Elim Charity Tour

Is there any way I can get my grubby little paws on the photos that the journalists took?

Zebra, Just to confirm, see you 6:30 at the UCT upper Campus. Anybody in that area wanting to join and travel straight up the N2 is more than welcome to meet us there - please let me know on 0827238044 - we will be gone by 6:45 at the very latest.

YES :) It seems we are going to be a big group. See you EARLY.

The guys leaving from the Engen in Plattekloof, are we still on for 06H45 tomorrow morning?? Andy1200 Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly!!!

51 confirmed bikes!!!! Possibility of another 5 bikes. Just want to thank you in advance for coming to the party on this one. Our normal convoy of 8-10 bikes when visiting Elim, will now be something of the past. You will be rewarded in many different ways when you visit the charity tomorrow. Looking forward to putting the faces to the names and personally meeting all of you tomorrow. Yours in the heart of needy communities, Tanya 082 332 4635

Almost forgot. The one thing Tanya is not able to do - she just does not have enough time in her day left to keep udating a list of names on the forum. However, be assured as she gets your email your details goes straight onto her list.

Forget 50. :) Almost mid 50's. I wish you could see Tanya's house. Inspite of inflation, a few thousand rands worth of groceries FILLS the living area ! :) MANY people have contacted Tanya and offered help. Tanya have indicated various needs for Elim, AND the people HELPED !! There is a HUGE load of stuff that must be carted to Elim. If you have a bakkie and want to assist please contact Tanya asap. I am NOT asking bikers to now leave their bikes at home - I am hoping, and asking, for additional assistance. The reality is that more and more people are donating goodies - these goodies must be transported to Elim. THANK YOU to everyone that is helping. From the kind words that keeps Tanya going to the material donations. THANKS

Who cares about the weather, I can't wait to see the kids faces. Are we almost there with the 50 bikes...what's the latest? Andy1200 Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly!!!

Yes I know :-) Weathersa is not always correct.. I mostly get my weather forecasts from: http://magicseaweed.com/Cape-Town-Surf-Report/81/ Corné Kloppers 0849130391 ckloppers@gmail.com

Corne if you follow these sites closely you can see how the new fronts move "forward" or "backward". Over the last 12 hours they have continually updated their forecast - "forward". Meaning the cold front should move through quicker than first predicted. Weatherunderground has gone as far as to predict NO rain for Saturday. WORST case - few drops early Saturday morning. The rest of the day should be GOOD ! :)

Forecast: Saturday, 24 May 2008 Min: 14°C Max: 16°C Weather: Cloudy periods,few showers at first (30%) Wind: moderate westerly Sunrise: 07:37 Sunset: 17:48 Moonrise: 21:22 Moonset: 11:18

Saturday weather WeatherSA and weatherunderground has "improved" their forecast for Saturday. :) :) It seems it will be an overcast day with virtually NO rain. See you all Satrday morning - bright and early.

Unfortunately I can't join you... To Tanya, Johan & Chris thank you and well done for all the arranging and the effort that you have put in towards this amazing cause. I really hope you guys have awesome weather and that this ride will be a ride to remember - good luck and enjoy! Please take lot of pictures and update us on Monday? Johan de Jager "It's all about the ride, nothing else"

William, I sent you a pm

Hi Zebra, I sent you a PM regarding meeting place. Thanks

Pierre would you PLEASE confirm 1 or 2 ? Tanya must confirm the lunch booking on Wednesday. Pierre daai lekker laaaang draaie tussen Caledon en Bredasdorp wink. :)

I want to change Tanya's ?-mark next to my name to "ON" on my RT. Might even be 2 up. Weer Pierre. Don't waste space - live on the edge

Anyone departing from the CBD area? I'm travelling the N2 all the way to the meeting point, leaving around 6:30?

Just been told I have a free weekend. I'm in - off. That doesn't sound right. I'm keen to join the offroad guys. That's better. Mailed Tanya I hope it's not too late to join. ''The world needs dreamers that DO!''

I will be joining this ride...confirmed with Tanya this evening. Padlangs and Christo, I will see you at Engen Plattekloof...6:45

I have a mate who would like to join us, he is on an Africa Twin though. I've emailed Tanya to see if this is cool.

