Oasis Spit Braai 11 November 2017: (Gippo) Guts and Glory

[Ri]

This lovely shot was taken by Anwar, who travels with a drone.

Cederberg Oasis always lives up to its name ...

The accommodation is a bit of a mix-up, due to me booking, paying, cancelling and rebooking, but I finally get my one-person tent. Before I get the tent, however, I am first directed to a room upstairs. I head to my room with one single thought - to get out of my perspiration-soaked clothes and head for the pool. Ahead of me up the stairs are two young girls, about 8 or 9 I'd guess, who are taking a look around.

They follow me into my room, talking non-stop, asking dozens of questions. I explain that I need to change because all my clothes are soaked and I'm desparate for a swim. They insist on feeling for themselves how damp everything is ("Gross!") and warn me about how cold the pool is. I don't care, Ladies, i'm going in! But first a little housekeeping - I head for the bathroom, and hear the girls stomping about like baby elephants. When I'm back in the room, they peer around the door, sheepish - they're too scared to climb down the very steep stairs.

I tell them no worries - I'll climb ahead of them, and if they slip and fall, I'll catch them. No! says the one girl, she couldn't fall on me and possibly hurt me! Too sweet. I explain that I can pick up my bike, which weighs a lot, so I'm sure I can catch her if she fell. By this time I've managed to pull on a cozzie and we head to the pool, me going down the stairs first.

They follow me to the pool, still chattering like starlings. One explains that she can't swim, and she's too short to stand in the pool. The other is just tall enough for her nose to stick out, and can doggy paddle a bit. The first is unhappily jealous at her friend's prowess. Her dad apparently won't teach her to swim, he tells her to "figure it out yourself". Such pristine examples of parenting. :  I load her onto my back and swim to and fro in the pool a few times, taking care to evade her choke hold.

Then I start swimming under water from side to side - it's not a big pool, after all - but the girls are open-mouthed with wonder. I enjoy the heroine worship a little bit ;D The girl who is able to swim a bit, asks me how on earth I manage to swim under water, and I explain about taking a deep breath, and then exhaling just a little bit, as you dive and kick very hard. By the time I'm ready to leave the pool, she's managing to swim half the length under water. Nice  :thumleft:

We sit in the sun drying, the other little girl continuing to complain about her inability to swim, and I try to console her with the fact that she'll soon be tall enough to stand into the pool. Then I get the great news about having a tent after all, and I rush to pack up and move my stuff before it's reallocated to someone else. Then it's time to walk around and check out all the people who came for the Spit - wayyyyy too many of whom rocked up in CAGES #justsayin'

Relaxing after a long, hot, fantastic ride.

My new minions - blondie being the non-swimmer, and the dark-haired beauty heading for Olympic stardom :biggrin:

Gagers  :xxbah:

 

[Ri]

Bikes  :drif:

Few riders - not as interesting as the bikes  :sip:

Bikes again - Andy's pad

This certainly caught my eye - a Suzuki DR650 with a 30+ liter (about 8 gallon) tank that the owner got from a friend. I asked him what his range was, but he couldn't tell - the tank is too big, the fuel is lower than the fuel pipes  :lol8: He is, in effect, quite literally a tanker for his friends, helping out if anyone runs dry.

Some slow visitors (no, I don't mean Harleys  >)

The accommodation

Super ten and the Thumper Gang. They went all the way to Wuppertal and rode to Oasis from that side, when one of their party had a bit of a spill. He fortunately wasn't hurt badly, but the rented DR650 he was on broke a clutch lever. Must have been some fall - the worst I've had was a bent clutch lever. I was sadly not able to help them with a spare, but they managed to source one somewhere.

The Other Thumper Gang - these are the guys I usually run into at the Koedoeskloof Thumper Bash in August. Was great to see them here  :biggrin:

My slightly peacock of a Purple Gentleman, unnasuming amongst all the brutish KTMs.

 

[Ri]

More people: [member=1591]Buddy[/member] , our infamous Lekker Friday Red Rooster Braaper. I was a bit disappointed that he trailered the Rooster in, but as he rightly says, he gets to his destination quicker and in comfort, instead of having to schlep it for long distances on boring tar on an uncomfortable bike. Then he can go play among the rocks to his heart's content.

