Jacko does GS Trophy Africa 2010

[krister]

It was getting very hard for me too, as I haven’t ridden sand for a year. Now, ideally I should’ve been settling in, finding my sand legs so to speak. But as I was shadowing a Jap I couldn’t stick to one track as they’d madly fishtail from one track over to the other, making deep, unpredictably oscillations in the porridge-like sand.

Last year, on our way to the R.A.W. week I also fell along the West Coast. Metaljockey was riding ahead of me. MJ is an awesome rider, but he does things differently to me. Firstly he’s very tall. Secondly he rides a 650. So he sits in most sand, now and then poking out a spidery leg and conserving energy. This also means that he would change tracks quite often, drifting from the one track to the other, staying upright and doing a lower speed than me.

So I would fall back, accelerate, catch up with him, get caught in one of his sitting-lane-change-trenches, almost lose it, slow down, let him go, etc. I should’ve overtaken him, pure and simple, but in trying to be ‘nice’ I didn’t. The result was that as I was accelerating back to me and the HP2’s sweet-spot speed in sand, I approached a corner – and my front wheel found one of his moats. Result!

Suddenly I had that same feeling again. I would accelerate to pass a Jap when he’d suddenly change lanes. Unlike Metaljockey he had no control. But the effect was similar – I didn’t have a straight rut in front of me. Only a jagged, deep rut that switched from the left track to the right track every couple of meters.

I cannot tell you how many times I almost fell. You know the feeling: You realise this is getting out of hand. But somehow you save it. You giggle, curse, shout, all at once. Then you hit the next deep, unpredictable rut left by an erratically riding Jap.

When Tohru feel for the umpteenth time I made a decision. We were all grown-ups. I was going to pass him and every other Jap. That way I could ride the sand, without dealing with their erratic riding. Now and then I’d sit down or stop, see if they were okay and take it from there. Behind me Roger, Gerber and Warren were sweeping. We were taking strain.

Jaco, I can totally associate with what you describe above.  Riding sand is MUCH harder when you are riding with (read:  behind) another rider - especially if he (or she?) is riding slower and at inconsistent speeds.  This is one of the reasons why riding together can be risky, as you don't determine your own speed and line and often you are forced to jump lanes.  All of this saps mental and physical energy and tears at confidence...

In this regard, I would like to ask you (and other WDs) what the solution is.  Would it be riding alone or far apart from fellow riders?  Also, does this not become an issue at off-road training courses like Countrytrax or ADA?

Jaco?  Jou siening asb, Oom...  ot:

 

[Jacko]

It was getting very hard for me too, as I haven’t ridden sand for a year. Now, ideally I should’ve been settling in, finding my sand legs so to speak. But as I was shadowing a Jap I couldn’t stick to one track as they’d madly fishtail from one track over to the other, making deep, unpredictably oscillations in the porridge-like sand.

Last year, on our way to the R.A.W. week I also fell along the West Coast. Metaljockey was riding ahead of me. MJ is an awesome rider, but he does things differently to me. Firstly he’s very tall. Secondly he rides a 650. So he sits in most sand, now and then poking out a spidery leg and conserving energy. This also means that he would change tracks quite often, drifting from the one track to the other, staying upright and doing a lower speed than me.

So I would fall back, accelerate, catch up with him, get caught in one of his sitting-lane-change-trenches, almost lose it, slow down, let him go, etc. I should’ve overtaken him, pure and simple, but in trying to be ‘nice’ I didn’t. The result was that as I was accelerating back to me and the HP2’s sweet-spot speed in sand, I approached a corner – and my front wheel found one of his moats. Result!

Suddenly I had that same feeling again. I would accelerate to pass a Jap when he’d suddenly change lanes. Unlike Metaljockey he had no control. But the effect was similar – I didn’t have a straight rut in front of me. Only a jagged, deep rut that switched from the left track to the right track every couple of meters.

I cannot tell you how many times I almost fell. You know the feeling: You realise this is getting out of hand. But somehow you save it. You giggle, curse, shout, all at once. Then you hit the next deep, unpredictable rut left by an erratically riding Jap.

