WILLOWVALE 2008
This one started a bit different to the usual rides. By Friday lunchtime the bakkie was packed, trailer loaded and I had my Faithful S/S fridge positioned perfectly against the tailgate of the Toyota. The positioning of this appliance is extremely important, should you encounter road works or stop/goes in the former Transkei, it is of utmost importance not to dehydrate and one needs to have fast and easy access to fluids. The fridge/freezer left just enough space for the other junk/stuff that had to go with to an enduro. (Helmet, kit, boots etc,,) With the trailer hitched I pulled out with the entire family. The plan was to get to Gavin’s Spot at Kob Inn late Friday afternoon. I intended on giving the cooler box some horns, burn a bit of meat and have a good time, after all, I was going to marshal the next day. Watching other sweat has always helped me to forget about my head aches and droe Bek! We arrived in Willowvale at about 15h30 and headed down the gravel road to Kob Inn. Not to be out done and determined to get a head start I decided to pull off and take a leak. (This was my excuse anyway) Opened the tail gate and poured myself a good one! (Plascon Paint Stripper se moer) Climbed back in wound the windows down and slowly cruised down to the coast. The kids now wide awake had demanded some doof doof music. Channeling most of the volume through the sub behind the seat, I could see by the expression of enjoyment on there faces as the pulse was thumping into there chests as they tried to force there shoulders closer to the back rests. The only other sound I could make out was the sound of Christmas beetles? Well it sounded like Christmas beetles anyway! As you rode past small settlements all that could be heard was Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeets!
The strange thing was, you never heard the beginning Ssssss or the Sss at the end. All you heard was WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE non stop! How did these youngsters manage to hold that note for so long with out breathing? Sweeeeeeeeeeeeee Aaaagh cough cough splutter!
Sorry! I’m getting side tracked; let’s get back to the story.
We arrived at Gavin & Judy’s spot. (What a beautiful piece of heaven they have) Thanks for putting us up! Unpacked and started to get into the mood of things. With Brandy & Coke now flowing properly and many of the okes already there doing a similar thing we started the fire. Chuckling to myself I thought, shame! These okes have to compete tomorrow! Haa ha. I remembered how hot it gets in some of those valleys in Willowvale. Eish! After all! I was going to marshal the loop. The plan was to find a cool shady spot at one of the river/technical sections and offer assistance should anyone need it. No worries I thought, I would just take it easy and enjoy the day. The rest of the evening’s events seemed to blur out like a fading sunset BAR one or two pranks and an Oooohps!. The first, some ones kit bag was left outside, this was carried up and placed on top of the house roof! This was bound to bring some entertainment for us all the following morning. (Or was it morning already?) The second prank was to put food colouring in Simon’s helmet. (Not quite sure whose idea that was)?
The last incident of the evening was when one of the guys (The naughty one) was relieving himself on one of the other branded bikes, whilst standing on the seats of two bikes aiming at the third in the middle, a projectile came out of nowhere and connected squarely in the groin area! When I say squarely, I mean a direct hit to the “jewels” Aaaaah! ( First rider down!)
Like a ton of Bricks, this oke fell off the bikes and trailer and took a nice roll for the crowd!
By this time it was very late/early??? Loads of meat had been cooked but I was not sure if I had eaten yet or not?? Oh well, I thought “Breakfast” Fell asleep to the sound of crashing waves not 50m away.
(There is the 50m thing again! Strange hey? Every thing is about 50m away)
I was woken up by the strange sound of coughing/spluttering! It also sounded like some okes were trying to heave a railway line up to the parking area! On closer inspection I discovered that the sound was some of the okes emptying out all the contents of there stomachs. Several explanations followed from; Oysters, pork chops to the local water! Personally I believe it was from the Brandy, Captain Morgan or one of the many/many beer cans left on the tables outside.
I was not left unscathed by the previous evening’s escapades; I also felt a bit tender and experienced some problems whilst trying to brush my teeth. You know! When the brush seems to go a tiny bit too far toward the back of your throat, or some tooth paste foam gathers around your tonsils! Gaaaaaagh!
Deciding against breakfast, with only a cup of coffee down the hatch, I decided to leave with the early group and hit the 40km gravel road to the starting point. Shooo! I didn’t remember the road being so ruff! It felt like I was sitting on one of those cement vibrating tables. Oh well I though, once off this evil road I could relax again and continue to tease the other guys on how they looked like death warmed up and taking bets as to who would puke in there helmet first.
Had I known how this would all backfire on me I would have kept my big mouth shut!
On arriving I could see Ninas setting up already (Shooo! They must have left way before the sparrows) I figured I would have some time to settle in a bit and tuck into one of there Dagwood Burgers. (All food groups tucked into a roll) Lekker! However! This was not to be the case at all. When I enquired about where I would be needed on the loop and what duties I could help with I was told the following. Sorry Mate! We already have enough marshals!
