During a trip like this I usually meet very diverse characters with very different reasons for being on the trip.
It is interesting to see how every individual accepts the unwritten rules within that group in terms of riding etiquette, and how they look after each other.
Canzius is a true "Ouboet" - in every sense of the word, and it was good to see how he looked after Dwerg, without making it obvious that the time spent with Dwerg, was even more important than the ride itself. Canzius really found the perfect weapon in his 501 on this trip and seeing him on the sand and in the technical sections was pure poetry in motion.
Dwerg is a really good rider and once he got to grips with Ri's DR, he was flying and having the time of his life. I remember one incident when we were waiting for the group that took the wrong track (of which Dwerg was part of), he came flying past us on some of the thickest stretches of sand that seemed to last forever.
He was obviously trying to get back to Canzius. I have ridden that stretch many times and I know that sitting down were not an easy task.
PK has told me about his friend Hennie long before they committed to the trip. Hennie is just one of those laid back characters that takes anything in his stride.
The respect these two guys have for each other was admirable, and even though they engaged in the usual banter over bikes etc, it was easy to see that they would walk through fire for each other.
PK and I have been friends for a while, and I have the world of respect for him. His attitude towards life is exactly what every person should strive for. This was not the last trip Pete and I will be on.
Their friend Shane is a a guy that has been dealt a few low blows in life, and despite his bike not functioning the way it should, and him falling about ten times, Shane always got up, and always carried on. He even found time to build Ri a crutch. a Most respectful individual who found time to write a poem of his time spent in the desert with his mates.
True friendship if I ever saw it.
Ri is a gritty woman. I saw a couple of her falls. On the rocks and in the sand. Not many guys would have continued after those falls. You have no idea how difficult it was to witness the tears of disappointment rolling down her face when she realised her riding was over.
Not many people know that she had three falls after her fibula broke. Her passion for riding is massive.
The kind act of giving her bike to a fellow rider was even more admirable.
Trevor and Hannes became great friends on the trip.
I knew Trevor through previous dealings I had with him. a Friendly guy and the self appointed jester in the group. Trevor is a really good rider and can make a Dakar 650 look like a 450 plastic. Trevor is the kind of guy everyone want's in a group like this. Campfire chats takes on a new meaning with him in the group.
Hannes is a very quiet person - I guess one could almost call him shy. Like Trevor he is blessed with mechanical aptitude and riding skill. I frequently found Hannes next to the road with his camera in his hand taking pictures of things that others missed. I got the impression that this trip was very important to him for more reasons than the obvious.
The Gauteng members should make contact with Hannes - You will love riding with him.
