This report is rather picture heavy – but the files are small so it should be fine even on 3G for those running on paraffin PC’s.
So we decided to go to the ABBG (Annual BMW Biker Gathering) at Champagne Sports Resort near Winterton.
We mortgaged the house, paid the entry and accommodation fees, took the dog’s food money and hoped for the best.
I spent Thursday afternoon getting the RT cleaned up a bit for the occasion. We (myself with SWMBO as pillion) left at around eight on the Friday morning after doing the normal Beemer service – check that sight-glass thingy to see if the oil is still in there and kicking the tires to check the pressure……….
We arrived just past lunch time at the main Champagne Sports Resort where we registered. Plenty bikes on the road – the annual Ulysses Rally event at Drakensville also took place on the same weekend.
Fortunately I believe in the saying that “superior riders uses common knowledge to avoid situations that require superior riding skills” so we did not have to make use of these guys services at all. Good to know they were available in just in case.
The Nest – venue number two of the venues for the weekend.
Odd one out – what’s that RT doing amongst the off-road bikes?? At first I almost gave in to temptation to make use of the bus shuttle service between the two venues but decided to rather try my luck.
I practised riding the RT up and down this favourite loose gravel highway all weekend, with a nice 90 degree turn right down at the bottom of this stretch. By the time we left even I wondered what the fuss was all about – and our GS friends really churned up the gravel – you know, to test the RT riders skill……….
Our humble accommodation for the two nights – under floor heating included.
Monks Cowl, close to the Drakensberg Boys School – It was pretty hairy getting the RT up there and back down even scarier. Granted I did see a Goldwing and an LT on their way up – so maybe it is about how you ride - hehehehe.
OK, so on Saturday I showed my true colours and decided that I don’t have to go on the formally arranged outride.
Wil nie my naam gat maak voor al die BM trained expert rider’s nie – hehehehehe
I’m a loner, always have been, always will be. We explored the area on our own. Check it out, no GPS technology, just your stock standard Beemer lifestyle printed (free when we bought the RT) map – here it’s being read by some old tannie wearing glasses.
Now where did we put the Chesterfield and the Klippies again??
Saturday morning after breakfast at the start of the off-road ride – I recognised the legendary Jan Staal talking to one of the riders.
And off they go – a few shots of the riders leaving the safety of The Nest.
Stand Up Look Up and Open Up
Pillion friendly.
A visitor having a closer look at an immaculate apehanger.
Now where have I seen this phodie before??
So it must be true that “soort soek soort”
Now that’s the way to do it – three washing & three spectators.
Some scenery shots from the sports resort.
Late afternoon on Saturday – hard to believe they had snow up there a week ago – temperatures in the upper twenties all weekend.
Even later in the afternoon.
Eina!!! – what a terrible sight.
Multiply by two and it’s even worse – no wonder the GS insurance is so, uhm… expensive?
Late Saturday afternoon we were entertained with some stunt action.
Maybe next year I will try this on the RT??? Nah, maybe not – the screen’s too big.
champagne chapel – magic autumn colours, don’t you agree?
All good things come to an end – on the way home on the Sunday we passed Driekloof dam – after a year on the RT I’m no longer, let’s just say, “apprehensive” about dirt lookout points.
Golden Gate, maybe old hat to some, but we have never been there before.
Worst blowing wind that I have ever experienced anywhere – it made for some very spectacular almost wave-like scenes up and down the mountains. Grass changing colours in the wind.
Trying to have a ciggie with the Beemer “freebie” firmly in place around the mouth and chin – Duh!!
Met a few riders from Worcester – obvious good taste in bikes, don’t you think?
I just wonder why most of the LT’s and RT’s I saw during the weekend attended the Ulysses Rally and not the ABBG. What did they know that I did not………OK, I now know the answer to that……….
I know I want to spend at least a couple of days in this place, hopefully in the not too distant future.
Filling up, so we can get home before dark – back roads via Clarens – Bethlehem – Reitz – Frankfort to Villiers – not a traffic cop in sight – seems they were waiting for the weather to clear. Really enjoyed trying to keep the RT up straight doing 160 in the wind. Had to fill up again at The Villiers rip-off tollgate One Stop to get us home.
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