Badplaas 2009

Waars almal. Busy downloading the photos to FB - drag and drop from there to Forum
Andre and Elsabe - on the way to Friday Dinner:


Sharing a good bottle of wine dating from the year we met

Saturday Morning en route to Barberton - stopping for the rainsuits


Elize & Andre & Elsabe - all suited up


Crista & Peet, Kobus & Linda, Alun, Faan


Alun, Faan, Lauritz & Sheilagh, Johan & Marisabel


Andre & Elize - Saddle Back Pass


The 2 loves of my life - Elsabe & LT - Saddle Back Pass


Johan & Marisabel - Saddleback Pass


The top of Saddle Back Pass towards Barberton


The top of Saddleback Pass towards Nelspruit


Faan and Alun in the background - Saddle Back Pass


Elsabe & LT with Barberton in the background (SBP)


Andre & Elize & RT & Barberton in the background (SBP)


Heading down SBP


Andre & Elize - Kaapse Hoop at the Pancake Place


Elsabe - Kaapse Hoop at the Pancake Place


Christa at Kaapse Hoop at the Pan Cakeplace


Andre & Elize, Elsabe, Alun, Christa & Peet, Linda & Kobus, Faan, Marisabel & Johan - Pancake Place - Kaapse Hoop


Laurits & Sheilagh - Kaapse Hoop - Pancake Place


Kaapse Hoop - Pancake Place


Saturday Evening - just after Sundown at the Boslapa - Badplaas


Peace and tranquility - Badplaas


Boslapa - Badplaas


Inside of the Boslapa


Wine - the nectar of the gods

So where your pics??? Hey??


...thats cheating - you sneaked them in after my post!!

Here a few pics

Saturday morning ride just before we turned off onto the road to Komati Nickel mine.


On this road at an altitude of 2 032m asl the mist closed in and the temperature was at a fresh 10.5 deg C.


Stopped the mine entrance where the dirt road began


...and then rode the same road back to the turnoff where we turned right and carried on to Machadorp for brunch.

Stopped at the Old Mill Hotel.


It was bought as a dilaped mill about 3 years ago by Harry ('arry) and renovated to what it is today. Has 7 spacious rooms and is very clean. All the wooden furniture is either oregan pine or cedar and is wood that was part of the structure of the mill.

The headboards of the beds, desks in the room, cupboards etc were all made personally by 'Arry who does woodwork as a hobby.

All the building work was also done by him.

I don't have a picture of him but I know someone will post a picture soon.

Some of us on the way to the Bushlapa




Elsabe and Leroy strutting their stuff on the dancefloor




Dorothy and Trudi continuing with their 'teambuilding'

From a biased ‘S’ rider



We were early at Atterbury Shell and enjoyed a snack at Dros while waiting for other members to pitch. At that time Trudie and I had no idea who will be joining us on the ride to Badplaas.



Then came



Willie Nel,

Isac,

Frik van Staden,

Peet & Christa



Six bikes in all showing a leg stretcher just past vanDyksdrif.







We had to don rain suits on the way for a short downpour before Carolina – all in the line of riding.



Arriving at the Hotel Trudie and I were quite pleased with our booking in a chalet as we heard the Hotel has no potable water available in the rooms. What is available is brown and not pleasant. Only an apology from their side. Nothing else – not very professional!



After unpacking in our chalet we were back very quick to mix with the other members in the ladies bar. A good time as always.



The dinner was served in the Bikini Bar near the cold pools area. No bikinis evident though. Quite a walk from where we were lodging but nevertheless a pleasant experience.









We enjoyed drinks at the bar and then moved in to the dining area where our meals were available a la buffet. Enough for everybody present, except for the ice cream that was replenished very quickly.



For drinks each had to go back around the corner to the bar for fills and refills. This proved to be too time consuming and I succeeded in buying a 5L carton of red – in folk language known as ‘dooswyn’ – cannot understand why people always regard you different when pitching in the dining area with a ‘doos’ on hand…



The 5L did not last the night. By 10h00 al patrons were ushered out the dining/bar area by the staff wanting to lock up. We had to down our drinks in a hurry and leave not to be removed with force. Not very professional again… Where are the bar laws of this country where patrons can not be removed while still enjoying their drinks? Even long after ‘last round?



