Buffalo Rally 2010

Well our ride started off with a short rain-soaked hop to Johannesburg station to board the train to Beaufort West. There were some other BMW people who also joined JB Tours to the Cape - some to go to the Bikefest and some on their way to Cape Town. Even some Club members were there.

Waiting to load the bikes - Deon Matthys and Dorothy


Bikes loaded


On our way


Having a lunchtime drink with new club member Marie Booy. She and her husband Marius joined the Club the night of the AGM.


Coffee and breakfast in Beaufort West while waiting for sunrise. Did not want to get started in the dark. Marie and Mauritius (JB Tours)


Waiting at the entrance of Klaarstroom for the rest of the group to catch up. There is a story here!!







Meiringspoort


The Thursday afternoon arrivals getting some beers from the fridge


then getting the tents set up


A quick discussion regarding colour-coding


Later some serious 'kuiering' around the fire



The Friday morning a ride was planned to Garcia Pass, Rons Sex Shop and Tradouw pass and then back to Mossel Bay.
Dorothy had her own private 'bike wash' available:


Sunrise


Leaving Rons Sex Shop after breakfast


Etienne vd Stokdt met Tom (Swiss) and Nina (German) in the main tent. They are travelling through Africa on a 1200GSA and he invited them to set up camp with us. Here they are talking to Gunther.


Their bike




some afternoon kuiering


before the Friday night braai


On Saturday morning some of us decided to ride to Knysna for lunch via the old road


Along the way we watched some people learning to paraglide




..and then went to look at the map of Africa that is formed by the flow of the river



Knysna Heads where we had lunch


Basiliki a one time club member


Marius and Marie (new club members who joined at the AGM) - were actually with the Bikefest and 'gatecrashed' the Buff team's ride!!


Back at the Buffalo campsite - some strange characters


I do have pictures that reveal what is under the apron.....


Later that night Tom and Nina entertained us with stories and pictures of their trip through Africa so far


The next morning Dorothy and I headed off to Beaufort West to meet the train - went the long way round and stopped in Uniondale for lunch


Also stopped later at the dam just outside Willowmore - no water in the dam yet in 2005 when we stopped here the dam was quite full. Has apparently been empty the last few years


Here is a picture taken coming back from the Buff in 2005. In the background you can see the water in the dam


After we filled up in Aberdeen we headed off to Beaufort West - 150km of virtually deserted road. Saw less than 10 vehicles on this stretch and also 3 traffic patrol cars. Wonder how many people they caught on such a 'busy' road!





After dinner in BW is was onto the train for an uneventful ride back to Johannesburg.

Thanks to all who were at the Buff for another great trip and especially to Deon and Basiliki for securing a great campsite.

Thanks for sharing !
Looks like fun !
Have a great trip !

Hope the heaters worked on the train this time - at least you bypassed al the porholes and rain on the way down.

Keep it coming

Sien daar is uiteindelik nog 'n LT in die klub - nou is ek en Frik nie meer so alleen nie. Iets wat ek nie lekker verstaan nie - Bavaria het oor die jare 'n hele paar verkoop - waar is die LT's

Wahl wrote:Keep it coming

??

LeRoy Olivier wrote:Sien daar is uiteindelik nog 'n LT in die klub - nou is ek en Frik nie meer so alleen nie. Iets wat ek nie lekker verstaan nie - Bavaria het oor die jare 'n hele paar verkoop - waar is die LT's

Dis Mauritius van JB Tours se LT.

O - still then where are all the LTs that have been sold ove the years??????

Hey Wahl and Deon P.... we missed you guys.

Deon P, Basiliki asked about you 'all the time' and her and I were reminiscing the previous years stories... looooong stories and so much to tell - like the photo competition, who did take the best pics in the end - you or her!?!?!?

Wahl, we really (really) missed you there! Even though you had only been once so far, you've made your mark! I think we all need to start planning for next year's Buff - perhaps we can do a nice long trip around the country again... or go by train, it was fun!

Dave, thank you for making it a special trip again, loads of memories to treasure - you're special!

Thanks for the great report back.
Looks like you had a wondeful time.
Pleased you are home safe and sound

I really miss Deon & Basiliki. They are a really great couple. Hope they come and visit the club sometime !! Hint Hint !

Would love to have come with you guys. Always FUN !

How were the pancakes this year at the Buff ?
Did you order them with caramel & banana ?

Good to see Deon and Basiliki again - albeit on the forum in photos. Thanks for sharing for those of us who could not get away to the more pleasurable side of life. Seems you had excellent weather.

Just looking at the pictures I SOOO wish I was there. It looked like you guys had a great time. Must start counting the sleeps to the next Buff.

Thanks for the RR Dave! Always nice to see and read about awesome journeys if you can't go yourself.

PS, I didn't know you rode a Dakar in 2005?

Thanks for sharing! Looks great!

Marnus wrote:
PS, I didn't know you rode a Dakar in 2005?

Yes - Dakar I traded on the R1200S in April 2008.

I hope there will be more of this in Mosselbay. I just have to make it next year. Thanks for sharing Dave.

Really nice pics!

I saw some of you at the Wimpy in Colesberg yesterday. Went to Mosselbay, visited friends, never even went to the Buff neither ABBG, but had loads of fun.

The body is a tad tender today ... its a long trip in one day.

Looked like you had lots of fun. Thanks for sharing. Will definitely try and make it next year.