DVD OF PHOTOS AVAILABLE SOON!!!
If you have good photos, please supply them on CD to Elma as she is looking at publishing a coffee table book for the Rally!
THE HIPPO RALLY
8th – 10th August 2009
as reported by Lyn
The build-up to this annual event started at the “geesvang” at the dealership on the Thursday evening. Everyone intended popping over to drop off their luggage (for the back-up vehicle) and then stay for just a quick drink, and a quick chat, with their mates. MMMHHHHH! Let me tell you that the party started here. A large group ended up going out for supper at a local restaurant and got home way too late to contemplate anything else, except maybe “breakfast”?
About 30 bikes arrived at the Dealership on Saturday morning to travel in the main pack with backup vehicle and medic to Hazyview. The other ±80 excited bikers left in splintered groups, meeting friends at various strategic spots along the different highways and routes. Most of us ended up having lunch at Millys and we played “catch-up” there with friends and family members gone missing along the way. The weather was wonderful and we could have carried on riding to Mozambique in these conditions. The mountain passes with long sweeping bends (and some tight curves as well) gave most of us an adrenalin injection and comments heard from the newer riders in the various groups was “totally frigging awesome dude!” This has simply got to be one of the most scenic and beautiful routes to travel on a bike and I will definitely be one of the first to book again for next year’s rally to this venue.
On Saturday night we were treated to some awesome grub in the thatched covered boma”. The outside fires and the African type “chimera” pots (metal barrels) kept us warm as toast. We were all entertained, and many of us taken back in time, by the Silver Creek Mountain Band and their shoeless ZZ Top look-alike band leader. You could gauge everyone’s music taste by their reactions to the music as all those singing along heartily were fans of Bluegrass/ Hill Billy type country music. It was a great way to relax after an exciting day’s riding!
Sunday morning saw 98% of the riders up bright and early, and eating a hearty cooked breakfast again, as only bikers can, before the packs splintered up once again and headed off in different directions for a day of fun and good riding. The main pack, lead by Porra and with the medic in tow, went on a viewing expedition to God’s Window, The Three Rondawels and then onto Pilgrims Rest down the exhilarating and OMG tight curves and corners of Robbers Pass. Most of us were lucky enough to be able to order lunch from the various restaurants gracing the main street in this historic and beautiful little gold mining town from yesteryear. The town was alive and buzzing with all the tourists and bikers.
The Photographer and his “Assistant” (and the paramedic in his own vehicle with flashing lights) chased the pack the whole day and bikers were photographed at every opportunity. We are pleased to announce that it was not in vain and that the Photographer and his Assistant got some awesome action shots of metal and chrome on tar, leather and badges, potholes, and bums in the saddles, despite almost toppling over the windshield of the little red Noddy car.
Then it was back to the Lodge for a quick shower, (for those of you that had water), a couple of drinks and another wonderful buffet dinner. This time we were entertained by our own resident and much loved DJ, Mr Arthur Porra Rama. He kept the party rocking until the wee hours of the following morning, despite having a frantic call late afternoon from (…we won’t mention your names…) newer members stating that they were still stuck in Pilgrims Rest and were as drunk as skunks. Poor Porra devised a cunning plan immediately to rescue them from their self-made predicament by organizing the back-up vehicle to go and collect them, but only after insisting that they leave their bikes parked in Pilgrims overnight. Then he started to worry about how he would get them back to Pilgrims Rest really early the following morning in order to collect their bikes for the long ride home with the pack??? We are pleased to announce that major myocardial infarction was avoided at the last minute as it then became evident (after much raucous guffawing, hoots of laughter and giggling) that this was, of course, just a malicious plot to freak him out. They were actually still listening to a heavy metal band just down the road from Hippo Hollow. We guarantee that there is never a dull moment on tour with our Club Members!
A couple of riders claimed to be suffering from severe vertigo on Monday morning and insisted that their group ride home very slowly….. vertigo indeed! I think it was all the Jack Daniels and Jagermeister bombs being consumed at the speed of light the previous evening. But we will keep the peace and give you the benefit of the doubt – vertigo is indeed an unpleasant and debilitating malaise, very similar symptoms to that of a severe hangover, methinks!
Everyone commented on the fantastic rally packs they received once again. The high quality clothing is superb and will be worn with pride, and at every HOG Nite to come. Well done Elma and Arthur. The packs were a great hit with everyone. And the badge is really cute too!
The Sponsors all need a special word of thanks for their generosity and for ensuring that this rally will always be one of the best, namely:
- Fanie Haarhoff and the Dealership for the great prizes, and for the very generous and much appreciated R5 000,00 free bar tab for everyone to enjoy (which some members took advantage of judging by their “garmin” like eyes the following day);
- Andre and Nava Kruger for the R5 000 cash sponsorship; and
- Jan du Plooy for his donation of R5 000 cash sponsorship.
- Jack Daniels for the great sleeveless shirts
Thank you so much for making the rally the success that it was!
So folks, if you did not book this time around, avoid disappointment and make sure you book really early next year before the rally is sold out again. PSSSST – place one is already booked by me!
Lyn
PS: watch out for notices on the website re the sale of the limited Hippo Rally DVD’s. They will be sold out really quickly. Orders can be placed with Elma and Arthur!
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