It all started on a misty morning at the Petroport on the Witbank highway.

26 bikes got together to start a ride to Magoebaskloof. After a short briefing we left as we did not want to land up behind a certain group of bikes also on their way up the highway, not mentioning the make, but they are the ones that turn petrol into noise!!

The ride, as always, to Belfast is a boring ride, nothing but one straight highway. From Belfast to Dullstroom the roads starts to show you what is coming up later. Now there are many ways to get to Magoebaskloof, the easy way, the hard way or the ONLY way. The ONLY way to get there is “the Long Way Round”.

After a short smoke break in Lydenburg, you take a right turn over Long Tom Pass. As many people know there have been many accidents on this road. It is as twisty as it is steep. But at a pace within each riders comfort zone, it can be an awesome ride. Overshoot your zone and you will find yourself in a heap of trouble. A hint, all those with GPS’s fitted to your bikes (even cars), zoom in and then you can see what type of bend is coming up, you can actually “see around the bend”, makes for safer and great riding. For all those out there that have not done that area (Sabie, Graskop, Pilgrims Rest) on a bike, you actually don’t know what you are missing.

The roads just kept on winding all the way to our lunch stop Graskop. I am sure the road team were all drunk when they constructed the road in that area. Thanks guys, you gave us bikers a place to play. Lunch done we started on our last leg of the ride to our final destination. The roads in general where in excellent condition, no real potholes to write home about. The only complaint may be that the twisties turned into sweeping bends, if that is anything to complain about. As we got closer to our destination you could see more and more people shedding their biking gear as the temperature steadily rose. The leg from the tunnel to Tzaneen was a good road (surface wise) but not a great road, no real bends or twisties to get excited about. I am sure most of the people in the group had never ridden those roads, so it showed some people a different side of the area. It is always nice to ride the roads less ridden by other bikes. No traffic and wide open roads, in general it was a relaxing ride.

The last 20km to the final destination, once again showed the bikes what they are made of, the fun started all over again. Now this is an area that does not see many bikes, not sure why not though, let’s hope it stays that way for a few more years at least. The road surface is good, the twisties are wicked, but boy is it fun. Just a pity to see how landmarks that have been around for many years have gone to total ruin due to land claims. Pekoe Tea plantation, to those that know it, looks utterly disgusting. What was once a thriving business, employing, housing and schooling many people is now non-functional since being taken over. What once looked like manicured hedges are now only overgrown tea trees!

The final destination, Magoebaskloof Rest Camp (S23 51.816 E30 00.469), shows itself around the corner of one of the sharpest bends, very easy to pass it while having so much fun. We all pulled in, no incidents and no accidents. Always great to see so many bikes in one place and that after a great run and that after almost 600km later. Butts and bodies were sore, but funny enough I never heard anybody complain, well not out loud. For the first-timers and those that seldom ride it was a bit tough but even they did not complain (too much). After parking the bikes, showering etc. we started gathering to have dinner. Tables got longer, laughter and talking got louder, there was a lot of chatting and joking to be done. Service the first night was a bit slow, people had to be resuscitated by the time the food came around, but that was nothing compared to trying to pay for the food consumed. But we all got out of the dinner before daybreak. Surprisingly not many people stayed up late, I wonder why?

The next morning we all started the day with a breakfast that was served faster and without any problems. All riders assembled in the front and eagerly awaited their ride for the day.

The ride would start with a circumnavigation of Magoebaskloof, that after fuel in Haenertsburg. Now anybody that has been there will know that the petrol station was built in the worst place imaginable, may be okay for a bakkie every two days, but when 26 bikes appear around a corner, demanding petrol, it creates a mild panic. Not long and a Police vehicle appeared and parked close by to observe the “bikers”. Here was the first dropping of bikes, I promised not to mention names, a GSA on doing a 1km/hr manoeuvre, decided to teach its rider a lesson. Went down like a dead ox. Fortunately for this gent, his wife was not on the back, if she was there would have been a divorce there and then!! Apart from scratches  and a broken foot peg no injuries (Bikes 1, Riders  0) Thanks RT for the loan of the foot peg, I hope Attie pays you back Franco.

