hennielowe
Race Dog
Matroosberg 2009
As a last minute decision I decided to attend the Matroosberg weekend organized by Country Trax, and what a great weekend it was. The venue is situated in the Matroosberg Reserve with no electricity but hot showers with gas.
On my arrival I was greeted by Leon and his lovely wife Liza that sorted me out with camping site, indemnities and the lay of the land.
Friday was a very laid back atmosphere, the calm before the storm. Everybody arrived in cam and sorted their net out and then started gathering around the fire as it was getting colder as the sun went down.
After a few jagermeisters everybody was old friends and the socializing was in full swing.
The official stuff was handled very quickly and efficiently for the ride tomorrow and then everybody went to bed after the dinner, this I found a bit strange but their was method in this as tomorrow was going to be a long day and these guys new from past experience to be in bed early otherwise you weren’t going to make it.
Saturday morning was a early start with Andy crowing at the break of dawn, hot breakfast (rashers, eggs, muffins, cereal, yoghurt) was served and then the groups left camp on our out ride of 250km. The route was spectacular taking us trough farms and some of the most beautiful countryside I have seen in a long time. The ride was mixed with fast sections as well as technical areas where you had to concentrate to keep upright, I will let the photos speak!
Lunch at op die berg was scones and juice and we managed to see the first half of the defeat in the rugby.
After scones and a bit of a rest the last part was tackled and what a ride, it seemed as the guys left the best for last and it was a great ride.
Skills challenge
As if the day was not enough adrenalin for the guys we had to come back at 17:00 and was faced with a daunting skills challenge or as I would call it a obstacle course with a difference. Leon and Lowrens designed a course that would have most people say: “you want me to ride this!!” well the guys was up for the challenge and was riding until it was dark, the last guys had to do the challenge in the dark.
The challenge was won by Rudolf from Robertson, congrats Rudolf. The prize was very fitting in that it was a leat brace.
Saturday night the fire burned high and we had a nice couple of wines and some other things as well, we did not go to sleep early!!
Sunday morning everybody was a bit sore in the shoulders and then we were treated to a two hour out ride on the farm just before we had a brunch to end the weekend off. This ride was great and we had great fun with a few spills along the way.
This weekend was one of the best organized events I have been on and I must congratulate the Countrytrax team for their well thought out routes and the great venue and food. I had and I am sure I talk for everybody that we had a great time and will definitely be back next year.
Thanks Leon!
link to the album in photobucket:
https://s616.photobucket.com/albums/tt249/hennielowe/MATROOSBERG%202009/
As a last minute decision I decided to attend the Matroosberg weekend organized by Country Trax, and what a great weekend it was. The venue is situated in the Matroosberg Reserve with no electricity but hot showers with gas.
On my arrival I was greeted by Leon and his lovely wife Liza that sorted me out with camping site, indemnities and the lay of the land.
Friday was a very laid back atmosphere, the calm before the storm. Everybody arrived in cam and sorted their net out and then started gathering around the fire as it was getting colder as the sun went down.
After a few jagermeisters everybody was old friends and the socializing was in full swing.
The official stuff was handled very quickly and efficiently for the ride tomorrow and then everybody went to bed after the dinner, this I found a bit strange but their was method in this as tomorrow was going to be a long day and these guys new from past experience to be in bed early otherwise you weren’t going to make it.
Saturday morning was a early start with Andy crowing at the break of dawn, hot breakfast (rashers, eggs, muffins, cereal, yoghurt) was served and then the groups left camp on our out ride of 250km. The route was spectacular taking us trough farms and some of the most beautiful countryside I have seen in a long time. The ride was mixed with fast sections as well as technical areas where you had to concentrate to keep upright, I will let the photos speak!
Lunch at op die berg was scones and juice and we managed to see the first half of the defeat in the rugby.
After scones and a bit of a rest the last part was tackled and what a ride, it seemed as the guys left the best for last and it was a great ride.
Skills challenge
As if the day was not enough adrenalin for the guys we had to come back at 17:00 and was faced with a daunting skills challenge or as I would call it a obstacle course with a difference. Leon and Lowrens designed a course that would have most people say: “you want me to ride this!!” well the guys was up for the challenge and was riding until it was dark, the last guys had to do the challenge in the dark.
The challenge was won by Rudolf from Robertson, congrats Rudolf. The prize was very fitting in that it was a leat brace.
Saturday night the fire burned high and we had a nice couple of wines and some other things as well, we did not go to sleep early!!
Sunday morning everybody was a bit sore in the shoulders and then we were treated to a two hour out ride on the farm just before we had a brunch to end the weekend off. This ride was great and we had great fun with a few spills along the way.
This weekend was one of the best organized events I have been on and I must congratulate the Countrytrax team for their well thought out routes and the great venue and food. I had and I am sure I talk for everybody that we had a great time and will definitely be back next year.
Thanks Leon!
link to the album in photobucket:
https://s616.photobucket.com/albums/tt249/hennielowe/MATROOSBERG%202009/
