THE NEW FORT JACKSON LOOP

Saturday 16^th August was wet and windy. I decided to take it easy, hire some movies and relax.

I was going to be riding with the “Big Boys” tomorrow in VETS. For those of you who don’t know, VETS are retired/expired A-stream okes; these guys are fast/fit and very smooth riders. I would have my hands full just trying to keep up. I managed to stay away from the notorious “cooler box” had a very lekker roast for dinner, got some decent sleep.

Sunday morning 05h30 I woke up with a “mother headache” and full of remorse about moving up to this class, why decide to move up in FORT JACKSON of all places.

Everyone knows, Water plus Fort Jackson = Hell!!!!!

All was not lost though; a couple of guys with a very similar pace has also joined this class and would keep me company in the very tough sections, I figured we could compete amongst our selves for the second last position. Riders briefing was held and we were informed the race would be 1=3 laps for vets. Cool I thought! Two weeks earlier myself and a small group of riders had gone to play out there and we had ridden what we thought was the new loop. “NOT!”

A-stream was first off, followed by Vets, B&C then Quads.

A and B had to go through the rocks at race controls, Eish! Why do we have to battle so soon I thought, Oh well! Here goes! The first Bottle neck of the day, shooo! This was not easy for the average rider like myself. With a hand full of throttle and clutch I carved my way through this section and headed down hill to the river sections. As I idled down I could already hear the bikes revving down in the river and realized some bad things were coming! Reaching the first river section and second bottle neck the sick feeling of remorse hit again! What had I done!

I had now committed to Vets/B stream and would not be able to go back down again. Oh Know, what have I done? As we waited our turn to attack this off camber river exit which had already been dug down to expose wet roots I noticed Lionel dismount his bike to offer assistance to those in need. Great idea I thought, I followed suite and positioned my self on the opposite side of the now very deep rut. Even if the guys didn’t need help, I grabbed a hand full and shoved these guys up. I could see in Lionel’s eyes, he felt the same way I did and would rather get these guys out of the way so we could take it easy at the rear. (Self appointed Marshall’s) With all the riders now through we decided to continue ourselves. Now with a group of 5 okes we hit the next river section. In my infinite wisdom I decided to take a different line again! (Why? I can not say!) Straight down and straight up! Oh Boy! Did I misjudge the gradient of this climb! Bike reared up, almost ripping my thumb off and came crashing down with one “punishing blow” Eish! I did it again!

The next section I recognized, steep drop off and turn right! Wrong! Steep drop off and turn left! This must have been Quinton’s surprise! He some how managed to bring “ERZ BERG’s” hells kitchen to Fort Jackson! What was he thinking??

(Note to self: Remove Quinton from X-mas list)

As we man handled our bikes through this river bed I noticed all the rocks where wet with green water, Ha! Okes had boiled properly here! Strange thing was there was no orange coolant to be seen! KTM’s use the orange stuff! It must have been Jap bikes that were cooking.

With a smile and my trusty imported Husky I continued to thunder through another 50m or so.

How long can this river section be I thought, surely it must end just around the next corner. With two new KTM 300’s in front we rounded the next bend, Eish! Another 50 or 100m until the next bend! #$%@!!!!! Then it happened! Pooof! Sssssss! The KTM’s started to boil!

Now I understood! The orange coolant is like invisible ink! Steam blows but leaves no trace behind. (Scaly buggers).It was good to know that even these purpose built machines were taking some strain in this horrific river bed. Then it was my turn, it started like the sound of a puncture and quickly turned into a load gurgling vibration. My “Beast” had stated to Blow!

Steam and a jet of “piping” hot water shot against my left leg! Aynaa! “Thar she blows”

It was time to stop! Looking back at Lionel slumped over his bars with his bike firmly wedged between two rocks I realized that this was indeed taking its toll on all of us!

It was time to take a well deserved rest; I had packed smokes in by tripper bag “just in case”

I decided this was one of those times to have a triple M “Marlboro Man Moment!

This was Africa! Not a place for whimps! Sucking on my smoke as if to try and start siphoning fuel I enquired as to how Lionel was doing. The face I’m used to seeing is a placid one, always smiling with a calm relaxed look. This was not what I saw as he raised his head off the bars!

Blood red cheeks, blinking eyes, sweat pouring off his face and an expression of deep sorrow!

It seemed I was not the only guy that was taking major strain. (Strangely comforting in a way)

As we got ready to go again I noticed some spectators trying to negotiate their way through the rocks, with an audience and a video camera focused on me I was now forced to continue. Holding on for dear life I gassed it through the remainder of the 400m river section. With an easy exit we managed to get to the more flowing remainder of the loop, shoo! Cool fresh air!

My clutch had now failed completely; from “abuse” I’m told. After the river bed I could face anything, with or without a clutch, all I wanted was to get back to race control and all my loved ones. The rest of the loop was a blur, all I remember was it was slippery, very slippery!

As I approached the final stage through the rock section I could see all the spectators standing around and cheering us on. My focus however was on the “Green Stickers” that indicated the C-stream loop. Should I or shouldn’t I? No! Too many spectators around to take the chicken loop. I headed into the water section, deeper, deeper! Oh no I thought, a willowvale “flash back” I managed to get out without drowning it and turned to face the last rock section. With no clutch and a faster rider coming through “On his second lap” I tried to negotiate the rocks and get out of the way, Bang! Rider down! Not bothered at all I just left my bike laying there at let the faster rider through. Now truly broken and exhausted I headed up to race control.

I had completed my reccie loop! Yeeehaaaa!

3 hours to complete 14k’s (I think?)

Thanks to all for encouraging me to move up!

I have removed all your names from my Black Book (Hit List!)

If it had not been for the rain this would have been a very different loop and some of us would have managed a bit better. What can you do? Nature has a way of getting her own back.

Thanks to all for the day, I loved my “one lap wonder” ride and can’t wait to ride FJ again.

When it’s dry anyway!

The next one is Kidds Beach, hopefully I will be able to move my arms again by then.