The road to the Big Baobab is a good road, twisties sweeping bends and great scenery. Well that all ends as you turn off the road to the tree. From tar to dirt is daunting for most. The first bit was fine, then the farm road was a bit loose for some. 24 out of 26 bikes not falling is actually not a bad ratio, if one was a mathematician that is. The loose sand caught some of the chaps out. I am not willing to say what went down and what did not. Only a hint, NONE of the road bikes went down. An LT rider will never be the same again, I take my hat off to him. I know what an LT is like to ride in sand, I too rode one of those beasts. Ian, there are some knobblies going cheap I hear, for your LT, just let me know and I am sure I can broker the deal for you!! The two bikes that went down, I am shamed to say were GS’s. Now again, no names will be mentioned, but the one rider will not be able to operate for a few days, not until he stops shaking. Strange how the older chaps accept the spill as their fault and the younger riders immediately say: “It was my wife’s fault”, or “I was only getting her used to off-road riding.” (Bikes 3, Riders 0)

Now for most a tree is a tree is a tree, well when you stop and look at this tree, you will be excused if you swear when you describe the size of this tree. It took 43 of us, arms outstretched, to go around this tree, what’s even more intriguing is that it has a bar inside, they say can fit 60 people, well looking at most of our group that is not true, maybe 20 of our group would fit, but even that is big. If ever in that area look up this tree (S23 37.281 E30 11.895). It is well worth the effort, and if you are on a GS, you can even practice some sand riding, I have got the LT chap’s number, Ian you are on standby. As we were leaving I was asked about the road to the Modjadji Cycads, my reply was: “Tar all the way”, well I was almost right, just the last km from the main gate to the actual reserve was not tar, and boy was it NOT TAR.

The road from the tree to the cycads was a decent road through an area that not many people usually ride. Firstly you would not generally be in that area and usually would try avoiding the area. The road to the Cycads is not well marked and you would be forgiven if you did not find the place. I know the area because I lived close by and took many a person to these places. But for a foreigner, on his/her own, it must be a nightmare. The road winds up the hill through the houses and churches, after a few speed bumps, not sure why they would put bumps there, as you cannot speed, the main gate of the Modjadji Cycad Reserve (S23 37.478 E30 20.783) appears on your left. Now the main gate is somewhat deceiving as to what you will get next. After paying, one then needs to head up the rise, only about 1km, dirt of course. It starts off smooth enough, but then (always a but) it changes to ruts and loose rocks. Some of the chaps left their bikes at the gate and some people just left them on the side of the road leading to the top, no names mentioned, but this chap’s loaned RT foot peg, was still working. A gallant gent, Jorge, on his steed was picking up the ladies as they struggled up the hill, and brought them to the top.

The bike left half way down (or is it half way up?) was next on the retrieval list. One of our Dirt Boys was asked to do the necessary (now I can use names) Wentzel made short work of the retrieval, later to learn he would have to take the bike down as well. So rather have him walk all the way back to fetch his own, I road down after him. Being a much better rider than me (on dirt) I decided to ride pillion, on my OWN BIKE. Now normally this would never happen. But for every man there must be a FIRST time, one must be careful who you choose to be your partner for that FIRST time. I think that was my mistake, first times should be gentle and something memorable. Well I won’t forget mine in a hurry, my mistake was choosing the Dirt Boy. Boy and can this chap ride the dirt, and on my bike nogal!!! Not being that way inclined, I found it difficult to hold on, like the advert shows.  That was not easy to do. I have a whole new sympathy for pillions, if that was anything to go by. Wentzel you were my first (and last), never again, now I know why I ride the bike, too scary sitting at the back.

