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!

"The group, well some of the group, got together at the dealership in Sandton on Saturday morning, where we had some coffee and some shopping before getting on our  motorbikes for the first One Nighter of the year.

With the first stop on the horizon, the whole pack got pulled over by the Highway Patrol (cops that is). Some were lucky and some were not so lucky, Nikki and Andre Lillian manage to get in the cop’s bad book by not having the right number plates on (like all of us).  While they were getting their fines, the rest of the guys went on ahead to the Petroport to wait for them. Eventually they did arrive (cops in our country are very slow to write fines I must say).

In Villiers we picked up some of our Country Members, after a drink and refill, we took the road to Clarens via Reitz and then Kestell and of course going through the Golden Gate National Park. We had a couple of problems with two of the bikes but one of the bikes got sorted out and the other got loaded on the…trailer. While some of the guys (and girls) stayed back to help sort out the problem the other went ahead to Clarens where we would meet. Leading that pack was our own Vince the Prince man.

We met them there, had our lunch and short rest and got back on the road to Ladybrand, 150kms still to go. We arrived at the venue just after 5pm with all the delays we had. Not bad actually. The idea was to arrive on 4pm after having done 485kms, but we did manage a good time considering the delays. Well done guys

Place was lovely and while some went to freshen up others had the hard job of staying at the pub waiting for dinner to arrive. All outside on the deck and we had a small incident where a chair broke and we had to take the person to the hospital for a check up….what a hospital. Not even the doctors want to go there, so eventually we manage to get one of the local doctors to take a look at our patient. Thanks to the Doc and Braam, the local tow truck guy.

Dinner was quite pleasant and the food was very good. At least is the report I got. We then got together at the pub where we carried on having some more fun. Many shooters and drinks later some of us retired (other didn’t know how they got there), while other stayed behind until…..3am. Say no more

During the night a really BIG STORM hit Ladybrand but the morning broke with the sun shinning upon us. Breakfast…..get together, fill up and departure back home via Clocolan, Senekal and Kroonstad. A light lunch there and back home with everyone arriving safely. The ride home was much quicker and also a shorter route. Most of the guys got home just on 2:30pm

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the dealership (Jerry in particular) for the help with the back up unit and also to thank all of the people that made this first one nighter a very pleasant and fun one!

The group was made of 34 people in all and 24 bikes.

Please note that a DVD will be available for sale with
hundreds of great photos of this event!

It was with mounting anticipation and bubbling excitement that the first “bus” left at 7h30 from the BP Garage on William Nicol, heading out to the Rand Airport to meet the rest of the Rally Goers.  It was a beautifully clear, but decidedly chilly morning, just like a Granny Smith apple – crispy, sweet  and chilled.  On arrival at the Harvard Café, 35 shiny bikes and 64 enthusiasts were counted, 3 back-up vehicles (2 with trailers), and Andre “bikeless” Tswane and Brenda Crutchless in a Mercedes Benz!

After diligently “caffeining” ourselves up for the long ride to the first stop at Leandra (95 kms) we started off looking ever so cool in all our leathers and winter Harley gear.  What an impressive sight it is to see so many bikes riding in formation. I just simply never tire of it, and by the look of amazement and envy on the faces of the pedestrians and passing cars, neither do they.  The mist was as thick as pea soup in some parts and the temperature plummeted drastically.  We definitely needed windscreen wipers on our visors in these sections.  All you saw were a couple of flashing orange hazard lights from the bike somewhere in front of you.  The sunglasses and visors fogged up so badly that you had to constantly wipe the visor with your left hand, hoping like hell that you did not encounter one of the numerous potholes at the same time.

A much needed loo stop was the order of the day in Leandra and the quaint little pub did not know what had hit them.  Only two toilets (one for men and one for women) and a queue of 64 people standing cross-legged outside both.  Even the flower pots were looking attractive at that stage, but we all behaved ourselves and waited our turn patiently.  Piping hot “moer” coffee was ordered once again, but downed really quickly, singeing throats when our Head Safety Officer pulled his usual prank of shouting “two minutes!”  Mounting up we eagerly headed out to Bethal (65 kms) where we were told we would get the best ‘slap chips’ on planet earth.

This turned out to be exactly right.  Most of the salad-dodgers indulged in this truly South African delicacy, whilst a few others opted for bars of chocolate to keep the energy levels up.  From Bethal we headed out towards Ermelo (55 kms) and stopped at “The Mugg ‘n Bean” for lunch and refreshments.  After lunch it was off to Oshoek (120 kms) to the border post.  You could feel the excitement – it was now tangible!  We couldn’t wait to get there and start the party!

The infamous Border Post - what an experience that was!  It was a wonder we all eventually got through without being locked up for the night.  The “officials” on the South African side were not very helpful and there are no orderly queues whatsoever. It seems to operate on a first come, push from behind and push in, shout, push again, try to reach the counter unscathed, finally served, basis.  My repertoire of expletives has increased considerably (and a lot of us sounded like we had “Tourettes Syndrome” - I kid you not) and I learnt a lot more from irate bikers and pillions alike.

