Sabie GS Challenge 2010

A couple of us decided to attend the 5th Annual Sabie GS Challenge (ASGSC) that took place this weekend. Some of us missed the good old BMW-arranged event and some of us did not get the opportunity to attend the previous events, so this seemed like a good opportunity!

Since I'm currently suffering from GS-less-ness, I decided to go anyway - with the G450X (the payment was non-refundable anyway!). Deon Dry and Bruno Bonotto made up the rest of our riding group, and it turned out that there were a couple of other club members there too.

Arriving at the camp site, the tents were pitched between the trees on the banks of the Sabie river.


A couple of guys were already cooling off in the river. A nice alternative to the showers.


The number of entrants were limited to 150 and it was like a one big family get-together.


Bruno... still fresh.


Deon... also fresh.


It is just so awesome to wake up in your tent, next to your bike.


The Friday morning was the forest ride. You could choose the green or red route. We opted for the latter. It started off very easy and we took a break next to a banana plantation.


Shortly after some riding through pine tree plantations, there was a rocky uphill section where one guy lost it (tried the climb at about 70km/h!) and put down his relatively unscathed 800GS. He was fine, but his brake lever was bent backwards. Fortunately I carried tyre levers and it was quick-quick to repair the damage. He got separated from his riding buddies and Russel joined our group.


A while later we were treated with a washed out rutted climb. About halfway up I noticed a broken brake light - she took her toll! It was however a pleasure to watch the big adventures go up with the riders having to pick the right lines. I would have taken a nice picture of Bruno styling it up, but Russel lost his footing right next to me and I had to help him. Sorry Bruno!


When the route took us back through Sabie, Deon immediately noticed the pub and we had to stop for some "refreshments".


On our way to the lunch stop at Misty Mountain, we stopped at the Long Tom monument.


Deon had to settle the debate around size once and for all!


Crossing a river on our last stretch of dirt back to the camp.


Bruno,


Deon,


And I.


My trusty steed for the trip. Except for the short range (8 litre tank) and HARD seat, it was quite at home in these surroundings.


Bruno wanting to try some "mal pitte"! (not that he needs it )


Back in the camp after a satisfying ride. Even though there were only 4 showers, one didn't have to wait more than a couple of minutes to get clean again.


Early Saturday morning it was time for the 1st round of the skills challenge. The finalists would go through to the afternoon's event. This year they split it into two different events - one for the 650GS and up, and the other for the G450X, X-Challenges and HP2's. There was also a hare scramble event organized for the second group. Eddie putting the GSA through the zig-zag section.


Bruno was keen to try out and managed to go through to the finals!


This shot doesn't do justice to the difficulty of the X-track. It was an absolute pleasure to see the pro's putting the HP2's through their paces.


After breakfast we headed out for the Saturday ride. There was a choice of a green, red or black route for the day. We opted for the red again. We traveled thorough a couple of farms with a lot of jumping opportunities in the form of bumps to prevent erosion. We took a nice drop into a valley and parked next to a dam for a breather. It was reassuring to see a backup or medical vehicle now and again.


Deon and the dam.


My best imitation of our friend, Captain Morgan.


Just beautiful riding through the natural forests. Shortly after this picture I was coming downhill to a lefthander and locked to rear brake to slide it through. Unfortunately I over-judged the grip on my rear tire and promptly lost it in the turn. As I picked up the bike, I saw the camera man with the video camera just a couple of meters away. He nearly lost it on his quad on that turn and decided to catch some more action! To add insult to the non-injury, Bruno and Deon arrived on the scene and had a lekker chuckle at my misfortune.


We ended up at the Da Gama dam where our lunch stop was (after hauling 9km to a petrol station and 9km back to refuel my 450). We were treated with some great rolls and Red Squares to get the energy levels up. Little did we know what laid ahead, otherwise I would have had 5 more!


There was quite a technical downhill section, going down into a valley with some uneven terrain, and a climb back up where we had a rest. So far, so good...


We met up with some other riders on top of the hill where we took a nice group photo.