Other "Stoere Boere" - [member=4844]boere[/member] waving, along with his lovely wife, boerepadda, and the rest of growing Boere clan  :biggrin:

Up close with the Boertjies

Another bunch of reprobates, including the tallest person I think I've ever seen

Len and Anda, and a guy called Johan behind Anda.

Hentie from Riders in Somerset West, and friends

Time for dinner!! If you've never attended an Oasis Spitbraai, do yourself a favour and attend the next one. Salads, lots of garlic loafs, and LOTS of meat - chicken, pork and lamb, all braai'd to perfection on the spit, Gerrit's specialty (after his awesome, awesome ribs  :drif

Our host for the evening, Gerrit, and the kitchen crew

After dinner, there was a poor, poor game of rugby that left everyone depressed. I ascribe the early quiet night and lights out to this, although others say it's because the bar closed too early  :lol8:

As I walk to my tent with a tiny flashlight, I startle a small bushbuck grazing near my tent. He soundlessly bounds off into the night and leaves me standing, looking at the amazing starlight overhead, heart filled with gratitude that I can experience such amazing nature. I try to take pictures of the stars, but I'm no Tom van Brits and my attempts fail pitifully. I'll study the manual, and try to get it right the next time I visit, hopefully in April when the next Spit should be on.

I hit the pillow and sleep the sleep of the Undead, tossing and turning fitfully as my body refuses to accept this compfortable imposter bed, dozing off fitfully until the glorious sunrise wakes me from my snoozes. No fear: that's what energy drinks and adrenaline are for.  8)

 

[KLR DEE]

Nice one . . . . as always Ri !

 

[Ri]

:thumleft:
I've probably said it before; writing an RR is reliving the trip, and I'm sometimes surprised at all the details I remember, considering how bad my memory is in general - too overflowing with modern life nonsense.

So apologies to those I ran into, who I couldn't recall.
Please blame it on old age and alcohol  :drunken_smilie: :redface:

 

[Buddy]

Talk for yourself Tonto! The older I get and the more alcohol I consume, the cleverer I get  :lol8:

Lekker report Ri, nice phodies  :thumleft:

 

[Ri]

Rising and shining in the morning is a leisurely affair. The coffee pot is on the go from early on, and breakfast is ordered at the hatch and made to specifications - delicious. Some guys get going very early, braaping away in the dusty dawn, but most linger a while, loathe to leave this lekker atmosphere.

This scooter with knobblies also came to attend festivities

Braapster, a.k.a. Buddy, was also on the go pretty early. He very kindly donated a few liters of fuel for the Purple Gentleman, as he wasn't going to need it right then. I can't remember how much it took, but I was happy that the Gent wasn't a fuelholic. Thanks Buddy :thumleft:

Although it was early, it was already heating up, and some okes took a quick last cool-off dip in the pool.

Time to settle our bills, maybe adding a few extra ticks for drinks just in case we forgot some, or maybe to cover those dimwits who mess it up for the rest of us by "forgetting" to make their marks  :dousing:

The coolest bikes at the Spit   O0  ;D

Andy660 prepped and ready to go

So much of BLUE...

Slowly the yard starts emptying.

 

[Ri]

Anwar is in a hurry to get back to Cape Town, and bids his farewells early on.

Just as we are about to leave, irony strikes: Andy660 discovers that his rear tire is flat. First he tries to reinflate the tire, in the event it just needs a bit of air, but it deflates as quickly as the air is pumped in.

Eager riders gather quickly for a master class in tire changing when Andy starts to take of his rear wheel, and it is great to see how efficiently he and Robin work together to get the tire changed as quickly and with least fuss possible. Andy pulls out his Bead Breakers and gives an impromptu demonstration, while Robin finds a rubber mat for him to work on. When the tire is off, Andy finds a small cut in the rubber, into which a small piec of glass worked its way to cut up the tube inside.

Andy brought along a 17" tube , but when he inflates it, it turns out to have a small cut as well. But I also ride with a full complement of spare tubes, so Andy is quickly sorted with a heavy duty tube.

Answering questions on the how and the why.

