!
We got going again and boy oh boy!!! What waited for me I kinda expected but wishes would not come, but it did......veld and rocks. I don't think I ever prayed so hard in my life. And when I saw every one waiting along the veldpaadjie for the arrivals, I was concentrating on not falling in front of the guys.
Thanks Deon for taking th Dakkie down the last bit!
Meeting some of the dogs was quite interesting - some of you guys really do not fit your avatars, but what the heck! It was great meeting some of you!
Saturday morning just after 5'o clock a scream in the morning woke me and nearly gave me a heartattack.
Sies Willem en Louis-moes julle die girl so laat skrik. Julle is wragties duskant mal om so vroeg in daardie koue water te kon inspring.
Na 'n heerlike ontbyt van Oats, Chicken breyani, spaghettie en meatballs en koffie was ons reg om die pad aan te durf op Willem 100km trippie vir die oggend. Hahahahaha!!!
Remind me to think twice next time Willem has a great plan like this.
Filled up in Zastron on Coke, cookies, water and Lays chips for the humans and some petrol for the bikes, we headed out in search of Lundeans Neck Pass.
We had to stop at the bridge crossing the Orange river for some nice scenery. We have a lovely country, but boy, we are in desperate need of rain.
Then just before Sterkspruit Willem turned onto the gravelroad and the fun began.
I'll let the pics tell the rest of the story.
HabaHaba slid on some cement and you've seen the results on Willem report. Shoulder and knee still stiff, but otherwise I think we were lucky. Getting up an seeing the whole front wheel over the edge of the cliff, I realised that if I was the one in control, it might have ended differently, but thank God, all was ok!!!
Lundeans Neck pass was followed by a steep trip up the road to Tiffendale. It was cold up there, and we only had our summer jackets for the weekend. The road from Tiffendale took us down a steep descent and into Rhodes. A little town caught up in town. The last time I saw a phonebooth like that wa about 25 years ago. The snow boots caused quite a discussion around what nice bikeboots they would make. The coffee was so nice after the chill we felt after spending the last 2 hours above 2500feet.
Hitting the tar just outside Barkley east we realised that time flew by so quickly, we really could not waste any more time.
Hitting the way back we saw the clouds and thunder in the distance, and although we need the rain desperately I prayed for it not to rain until we got back safely to the bashsite.
At just about 20h30 we stopped the bikes at the campsite and realised we've done 550km for the day. Time for dinner and bed!!!!!
Sunday morning we were about the last ones to pack up and leave for home. Breakfast had to wait till Bloemfontein. The weather looked scary so we decide to head straight home. With the wind from the front we could only average 130km/h.
Arrived home at 12h35 - about 1150km in 48 hours!!
Oh and by the way, the way out from the bash and gravel wasn't so bad. I averaged 80km/h!!!
Maybe next time Groenie, I'll be keeping up with you at 180km/h. Hahahhaha.....
Topic: A Bashful Report (Read 22117 times)
