ABBG - was it worth it?

Twenty or more of our members were at the BMW Biker Gathering this weekend.
They were part of the more or less 450 BMW lovers from all over the country.
Hope all are back safely?

Yip - was home by 2. Excellent riding weather - except for the lovely wind we had. Eventually decided to take the highway and not follow the route plotted back - to much work that had to be caught up on.

Is it worth it. Yes i believe so. Bit pricy thought. Nice to see so many Beemers together. What was very obvious - was the difference between the normal bike rallies and the ABBG.

On Saturday we went for a walk on the golf course, and even though there was roughly 400 bikes at the resort you did not hear the normal noice level one normally hears at the bike rallies.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Although we will not be doing it on a regular basis. Will download our photos, and together with those posted by Deon, during last week - you can decide for yourself.

An expensive walk on the golf course...!
So what else was on offer - apart from the Blue Bulls on big screen?

Yes, it was well worth it.
For me, it is not only the event, but also getting there. To experience a trip like this with other club members is very special to me. To share riding experiences and meeting new members.Worth every moment.
It was pretty much the same format as last year.(Outrides, test rides,training,presentations)
The "proof-in-the-pudding" is that even more people attended this year despite the current recession.
The Champagne Sports Resort is a fantastic venue. The level of service is faultless.

The weather played along - despite all the "doom & gloom" weather reports.


There were the usual road & offroad organised rides, which we chose to do at our own pace.

Finally ending up at the Royal Hotel in Ladysmith for lunch!

Lachlan Harris revealed BM's latest bike at the Gala evening on Sat ( after the rugby )


Had a rather cold start this morning.That is 1C - not 10C ! Got to about 2.5C in Winterton,about 14C up van Reenen's and finally 18C in Randburg (home). Yahoo !


with very strong winds.

Had a WONDERFUL weekend !
Well done BMW !
Looking forward to next year's event.

Agree. Absolutely worth it.
It was our first ABBG and will not be the last.
We didn't stay at the Sports Resort, but at The Nest, a few kilometers away.
No complaints - spacious rooms with under floor heating, big screen TV, even the shuttle service was good.
Pricy? Yes.. But for a weekend like this, with so many things for the BMW (and Bulls) enthusiast, I'll pay it again next year.

Definitely not an event that can be organised in one week..
Well done BMW! - and also to the managers and staff of Champagne Sports Resort!

Thanks for the pics Mr D..

I don't see any decalls on the new BM. What is it?

mmm..
You mean you dont know its a S1000RR?
.. you dont read all the threads on this forum, do you??

It's a SUPERBIKE!

Tj and the other uninformed readers... search for superbike in the search window - top right of this forum...

Dankie Dani.

Ek's maar van die stadige soort, op 'n RT

Dan is die S1000RR net die fiets vir jou, as ek na Xaus en Corser se uitslae kyk van die afgelope twee weke

The pictures as promised

Andre and Ariana

Johan (JCM) and Johan Moorcroft

Eric and a group of riders

Elsabe - Warden

The Little Church at the top of Van Reenens

Elsabe and a new cat friend

At the venue

Just before sunset on Friday afternoon


Sunset - Friday Evening

Sunrise Satuday morning - same shot

They start them young

Elsabe, Dani, Marius - Saturday Morning

Elsabe - just before our walk around the Golf Course on Saturday Morning

On the golf course

The Groom that was to be married at the venue. Last moments of freedom

Surrounding area

The resort seen from the Golf Course

Taken from Champagne Castle veranda

Coffee/Tee and Scones

06:40 - frost on the grass

Frost on the Golf Course

Frost on the LT

Frost patterns

Elsabe and a cold LT

Rene Changuin doing the morning church service that was held at 07:00

Leroy mooi fotos'.

Hoop daai LT van jou se sitplek verwarmer het 'n Defrost verstelling. Dit lyk lekker koud daar!!!!

thanks for sharing!

By the time we left the ice melted - albeit the temp then was still very low.

But you certainly have the right bike for cold weather. I fitted a set of Oxford heated grips yesterday and what a difference warm hands make. The Triumph ones are just too expensive.

Yes - it most certainly does make a difference. Especially the heated seats on the LT. Driver and Passenger seats are split - so in cold wheather Elsabe's seat is normally on, whilst mine is mostly off.
Her back rest also heats up to 50c - after which it switches off, and will then come in intermittently. Helps to keep warm and makes winter biking more acceptable.

Most definately! recapping on what has been said already about spending time with people of similar interests I can only agree and look forward to next years gathering! only this time I won't spend the time at the local weavers hut buying rugs but rather spend the time with the "manne at the Royal Hotel" Thanks to Deon and LeRoy for sharing their photo's