Next morning after breakfast some 8 bikes took the ride to Machadodorp via Nkomati Nickel Mine – a dream of a twister.



The Old Mill as owned/managed by ‘Arry is worth a visit and possibly an overnighTer.



The two ‘hot chicks’ in the entrance are not to be taken on without gloves…







'Arry is the gent on the left





The plasma was tuned to the Grand Prix qualifying and all had an interest – while Jamie and Wahl couldn’t resist the itch and went for a scratch in Sabie, some 150km further. We met up again with them later at Badplaas.





Ready for the official YEF dinner.



The dinner was served after the Currie Cup final which we really enjoyed – that is the Bulls supporters, of course!! BULLE BO!!!!!!!!



When about a third of the patrons still in line to be served at the buffet, the table ran out of meat (beef). They could not stand longer and carried on without a moan, substituting the beef with gravy, until that was depleted too. Up to tonight, no apology or new meat dishes were provided – again, not very professional!



During the prize giving the following were handed out by our mr Chair Man Richard; (please forgive me if I miss out one or two – wasn’t up to standard anymore at that stage – the Bulls won the Cup you see?)



- Jamie The Soapie award

- Trudie Her commitment to the Woman’s Day ride in August

- Trudie & Dot For team building? How many in their team??

- Dave Wheelie award for doing the perfect somersault at C Trax

- Corlia Pillion of the Year

- Marius *Censored*

- Alun Tiller of the Year

- Richard ‘Elephant Memory’



We enjoyed ourselves;



Ag Sies Dave







Dis beter...







Then we all waited upon the game viewing vehicle to transport us back to our chalets. A good night by all amongst wonderful friends.



Sunday morning only four riders decided to take on the long road back home via Nelspruit and KaapseHoop. You missed out!



The road to Kaapse Hoop are just passes and sweeps. The pass before Nelspruit was rebuilt recently and is stunning. Have to go back there.



And then there is Kaapse Hoop – The next Clarens in the making! What a place this is…. The wild horses I heard of so many times are in fact tame and loitering in the streets with everybody enjoying them. One mare gave birth the day before and the filly is still in the top-heavy mode – to beautiful not to appreciate.





Frik mentioned he heard the horses move closer to the Vet’s residence when they feel sick? Wow, this is just unbelievable… But then, why did the wild mare give birth on the pavement in town next to the main road leading into town??



Our planned route then took us on another sweeping road to the N4 at Ngodwana. Arriving there I saw a black line on the GPS screen crossing the N4 and looked like a tarred road joining up further. Unanimous decision was to carry on on this unknown route…



What a road. All tarred as far as we go, climbing from 1000m to over 1950m on the mountain top through pine plantations, sweeps to dream about – on tar!







at 1950m















Up to a point… The tar suddenly stopped after about 60km of endless passes and we had to make a decision; turning around or pushing on, on the gravel? The GPS telling us another about 17km as the crow fly to the T-junction at the main road.



First Frik said the LT is not really happy on gravel, Willie was happy to take on the gravel, Trudie was very quiet but wouldn’t turn around alone, and I wanted to take on the gravel.



We all then pushed on… at a speed starting at about 25km/h and gradually moving up to over 40.



My Bluetooth comms with Trudie became very quiet... Not a word from her. When I enquired about her wellbeing all she said she’s OK. Well as OK as that OK sounded, not very convincing. She riding second, Frik third and Willie (used to gravel with his R-ST) at sweep.



Ten minutes later I heard Trudie referring to the view in the valley to the right and I knew… She has overcome herself and her fear, she’s starting to enjoy the ride – and I started to relax



The road was hard and reasonably smooth with the occasional wash-away by recent downpours. All we needed to do was keep the momentum, relax the arms and let the bike do its own thing. This was starting to become a pleasant ride and it was time for a Kodak moment.