Cycads done, now it was lunch time, already 2 hours behind schedule, we needed to try and make up some time. Again once out of the clutches of Tzaneen the road becomes one boring stretch of road. Not many people go to Phalaborwa, it is not a town you pass through on your way to somewhere. It is sort of the back and beyond. The road luckily ends at an oasis called Hans Merensky Country Golf Estate (S23 57.843 E31 09.951). In the middle of the dry, grey bush, you come upon this lush green oasis. I think all enjoyed their light lunch, even though it was a bit late. At the lunch, flies are funny enough not the problem, it was those pesky monkeys. If you turned your back, without exaggerating, they would snatch your food off your plate with speed that a GT would appreciate. Quite a few people lost part of their lunch to them, and no, the club does not give refunds for food lost to monkeys.

With the sun starting to set and the shadows getting longer, it was time to head back to the Rest Camp (very aptly-named as most people needed the rest). Back was a non-stop run and a slight dash of speed was added to the mix. We entered the gates around 17h30, in the mountains that is quite late already. The sun had long time since disappeared and the chill could be felt. As one of the group said: “You did not waste any daylight hours on this ride.” It was a quick shower and a change of clothes and then dinner was ready and waiting. Now to most people it would look as if we only eat, not quite true, we actually go for the riding.

Dinner was a well prepared buffet and I think enjoyed by all. Again I don’t think too many people stayed long after 21h00. I am sure the “other” people must think we are from an old age home, going to bed that early. If they only new how we use our time during the day!!!

The next morning, as on most rides, people would make there own way home. I think we left with about 15 odd bikes in one group, which is not bad. Our first stop, petrol in Haenertsburg again, what an awkward petrol station. Then it was off towards Polokwane (Pietersburg) and onto the R101. A lovely road, bit busy but not potholes. The trip to Bela Bela was uneventful and we made good time, but that is where “making good time” came to an end. I am sure every caravan from Gauteng had decided to visit Bela Bela that weekend. Don’t they have any other place to go? Our final lunch was had at the Dros and our final goodbyes were said. This is where the group split, some to Britz (maybe a wise move) and the others down the R101 through Hamanskraal. What a traffic jam. The highways reported back-ups of 10km at the toll gates (your fault Franco) and the going was really slow. Everybody, no reports otherwise received, arrived safely at home, some later than others but I am sure all just as tired. If any of you from the ride were not tired, I did not do my work properly and will fix that on the next ride. Another ride has successfully but unfortunately, come to an end. With no REAL accidents, ego’s being hurt, do not qualify as an injury!!

You know, it is actually very easy to arrange a trip like this and make it pleasant for all. Here is a hint to all the others that organize trips – arrange a trip as if it was for yourself, then invite a whole lot of your friends along. If they are not friends when you start, they will more than likely be friends when the trip is done. One must however add about a minute for every bike on the trip when you stop for smoke/leg stretch break. Only once the last bike is in can you start the clock. A planned ten minute break with 26 bikes can turn into a 30/35 minute break quite easily.

Once again I would like to thank all of those that joined Anne and I on the ride, if it was not for such a great bunch, it would not have been such a great ride. Don’t now put covers on those bikes for another year. Join the club rides on a Sunday, join the splinter groups that ride on weekends. Remember BMW’s are meant to be ridden and are actually quite capable of travelling many hundreds of km’s a day for days on end. They will outlast your arse!

One of our ladies was so kind as to compose a poem for our ride -

BIKER vs BY-CAR

by: Ivy Reynolds

(Written ‘at speed’ from Phalaborwa to Gravelotte)

Altogether it was really swell

I have so many stories to tell

But oh – bloody hell…

These guys ride like lunatics

And I saw fancy cornering tricks !

Gottfried made his views very plain

Calling me slowcoach again and again

I tried so hard to keep up

But found I was always stuck

Behind a bus or logging truck.

Sunday’s bike ride was a bit of a thrill

To conclude… I’ve definitely had my fill

So thank you bikers from BMW

But I would rather follow you

-by car!