When Tohru feel for the umpteenth time I made a decision. We were all grown-ups. I was going to pass him and every other Jap. That way I could ride the sand, without dealing with their erratic riding. Now and then I’d sit down or stop, see if they were okay and take it from there. Behind me Roger, Gerber and Warren were sweeping. We were taking strain.

Jaco, I can totally associate with what you describe above.  Riding sand is MUCH harder when you are riding with (read:  behind) another rider - especially if he (or she?) is riding slower and at inconsistent speeds.  This is one of the reasons why riding together can be risky, as you don't determine your own speed and line and often you are forced to jump lanes.  All of this saps mental and physical energy and tears at confidence...

In this regard, I would like to ask you (and other WDs) what the solution is.  Would it be riding alone or far apart from fellow riders?  Also, does this not become an issue at off-road training courses like Countrytrax or ADA?

Jaco?  Jou siening asb, Oom...  ot:

Is, ja!

Ek vind dit moerse moeilik om smooth in dik sand te ry as die ou voor my nie redelik reguit ry nie. Die trick is natuurlik om hom te ignoreer en te fokus op 'n punt doooeeer ver. Maar jy kan ook nie die ou voor jou ignoreer nie, veral nie as hy heeltyd in die baan en dan daai baan is nie. Want doen jy dit en hy val, dan connect julle. (ons praat nou van sand-tweespoor - duine is baie makliker)

Die beste is as elkeen sy eie spoed ry, afhangende van die soort bike wat hy ry. Die kleiner bikes kan baie stadig in die sand ry. Maar met die groter (800 plus) bikes, moet jy kole gooi.

Ek ry nie weer agter iemand wat sit in sand nie. Punt. Sodoende kan hy in vrede slinger en ek kan laat waai.

 

[goingnowherequickly]

thanks Jaco for sharing!!
Great report, what an awesome experience
thanks

 

[krister]

It was getting very hard for me too, as I haven’t ridden sand for a year. Now, ideally I should’ve been settling in, finding my sand legs so to speak. But as I was shadowing a Jap I couldn’t stick to one track as they’d madly fishtail from one track over to the other, making deep, unpredictably oscillations in the porridge-like sand.

Last year, on our way to the R.A.W. week I also fell along the West Coast. Metaljockey was riding ahead of me. MJ is an awesome rider, but he does things differently to me. Firstly he’s very tall. Secondly he rides a 650. So he sits in most sand, now and then poking out a spidery leg and conserving energy. This also means that he would change tracks quite often, drifting from the one track to the other, staying upright and doing a lower speed than me.

So I would fall back, accelerate, catch up with him, get caught in one of his sitting-lane-change-trenches, almost lose it, slow down, let him go, etc. I should’ve overtaken him, pure and simple, but in trying to be ‘nice’ I didn’t. The result was that as I was accelerating back to me and the HP2’s sweet-spot speed in sand, I approached a corner – and my front wheel found one of his moats. Result!

Suddenly I had that same feeling again. I would accelerate to pass a Jap when he’d suddenly change lanes. Unlike Metaljockey he had no control. But the effect was similar – I didn’t have a straight rut in front of me. Only a jagged, deep rut that switched from the left track to the right track every couple of meters.

I cannot tell you how many times I almost fell. You know the feeling: You realise this is getting out of hand. But somehow you save it. You giggle, curse, shout, all at once. Then you hit the next deep, unpredictable rut left by an erratically riding Jap.

When Tohru feel for the umpteenth time I made a decision. We were all grown-ups. I was going to pass him and every other Jap. That way I could ride the sand, without dealing with their erratic riding. Now and then I’d sit down or stop, see if they were okay and take it from there. Behind me Roger, Gerber and Warren were sweeping. We were taking strain.

Jaco, I can totally associate with what you describe above.  Riding sand is MUCH harder when you are riding with (read:  behind) another rider - especially if he (or she?) is riding slower and at inconsistent speeds.  This is one of the reasons why riding together can be risky, as you don't determine your own speed and line and often you are forced to jump lanes.  All of this saps mental and physical energy and tears at confidence...

