July Cullinan GS Ride - Ride Report

Thanks to everyone that attended the GS ride today, it was AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!

We were 20 bikes and 22 people, including two pillions and two lady riders. We had a nippy start to the ride, but everyone warmed up nicely as soon as we were off the tar and onto some nice gravel.

After the first stretch of gravel, we took some 2 spoor track, changing into some railway service road, then some more tar and then on to the smoothest dirt road that took us to the next railway service road. We encountered a train on this stretch and I started to race the train, I managed to keep up with it, until I stopped on top of a high bridge to give the group a bit of a rest with a beautiful view.

Then some more railway roads, some more 2 spoor and some great dirt roads up to Rayton for a re-fuel for the small tanks. We then set off on some more dirt that included the very nice water crossing. Everyone made it through the crossing. We got some light drizzle on the road but it just settled the dust nicely. Then we took a beautiful dirt road where old Marnus almost had a mishap....

We arrived in Cullinan and had some of the best burgers ever!!

After lunch some went home on their own way, and some of us took some more railway service roads back to the Sambok Bar, in a light drizzle. As soon as we hit the last stretch of dirt from Mamelodi to Sambok, the heavens opened and we were soaking wet when we arrived at Sambok Bar. We found some of the other GS guys at Sambok where they were riding plastics for the day.

After the rain me and Johan (Hoofseun) decided to give the all new skills track a go, it was a lot of fun. Johan is blerrie good on that 1200Adv on that tight track. Then Johan gave the track another go on Puddle's 650GS (Twin) and Pieter gave it a go on my X-Challenge. When they were done we saw Mr Bonotto pull in with his 1200, ready for the track, with a lot of support from the peanut gallery he also did the skills track.

Again, thanks to all who attended this ride, it was a pleasure leading this one, and thanks to Drix for riding sweep.

I did not take any pics, but there was a lot of cameras around, so please guys, gooi the pics, and add your story and comments!!!

I charged up my camera yesterday, yet today I left it behind as I was slightly distracted by my injured stinging hand.

The ride was wonderful, with only 1 minor spill on the soft sand at a corner on the "twee spoor" after the river crossing, from what I could see, only a flicker was damaged. The stop at the railway bridge was lovely. Though the stop at the river was my favourite. With all the bikes parked all over the place under the trees. Also watching many making splashes too. I did a slow one today, so not enough splash to wash bike clean completely. Oh, I really enjoying my TTR250.

Everyone was in a cheerful mood when we arrived at our destination.

This time I made it through the burger and chips. Just!

Seeing the dark cloud forming in home's direction, and rain coming down to the east, I decided to take the safer route home. The black stuff. Yep, me a chicken. As I approached the R104 I noticed the cloud became darker and virgo forming, signally rain was about to descend on on top of me. Just as I was going through the port on R104 the skies opened. The road became covered in water, with dams of water forming on the side of the road. Then the small hail stones came down. Stinging little devils. Luckily lasted only a short while, though I saw the cloud movement was heading northwards towards the group lead by KnopKop. I just thought of them, hoping they make it through the gravel before the hail reaches them. It rained all the way past Sambok. I saw in the distant another cloud burst was taking place over my home, so more rain to be visited.

PS: My first Club GS ride that I did not fall!

Wow! Thanks Ettienne for putting together and leading another awesome club ride! And thanks to Drix our sweeper of the day that made sure nobody got left behind!

Seeing that the story has been told, I'll just add the pictures. I've taken a lot of pictures (93) - too many to show them all here, so please hurry over to my >>> Photobucket Album <<< and download whatever you fancy! (I should have at least a picture of everyone, but my skills are limited - and so is the camera! - so squint your eyes if it looks out of focus)

Getting ready to depart from Atterbury Shell


The first stop on gravel to let some air out... and complain about the weather some more


Somewhere in the veld next to the R21


Drix on dust-eating-duty - capable, patient and friendly as usual


Even though it was quite nippy...


...we're still proud to show who we support!


It was cool enough for Knopkop to leave his helmet and gloves on


Somewhere in the vicinity of the Boschkop road is this amazing train bridge


Good thing there were no trains coming through!


Ettienne making light work of the uphill on the X-Challenge


This can probably be classified as a GS traffic jam


The highlight of the day was surely the river crossing. I have this theory that the size of the splash is directly proportional to the level of stress you experience at that point in time All in all everyone did great!














The mishap Ettienne was referring to was not when this 1150 Adventure nearly took me out...





Everyone immensely pleased with the rather uneventful river crossing


These signs must be for other vehicles...