While I was setting up the camera for a timed shot Trudie mentioned she might have to get a GS again. Frik replied she shouldn’t as the ST fits her like a glove – even he was relaxed now on the LT.







After the picture taking we started to go down the other side of the mountain and in the distance we saw what we didn’t want to see – a downpour, right in our path…



This we can do without as the road condition was starting to deteriorate and any wet will cause a slip – or spill…



What will be first, the rain or the T at tarred main road? Some 4.5km further as per the GPS?



I stopped again for a picture while they passed, with the rain on the horizon…







Then the T-junction with the N4!







Dirty rims - ST





Dirty rims - GT





We had 5mins to don our rain-suits when it started to rain, just as we pulled off.



What an experience!! And what did they say?



Willie: “A wonderful road!”

Frik: “The LT handled like a scrambler!”

Trudie: “We must do it again!”

What a girl she is…



And what friends we have in this club!



A splendid weekend!

Awww... pity I missed it. And it's awesome to see that the S's on the gravel is becoming a common occurrence - nothing unprofessional about your "skillz"

Sooper Doopers!
Now that's great tj!
(I'll post my two pictures soon.)

Is it just me who cannot see Leroy's pictures and some of Johan's?

I have logged in on two different computers today and get the same result?

Neither can I. Maybe he has put a restriction to his pics?

tj wrote:Neither can I. Maybe he has put a restriction to his pics?

Can't see some of yours either - don't download at all??

TJ, ek kan ook nou opgewonde raak soos julle oor die stof en modder op julle fietse........ Jy sal my nie glo nie, maar ek sit nou en "polish" nat teer vanaf my fiets, ek moes seker iewers op die teerpad gery het. HEHEHEHEHE!!!

DaveS wrote:... Is it just me who cannot see Leroy's pictures and some of Johan's?

Yep same here - maybe LeRoy must drag n drop again?

Here another word or two from me - hope you can see the pics!

It was an eventful hour before we finally got on the way:
Marius's 1200's battery died on him just as we were packed and ready to go for Atterbury Shell.
All pushing and kick start attempts failed but Bavarian East immediately came to the rescue and brought an emergency battery right to our house!
Super service - Thanks Simon and Sam!
In the mean time I joined Colin at Atterbury Shell (who was there right on time 30mins prior to departure time)
and we waited.. and had a cappucino.. and waited.
Then Pieter & Zonica arrived - with some work still to do to his GPS. He politely asked if he can use the 800's seat as a working bench - (ai what you would do for friends!)
And then Andre arrived .. who also needed to take out some tools for making final adjustments.

Marius joined us at Simon Vermooten just as we passed the off ramp and off we went on the old Bronkhorstspruit Road, via Cullinan where the tar eventually turned into gravel. With last week's rain it was a dust free ride with smiles all over!
Pieter’s route took us on lovely gravel roads via Loskop dam – with thick clouds watching over us …


.. and then we took a pothole road with a bit of tar on it - it was easier to take the dirt alongside of the road!
No pics.
We crossed the N4 and met the first club members - Johan & Marisabel Strauss - in Carolina.
Pauli & Joy also joined in and we decided to continue on tar to Badplaas.

The rest of the afternoon was spent around the hotel, welcoming members and friends, making small talk here and there and realising we all share the same passion! (Bikes that is!)

GS outride on Saturday:
The twisties on the way to Komati mine were great - knobblies not the ideal tyre for that though.
Once in the mine area, we got a bit lost. The GPS says 'Road ahead' - but someone has built a mountain right across the road!
Andre did a recce to the left and Pieter tried to see if we can go around to the right - and I was praying.
The mud up to that point was do-able, but it only spelt disaster!
Finally two gentlemen of the mine stopped next to us and informed us that there are now fences and we have to turn around.
They showed us the way out of there and directed us to Kaapse Hoop.
Through plantations, up and down passes, here and there puddles - all in all the perfect way to spend time on your GS.

