A while ago I posted a planning thread asking the KZN riders if we should organize regular Newbie / Social rides in KZN, and the response was very positive, so yesterday was planned to put a foot in the water.
Although I marketed the ride as a "newbie" ride I soon noticed from the responses that there were as many "non-newbie" names on the list than "newbies", so we had the idea that we should plan two tracks - one for the real newbies, and one a little more challenging. The idea was that both tracks would meet up some where nice where we could chill for a while before heading home.
MadDog very kindly offered to lead the "non-newbie" track, and I took the newbie group.
The turnout took me by surprise - I counted 16 bikes at the meeting spot - Let's see if can remember them :
Katoom: 2*990; 1*950; 2*690 BMW 1*F800gs 1*Dakar 1*650GS Honda 1*TransAlp 1*XR650 Yamaha 4*660Z Kawa 2*KLR650
Oops that comes to 14 : but you get the idea - a good mix of bikes ;D Fixed !!
What was bad was the gender mix - only one lady - Haplo - who did extremely well and soldiered on bravely through a couple of minor "side stand incidents" and may be nursing a bruised toe today. Hope the toe is okay
Where are all our other lady riders?
In retrospect there are two tricky turns on the way through the forest up at the gorge. Both tight, and on slopes - the one covered in pine needles and the other quite badly rutted. I will see if I can find alternative tracks around them next time we take newbies there.
From my side, and waiting for feedback from the pack, I think the concept of a split pack worked well with 6 bikes on the newbie ride.
The destination for the ride was the falls on the Mqeku river at the Eagle View campsite and caravan park - always a good spot to visit.
Thanks are due. At the rider briefing I asked the guys to please take it easy with speed and noise on Ron's farm, and everyone did. It's quite funny to see normally hooliganish bikes (like 690s) just crawling along through the forests ;D
The tracks were as planned - in the header post of this thread :-
https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=91674.0
After the visit to the Mqeku falls most of us headed off to the Wartburger Hof for a well needed drink, and then split of home in different directions - a couple of us stopped off at Msilili falls on the way home.
So I don't know about you guys but I am more than happy to organize rides of this type again.
Let's see your pics - I am filtering through a couple from the helmet cam .
Although I marketed the ride as a "newbie" ride I soon noticed from the responses that there were as many "non-newbie" names on the list than "newbies", so we had the idea that we should plan two tracks - one for the real newbies, and one a little more challenging. The idea was that both tracks would meet up some where nice where we could chill for a while before heading home.
MadDog very kindly offered to lead the "non-newbie" track, and I took the newbie group.
The turnout took me by surprise - I counted 16 bikes at the meeting spot - Let's see if can remember them :
Katoom: 2*990; 1*950; 2*690 BMW 1*F800gs 1*Dakar 1*650GS Honda 1*TransAlp 1*XR650 Yamaha 4*660Z Kawa 2*KLR650
but you get the idea - a good mix of bikes ;D What was bad was the gender mix - only one lady - Haplo - who did extremely well and soldiered on bravely through a couple of minor "side stand incidents" and may be nursing a bruised toe today. Hope the toe is okay
Where are all our other lady riders?
In retrospect there are two tricky turns on the way through the forest up at the gorge. Both tight, and on slopes - the one covered in pine needles and the other quite badly rutted. I will see if I can find alternative tracks around them next time we take newbies there.
From my side, and waiting for feedback from the pack, I think the concept of a split pack worked well with 6 bikes on the newbie ride.
The destination for the ride was the falls on the Mqeku river at the Eagle View campsite and caravan park - always a good spot to visit.
Thanks are due. At the rider briefing I asked the guys to please take it easy with speed and noise on Ron's farm, and everyone did. It's quite funny to see normally hooliganish bikes (like 690s) just crawling along through the forests ;D
The tracks were as planned - in the header post of this thread :-
https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=91674.0
After the visit to the Mqeku falls most of us headed off to the Wartburger Hof for a well needed drink, and then split of home in different directions - a couple of us stopped off at Msilili falls on the way home.
So I don't know about you guys but I am more than happy to organize rides of this type again.
Let's see your pics - I am filtering through a couple from the helmet cam .