One “official” did not fill in some registration numbers correctly and when approaching the second counter for your passport stamp – you were told unceremoniously to just go to the back of the first queue to do it all over again.  However, by this time the queues had swelled enormously, it being Saturday and all the locals trying to get back home to spend the long weekend with their family and friends.  More pushing and shoving and shouting and expletives all round, and we eventually managed to cross over to the Swazi side.  What a difference and what a pleasant experience it was there.  Order reigned supreme with the laid-back, but efficient Swazies in charge and our frazzled tempers were calmed immediately.

Nobody could have imagined the shock that awaited us all.  One couple (Gert and Michelle van Wyk) had an unfortunate rear tyre blow-out shortly after leaving Ermelo and cartwheeled their bike into the veld.  Gert was badly shocked and bruised, but thankfully unhurt.  His pillion, Michelle, did not escape as lightly.  The bikers riding behind them stopped immediately and the back-up vehicle arrived shortly thereafter.  Some of the Ladies of Harley immediately gave comfort and support to Michelle.  Phones were ringing off the hook and calls were being made backwards and forwards.  The main pack was halted immediately and Arthur (Head Safety Officer) and Amelda (Capt of LOH and Rally Medic), rushed back to expertly sort out the problems.  They examined Michelle and took her vital signs, kept her immobile and awake until the ambulance arrived.  The paramedics placed Michelle on a backboard and took her to Carolina Hospital.

The bike (now badly damaged) was then pushed onto the trailer of the official back-up vehicle by 5 really strong bikers (the salad dodgers) and even they struggled to get it up the embankment and up the ramp onto the trailer.  This ‘emergency’ team finally joined the main pack again about two hours later.  Meanwhile we had all been grabbing as much sunshine and warmth as possible from the rays of the weak sun, lazing about on the grass by the side of the road at the petrol station.  It was decided that the entertainment for the evening would be postponed until the Sunday night because all spirits were flagging at this stage.

Once the pack had reassembled we left Oshoek and headed out towards Maguga Dam (60 kms).  The rich golden orb that was the sun minutes before was now dipping rapidly into the inky blackness of approaching night and it was getting cold again.  The deep “pop-popping” and growling mechanical sounds of the Harleys as we all changed down into lower gear before the numerous tightening bends on the mountainside gave me goose-bumps.  It was immensely satisfying. You have to be there to experience it – you simply cannot explain it!  We passed through many small rural villages with little square cement houses covered by dull tin roofs on these potholed roads.  Scantily clad children ran out to greet us happily as we slowed down to avoid the cattle and goats crossing the road at will.  A tired, but elated pack arrived at Maguga Lodge just as the lights of Magugu Lodge were switched on.

The thatched chalets were gorgeous, the showers huge and the water pressure insanely strong.  We all took long, hot, soapy showers.  It was like a rejuvenating Spa experience.  I really could wax lyrical here for hours about the great food and the wonderful ambiance of Maguga Lodge, but I think you should rather join us on the next LOH Rally and find out for yourselves.  And then we hit the pub………..  You could see all the old “die-hards” as they were still drinking and having fun at 2 am the following morning. The newer riders were conspicuous by their absence after dinner.

After a hearty breakfast we all went riding through the Swazi countryside to different places of interest like Piggs Peak Hotel and Casino, Ngwenya Glass Factory and various craft markets selling candles, textiles, jewellery, carved wooden ornaments and clothing.  On our return we discovered to our sheer delight that every chalet had been given a gift basket of the munchiest goodies to take home.  How cool is that? The Ladies of Harley were then treated to an adult talk for about 4 hours (with a demonstration) which raised our blood pressure and continued to intrigue the men for the rest of the Rally. We were also presented with wonderfully useful gift packs. We found it very informative and hysterically funny at times, and it caused Acute Myocardial Infarctions in others not so broadminded.

Our Rally packs were superb and the jackets and lovely pin will be cherished by those that acquired them, and envied by everyone else. Then it was off to a scrumptious dinner and on with our own show arranged and choreographed by Amelda and other members of the committee.  This was the highlight of the Rally and many participants will remain somewhat mortified by their photographs for the rest of their lives.  There were the dancing Village Idiots (sorry – People) comprising the YMCA’s Gay Sailor, Cowboy, Red Indian, sexy but unfortunately very gay Construction Worker with his own toolkit, Biker Boy and Police Cop.  The “It’s Raining Men” cast were comprised of a very Sexy Nurse, Not So Shy Arab Emirates Air Hostess complete with black veil, a demure Pretty French Maid in fish net stockings, the busty Hugh Hefner Bunny Girl and the Smurf-like F%$#-Up Fairy with magic wand and tiara.   Arthur was superb in his mesmerizing transvestite routine and we believe that Teasers will be contacting him for a pending interview shortly.  Great fun was had by all.  Kudos to Amelda, Arthur and Elma, Pierre and Alba Delport and other willing committee members who made this an Ysterperd Rally of note.  Here’s to the next one!

Lyn (FUF)

… and NO, my magic powers can only be used for good!