Invitational

Lesotho Tour (click on image to enlarge)

This ride was so popular that the committee split it into 2 groups.

And because we feared the intrusion of non-listed riders the start venue was quietly shifted elsewhere.

I had already typed up my report in a word.doc file , pipped to posting by Pete Ohanlon, who is indispensable on any ride.

He has an almost inexhaustible dispensary of jokes (mostly bawdy), quips, moments of magic wordplay with excellent sense of timing and no end to his humour.

Longway Moto's fleet of Suzuki's were delivered last week and, after completing registration, Nicole and I needed to put together a group of people to assist us with a run-in ride.

Logically, the most competent riders we know come from the BMW Club, so the choice was obvious.

Pete O, Andy Gay, Tertius, Fanus, George and Cheryl, Nicole, a couple of friends and one of the tour operators who rent bikes from us all pitched at the shop at 79 Roeland Street at 7.30am.

Taking it easy, as the bikes left with ZERO km's on the ODO, we ran out onto the N1. A quiet breeze up the N1 soon got us to Du Toits Kloof.

This was to be an EXTREME adventure trip – we were well-warned at our pre-trip get-together. In retrospect, it was extreme in every way – extreme riding, extreme hilarity, extreme exertion, extreme exhaustion, extreme jokes and banter… In short, if your nerves, muscles and bones weren’t screaming, then you were screaming with laughter. The perfect recipe for extreme de-stress and 'uithak'.

17 Riders + Backup Vehicle:

Geoff Russell - 1200GSA – our trip leader and organizer
Kevin Layden - 1200GSA
Olaf Gaertner - 1200GSA
Hennie Botha - 1200GSA
Marius du Preez - 1200GSA (from KZN) – aka Doctor Love

Our riders:
Annie - F650GS
Karin Pohl - F650GS Twin (Bella)
Erica Korb - F650GS (BenG)
Glenda & Melanie - F650GS
Jean - F650GS (PinkGoat)
Chrisma - Kawasaki KLR (Sidechick)
Michelle - KTM (1 Kat)
Peter O'Hanlon - F650Dakar (Our ever-patient Sweeper)

The Ride was once again successfully organised by Renette (Rynet) who unfortunately had to phone me on Saturday evening to cancel herself as the trip leader :( because of a very bad bout of flu (We missed you!)

Renette gave me the route telephonically and asked me to lead the ride. At this stage it was still raining cats and dogs. I went through to Plattekloof Engen with dark clouds looming - the same clouds that caused a few to phone and cancel - I got 5 minute updates from Renette by phone. I wondered who would pitch! I caught the tail-end of the Tulbagh breakfast ride and waited with a cup of coffee, almost swallowing it in one gulp when 7 bikes arrived just about simultaneously :)!

All BMWMCCC committee members are invited to a meeting.

The show is about 2 hours long and is about a biker and his life played by Willem van der Merwe with a rock band playing all the old favourites from Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock" to "Bad to the Bone" and "Joyride".

A Self Defence Workshop for Lady Riders, Pillions, Wives, Girlfriends, Daughters, Sisters, Cousins, Aunts and Grannies...
Hosted by [http://www.selfdefence.co.za/html/about_smitti.html Sanette Smit] of [http://www.selfdefence.co.za/ Self Defence Workshops cc]
VENUE: [http://www.ruslamere.co.za/ Ruslamere Guest House Spa & Conference Centre] 14 Langeberg Road, Durbanville

To Register or book, [http://www.bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/bmwmcc-ladies-self-defence-workshop-registration click here]

The Workshop, aimed at the 'average' person, includes:

A comprehensive lecture on Rape

The Gravel Seekers (JR and MotherT) are planning a trip to the Mighty Men Conference 2009 by Angus Buchan on his farm in Greytown, KZN. The conference is only for men (Mother T will be seeing to the catering needs on our trip - someone mentioned that there might be a (church) service for the whole family). They are expecting 200 000 men and places are filling up quickly.

Price of the conference : Free
Price for camping for the whole duration : R150 pp

There's been quite a bit of interest of people who would like to join us.

The plan going forward (while JR finalises the route which will be tar only) :

Friday 13 Feb 09:

• Registration from 11:45
• Cash bar opens at 12:30
• Swimming pool open whole day
• Gymkhana to start from 14:00 (polo field)
• Exhibitor hall opens 14:00
• 1st Round Skills Challenge to start at 15:30
• Weekend briefing 18:45
• Wine Auction NC Estate Wines from 19:30
• Spitbraai & Chicken braai with 3 salads to start from 19:45
• Live entertainment to start 20:00

Saturday 14 Feb 09:

• Registration opens 06:00
• Breakfast (for campers only) opens at 06:15
• Various off road outrides leave NC from 7:15am (for red route, the other rides 30 minutes later).