Serendipity ROCKS!

I've been asked a number of times why there are so few GS "away" trips for 2010. Well, I wasn't involved in the planning of this year's calendar, but certainly won't let the opportunity to get some overnight trips go to waste.

Reading through offroad/enduro type magazines, a place that always catches my eye is Serendipity Trails. I became even more interested after a friend of mine said we should go there after getting good word from his buddies. So armed with a small advertisement, some word-of-mouth and a quick browse on their web site, the destination for the first GS overnight trip for 2010 was confirmed.

So what is serendipity? Wiktionary defines is as "An unsought, unintended, and/or unexpected discovery and/or learning experience that happens by accident and sagacity".

This trip was exactly that (except that it was sought and intended). Some unexpected discoveries, some learning experiences by accident

Myself (1200GSA), Sias & Corlia (650GS Dakar), Pieter (1150GSA), Zonica (CRF230), Jens (800GS), Deon (650GS Dakar) and Etienne (650 XChallenge) met at the Atterbury Shell early Saturday morning. Etienne & Zonica would be taking the CRF230 & XChallenge on the bakkie and stop in Bela-bela for last minute shopping.



Our route took us towards Serendipity (situated between Nylstroom and Naboomspruit - yes, some new names for these towns which I can't pronounce let alone spell!) around the Rust de Winter dam and Settlers area. We were on the gravel soon enough.



On our way we had to deal with the occasional vehicle, guinea fowl and even a herd of cattle or two. With the exception of one rutted road (Which would be something to behold in the rainy season), the gravel roads were in great condition which allowed cruising speed of between 80kph and 100kph.



We arrived at Serendipity late morning and proceeded to strip the bikes of all the flimsy bits while waiting for the owner, Johan, to brief us on the different routes that we can take. Even the road to the Treehouse camp where we stayed started with a little river crossing and a rocky climb (something that will become the standard for the rest of the trip!).

The 1150 Adventure looks even more intimidating without a screen and mirrors



Etienne giving Jens a hand to trim the 800GS to size



After the breaky bits were removed and Johan told us where we could and could not ride, we kitted up ready to warm up on the Quad playground track, after which we would tackle the 1-hour loop.

Etienne ready for battle on the capable XChallenge (or BMX as he likes to call it!)



Zonica all dressed up and ready to go on the CRF230. This must probably be the best bike for this terrain - it's light with enough power to get you through the rough stuff quick-quick.



I was so excited to get riding that I completely forgot to take pictures on the Quad track. It was nice and twisty with loose gravel and rocks (this seems to be the theme of Serendipity - the loose rock) and after a few laps we decided to tackle the 1-hour trail.

Serendipity also caters for 4x4 enthusiasts and we realized that the 1-hour duration was actually meant for the Prado's and Landy's, because we managed to complete it in around 20 minutes on the bikes. That included waiting for an opportunity to overtake a 4x4 crawling over a rocky riverbed section.

On this trail there were a couple of parts marked "Easy" and "Difficult". The difficult parts were quite horrendous and provided a nice challenge for guys like Pieter, Etienne and Deon. The easy part was challenging enough for the rest of us!

Our first river crossing on the 1-hour trail.

Zonica splashing through on the 230



Jens - he reminds me of Drix - always choosing the difficult line



Sias - years of riding with Corlia as a pillion made him a very accomplished rider.



Pieter practically attacking the poor little stream



Deon... without the pipe in his mouth



Etienne looks like he REALLY enjoys it and 'lookup up' like an instructor!



After this I didn't remember to take any pictures of the 1-hour trail - this time more because I spent all my mental energy to remain on my scoot. It really paid off... until I climbed a rocky riverbank with a wet TKC and promptly laid the Adventure down while making a turn at the top. But I'm lead to believe that this does not constitute a fall, because there was no involuntary separation involved

Back at camp we started preparing an early dinner / late lunch to watch the rugby with full tummies. Zonica & Corlia did magic with the food preparations.



Although the facilities were basic, we had everything that we needed to have a great time.



It looks as if Sias is proposing something, but Corlia is not biting



Etienne very spirited about something - perhaps "Ek wil NOU weer daai track gaan ry!"



We decided to drive 9km to Euphoria Golf Estate to watch the Bulls game in the Golf club house. Good the Bulls won, because it was freaken cold on the back of the bakkie when we went back to camp! We immediately revived the fire and proceeded to heat up the internals with some Captain & Coke.

