THE VIS ARENDE GOT RIGGED

So, the Vis Arende got rigged.  Here is the story when we fetch the rig to be fitted onto the GSA.

We, or should I say my wife, ordered the sidecar thingy and we had an appointment with Keith from Rigged4Life to collect our rig in George, anytime from the 23rd of April 2014.  We however planned a trip with friends (some fellow Wilddogs) through the Baviaans up to George over the Easter weekend.  The wife and I were doing this trip on the Yamaha S10.  (This RR to follow) We arrived in George on the 21st.  We had a friend who was going to bring the GSA from King William’s Town to George on the 23rd.  Things did not work out as planned and we had to rush back to King on the 22nd to sort things out at the house.  We left George in the rain around 11:00 and arrived safely home at 18:00.  We sorted what we had to and packed the GSA for our return journey to George on the 23rd.

I woke up just after midnight on the 23rd with the rain pouring down in bucket loads.  Soon after my wife was also awake and we waited for first light to hit the road.  The rained eased a bit and we left after 07:00, destination George. 

The last time you will see this GSA like this.


On our way to George with the rain coming down again.


We arrived safely in George at 13:00.


Keith from Rigged4Life


They wasted no time and immediately started to work on the fitment of the rig.


The bike being hoisted


While they were busy, Keith said I must practise on his rig.  Anthony and Keith give me lessons and some instructions.




My first solo flight






The chassis and frame for the sidecar is fitted.


Time for the tyre to be fitted


And of course, my wife could not wait to test it.


In the meantime another customer arrived to get rigged.


And I went for another practise run on Keith’s rig.


Time for the body to be fitted.




Our gear standing in the sun to dry out.


There was also time for playing and some jokes, Anthony and Keith






Anthony’s beast, a VMACKS.


Eventually she is done and Anthony must do a test run.




Are we happy or what?








I am getting my final instructions before we go.




She looks happy.


Thanks Keith, Anthony and team, it was worth the wait.  Sorry that we pressed you for time, but we know you understand.  You guys did an excellent job.  Thumbs up to you all.

To Continue...........

From the factory to where we stayed is a short 5 km’s or so.  Mev Vis Arend was moer nervous on this short trip to our room.  :eek7:  We however had a nice trip planned for today.  :biggrin:
Our friends from KZN were in Knysna and we invited them along our first trip with the rig.
The plan was to do Montagupass, gravel road to de Rust, Meiringspoort to Price Albert, then over the Swartberg.  Here we would say our good byes to our friends and we would take the back roads to Calitzdorp, Ladismith and eventually to Koedoeskloof to visit Veltie and Veldblom.

In George we stayed at Kosie.  We are ready to leave.


Waiting for our friends to arrive from Knysna


First gravel for the rig, Montagupas.








On route to de Rust








Meiringspoort










Prince Albert



In Prince Albert we had a nice chow.




Then it was on the road over the Swartberg.






























At the bottom of Swartberg we said our good byes to our friends and we headed for Calitzdorp.


On route to Calitzdorp












Huisrivierpass on our way to Koedoeskloof.








There is only one place to get a cold one after a wonderful outing.








And as with the people and the place, so is the food also great.


Die baas bederf die een kwaai.

Nice  :thumleft:

:thumleft: Nice Pictures

Geluk Louis en Nannie. Mag julle die "side car" baie geniet en die sand van Namibie weer aanpak.

Sal op Klipplaat hoor watter sitplek Nannie verkies!!

OK so wanneer ry Mev die ene op haar eie en jy die bloue?

chrisL said:

OK so wanneer ry Mev die ene op haar eie en jy die bloue?

Click to expand...

Wow,  , wag, chrisL, ek kry eers Donderdag my eerste les.  Dis mos nie net opklim en ry nie.  Gelukkig het ek darem al die liksens. 

Mev Vis Arend said:

chrisL said:

OK so wanneer ry Mev die ene op haar eie en jy die bloue?

Click to expand...

Wow,  , wag, chrisL, ek kry eers Donderdag my eerste les.  Dis mos nie net opklim en ry nie.  Gelukkig het ek darem al die liksens. 

Click to expand...

maw jy het n kode 14 eepwall: ot: > :imaposer:

We had as usual a great evening with Veltie and Debbie, and we also had a well deserved nights rest. 
We had no fixed plans for the day.  At first we thought to do the Rooibergpass and see what to do thereafter.  Veltie warned me that Rooiberg is not in a good condition, but there is an alternative route before Rooibergpas that will spit me out somewhere on the road to Robinsonpass.

We packed and had a last cup of coffee before we said good bye.

 
Final inspection by the boss to be.




Wat loer jy……….


Gawe mense die Jansens.  Thanks Veltie en Veldblom, julle is werklik aangename mense, sout van die aarde, vertel ek julle. 
Hier word ‘n mens altyd by die hek gegroet, nes in die ou dae.


On the road to van Wyksdorp




At van Wyksdorp we turned left towards Rooiberg.












Before Rooiberg we took a right turn………..still on track.


We got some mud and played a bit, and then got stuck.




















Then we got to the Gourits river (methinks).




I walked in and found the current very strong.  10 Meters in and the current was too strong to walk further.  We decided not to take chances and turned around, Rooiberg would be the way out here. 




On our way back






The same mud hole as we came in, and it was time to play again.




Rooibergpass was horrible and at places washed out with rock all over.  No wonder Veltie warned me about it.




















When we got to the bottom of Rooibergpas, there was a sign to say the road is closed due to flood damage, no sign from the other side though.

Well, I did put the sidecar to the test and I think she did damn well.  All in a day’s fun.


We headed for Oudtshoorn, it started to rain again and we went from there to George and ended eventually up in Knysna were we stayed for the night.

We once again had no plans for the day, we just had to be in Jeffreys around 13:00 were we would stay over at our folks place. 
We left Knysna at 08:00 and took a leisurely drive on the N2 towards Jeffreys.
Leaving the caravan park in Knysna


We stopped in Plettenbergbay for a Wimpy coffee for the wife.


After Plet I saw the turnoff to Nature Valley and took that route.  We were pleasantly surprised.




















We took some leftovers from the previous night’s meal as padkos.  This was the ideal place to enjoy a brekkie.








What a view.


Then it was back onto the N2, the tollgate.


Another stop at Stormsriver for a Steers coffee for the wife.


N2


The clouds were gathering again.



We arrived on time at Jeffreys Bay after a very relaxed ride.

The only route today is straight home on the N2 from Jeffreys to King William’s Town.

We stopped along the road at one of our favourite spots for a photo shoot.








In Grahamstown my wife thought it would be great if we took a “Drive Through” Kentucky.






Which we enjoyed along the road.


At home we were greeted by our children and they approved of the rig.




What a wonderful and eventful trip.  This is for sure something new that we both truly enjoy.  We now need a proper holiday to take the rig on a decent test run and to visit the many beautiful places this country has to offer.

Once again, thanks to Keith, Anthony and team who made this possible.

Until the next time

DIE ARENDE

Great stuff and congrats on the rig !!  :thumleft:

Hats off to Mrs Arend...man o man that must be like driving in a go cart all the time and closer to the ground must feel even faster... eepwall: eepwall:

But very nice report thx...

Wat n great combo :thumleft:
Wonder hoe voel dit om so n ding te ry.
Wonder hoe lank gaan dit wees voor jy in die sidecar sit  :ricky:
Selfs een persoon toer maak vir my sense met n sidecar. Dink net al die "home comforts" wat ek sal saamdra.

Lekker man.  Briljante idee met daai TAFEL.  Ek sien julle geniet hom.
BAIE JALOERS !!!

Bliksem, dit lyk mooi. Geniet die karretjie. Dit lyk baie lekker :drif:

A few things  

- I am flippen jealous
- You know how to load a bike now you even have more options. Full size camping chairs  :imaposer: Leker Louis
- You really put the sidecar to the test. Maiden trip and you gooi over swartberg and rooiberg. Well done.  :thumleft:


I wish you many many happy miles, Louis and Nannie

Vertel bietjie hoe het julle hom uit daai modder uitgekry.  Daai ding het mos nie 'n tru rat nie.

Very nice rig and report.
Now explain the correct cornering technique for this outfit, I am sure many people will be interested to hear how its done.
Is the sidecar wheel braked or not?
Keep an eye on the spokes, they are not designed for the lateral forces that cornering will now impose on them and they can work/stretch loose.

I reckon I'm gonna change mine to this