Goose
Registered user
Sooooooooooo ….. finally I get to the stage where sitting down and reflecting on the past weekend, thoughts are compiled and hopefully jotted down into some form of Ride Report (flippen long overdue I’d say - since signing up on the UKGS'er forum!)
The story told below unfolded over a period of time when an appeal was made on our local forum for help to fix and refurb this lady's wheelchair.
I’m sure that some of the esteemed members might have heard of the South African Wilddog Forum...........
The culmination of ideas and suggestions over the past couple of months as well as fund raising to help a special lady called Ilze, allowed us to “use” this past Saturday for her much promised ride! Ilze became paralysed from the waist down after a routine ear operation in 1989, when a bloodclot damaged her spinal cord and she woke up not being able to walk - she was 15 years old at the time!
Although there were numerous suggestions from members of our local forum, I was still a bit concerned with taking Ilze on the Dakar, BUT after sending a plea to "Freakonaleash", he returned my message in a flash instructing me to give him a call. (Freak works for a company specialising in used BMW bikes)
“What was this about?”, he asked – explanation followed and he told me he’d call me back shortly. True to his word, the phone rang and he told me that it was arranged! We could have a 1200GS, he had a helmet and jacket for her too!
I was absolutely blown away by his eagerness to help – but then that was nothing new I suppose – as old Freak impressed me from the first minute we met as a chap that cares about people – always helpful!
Friday was a helluva hurry - getting work done and also picking Ilze up for her “interview” at Biketique to ensure the kit fits, and more importantly to see whether she’d be comfy on the bike. Although initially she was surprised at the height of the scoot, once on it she “freaked” a bit more… but quickly got excited at the prospect of the ride finally happening.
I received an email from Ilze on Friday evening confirming her number – JUST IN CASE we got lost early in the morning!
Saturday morning arrived and after arriving at her home just outside Cape Town, meeting her hubby Arno for the first time as well as friends Jaques and Nicola (were joining us on his Kawa 400) – Ilze was dressed up and helped onto her steed for the day!
Check these smiles…. hell, never knew someone could get so much enjoyment from having their feet “tied” to the footpegs! (kinky…?)
So after a bit of checking and rechecking, we finally left amidst a bit of drizzle – wondering what the road ahead would be like…. Wondering whether the tunnel would be an option, but thankfully we decided that the trip was about the adventure for Ilze – NOT a race and definitely not about the quickest route.
On our way …………………….
Up & up we went on Du Toit’s Kloof Pass – into the mist… what an experience and without a doubt a huge PLUS for wearing the reflective jackets that Freak provided.
Well, we had planned to take some nice scenic pics at the top of the Pass at the viewpoint, but the mist put that idea to bed….. however as soon as we started on the way down the other side – lo & behold sunshine!
Everyone was ravenous (nerves?) and we decided to take a break and also allow Ilze the chance to express her views and ensure she was still comfy.
Don’t ask…. Don’t remember..!
After a quick bite, it was back on the bike – and absolutely amazing to see how many cage drivers came past – hooting and acknowledging us!
Please “board” the steed madam – your chauffeur awaits……..
Jaques and Nicola wondering what all the fuss was about – check that pillion style… comfy – Naaaaa – doubt it!!!!
Ilze loaded up… roaring to go………. There was just no end to the enthusiasm of this girl, a true biker this one!
Nearly creating a “pattie” out of a baboon that came out from behind this cage!
The ride down the pass nearly over…
and thankfully some gravel – albeit only for a short while…!!!
And here’s the conundrum – water (we were told ankle-deep)… ankle-deep djou-ma-se-antie-se-stink-vis!! Someone’s got moerse ankles! (please excuse the Safrican slang!)
True to form – Ilze says Go, go, go!!! While hubby & friends say No, no, no…. so they didn’t….
An absolute breeze………….
And we arrived ………… met EISH!
… but for fear of getting the names of the dawgs wrong… I’ll just post a couple of these without names....these random ones….
Very inconspicuous, camouflaged lean-to…………
Steeds – well some of them!
Now THIS is where it gets interesting. After some discussions (names not to be mentioned) we devised a WD-Paw-Branding iron, which as the night progressed – which we knew it would… COULD be used to embed the WD paw on a butt or two.. (wink….) with Xt660R “obviously” sanctioning the idea…?
I can honestly say that this is a stunning pic of Bus (obviously not his real name) and his lady! (the better side of Bus)
And then there were the monkeys… monkeying around!
All too soon we had to started getting ready for the ride home, far too short a stay with not enough time to get to know all the WD’s and wonderful people getting themselves ready for their Sunday morning hangovers & headaches!
The group together for a pic. The result of that is what can be seen in the first pic of this thread! Helluva nice bunch of people!!!
And then it was farewell and we left……………………..
Well…………. we got as far as the venue's gate and Ilze was “up-for-another” water crossing… Good girl!!!!
This is a spunky chick!!!!! ……………………
Cheers to all the WD’s for allowing us to “intrude” on the BASH at the BREEDE!!!
I am sure it’s an event that will forever remain with much fondness with our newest member of the WILDDOG’s – “Lady-Quicky”
To my lovely and special wife - Jen - STUNNING pics and thanks soooo much for helping and backing this venture !!!
Ilze – it was an utmost pleasure having you as a pillion – you are the best – an inspiration for all – riders & pillions……. IN FACT……………………
After showing our friends the pics on Sunday afternoon – their mother, visiting from the UK, Jean (who turned 80 on Saturday) asked me whether I’d consider taking her for a spin – she’d last been on a bike over 50-years ago!!!!!