In this regard, I would like to ask you (and other WDs) what the solution is.  Would it be riding alone or far apart from fellow riders?  Also, does this not become an issue at off-road training courses like Countrytrax or ADA?

Jaco?  Jou siening asb, Oom...  ot:

Is, ja!

Ek vind dit moerse moeilik om smooth in dik sand te ry as die ou voor my nie redelik reguit ry nie. Die trick is natuurlik om hom te ignoreer en te fokus op 'n punt doooeeer ver. Maar jy kan ook nie die ou voor jou ignoreer nie, veral nie as hy heeltyd in die baan en dan daai baan is nie. Want doen jy dit en hy val, dan connect julle. (ons praat nou van sand-tweespoor - duine is baie makliker)

Die beste is as elkeen sy eie spoed ry, afhangende van die soort bike wat hy ry. Die kleiner bikes kan baie stadig in die sand ry. Maar met die groter (800 plus) bikes, moet jy kole gooi.

Ek ry nie weer agter iemand wat sit in sand nie. Punt. Sodoende kan hy in vrede slinger en ek kan laat waai.

Dankie vir jou antwoord, Jaco.  Ek stem saam oor die kleiner (en ligter) bikes...

Jy ontwyk egter my tweede vraag:  Hoe voel jy dan oor die (ADA- en Countrytrax-) kursusse?  Is dit nie presies wat daar ook gebeur nie?  Jy ry agter (dalk minder-ervare) ouens en sien jou dinges?

 

[Jacko]

Hmm wie waar ry is maar vir jouself om uit te figure.

Van nou af ry die ligter bikes met die sittende pilote AGTER my. Maar dit hang af van groep tot groep. Party mense kry 'n kick om saam met onervare mense te ry wat baie val, dan kan hulle heeltyd raad gee. Ek weer, verkies dit as mense van min of meer dieselfde skills saamry.

Dis maar soos die lewe - soveel mense, soveel benaderings.

 

[JACOVV]

Nice Jacko - baie dankie

 

[SGB]

Dankie Jacko - dit was goed om bietjie skouers te skuur langs die pad daar.  Ek het elke oomblik woes geniet en sal dit more weer doen as die geleentheid daar is.  Was nice om saam met julle legends te ry....  Ek het 3 dae met team SA gespandeer.  Dit het soms amper gevoel of ons sommer net met 'n trip besig is, soos ek en Roger so baie gedoen het toe ek in Durbs gewoon het.

Sien binnekort weer!

 

[Ou Ryperd]

In this regard, I would like to ask you (and other WDs) what the solution is.  Would it be riding alone or far apart from fellow riders?  Also, does this not become an issue at off-road training courses like Countrytrax or ADA?

At Country Trax, the rider goes through the sand under the watchful eye of the instructor. The next rider is waved through as soon as the previous one is through the sand pit and it is safe.

At most courses, they teach you the basic techniques to master the obstacle. There is just not enough time to allow enough practice during the course to enable the rider to master the techniques and obstacle. The idea is that you ride away with more knowledge and skill, and that YOU go PRACTICE what you've learned.

Personally, in sand/mud/technical terrain I prefer to allow a big gap between me and the rider in front, sometimes out of sight is better, so that I can ride my own speed, focus on my own line and to ensure no one takes pictures of the unavoidable  :biggrin:.

There is a saying: "If you ride alone, you die alone." Thus, I prefer to ride with a buddy or two. But still apply the "rule" above.  :thumleft:

 

[SGB]

 Jy ry agter (dalk minder-ervare) ouens en sien jou dinges?

Ek verstaan nie hoekom party ouens aandring om in die ou voor hom se stof te ry nie.  As jou volg afstand te klein is, maak jy dit vir jouself en die ou voor jou gevaarlik, want as hy afval ry jy oor hom as daar nie genoeg rem afstand is nie.  Dit maak soms sin om naby mekaar te ry, maar oor die algemeen is die regte ding om genoeg afstand tussen jouself en die ryer voor jou te los om dinge veilig en gerieflik te maak vir jouself.  As jy heel dag stof vreet is dit jou keuse.  En as jy heel tyd na 'n "wobbler" voor jou se wiel staar is dit ook jou keuse.