I'd love to know where Robin got that lekker rubber mat from :lol8:

Leaving Oasis - always a sad feeling These are photo's Anwar sent me, and I'm not sure of the order, so I'm joing going to gooi.

 

[Ri]

I always feel bad for whoever is behind me, but they invariably assure my that the slower pace is nice - once in a blue moon...  : This group is very even-handed in taking turns to ride behind me, except in places where I should obviously be OK, such as on the tar from Piketberg to Citrusdal, when they open up and quickly become mere specks on the horizon. I suspect Calle took more than his share of baby-sitting me to keep himself at a slower and less tiring pace. As for me, I'm just happy there's someone behind me to pick up the pieces, just in case.

Calle patiently waiting for me to be done with my photography so we can get moving again.

Darn, what a sexy bike   :eek7: :drif:

We reach the turn-off towards Katbakkies pass and the R355, as the plan is to have lunch at Tankwa Padstal. We take a short brake; Calle lights up and Robin checks him out.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lPejO1BAouYAVjRvzivnxY2LdJd3086o67QVcZy5ikzmVeb5VmEzE2Cg5JOCO1Z4tNiek90NpsgzprdOuasPWSjDCRCFmmirIpMrOU0Su7CPaAzV1ije3O-EcK_GxSg6LzZp-479biqrsmUd1Al4XIoaybgt9KmTjLf6g_b0OPQj525Iu0j6aSH6VKMrV6l2DXAaicFQCxViH_QjLUr4AN1N-Xexnc_rrN6dGTOeloZx0sjywiD92QDY4uushDlUxbxk19AOcqdrPrsm0ISsJ78CpFjU9nnomdBrfozraoNrByaW1rO_NiRhfHgDTkhkZ0-DYRB4gL5-qqQnapj7Xi-6R1dNZQ9wlUlBRRtdl4qQ8ov5RMhU_Vn8Kl6dCtCJUVB73SyQ3FnCZebx2bltNEaRxWp14ucm16ruhZ0KxyWqdIZNmw4Xmc22kj7BFFUTNT-YQ59l91h8x9IewMGSfNagar83hyWAoBMs6KVgN3Wqf3OnABiQqxpWt8tIBnR50f6euTuxjR9t2k_CtEL-LmyNhzJps-LmhC8FKQeksmcQ_QchSUpfne5q3FTDOC3m_wxlw_G-5yiPr8Sw_4l6ZTyWpHiWaJBaezG0I04n7DMEUfJOVwo__tWovHTReygPd43XtZuN85czq47wvsgthiJBp2PaYGwb8sE=w1300-h976-no[/img


[b]Andy checks out my bike with obvious admiration[/b]  >:D

[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/X6rl_i1VOXlXTxdMn6Fto-h9KY0yxNCWEybidQ1wYBPTExRO197WLFE9mGfis4Ooz-Ma6lLl8DkZekk3lgCkYxxNxXyNdn2xe9yM_DMLGEDIXFC5MNGZzun0Sfb5DyY-ojOHK-y1x5MjpNyM4946PkZivdWIgcPvUkGmZBpljQdguRqlHMWhObzm-UTVasL3KWcUn6BJ4lifM8p4U-gAmRQ4o-BAnrlS2LC62JAbczlqagR4PsY_B7LpLUpNZuNsXnpvHp07WhXBD4bpFEA4S6cvb0ocd-uuHSxy5eeBYlJLETbhTyrTbtHwdr4cMkwVZBcWdPgKvfUjuCYXpaYeHDUYLc28xi0YJCigTuyyFEjR66cN1Q1rCyyMRY0My6ywrBwPOCb6GiAhQqldO8bZf5sjZDhhJQIHqvO9Zrp0HfuDNhtZVphvtPgF3TP-Z3_N_Lo_M7Dh7LazxknHar1Znfz50BY4nifYoysOF0pk6zK7Sn7Z4huoYXa4VJ088ADBPAwBQMhj3wqjp-eq3tsQaGPiPCBK3H1V1558th96HVDPvO7osWJxRWCHFe6ejAzDLHD5HO54j3oDik_UAOmw5NYp03NpKerfC56tXwfHYrS2Vkoz2iwv_-uLUJgspH9GlmxwlFOU2Go1XUn70rF46FK_RcO_AQgPBeA=w1300-h976-no


The guys discussing how their bikes fall short compared to this attractive, diminutive powerhouse :imaposer:

Mind you, that AT is not a bad looking bike either. If a smaller engine size comes out, I might take it for a spin.