Bruno twisting the wrist coming out of the corner


Lunch in Cullinan. And yes - the burgers were very, very nice.




Thank you once again to everyone that joined in the fun. I was just amazed at the level of skill of some of the "newbie" riders. I cannot wait for the next one.

Marnus, thanx for these wonderful photos.

The true traffic jam was at the river crossing.

Thanks again to Knopkop and Dakardrix for a great day! It was great fun! And thanks to Marnus for all the pics!

Thank you everyone for a wonderful day! This was my first GS ride with the club and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Especially the water crossing, even though I did not make such a big splash as Martin did. I already can't wait for the next GS ride.

Hi Daleen, thanks for joining on the ride, it was great to have you around. I am glad you enjoyed your first GS ride, the first of many I hope

With regards to the water crossing, the smaller the splash, the better. If you look at the pic of Johan's crossing, you will see that his front fender did not even get wet.

Like this:

Thanx to all for an EXCELLENT ride - Knopkop, Dakardrix & everyone "inbetween". I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I especially like the way you manage the direction changing points - makes one feel very comfortable that no one will be "left behind" or "get lost".

I look forward to the next one !

You are welcome Puddles. Very nice to meet you and Johan on Sunday. Looking forward to you guys joining in on more of the Club rides.

Some of us just wanted to make BIG splashes on that water crossing.

KnopKop wrote:Hi Daleen, thanks for joining on the ride, it was great to have you around. I am glad you enjoyed your first GS ride, the first of many I hope

With regards to the water crossing, the smaller the splash, the better. If you look at the pic of Johan's crossing, you will see that his front fender did not even get wet.

Like this:

Quite correct Hammerkop haai (now known as Knopkop then as Sharkie). The golden rule is not to overtake the standing wave in front of you. Splashing through is spectacular and fun, but is very dangerous as it decreases your sight and it can cause that water might come into the engine and electronics which can damage your bike severely. You will see in the pic that Johan is riding at exectly the right speed as to not overtake the standing wave in front of his bike.

Thanks for a really great ride, I was guilty of over doing it on the water but it was fun, next time i will follow the rules . each ride adds experience .

martin wrote:Thanks for a really great ride, I was guilty of over doing it on the water but it was fun, next time i will follow the rules . each ride adds experience .

Hi Martin, great to have had you on the ride, will see you next time as well !!

Remember these are not "rules" only guidelines from more experienced riders, so you did not "break" any rules

You are 100% correct, each ride adds experience, the more you ride the better you become and the easier things get. Like Pieter said on Sunday: "There is no substitute for experience", and you ONLY gain experience by riding more and more and more, and doing things that challenge you on the bike.

I would actually like to see ALL the GS riders give that little skills track at Sambok Bar a go. It is SO GOOD for improving skills, I am actually going to make a point of it to go and do that little track a few times EVERY WEEK-END, this time without falling!

ps, Puddles, I know you took some pics of us that skills track, would you please post them if you don't mind?

Thanks Knopkop, we definitely will go out to the skills track. We learn more outside of our comfort zone

It was a goooood ride with a lot of fun....even after it!!
Pic’s from the First Corner:

Pic’s from the First Stop:







THE FIRST FALL…..By itself !!!!



HAPPY PEOPLE!!!!

BON wrote:HAPPY PEOPLE!!!!

We were actually posing for a different camera here when Bruno snatched this one paparazzi style (while walking past).

KnopKop wrote:ps, Puddles, I know you took some pics of us that skills track, would you please post them if you don't mind?

Yip, I did. I unfortunately cannot get to Photobucket to upload or even see the pics from my work - they have blocked the access. I will try to email them to you so that you can load them.

Ag wonderful.
Knew it. We missed out big time...

Thanks to everyone's contribution in reporting.
After reading the forum, it feels as if I was there anyway!

Bonjour madam GSlady Are you back from Paris?

I don't think you and Marius know how to ride anymore!

Marnus wrote:..I don't think you and Marius know how to ride anymore!

Our BMW's?? Well no.. been a while..

Great to see new members partaking - and new names for old members ... and old members with new tricks ..
never a dull moment here!

Here are some pics taken by Puddles with me and Johan on the Skills track at Sambok Bar after the rain.





EVERYONE should go and do that little track!!!!

Here is a nice sequence of pics taken by Dave Swart showing Drix going through the water crossing:

That skills track looks EVIL!!!

Happy-go-lucky wrote:That skills track looks EVIL!!!

It is loads of fun, and believe me, you learn soooo much on that little track