 

[krister]

Thanks for the advice, Jacko / >Herman< / SGB  :thumleft:  :ricky:

 

[Crowley]

Thanks for the report Jaco  :thumleft:

great read

 

[Brakenjan]

Koos jou doning!!  :thumleft:

Meesterlike pennevrug - dankie vir die moeite.

 

[johang]

In this regard, I would like to ask you (and other WDs) what the solution is.  Would it be riding alone or far apart from fellow riders?  Also, does this not become an issue at off-road training courses like Countrytrax or ADA?

At Country Trax, the rider goes through the sand under the watchful eye of the instructor. The next rider is waved through as soon as the previous one is through the sand pit and it is safe….

Jy ry agter (dalk minder-ervare) ouens en sien jou dinges?

Ek verstaan nie hoekom party ouens aandring om in die ou voor hom se stof te ry nie.  As jou volg afstand te klein is, maak jy dit vir jouself en die ou voor jou gevaarlik, want as hy afval ry jy oor hom as daar nie genoeg rem afstand is nie….

Only saw this now, echo what Herman and SGB said…

This issue is also applicable on other types of terrain like mountainous twee spoor (i.e. Ralley Raid, etc).  Whether you stay behind (enough space and staggered), try and pass (safely for both), or stop and take some pictures it is a choice.  If it is a race or you have to be in a hurry then there are techniques for passing.

As you said “you will become very tired” behind a wobbler so you need to find your rhythm or pace, which could be to fall back and relax.  Nervous riders get even more nervous when someone is behind them and then they get more tired and get more wobblier…

At training it is about techniques and obstacles and safety is key in relation to what is being taught, just as Herman explained.  We borrow a lot from 4x4ing when it comes to some riding practices, come and judge for yourself whether it is at Country Trax or at ADA…

 

[LMG]

Altyd lekker om jou geskrifte onder oe te neem - literere meesterstukke!  Laat asb weet waar en wanneer van jou artikels oor die SA Trophy in die gedrukte media verskyn.

Abel

 

[laurika]

what an adventure... thank you for sharing. :thumleft:

 

[Lourens]

Dankie Jacko, dit was 'n lekker lees.  :thumleft:

 

[krister]

In this regard, I would like to ask you (and other WDs) what the solution is.  Would it be riding alone or far apart from fellow riders?  Also, does this not become an issue at off-road training courses like Countrytrax or ADA?

At Country Trax, the rider goes through the sand under the watchful eye of the instructor. The next rider is waved through as soon as the previous one is through the sand pit and it is safe….

Jy ry agter (dalk minder-ervare) ouens en sien jou dinges?

Ek verstaan nie hoekom party ouens aandring om in die ou voor hom se stof te ry nie.  As jou volg afstand te klein is, maak jy dit vir jouself en die ou voor jou gevaarlik, want as hy afval ry jy oor hom as daar nie genoeg rem afstand is nie….

Only saw this now, echo what Herman and SGB said…

This issue is also applicable on other types of terrain like mountainous twee spoor (i.e. Ralley Raid, etc).  Whether you stay behind (enough space and staggered), try and pass (safely for both), or stop and take some pictures it is a choice.  If it is a race or you have to be in a hurry then there are techniques for passing.

As you said “you will become very tired” behind a wobbler so you need to find your rhythm or pace, which could be to fall back and relax.  Nervous riders get even more nervous when someone is behind them and then they get more tired and get more wobblier…

At training it is about techniques and obstacles and safety is key in relation to what is being taught, just as Herman explained.  We borrow a lot from 4x4ing when it comes to some riding practices, come and judge for yourself whether it is at Country Trax or at ADA…

:thumleft:  Thanks, Hoofseun...  :thumleft:

 

[Wheelman]

Jaco, baie dankie vir jou moiete! :thumleft: You did yourself proud.....

I hope that this event goes from strength to strength and that that you go with it :thumleft: Nice to have an insiders view!!

 

[nreyneke]

Lekker lekker!!! Thanks Jacko!  :thumleft:

 

[Fourie-kop]

Super cool report bra!!