We turn off and head for the hills. Being my usual cautious self on gravel, I try to keep the throttle smooth and not decelerate too much in the twisty corners and downhills. This time Robin keeps a watchful eye on me, forcing him to a speed limit of about 80kph.  Katbakkies Pass is a beautiful pass, poetry in motion, surrounded by stark rocks and gentle valleys. Every height opens up to a new vista, and even in stark drought, it is beautiful.

We reach Tankwa Padstal some time after the others, and when we dismount, Robin exclaims what an excellent ride he'd had, the slowest he'd ever gone over Katbakkies, and he was astounded by its vistas. He was in raphsodies, and I was quietly pleased that he'd gotten so much from having to ride slowly behind me. We join the others for cool drinks, beers, water and lunch.

This is Kokkie. I'd met him at the Albert Frost concert weekend in Koedoeskloof. He'd been trying to call the lovely lady sitting by his side but his phone was low on power, and apparently I'd given him my phone and told him to just go ahead and make the call. I ran into them at the Oasis Spitbraai and was mortified to have forgotten him and the incident so completely. Now, of course, I'll never forget his name or face again :biggrin:

In the Western Cape, all roads lead to Tankwa Karoo

Calle ordering us some very tasty vetkoek hamburgers

They don't even take off the skin.... how on earth do they get rid of the fine, hair-like little thorns?!!

A proper, proper "negosie winkel". Here you can buy anything from lampshades to violin strings.

Lekker lunch

 

[Ri]

After lunch, Robin persuades Calle to take the Africa Twin for a spin... which leaves Robin to ride the KTM 990 Adventure. Andy and I are agog, running around taking photo's like silly paparazzi :imaposer:

The R355 back to Ceres is a gravel highway, straight and without many surprises. I'm deemed to be grown-up enough to handle this by myself, and all the guys take off in dust trails, quickly disappearing over the first rise. I open up and follow, enjoying the solitude.

Where the dirt becomes tar again, the guys briefly stop to exchange bikes, and then we carry on to Ceres to fill up. Here Andy and Robin decide to go home by a directer route, and Calle and I head home over Baviaanskloof Bainskloof :hmh:, as Calle lives in Wellington. I somehow end up in the lead, and sweep through Baviaanskloof Bainskloof :-[, always a beautiful but scary experience with ***** cagers around every sharp corner. Here you need to be vigilant.

Coming into Wellington, Calle indicates and hoots that he's reached the end of his journey, and I wave him good bye.

Then it's me, myself and I for the 45-odd kilometers home from Wellington, through Stellenbosch, to just outside Kuilsrivier. What a glorious ride! :biggrin:

 

[katana]

After lunch, Robin persuades Calle to take the Africa Twin for a spin... which leaves Robin to ride the KTM 990 Adventure. Andy and I are agog, running around taking photo's like silly paparazzi :imaposer:

The R355 back to Ceres is a gravel highway, straight and without many surprises. I'm deemed to be grown-up enough to handle this by myself, and all the guys take off in dust trails, quickly disappearing over the first rise. I open up and follow, enjoying the solitude.

Where the dirt becomes tar again, the guys briefly stop to exchange bikes, and then we carry on to Ceres to fill up. Here Andy and Robin decide to go home by a directer route, and Calle and I head home over Baviaanskloof, as Calle lives in Wellington. I somehow end up in the lead, and sweep through Baviaanskloof, always a beautiful but scary experience with ***** cagers around every sharp corner. Here you need to be vigilant.

Coming into Wellington, Calle indicates and hoots that he's reached the end of his journey, and I wave him good bye.

Then it's me, myself and I for the 45-odd kilometers home from Wellington, through Stellenbosch, to just outside Kuilsrivier. What a glorious ride! :biggrin:

Thanks for sharing.  I think you mean Bainskloof though.  Otherwise I can see why the others took a more direct route. 

