The Annual BMW Bikers Gathering ... to me an event that I will not miss easily. Since 2005 I have attended this event every year and the experience and memories are something that I cherish. As soon as the event details were published for the ABBG 2008 I started making arrangements to go and once again I am very happy that I did go.
This year the event was hosted by the Champagne Sports Resort at the foot of Champagne Castle in the Central Drakensberg.
From the moment that I arrived I was impressed with the facilities and the levels of service. This venue was obviously geared for big crowds and everything just clicked into place.
The rooms are luxurious and each room has a clear view of the majestic Champagne Castle.
I unpacked and got out of my riding gear. After a day in the saddle, a nice shower and a fresh outfit was all I needed to confirm that it was a good choice to come to the 2008 ABBG. I grabbed my camera and strolled up to the large patio that overlooked the pool and gardens.
We were actually a day early and there was a small group of people in the one corner of the patio. The ambiance was great and the weather was perfect. The only thing that was needed to make it hundred percent was a full moon ... but hopefully next time.
Sipping on my drink I listened to the sounds of the night, there were the night birds, the gurgling from the water features and soft drone of voices. Once again I counted my blessings and memories of the day's ride flashed through my mind.
Dinnertime ...
... and it was a good dinner. Most of us were pretty tired after a long day in the saddle and by 21h00 I walked back to my room. Tonight I was sure that I would not have trouble to fall asleep.
I slept like a log and when the alarm went off at 07h00 I contemplated for a few moments to ignore it and sleep but ... there were places to go and routes to ride. Above all my stomach was thinking that my throat was slit during the night.
Quite a few people were in the dining room and there were big smiles all around.
It was a marvelous day with lots of sunshine and clear blue sky. Ideal riding conditions. The cool crisp mountain air made the riding suits comfortable and I was looking forward to a lazy meander along the many mountain roads.
The day was spent on the road and I will do a ride report later. For now I want to concentrate on the venue and take you all with me.
I was in my room at around 14h00 and without any hint of guilt blatantly curled up on the bed and snoozed off.
At 16h00 I woke up and took a shower and got ready for dinner. There was a lot more bikes in the parking area and as I arrived on the patio the tables were packed. I met a few old friends and the dinner was great, once again.
On my way back to my room I took a shot of some of the bikes.
The long rest of the previous evening together with the nice siesta made sleep evade me a bit but eventually I drifted off. Long before the alarm could go off I was up and sat in darkness on the patio of my room. The mountain was cloaked in black and a few light streaks were reflecting off some clouds.
The first signs of life was a flock of birds that landed on the wide lawn and I went in to get another cup of coffee. While I made coffee the day came to life and I managed to capture some of the magic.
By 07h00 I strolled to the dining room for breakfast. Here are a collection of shots of the offerings.
I spent the morning on the road and for no real good reason landed on a stretch of dirt road with the LT. For a few moments I contemplated to turn around but then more out of curiosity than anything else pushed on ... I will tell more in my ride report.
Another nice siesta and then I got ready to attend the Gala Event and what an event it was. The room was filled with wonderfully dressed tables and the buffet was loaded with five star food. Smiles and happy face were all around. A big round of applause from me to Motorrad ... it was a very special occasion and I appreciate all the effort that went into this.
We were also informed that a new TV Program will be launched soon on KYKNET and it is called WOEMA ... from the snippets that were showed it has the makings of a very classy magazine program reflecting the biking Lifestyle.
Here are a few shots from the Gala Event.
The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the BMW R1200 HP2 Sport. What a machine.
Finally ... a panorama of the view from my room.
In conclusion ... the ABBG 2008 venue was great for me and from the general talk among the visitors it was in the format that most people liked. Once again I enjoyed it tremendously and I will surely be back for ABBG 2009.
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