CHECK THIS OUT – all thanks to Ilze's inspiration…….. Whoohoo
The story told below unfolded over a period of time when an appeal was made on our local forum for help to fix and refurb this lady's wheelchair.
I’m sure that some of the esteemed members might have heard of the South African Wilddog Forum...........
The culmination of ideas and suggestions over the past couple of months as well as fund raising to help a special lady called Ilze, allowed us to “use” this past Saturday for her much promised ride! Ilze became paralysed from the waist down after a routine ear operation in 1989, when a bloodclot damaged her spinal cord and she woke up not being able to walk - she was 15 years old at the time!
Although there were numerous suggestions from members of our local forum, I was still a bit concerned with taking Ilze on the Dakar, BUT after sending a plea to "Freakonaleash", he returned my message in a flash instructing me to give him a call. (Freak works for a company specialising in used BMW bikes)
“What was this about?”, he asked – explanation followed and he told me he’d call me back shortly. True to his word, the phone rang and he told me that it was arranged! We could have a 1200GS, he had a helmet and jacket for her too!
I was absolutely blown away by his eagerness to help – but then that was nothing new I suppose – as old Freak impressed me from the first minute we met as a chap that cares about people – always helpful!
Friday was a helluva hurry - getting work done and also picking Ilze up for her “interview” at Biketique to ensure the kit fits, and more importantly to see whether she’d be comfy on the bike. Although initially she was surprised at the height of the scoot, once on it she “freaked” a bit more… but quickly got excited at the prospect of the ride finally happening.
I received an email from Ilze on Friday evening confirming her number – JUST IN CASE we got lost early in the morning!
Saturday morning arrived and after arriving at her home just outside Cape Town, meeting her hubby Arno for the first time as well as friends Jaques and Nicola (were joining us on his Kawa 400) – Ilze was dressed up and helped onto her steed for the day!
Check these smiles…. hell, never knew someone could get so much enjoyment from having their feet “tied” to the footpegs! (kinky…?)
So after a bit of checking and rechecking, we finally left amidst a bit of drizzle – wondering what the road ahead would be like…. Wondering whether the tunnel would be an option, but thankfully we decided that the trip was about the adventure for Ilze – NOT a race and definitely not about the quickest route.
On our way …………………….
Up & up we went on Du Toit’s Kloof Pass – into the mist… what an experience and without a doubt a huge PLUS for wearing the reflective jackets that Freak provided.
Well, we had planned to take some nice scenic pics at the top of the Pass at the viewpoint, but the mist put that idea to bed….. however as soon as we started on the way down the other side – lo & behold sunshine!
Everyone was ravenous (nerves?) and we decided to take a break and also allow Ilze the chance to express her views and ensure she was still comfy.
Don’t ask…. Don’t remember..!
After a quick bite, it was back on the bike – and absolutely amazing to see how many cage drivers came past – hooting and acknowledging us!
Please “board” the steed madam – your chauffeur awaits……..
Jaques and Nicola wondering what all the fuss was about – check that pillion style… comfy – Naaaaa – doubt it!!!!
Ilze loaded up… roaring to go………. There was just no end to the enthusiasm of this girl, a true biker this one!
Nearly creating a “pattie” out of a baboon that came out from behind this cage!
The ride down the pass nearly over…
and thankfully some gravel – albeit only for a short while…!!!
And here’s the conundrum – water (we were told ankle-deep)… ankle-deep djou-ma-se-antie-se-stink-vis!! Someone’s got moerse ankles! (please excuse the Safrican slang!)
True to form – Ilze says Go, go, go!!! While hubby & friends say No, no, no…. so they didn’t….
An absolute breeze………….
And we arrived ………… met EISH!
… but for fear of getting the names of the dawgs wrong… I’ll just post a couple of these without names....these random ones….
Very inconspicuous, camouflaged lean-to…………
Steeds – well some of them!
Now THIS is where it gets interesting. After some discussions (names not to be mentioned) we devised a WD-Paw-Branding iron, which as the night progressed – which we knew it would… COULD be used to embed the WD paw on a butt or two.. (wink….) with Xt660R “obviously” sanctioning the idea…?
I can honestly say that this is a stunning pic of Bus (obviously not his real name) and his lady! (the better side of Bus)
And then there were the monkeys… monkeying around!
All too soon we had to started getting ready for the ride home, far too short a stay with not enough time to get to know all the WD’s and wonderful people getting themselves ready for their Sunday morning hangovers & headaches!
The group together for a pic. The result of that is what can be seen in the first pic of this thread! Helluva nice bunch of people!!!
And then it was farewell and we left……………………..
Well…………. we got as far as the venue's gate and Ilze was “up-for-another” water crossing… Good girl!!!!
This is a spunky chick!!!!! ……………………
Cheers to all the WD’s for allowing us to “intrude” on the BASH at the BREEDE!!!
I am sure it’s an event that will forever remain with much fondness with our newest member of the WILDDOG’s – “Lady-Quicky”
To my lovely and special wife - Jen - STUNNING pics and thanks soooo much for helping and backing this venture !!!
Ilze – it was an utmost pleasure having you as a pillion – you are the best – an inspiration for all – riders & pillions……. IN FACT……………………
After showing our friends the pics on Sunday afternoon – their mother, visiting from the UK, Jean (who turned 80 on Saturday) asked me whether I’d consider taking her for a spin – she’d last been on a bike over 50-years ago!!!!!
CHECK THIS OUT – all thanks to Ilze's inspiration…….. Whoohoo
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