2006 Economy Ride and 40th Anniversary
Nestled at the foot of the Sleeping Beauty mountain peak - a well-loved landmark which never fails to capture the imagination - Riversdale has earned its name of the Floral Paradise of the Garden Route because of the abundance of indigenous flora - referred to as Fynbos - which covers the mountains and surrounding areas. This floral rainbow is in full bloom throughout the winter months.
Riversdale is situated on the N2 - 300 km from Cape Town, 450 km from Port Elizabeth and 150 km from George. Still Bay is 36 km away, Albertinia 40 km and Heidelberg just 30 km. Riversdale has an all year round moderate climate with rainfall throughout the year. Yes I’m afraid this is quite true with the long weekend at the end of April/1st May included. In fact from the very time we arrived in Riversdale on Saturday afternoon, the rain didn’t stop ‘till ja, you’ve guessed it – Monday morning, day of departure the rain stops?
Riversdale is a beautiful little town renowned for prowling merciless traffic officers, Saddles Restaurant, Takkies Resort, Spar and um. . . . well very little else actually. Beautiful nevertheless and on this occasion – plummeting temperatures with icy winds and everlasting rain.
Nomads and their guests/friends arrived at Takkies on Saturday to celebrate the 2006 Economy Run and 40th Anniversary. So after everyone arrived and settled into their chalets, dinner was scheduled for 19h30 at the Oakdale Agriculture School just a few km’s from the resort. Fanie le Roux and his clan would manage the catering from the open plan kitchen offering a cash bar stocked with various thirst quenchers. Outside the delicious aroma of spit braai lamb wafted through the dining hall simply inducing the very hungry taste buds. What a spread! Platteland style salads with two complete lamb carcasses to feed an army no less. The meal was simply superb and I doubt that anyone went home hungry? Peter Goodacre was kind enough to supply background music which went down a treat – fabulous gesture Pete, thanks.
After the plates had been cleared, a lucky draw took place albeit a small one due to the Economy Run being planned for Sunday and yet another lucky draw for the evening.
Results:
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Name
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Prize
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Peter Cowman
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Wine from Country Pumpkin
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Nic Coetzee
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Wine from Steer & Co
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Ann Coetzee
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Saddles Voucher
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Liz Barnard
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Wine from Country Pumpkin
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Mike Meiring
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Wine from Steer & Co
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Helena Kotze
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Saddles Voucher
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My thanks must go to Wesley Todd who helped with the lucky draw, a very helpful and entertaining lad indeed. He’s certainly a credit to his mum and dad.
It was quite late when we left the venue and headed off back into the rain. A couple of trips were made for those who chose not to ride out in the dark wet evening – thanks to those who made this possible.
On Sunday morning at breakfast – yes, yet another home made feast fit for a king – it was decided that sadly the 2006 Economy Run would have to be postponed due to the inclement weather and a shortage of motorcycles willing to participate. We just didn’t have the right elements on our side which would have made for pretty miserable riding. The lads then got together and decided to do a ride of their own. A group went off in a heavy drizzle stopping briefly at the over packed Country Pumpkin then meeting with majority of Nomads at Saddles Restaurant to view the Moto GP.
Cosy, comfy and as warm as toast, we settled down for the afternoon before heading back to Takkies for 40 winks . . . . before dinner!! Eat, drink, sleep . . .eat, drink, sleep . . . eat, drink, sleep . . .
It was still raining, so it was the usual car trips up to Oakdale and a case of just waiting one’s turn for an empty seat. On arrival, Fanie and his staff were cooking up a storm – which had nothing to do with the weather for a change – and tonight’s menu was rump steak, oven chips and fabulous salads. So once again after table drinks, lot’s of chatter, background music from Peter and a piano tune from Lizl – it was time for dinner. The best of course, no complaints – trifle later than expected but excellent nevertheless. Hot dinner on hot plates.
This time the lucky draw was pretty much organized by Kevin who offered the following:
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Name
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Prize
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Mark Schreiber
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KWV Brandy from Fanie le Roux
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Carl Koch
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Trac-Mac Voucher
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Chris Dunn
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Trac-Mac Voucher
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John van der Spuy
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Camel Bag
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Ann Coetzee
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Zippo Lighter
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Emily Brandt
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Shoei Helmet
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After dinner would you believe they served an over the top rich exuberant chocolate cheese gateau that would have melted the toughest taste buds alive!! There’s only so much one can take you know, and this was pure decadence on a plate. Simply the best. A quick whip around with an empty wine cooler ensured that the kitchen staff enjoyed a little extra pocket money. Folk were generous and it didn’t go unnoticed – many thanks.
After crawling back to Takkies, there was enough time before midnight for a neighbourly visit and a night cap.
Now would you believe this – and I’m sure you will. Monday morning was just too glorious for words. No rain, no wind – ok, so it was a bit chilly but generally most pleasant. Oh talk about timing. I decided to give breakfast a miss, being totally “eaten out”. With John Lee stretched out on our back seat and Wesley upfront it was back to Cape Town after an enjoyable weekend in Riversdale.
Thank you so much to all the sponsors who helped make this weekend happen. The outstanding prizes/donations will be used later in the year for our 2006 Economy Run and the sponsors will be notified of this.
Thanks to everyone who attended the weekend.