 

[Ri]

... puk...  Bainskloof indeed :redface:

 

[katana]

Well now you HAVE to do Baviaans.  Otherwise you could be called a liar.  Which reminds me, still on the bucket list...

 

[Ri]

:laughing4:
Yup, I have Baviaanskloof on the brain. Friends invited me to ride along in Feb but I have another commitment.
I'm hoping to attend EC Bash this year and ride through then. Had to cancel last year on the day I would've left for Klaarstroom.

 

[firecoast]

*snip*





Mind you, that AT is not a bad looking bike either. If a smaller engine size comes out, I might take it for a spin.

*snip*

You should seriously consider taking it for a spin, as is! I find that, even though it is a big bike, it feels like a 'small' bike sitting astride it. Even on the high setting my one toe touches and it doesn't feel heavy like our KTM 950 SE or the 990's I have ridden... it even felt lighter (although not) than my KTM 640... actually, more like the DR 650.  :biggrin:

 

[Ri]

*snip*

Mind you, that AT is not a bad looking bike either. If a smaller engine size comes out, I might take it for a spin.

*snip*

You should seriously consider taking it for a spin, as is! I find that, even though it is a big bike, it feels like a 'small' bike sitting astride it. Even on the high setting my one toe touches and it doesn't feel heavy like our KTM 950 SE or the 990's I have ridden... it even felt lighter (although not) than my KTM 640... actually, more like the DR 650.  :biggrin:

I've heard great things, also about the "small bike" feeling due to how well-balanced it is. But I don't want to tempt myself. I'd love a 700 or 750 that weighed as much as the DR650 and had the same low-end torque, but could cruise comfortably at around 140 kph. Anything more and I'd probably kill myself.

1000cc feels like overkill for my size and abilities - I'm no Minxy : It's fine if you can keep the bike upright, but I'm looking to the day I have to pick it up - which happens often. In that sense, the DR650 is perfect - it's light enough for me to pick up, and it's virtually indestructable - it falls like an Aikido senpai. Love my Gent  :biggrin:

 

[Minxy]

*snip*

Mind you, that AT is not a bad looking bike either. If a smaller engine size comes out, I might take it for a spin.

*snip*

You should seriously consider taking it for a spin, as is! I find that, even though it is a big bike, it feels like a 'small' bike sitting astride it. Even on the high setting my one toe touches and it doesn't feel heavy like our KTM 950 SE or the 990's I have ridden... it even felt lighter (although not) than my KTM 640... actually, more like the DR 650.  :biggrin:

I've heard great things, also about the "small bike" feeling due to how well-balanced it is. But I don't want to tempt myself. I'd love a 700 or 750 that weighed as much as the DR650 and had the same low-end torque, but could cruise comfortably at around 140 kph. Anything more and I'd probably kill myself.

1000cc feels like overkill for my size and abilities - I'm no Minxy : It's fine if you can keep the bike upright, but I'm looking to the day I have to pick it up - which happens often. In that sense, the DR650 is perfect - it's light enough for me to pick up, and it's virtually indestructable - it falls like an Aikido senpai. Love my Gent  :biggrin:

Awww geez, thanks for the compliment hehe ;D ! Just done reading your ride report, thank you for sharing with us. Good to see some familiar faces in the photographs

 

[Ri]

Glad you enjoyed it!  :biggrin:

 

[big oil]

Marvelous report, Ri.  The pics of the roads running for miles in between mountains are amazing. 

I can now imagine what it must be like to meander down those roads absorbing the scenery.

When I make it over there someday, I must ride to the Tankwa Padstal, looks like one cool place.  I've seen the place in many road reports now.

Thanks for sharing and posting your ride.

 

[Ri]

:thumleft:
Yes, you can spend a lot of time trying not to buy stuff at the Tankwa Padstal - they've always got something you didn't desperately need until you saw it.

A place that would probably also interest you, is <a href=https://mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za/find-a-pass/western-cape/item/103-gamkaskloof-road-to-die-hel.html>Gamkaskloof</a> - a stunning, stunning twisty gravel down a steep mountain pass, with a historic settlement and accommodation in old restored farm cottages at the far end of it. On everyone's bucket list.

When you come, make sure you have a lot of time, because every WD will expect you to stop by :imaposer: