The Thumper Bash is one of the bashes I enjoy the most. It was the first bash I attended after becoming a member of Wild Dog, before I'd even bought my first Suzuki DR650, and it was the first bash I attended after learning to ride, and on my newly fixed up DR650, Purple Hooligan, whose battery then died en route. The kindness of the bikers allowing me to ride with them, and helping to bump start the bike time and again, has stuck with me.
I've made some firm friends at the Thumper Bash - lovely people whose bikes ooze character.
In preparation for this year's Thumper Bash I gave Dux my lengthy To Do-list - one of the Purple Turtles needed to be ready to carry my broken body to Koedoeskloof. I was confident that when the time came, I'd hop on it and crawl off into the freezing sunset.
Alas, it was not to be. My long suffering fibula was healed, but all the foot muscles had become short, fat and lazy from the long rest, and refused to co-operate despite long foot rubs and even dry needling. Apart from that, I'd taken so much leave for my ill-fated Kaokoland trip, I'll probably still owe my company when I eventually retire. Reluctantly I told Dux to relax about the DRs, and filled up my car for the long haul.
Oilspill contacted me during the day to ask whether I'm driving, and then suggested that I catch a lift with his wife, who was also attending the bash in their car and bringing along various home comforts for the long, freezing nights camping. I was a bit hesitant, as I only planned to leave at about 14:00, but Maeve said it wasn't a problem and she'd wait for me. My boss then gave the go ahead for me to sneak off at 12:00, but I only read the message at 13:00, a consequence of only checking my WhatsApps sporadically. I startled the ghost quiet office with my shout of joy and quickly headed out the door.
I parked my car at Oilspill's place and Maeve and I started the long drive. It was the first time I'd ridden in a Mahindra, and it seemed to have more than enough power on hand. After a comfort break at the N1 One Stop on the way to Worcester, Maeve took me up on my offer to help drive, as she had a slight cold and felt a bit drowsy from the medication she was taking. I happily hopped behind the wheel as I love driving, and we headed onwards. The journey was slowish and uneventful, with lots of chatter (me) and long drowsy silences (Maeve). When I'm excited, as I was about the Bash and motorbikes in general, I tend to chew people's ears off.
We arrived at Koedoeskloof in good time and I bounced around carefully on my tender limb, eagerly hugging and greeting everyone I knew. It was very cold, and Towerkop sported a snowy jacket
This time I'd had the good sense to book a room for myself, and I was very grateful about that. I quickly donned extra layers of clothes, jackets and socks in defence against the cold. Many Thumperers and non-Thumperers had arrived already and the atmosphere was lively. For dinner, Debbie served up her fragrant and delicious curry and then the revelry continued around the fire, deep into the night.
After a surprisingly comfortable and warm night, hindered only by my complaining foot, I got ready for the day. I carefully read the notice about the water usage and the size of the bath, and resolved to bath in as little water as possible. This turned out to be no challenge at all, as the bath plug had gone MIA and I was forced to wash, camping style, in the basin. It felt like home. I realise people are serious about saving water, but this seemed a tad extreme :dousing:
Many of the riders were up and ready for the various trips they'd organised for the day. Oilspill and Maeve were also headed out, and he kindly gave me the key to his car and told me I'm free to use it for the day. He even gave me instructions on how to turn on 4x4 high and low range. That is a lot of trust, and I really appreciated it!
Getting ready to head out.
Luigi, not trusting the birds and the dogs at Koedoeskloof, and probably because rain was forecast, had made extra provision for his V-Stron
Regulars Johannes, JimboXT, Andre 660 and Dirk enjoying the morning sun's meagre warmth
Both the XT600 and the Royal Enfield belong to Brian "Brandy", as some people referred to him. He said he remembered me from the last time I attended with my fiancé. I don't know who he was thinking of, but it surely wasn't me. I'm a polygamist, married to my DRs. As the evening's kuier progressed he became more affectionate, hugging me whenever he saw me, a scruffy and exuberant puppy. He and his friends left early the next morning to ride a "Kaapse draai" homewards, with promises of other outings as he also lived near Stellenbosch.