Going down, we had to deal with our first river crossing (minus the bridge). The heavies had to get through the water and then deal with nice sand on the other side. The 450 was light enough to go through the middle, but the rocks were quite slippery. Bruno decided he wanted to do some exercise and picked up his bike twice in the sand After the river crossing we went uphill again... and this is where the fun started. Going up on a single track, we were stuck in a traffic jam. The reason was a particularly bad rut in the path and most of the bigger bikes had to whack their way through the foliage on the side. It was quite hard work to get up there, not dodging ruts and rocks and bikes in the process.


Up top the Red Squares were worked out and general energy levels dipped below the reserve. It was quite impressive to see one HP2 towing another one up that mountain! (not a good sign of the 2nd one's reliability! )


We worked our way through the country side and another river crossing and reached civilization again in the form of a township. Fortunately the petrol station was close to a "beverage outlet" and we made full use of the opportunity to recover.


Heading back home, Deon and I were done for the day, but Bruno had to compete in the main skills challenge event. Nothing that a Captain can't fix. He rode remarkably well!


Time for dinner and prize giving. We were treated with an awesome lamb shank, rice and salad!


It turned out that Bruno took 3rd place overall!!!


But after the organizers realized that the overall winner was working for one of the sponsors, Bruno got upgraded to 2nd prize! Congratulations and well done!


Eddie didn't disappoint and took 4th place.


This is probably how you celebrate your achievement in Brazil!


It was a helluva awesome weekend filled with great routes, great organization, great friends and camaraderie. This is definitely on my list for next year to do again... and maybe then the black route!

Parabéns e bem feito, Bruno!!!

Well done to all and especially to Bruno - guess you will need to tell the rest of us about it at the next club meeting...

Well done Bruno !!! looks like you guys had a great time

Well done Bruno !
Thanks Marnus for the report and photos !!

That looks awesome! So wish I could be there. Well done Bruno, I am sure that trophy will be a frequent topic of discussion back in Brazil...

Lekker!! Dankie Marnus vir die trip report en foto'tjies!! Seems that you had a great time!!

Well done and Congratz to Mr Bonotto!!!

Next year I want to see ALL of you there!!! From the chats I've had with the green route riders, it was a real relaxed, enjoyable, bike & rider friendly route - like you can only find in that area of the country. So there are no excuses

Oh, and the skills challenge participation is entirely voluntary!

Kap hom oppi calendar...!

Lekker Lekker Bruno! And thanks for sharing Marnus!

Wow I am really impressed of all these really cool pictures...wish I could have joined you...hopefully next time. Congratulations to Bruno....

see you...JENS

Thanks Guys !!!!!!!
BUT It was just a second place.....rsrsrsrsrsrsrsrsrsrsrsrsrsrsrsrsrsrs
Joking!!!!! I Can Not Believe until now!!!!
A lot of better riders on the field....I guess it was lucky and the knowledge that I was there just to take part of the fun and not to compete!
Some goooood riders (much better than me) were kind of nervous and probably it made the difference.
I can say only that was a BIG surprise to receive the pride! I was so happy that the cup was small for the captain's....rs
I'm too tired to work on my pic's, but I'll send soon (After back from Brasil, at the end of the mounth!)

"Old dogs can learn some new triks...!

Some of mine….

Riding on Friday..







Gary teaching how to do with wives….rs



UP HILLLLLLL






Marnus…EASY!!!!!


Beautiful..









LUNCH TIME…






Sabie again…

Race on Friday morning…




Qualifying for the SKILLs CHALLENGE…















Some of the couples…

The Red Route (before Lunch!)












…and After Lunch (not too much time to take Pic’s !!!!!)








Helping a LADY..!!!!!






Marnus in a difficult way….(remember Drix!!!)

And Finally…..
The Top Ten Final
Skills Challenge….

A Lot of history to be told in a bar.....

Hmmm.... better ask Bavarian to check those wheel bearings!

Realy awesome event with great scenery, food, friedship and suffering

Some more pics
The camp



On the ride







With a Zamalec in the hand - No Problems

And every body just kuier after the days events

Awesome!
Well done Bruno!
Thanks for sharing

Looks like you all really enjoyed your selves.great phtos
Well done Bruno

Saw my little overcooked lefthander was published on Youtube