Underground please check your "PM" (personal message). Paul always place for one more. :) Please send that email to Tanya. Ladies and gents please spare a thought for the little restaurant in Elim. They have probably never had such a big group in one go. They do need numbers to to stock up and provide a perfect lunch. So PLEASE get those emails to Tanya.

Hi Tanya, Still Room for one more?- I couldn't work out where to sign up. I'll email cheers Paul

For all those "FAIR WEATHER" Bikers... Elim is on Saturday and here is the forecast: NO RAIN! Forecast: Saturday, 24 May 2008 Min: 14°C Max: 25°C Weather: Partly cloudy Wind: fresh south-easterly Sunrise: 07:37 Sunset: 17:48 Moonrise: 21:22 Moonset: 11:18 Moonphase: Waning Lets see more bikers out there. Tanya has done some great work here lets get out there and show our support. Its a great ride down there. Keep your feet on the pegs, and your hat on - Safe riding to all

Folks, if this is all about bikes do I take it that we can have "other makes" with us? Just a question as I have a few no BMW riders I could persuade to join us?? And yes nice people not "Rif Raf" Let me know Kind Regards Gavin. Keep your feet on the pegs, and your hat on - Safe riding to all

Christo, have a look lower down this thread. Tanya posted a list of names of those that will be joining the ride. ALL on and off road riders in the area are welcome to join us at Engen Plattekloof to go as a group to Somerset West.

Ek sal daar wees. Wie ry nog saam? Christo L

Christo no problem. We can depart from Engen Plattekloof at 6:45 for S West. This will give us some time to get to the Shell garage and have some of Tanya's coffee.

Just a suggestion - some of the guys moving past or staying close to the normal Plattekloof Garage or point of departure - let us start from there together? What time? Christo L

30 bikes confirmed. Thank you very much. Could we try and get to 50 by Wednesday? This is not for me or for the club....it's for the children. You'll only understand once you visited them yourself. Herewith the names and also an indication of on- or offroad Morne Lombard - on Shirley le Grange - on Brendan plus pillion - off Johan Mocke plus pillion - off Charles Melck - off Christo Lombard - on Andrew Gay plus pillion - on Allan Hammond - off James Wilkinson - on Christo Engelbrecht plus pillion - on Steve Thomas plus pillion - off Frank Mitchell - on Steven Bayhack - off Anne Connell - off Rene Verhulp - off Pieter Steenkamp - on HD plus pillion - off JR and Tanya - off Chris Frylink plus pillion - on Gavin Nicholls plus pillion - on Niel du Pissani - possibility that he might join Dirk Muller - off Wouter plus pillion - off Andy Connell - off William - on Pierre - on Theo - on Gavin Cooper - ? Chris Dunn - off Belinda Dunn - off In convoy on four wheels : Nico (Grondpad) with Elzaan, Luan, Linda Burger and DIE SON REPORTER Armien Davids from Elna Ralph Teullings with his 2 kids Die Burger (photographer and reporter) Derek Gearry Please keep those confirmations coming. Tanya 082 332 4635 trossouw@oldmutual.com

Warren Koen I hope you are coming

theo I trust that I may still join, albeit past the deadline date? Nevertheless, I will if I may join the group at Shell for the ride.

800 bikes - I'm not the pessimistic type, but I don't think so. I would even be happy with 50. Tanya 082 332 4635

Snow permitting I will join in as well. I'm in Mafikeng now but should find my way back to Somerset West on Monday. Heard on Radio Jacaranda that 800 Harley m/cyclists will be doing a "Blanket collecting" trip from Jhb to Hartbeeportdam as part of a breakfast run. I am sure we can beat their 800 bikes! Come on guys! This sounds like quite a challenge... Wait, have to prepare for the Stormers' game now-now. Then off to Gabarone for Saturday night, returning tomorrow. By the way, I was hit by a whole brick thrown from an overhead bridge on Sunday evening at 18:15 on the Platinum Highway toll road near Brits. Fortunately it missed the windscreen but hit the roof exactly above my head and opened a 150mm gash in steel roof as if it was a sardine can. I actually saw 2 guys on the bridge and saw one throw the brick but could not swerve anywhere because of 2 lane traffic. At least I can tell the story. If the brick was 100mm lower it would have gone through the windscreen and hit me on the left of my face, in fact it would have deleted a portion of my face..... Damage: Have to replace whole roof panel; quote R26 000. Moral of the story: If you see anybody on a bridge directly overhead, change lanes just before the bridge. It's worth your life. Pierre Don't waste space - live on the edge

How many bikes going to Elim?