Colourful camping ground
Seasoned gravel warrior
I've made some firm friends at the Thumper Bash - lovely people whose bikes ooze character.
In preparation for this year's Thumper Bash I gave Dux my lengthy To Do-list - one of the Purple Turtles needed to be ready to carry my broken body to Koedoeskloof. I was confident that when the time came, I'd hop on it and crawl off into the freezing sunset.
Alas, it was not to be. My long suffering fibula was healed, but all the foot muscles had become short, fat and lazy from the long rest, and refused to co-operate despite long foot rubs and even dry needling. Apart from that, I'd taken so much leave for my ill-fated Kaokoland trip, I'll probably still owe my company when I eventually retire. Reluctantly I told Dux to relax about the DRs, and filled up my car for the long haul.
Oilspill contacted me during the day to ask whether I'm driving, and then suggested that I catch a lift with his wife, who was also attending the bash in their car and bringing along various home comforts for the long, freezing nights camping. I was a bit hesitant, as I only planned to leave at about 14:00, but Maeve said it wasn't a problem and she'd wait for me. My boss then gave the go ahead for me to sneak off at 12:00, but I only read the message at 13:00, a consequence of only checking my WhatsApps sporadically. I startled the ghost quiet office with my shout of joy and quickly headed out the door.
I parked my car at Oilspill's place and Maeve and I started the long drive. It was the first time I'd ridden in a Mahindra, and it seemed to have more than enough power on hand. After a comfort break at the N1 One Stop on the way to Worcester, Maeve took me up on my offer to help drive, as she had a slight cold and felt a bit drowsy from the medication she was taking. I happily hopped behind the wheel as I love driving, and we headed onwards. The journey was slowish and uneventful, with lots of chatter (me) and long drowsy silences (Maeve). When I'm excited, as I was about the Bash and motorbikes in general, I tend to chew people's ears off.
We arrived at Koedoeskloof in good time and I bounced around carefully on my tender limb, eagerly hugging and greeting everyone I knew. It was very cold, and Towerkop sported a snowy jacket
This time I'd had the good sense to book a room for myself, and I was very grateful about that. I quickly donned extra layers of clothes, jackets and socks in defence against the cold. Many Thumperers and non-Thumperers had arrived already and the atmosphere was lively. For dinner, Debbie served up her fragrant and delicious curry and then the revelry continued around the fire, deep into the night.
After a surprisingly comfortable and warm night, hindered only by my complaining foot, I got ready for the day. I carefully read the notice about the water usage and the size of the bath, and resolved to bath in as little water as possible. This turned out to be no challenge at all, as the bath plug had gone MIA and I was forced to wash, camping style, in the basin. It felt like home. I realise people are serious about saving water, but this seemed a tad extreme :dousing:
Many of the riders were up and ready for the various trips they'd organised for the day. Oilspill and Maeve were also headed out, and he kindly gave me the key to his car and told me I'm free to use it for the day. He even gave me instructions on how to turn on 4x4 high and low range. That is a lot of trust, and I really appreciated it!
Getting ready to head out.
Luigi, not trusting the birds and the dogs at Koedoeskloof, and probably because rain was forecast, had made extra provision for his V-Stron
Regulars Johannes, JimboXT, Andre 660 and Dirk enjoying the morning sun's meagre warmth
Both the XT600 and the Royal Enfield belong to Brian "Brandy", as some people referred to him. He said he remembered me from the last time I attended with my fiancé. I don't know who he was thinking of, but it surely wasn't me. I'm a polygamist, married to my DRs. As the evening's kuier progressed he became more affectionate, hugging me whenever he saw me, a scruffy and exuberant puppy. He and his friends left early the next morning to ride a "Kaapse draai" homewards, with promises of other outings as he also lived near Stellenbosch.
Colourful camping ground
Seasoned gravel warrior