You will HAVE to ride! I used every excuse in the book, sick, not prepared, no sleep, bike not prepped, suspension problems, eye infection in both eyes etc,,,,, my last resort was I did not have my wallet with me! Ha!
I had actually left it at the cottage and had not drawn sufficient funds to encourage visits to Kob Inn hotel or any other silly bugger stuff! Got you! I thought! Then that Bloody Graham Roebuck took out cash and paid for my entry fees!!! Eish! Now I was stuck! Do I thank him? Or do I swear at him? I gathered up the strength to force a smile out and said thank you!
(This was however, not my first choice of words) I had also been challenged to do more
Than my usual one lap wonder stunt.
With a sickening feeling in my stomach and certain of what was coming I got kitted up!
Getting dressed as slow as I could with the sorriest face you have ever seen I realized the following! No one gave a #@%*!!! I had no sympathy from anyone! All I was told was this!
Yaa ya! Self inflicted BOET! (Thanks for nothing I thought to myself) bastards!
By this time I had already finished about 2l of Oros and felt like I could/would pop.
Strange how your body will hold onto decent fluids hey! I remembered the previous night; I would pour 500ml (Premix 2:1 in and within 2 minutes 500ml would find its way out again.
My system/body was a streamlined filtration machine! Ok I thought, a smile again! Cool!
Time to focus and concentrate, the day could only get better! (Have you ever said that before?)
By this time some of the riders where glancing over at me and trying really hard not to smile/laugh. I was aware of all the thoughts going through there minds; Yaa ya! Kry vir you!
The wheel had indeed turned! It was my turn to get trampled!
With an empty stomach I took my position in my class. 1st off the grid!!! Life can be cruel hey!
This had to be another cruel plot against me! Now I had to contend with okes putting pressure on from behind. Why? Why couldn’t I go off last???? No pressure!
Waiting patiently at the starting grid, slumped over the bars I saw the starting lady nod, another nod then said the following “You CAN go now!” Eish!
Battling to keep my balance I headed off onto the loop. Unable to hold a line with tears streaming down my face Forced myself on. As entering the first river section I noticed Greg (I guy I had met the night before) he was waiting for the lady riders to come through and help if necessary. Cool I thought, at least if I go “pear shaped” someone was there to help!
Gathering my strength I committed to this submerged rock river bed. Feet up, knees firmly clamped on the tank and in 2nd gear I hit it! Ooops! Wrong line! Infront of me was a deep hole, not prepared to loose face and stall I decided to hit straight through it! After all, I was on a Husky 450! What can a little hole do? I figured I would be out of it before the plug new it had got wet! With an almighty heave and a gently click into 3rd gear I launched the front wheel over the hole and the new 404 rear tyre was doing the job and must have some how kept us both afloat! With water spraying over my back I corrected my line/targeting of the missile I was piloting and hit the embankment with one punishing blow and all! Tapped it into 2nd gear and went on to the next set of challenges. I finally made it to race control; exhausted and cramping I dismounted my beast. (This was only the reccie loop) Eish! The highlight of this loop must have been Simon’s green face! The food colouring thing had worked and managed to run down with the sweat from his helmet.
It seemed like moments later I was called again to start lining up. The race was on!
Untidy/reckless is how I would describe my riding style on the first loop. Just before the end of the first loop I had given up one position already. Not very happy but also not wanting to hold this rider up I showed him a boot to get safely past. Craig Mc G, Yamaha 450! Oh Oh, he started 2 and half minutes behind me and to give up that gap on the first loop was not good at all! I was going to have to work very hard if I wanted to catch this oke! He was most defiantly on form today! The second loop was just as bad as the first! (Very untidy)
The third got better and I found some rhythm. I was more relaxed and managed to ride a bit smoother. The 5th Loop I caught up with some of the quad riders on the river section. I decided to take the original line through the water. (The deep hole) To tired to hold on in third I made a Mistake! Slipped and fell into that deep hole. Now pinned against a rock, bike on top of me, motor under the water but still running I lay there with a handful of clutch and quarter throttle as the bikes motor performed like one of those Black Max outboards! I swear! It sounded just like an outboard Gurgle gurgle pop pop (you get the idea).
Young Ben Blundell came to the rescue! During a race nogal! He lifted the bike off me and helped avoid a serious problem I would most defiantly have had.
Thanks Ben! Very good of you to assist! I owe you one!
The 6th Loop was awesome! Very smooth with no mistakes!
I’m so glad the guys encouraged me to compete again! I had an absolute ball!
I just need to learn how to pace myself again! No more on lap wonder stuff!
I really enjoyed the ride and would like to thank all persons involved for the event.
Finally. Well done girls! All three ladies who entered completed it!
Awesome stuff!
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