The British Motorcycle Association Annual Gathering 2005
We received notification from organiser Thys van Rooyen that the British Motorcycle Association would gather in George this year opposed to Knysna where it?s been held for many many years. Each year the takings from the British Motorcycle Gathering are donated to the animal welfare society and this year would be no exception.
We decided against booking in at the George Tourist Resort as Little Brak is just 40km?s away ? a stones throw and cheap at half the price. Leaving home on Friday morning just after nine, it was an ideal time to miss the heavy traffic and make our way through to du Toit?s Kloof Pass, stopping at the first Whistle Stop Restaurant in Worcester for a leg stretch before tackling Robertson, Ashton and Swellendam.
We re-fuelled at Buffelsjacht and pulled into Mossel Bay just after 14h00. A tad windy on the way through, but pleasant all the same. We decided on a beach front restaurant for the first and probably only meal of the day which proved to be disastrous. How anyone can destroy such a simple offering of fish and chips is beyond me.
So onto Little Brak with a quick pit stop for the local newspaper, then boots off and feet up! We hadn?t even had time for forty winks when Johann and John arrived on their Triumphs, a TT600 and Tiger respectively. We chatted until midnight then called it a day as an early start the following morning was called for.
The mass ride breakfast run was scheduled to leave George Tourist Resort for Buffalo Bay just short of Knysna at 08h00 ? and it did. For once, and what a fabulous feeling ? I didn?t leave last. I didn?t need a tail-end Charlie. I didn?t need a map. I didn?t need the route explained to me. I knew exactly where to go and got there by myself. Passing all the old dudes from up country with their back up vehicles travelling in the yellow line, I waved a hearty ?thank you? as I zipped past them on the Speed Triple.
Not as many bikes and entries as previous years, Thys explained that some folk just happen to like Knysna and Ashmead and quite obviously weren?t ready for change? Personally I think it was a good idea as one can easily stagnate if one doesn?t move with the times. Besides, a change is as good as a holiday and that is exactly what this weekend was all about ? a holiday.
For just R40.00 the local Restaurant at Buffalo Bay offered a sumptuous buffet breakfast including hot stewed fruit with all sorts of yoghurts, sausage, bacon, livers, tomatoes, scrambled eggs, toast with butter and jams and coffee. Eat as much as you like they said, so the guys got stuck in and did exactly that. Quite a few newer bikes joined in this year which always make for refreshing change. Once breakfast was through it was time to head back to George and enter the Showgrounds which would be hosting amongst others ? the vintage car show. Quite a mission to get across an extremely busy road and into the grounds where hundreds upon hundreds of spectators were making their way through to view vehicles of all makes and shapes. So the bikes went on show for the afternoon while we wandered around the grounds in search of shelter.
Once again it was time to head back to Little Brak for a quick tidy up and yes I?ll admit ? forty winks!! Back to George for 19h30 where a function had been arranged in the Resort Hall hosted by George SPCA.
The entertainment and compare for the evening, was as usual Spider who reads his audience so well and supplies the comic relief as quick as a flash. Hats off to George SPCA ? do these folk know how to cater or what?? Two very large skaapboud were being braaied on our arrival ? a host of salads had been prepared ? a Bain Marie of hot veg in preparation, and for those declining red meat, vegetarian pizzas. Everything ran according to clockwork, went down like hot cakes and was enjoyed by all.
Six Nomads shared the dinner table ? Johann, John, Carl, Sue and Mike Hair and me. Red and white wine adorned the linen clothed tables, and after Spider confirmed an extremely relaxed atmosphere, it was time for dinner. Table by table filled their plates then headed back to their seats without so much as a murmur. There were just two women motorcyclists and each of us received a small black souvenier towel bearing the BMA insignia ? much appreciated. Loads of lucky draws took place and I even got lucky enough to win a tin of chain lube ? just in time for Valentines Day?
To end off the evening, small individual meringues filled with strawberries and cream were served. Enough already ? how much more can one eat? Thanks to Thys for a wonderfully well organised weekend, thanks to George SPCA who could certainly show a few restaurants a thing or two. Thys managed to muster up R6 000.00 from this event and transferred the amount to the deserving George SPCA.
If you fancy attending the British Motorcycle Gathering 2006 ? contact Thys on thys@hermanus.co.za
