2007 Winter Run to Bulwer
Written by: David - 7th January 2009
by Bryan Shepstone
My ‘Winter Run to Bulwer’ started dark and cold at 5am on Friday 15th June, with the alarm buzzing in my ear.
Last minute preparations, then fire up the bike and off to meet the guys at the Blockhouse by 7, and boy, were the guys keen! Before he even got to the blockhouse, Stuart’s bike was on fire and he had burnt his underjocks - (and the girls thought they were clever in the seventies!)
Quick coffees and petrol and we were off, with Debbie following in the car (pretending to be) ‘Tail-end Charlie’, who was very ably played by Tony (thanks Tony for keeping an eye on my wife …and my car!). Shortly thereafter my indicator fell off (again!), but nothing a borrowed buff couldn’t fix and we were on the road again.
None too soon we got to breakfast at Little Switzerland (pic of yours truly posing on the verandah) after cruising past a cobalt blue Sterkfontein Dam with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains - who needs the real Switzerland?
After breakfast we pulled in for pulled in for biltong, where I lost my keys… (by this time I’m sure the others were wondering if I was the hired entertainment!). Thanks once again to Tony for waiting till I found them in my rear shock.
Swooping through the Midlands Meander and back up into the mountains towards Bulwer - I only heard later the Debbie had some ‘white knuckle moments’ in the car trying to keep up with the bikes! (barman, pass me another drink please.)
| Into the Mountain Park (Haunted) Hotel and straight to the pub, where we found Brian and Jack keeping places for us in front of the fire. Judging by their state, it had been a hard job. They made up for that later though by singing, dancing and buying rounds of Jaeger Bombs, which I suspect was merely trying to drink some courage before facing Sani Pass the next morning. |  |
Listening to Jack’s previous attempts, I was glad my name was down for the tar run to the coast instead! On second thoughts, when they came back from (supposedly) doing the Pass the next day, Brian’s eyes were so red, I wonder if they didn’t just pop around to the local dagga merchant?
Saturday dawned far too soon after Friday night unfortunately, but seeing as Stuart had steadfastly refused to sing Dreadlock Holiday with Jack and I only a few hours previously, the run to the coast was on bright and early!
It was Debbie’s first trip on the bike with me, so I spent the first 200 kms or so in a state of extreme concentration. However once we had dodged a few cows, children playing in the road and the ubiquitous taxis, I had to accept that it was out of my hands and started to relax! (Until I nearly ran out of fuel, but that’s another story!)
 |
The Oribi Gorge was a real treat, winding through the riverine forest and through the stunning gorge. The Gorge was the easy part - next came the stiff bit - going to the Hotel. That doesn’t sound too difficult does it? How about four bikes down in the driveway?Okay, the sand was thick, but the road bikes did fine - it was the GS’s (including mine I hasten to add) that floundered. |
I heard some guys saying they were going to trade their Adventures in for RT’s before the Botswana Run, which seems like a good idea judging by the stats!
Back at the Hotel, and Saturday night was quiet!
Even a Bok win didn’t get anyone excited enough to bump up the bar takings. Early to bed and early to rise…
Ah no! It’s Sunday already! No ghost sightings (unless Jack counts?) Stuart is now wearing his original underjocks for the third day and finding it difficult to coax Sue onto the bike (and we know he hasn’t been wearing pyjamas all weekend either, no wonder the poor girl has had enough) and we’re off home via Golden Gate.
What a lekker trip!
On the open road with the Amphitheatre down the whole left side of your field of vision, snow on the peaks, clear blue skies and the throb of a boxer …oops, that didn’t come out right!It’s a wonder our roads aren’t jammed with poor road-starved bikers flying in from the four corners of the Earth - this is biker’s paradise!
Through Golden Gate, where Penny discovered a rare mechanical oddity, peculiar only to red GS 650’s, and on to Clarence for lunch.
Finally a late blast through to the city of smoke, jostling with standard-issue Jhb road rage and home, after what was a stunning weekend of bikes, roads, scenery and camaraderie.
We will be back, as soon as we can convince Gran to look after the kids for a whole weekend again!
Club Information
Upcoming Events
- Long Weekend Away - BMW Club Fest, Phakisa, Free State - Friday, September 24th, 2010
Latest Forum Posts
- Baehr Bike Comms System - R2000 by: Charles
August 25, 2010, 08:08 - Re: New Couple in BMW MCC by: must be...
March 2, 2010, 17:47 - Re: New Couple in BMW MCC by: Brandt
March 2, 2010, 15:25 - Hi there! by: Brandt
March 2, 2010, 15:22 - In Search of... by: Brewse
February 21, 2010, 09:59
Polls
- Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.