Kaapse Son has a seat reserved. William, please ask her to contact me for final arrangements. Guys, we need more bikes!!!!! You can still confirm your attendance. Provisional lunch numbers will be given through on Monday. Got a call to say that the Elim children are busy with the final countdown before the bikers visit them - literally counting the sleeps. You may invite friends and family along. You can confirm via e-mail or sms. Hope to hear from you soon, Tanya 082 332 4635 trossouw@oldmutual.com

I will also be going, is there space in a car for a lady reporter from Kaapse Son?

PLEASE REPLY Tanya must finalise the bookings on Monday for the Elim ride. If you intend coming with and have not yet contacted Tanya, please email her a.s.a.p. Her details are in the first post. Thanks to one and all that have replied. This is going to be a stunning day, and a LOVELY ride.

The newspaper will follow our story from the Firlands Shell Garage on the 24th. Their article will cover a space 20 cm by 5 columns across. You can imagine the shock when I heard this. It's nearly half a page. I am so thankful for the response to this trip. It really means a lot to those kids and the community. I'm also glad to see that we will have quite a few road bikes on this trip (I think at the moment numbers could be even or maybe a bit higher on the tar). It's not too late, sms me or e-mail me. I will pass the numbers for lunch through on Monday morning. Many people have been asking where donations can be made to. With this trip, I'd like the club to be part of the handover and to share in the celebrations as we deliver the much needed goods. There could be a time towards the end of the year when I might ask you to open your wallets, so for now..... Thank you, I don't need money, just people who are willing to give of their time for this worthy cause. Watching the mailbox and sms's. Yours in the heart of needy communities, Tanya 082 332 4635 trossouw@oldmutual.com

'Die Burger' have made a reporter/photographer available who will be covering our Elim trip. Tygerburger also phoned this morning to do a story. Join the ride and let's show them the caring community side of the club. Tanya

10 days to go! Please remember that I need numbers by Sunday evening for the latest to confirm lunch numbers first thing on Monday morning. I've arranged for a light breakfast to enjoy at the Shell Garage get-together-point from the now famous Gravel Seeker trailor. Hot coffee and a nice treat will be served. Hope this is enough of an incentive to get more guys to join us on the trip. More exciting things might unfold over the next couple of days. Keep those e-mail confirmations coming. Yours in the heart of needy communities, Tanya 082 332 4635 trossouw@oldmutual.com

See you guys there - have sent mail already

I am very excited about the response that I've had to date and pleased with all the new names that I've seen (road bikes). Nice having you guys as part of the group. Please keep those e-mails with confirmations coming. The children at Mispah school are counting the sleeps and saying their prayers for clear skies on the day. Previously, very disappointed when we arrived with the bakkie, we told them that bikes don't ride in rain. Details of the trip: Everybody (On- and off-road bikes) to please meet at the Firlands Shell Garage just before you hit Sir Lowry's Pass Briefing time 07h30 - off road guys will leave at 08h00. JR (Gravel Seekers) is planning a little detour into Elim just to show you the surroundings. I would suggest we leave at 08h00 as we still need to feed all 130 mouthes before we enjoy lunch ourselves. Another positive turn of events - it looks as if Arabella Sheraton Hotel will be sponsoring breakfast goodies (muesli/yogurt/cereals etc.) for the morning for the nurses/caregivers/staff and the bikers. Once I have this confirmed in writing, I will let you know. Lunch will be served in the Watermeul Restaurant in 2 sittings as half of the nurses/caregivers of Elim Home need to stay with the children. I'd like to request that the guys joining on the trip, pay me their lunch money as I will arrange for EFT payment. Final numbers for catering purposes to be given through to me by close of business on Monday the 19th of May for the latest. You can also confirm via SMS 082 332 4635. Menu for lunch: Kaapse Bobotie Rice Roast potatoes Sweet potatoe Home baked bread with jam Cooldrinks/juice is included in the R50 per head. "In order to make a difference, all you need to do is start." So, come on guys. Everything is arranged, all you need to do this time round, is join us on the ride and be part of another unforgettable experience. Feel free to bring your camera's. I'll have some pics at the next club meeting. Yours in the heart of needy communities, Tanya 082 332 4635 trossouw@oldmutual.com

I think I'll join you guys. Will email Tanya now.