Gravel highway through Celtis Pass came up and we took a rest:


Five up to Sias who took on the GS ride with sore and swollen ankles after his incident earlier the week!
Talking about passion!

We had a quick beer & brunch in Kaapse Hoop and then continue on gravel to Barberton where 5 bikes continue the outride and 4 bikes decided to return to Badplaas in order to have some time in the hot water before the Bulls game and the evening's function.

Our Back-up couple, Adriaan & Allie arrived with the second group at the Boslapa.


Funny to see the familiar faces in a vehicle driven by someone else...


I wasn't too active with my camera - but that doesn't say it wasn't a great weekend:
Great rides & good friends - Thanks to everyone!

Ag, wat sal ons hieroor sê: Friends for ever!

Thank you all for posting pictures and thanks to all for being part of a great weekend.

Gs group on the road to Loskopdam






Enjoy the friendship and a few drinks on arrival at Badplaas.



Gs ride on road from the mine





On the way to the ghost town













Thx for another nice ride.

Need to go back to the Mine area, look at the surrounding play ground!

Wow... nice pictures.

Hmmm.... that HP2 is looking very, very nice!

I am so sorry we missed it! It looks like you all had a great time! Will definitely join in next year.

Looks like the GS guys really visited a ghost town!!

No pictures - probably because they couldn't see it!

Members, please give me feedback on the YEF - positive or negative - so we can learn lessons for next year.
I stayed in the hotel and would like to hear from members who stayed in the bungalows and chalets.
PM me at Richard@bmwclubs.co.za if you want to remain an onimouse...

We had a nice chat with Marius and Dani. Ina and I were one of those that stayed in the hotel where we sometimes did not have water. But this was a small price to pay if we take the following in consideration:
- The fantastic rides around Badplaas
- The great indoor pools
- The various shops - even more than one coffee shop where you could get REAL coffee
The only real issue was the terrible smell of old cigarette smoke which you find in many hotels, not just Badplaas.
Thank you very much for an enjoyable week-end of rides and rest.

For all those that have been waiting patiently for new pictures to be submitted - have just uploaded mine on the first page - opening post.

With regards to feedback - chalets were nice, more than enough hot water. Was glad we did not have to do breakfast at a set time in the hotel - had rusks and coffee to fill the gap - hence we were quite hungry by the time we got to Kaapse Hoop.

Could thus do justice to their humungous pancakes - even the small ones are above average.

Richard H wrote:Members, please give me feedback on the YEF - positive or negative - so we can learn lessons for next year.
I stayed in the hotel and would like to hear from members who stayed in the bungalows and chalets.
PM me at Richard@bmwclubs.co.za if you want to remain an onimouse...

1.Musty, damp smelling hotel room. Leaking washbasin causing a lake on the bathroom floor. Moved to the only available chalet - chalet was good but needs some touch up.
2. Friday night bar service shortage of some drinks, dinner was fine but a bit slow with replenishing food that had been finished before all could dish up. Literally kicked us out of the venue at 10pm.
3. Saturday night at Boslapa - shoddy bar service - no glasses when we arrived, no cold beers, no wine etc. The barman was the same one as for the Friday night. Would have expected that they knew our requirements from Friday and planned accordingly. Wine was an issue Friday night as well.
4. Food problem same as for Friday - could not refill what was finished in time for others to dish up - definitive lack of planning/ability on the catering side.

But then it is the company that makes an occassion memorable and that was good - except for the Bulls supporters that is!

LeRoy Olivier wrote: Was glad we did not have to do breakfast at a set time in the hotel

Breakfast hours were from 7am - 10am. Not exactly a 'set time'?

True - al the same - by the time we got to Kaapse Hoop we could do justice to those pancakes.

LeRoy Olivier wrote:True - al the same - by the time we got to Kaapse Hoop we could do justice to those pancakes.

I'm sure!

Thank you for reports, pictures and feedback regarding the Year-end Function at Badplaas - a highlight on our Club's calendar.
Irrelevant posts have been removed.