Sias demonstrating a "parkie" manoeuvre



Some more long tales (and glasses) around the campfire



Koekels making a kiss or preparing for a whiskey gargle



The next morning the owner, Johan, took us to see Serendipity's jewels - a quaint little valley between the mountains with a peaceful stream snaking its way through the cliffs. That is also when my trouble started. Leaving camp I commented how my bike started with the first push of the button while the little red Honda only started after a whole lot of choke & throttle after the cold evening.

Not even 30 minutes later, leaving Johan's house, my GSA was dead. Fortunately there was a nice downhill and I managed to run start it. At Serendipity's jewels same thing - the battery was dead... and the little Honda was still starting... We managed to push it up a hill and run started it again. I was not going to do this day's trip with that bike. Fortunately Koekels & Corlia was going to stay at the camp and prepare breakfast while the boys did the long trail, so I was only to glad to take the Honda. I would soon realize how fortunate my misfortune would be!

We tackled the long loop and it was soon clear that this was going to be a technical ride. A lot of up-the-mountain down-the-mountain with lots and lots of loose rocks that makes momentum a prerequisite and traction an optional extra. I once again found new respect for Pieter on the pig just eating up the worst terrain and looking for more!

Pieter and Etienne approaching fast. The XChallenge was probably designed by an engineer who grew up in a similar environment.



Pieter, Etienne & Jens tackling a lekker uphill



The uphill tackling Jens If you run out of momentum, it's quite a challenge to get going again!



Droogie making light work of an uphill section with Sias waiting for a clear runway.



And we have lift-off... The Dakars did exceptionally well in this terrain!



Halfway down a rather steep path on the first of three mountains I stopped to take some pictures of the guys coming down. Deon didn't disappoint. As I saw him descending with the rear wheel trying to overtake the front, I made a hasty getaway, only to look back and see Deon and his Dakar very horizontally. Only a front indicator lens this time! I made a mental note to take pictures first and then help to pick up the bike



Yep, downhill seems to be more difficult than going up. Jens bought a piece of Serendipity right here!



Deon getting going again with the help of some friends. It goes without saying that a camera cannot capture the gradient accurately. But look in the background - that's where we came from and where Deon bought his piece of the land - really, really steep stuff.



This is what concentration with a dash of fatigue looks like



On mountain #2 everyone took a breather. Sias doing it parkie-style again.



Knopkop descending with ease - as if it's not even there



Droogie even cracking a smile on the way down



Sias styling it



Jens... picking the 'other' line again



At this point Jens decided to opt for the closest exit route. He was tired and didn't want to damage his scoot too much further (too late brother ). I opted to go with him and we go thoroughly lost, despite the routes being marked quite well. We followed the green arrows on a 4x4 trail and came to this point. What a disaster. I went up ahead on the 230 and saw a quad trail snaking up to the side and we took this route up. Once up on top we were exhausted and took a rest, wondering where on earth we were.



Soon enough I heard the familiar rumble of a boxer twin - Pieter's 1150. I went back to warn them to take the Quad route, but Pieter was already 2/3 of the way up on this path. If they warn people with big 4x4's with big tyres to pack rocks, then you are going to suffer with a bike - let alone a big, fat pig. Traction was a big problem on the steep uphill and after a couple of on's and off's Pieter made it to the top.

It looks as if Etienne and Pieter are praying at this point.



The rest of the group made it up the quad trail with the Dakars ending up on a different path altogether. After getting them back on track we tackled the last 2km back to the camp. We were glad to be back and even more relieved to find a hearty breakfast (turned into lunch) that was prepared by Corlia and Zonica. Nothing like a couple of cold beers with breakfast after a hard day's riding!

After lunch, uhm.. breakfast, we started packing and headed back… all the way having to jumpstart my GSA whenever I turned the key.



This was truly an adventure on our doorstep: "An unsought, unintended, and/or unexpected discovery and/or learning experience that happens by accident and sagacity". Serendipity will see me again - this time with my 450!

Thank you for everyone that came along. It was awesome riding, awesome camaraderie and an awesome weekend!

Thanks for the photo's and the story Marnus! The loose rocks on the steep downhill looks really tough! CRF 230 terrain vir seker... :-)

Thanks for the great report back !
Looks like it was moerse fun !!

Looks like it was a great weekend!!

Man oh man, what a week-end !!!!!!!!!!!!

a HUGE thank you to Marnus who organised the whole thing, it was great.

I checked my GPS track today, and on Sunday we spent 2h50min to do the 20km on that track! Man that was tough going, but extremely satisfying!!

Pieter, he handled that 1150 like a true master, well done mate!!

As we were getting ready and kitting up, Pieter decided to warm up the CRF230, and took a short ride up the little track next to the camp, he returned stating that we need to grow a very quick love for loose rocks. Knowing Pieter, I decided to go and look for myself, and to warm the BMX up a bit. He was right, it was very rocky and loose, when I confirmed this, everyone looked around, not sure what they let themselves in for.

Saturday's ride was nice and easy, with me and Pieter taking the "difficult" turn-off every time we saw one, HUGE fun!!!!!!!! But not for the feint hearted.

Sunday was just a rock-fest!!! Man, I loved it. You needed to be on the ball, commit, and RIDE!! Endless and endless amounts of loose rocks with very little traction, there was a lot of spinning by everyone, and a lot of dancing by everyone to keep the bikes upright. Everyone had a couple of spills, including myself and Pieter.

This type of ride builds character. When you are tired, hurting, suffering from arm pump, fatigue, dehydration, and you are just plain GATVOL, you or you buddy's bike donners over. You have to suck it up, walk up (or down) the mountain, help to pick it up, stand behind it pushing, while you are peppered with with tennis ball sized rocks, as the rear wheel just spins screaming for traction. See him get going, cheering as he is fighting the bike up the hill, and then walk all the way back to your own bike to do the same thing, knowing that there will be someone helping you through all this. THAT is what a ride like this is all about.

It was tough, but oh so rewarding!!!!!!!

Marnus wrote:
It looks as if Etienne and Pieter are praying at this point.

This picture says it all, a picture is sure worth a 1000 words!!!

This was the Saturday warm-up:



Zonica showing Etienne exactly how the XC should be ridden


Corlia riding the CRF



Thanks Marnus for the arrangements. The fate really had an appointment with my poor 1150 GSA . I once again realised how tough and capable this bike actually is. Marnus also realised that the 1150 is a very handy companion when you encounter technical issues with the 1200.

Dit was vet pret!! Dankie almal!! Special thanks to Pieter for giving me a "crash-course" in bike-riding! Sure was fun!!

Thanks for the feedback, pics and showing what GS-ing is all about.. or not.. ?

It wasn't good to stay at home .. but it's surely easier to look at the pics!
Glad you all had a fun weekend!

Trots op jou Corlia!

Wow guys, it looks like you had great fun! So sorry we missed it. I do hope there will be another one again soon. Marnus, hint, hint!

Corlia, is daar 'n nuwe speelding oppad?

Mmmm...... only time will tell... Maar ja, dit sal vorm nou definitief deel van die toekoms...

Corlia and Zonica exploring the water hole


KK showing the 4x4's the way


Seeass trying to impress Corlia with a Spade


Corlia showing Seeaas how impressed she is with his spade skills and the rider training she received


Marnus showing how impressed he is with the 1200 GSA's technical reliability

Hi daar

Goed gedaan!! Julle het baie "guts"

Ek het die roete al twee keer met my 4x4 gedoen en van die plekke is selfs vir 'n voertuig baie moeilik.

Ek sal twee keer dink voor ek dit self met 'n fiets sal aandurf!

Groete
Rudi

Daleen wrote:Wow guys, it looks like you had great fun! So sorry we missed it. I do hope there will be another one again soon. Marnus, hint, hint!

Corlia, is daar 'n nuwe speelding oppad?

Wedding present??

...something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue????

[quote="DaveS
Wedding present??

...something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue???? [/quote]

Now that is a brilliant idea Dave!!!

Thanks to everyone for (yet again) a fantastic weekend! I loved that technical terrain. It was challenging and, through that, I learned a lot! Here’s some pictures taken by Corlia and me:

On the way there...


Coming in from the twenty minute - one hour outride...
Koekels


Deon


Jens


Knopkop


and me...


Motorcycle training:
This is just before we realized that our campsite is probably not the best spot for training


I recon Corlia might be ready for her own bike soon...

I wanna go back!

DaveS wrote:
...something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue????

Something blue - like in Yamaha blue or Dakar blue

PS - bought a new after market battery at Bavarian yesterday for the bargain price of R600 (original part is R2000!!!) and my GSA is back to normal.

But I'm still glad my battery went dead on Sunday - I would have had a very, very hard ride on the GS

Buuuuut... I'll be back!

What shall I say - it was a fantastic weekend in the bush. Thank you again Marnus for organising it. Also a big thank you to all the ones who supported me with off-road tips and tricks that made the riding much more easier - special thanks to Pieter :-). I am sure I will think of this weekend a lot of times when I am back in Germany and not having a warm sun, nor a rocky steep up- and downhill to lay down my bike :-) Anyway, I learnt so much on this weekend I only can recommend it to go to Serendipity Trails.
...and I want to do it again...