Economy Ride
2018

2018 Nomads Economy Ride report – By Ian Sinclair

The entrants in the economy ride all met at Masakhane Caltex service station, Bosmansdam Road, Milnerton, on the Saturday morning at 08h00, where they had to fill up their bikes and the marshals had to note down the odometer of each bike.

Upon my arrival at the service station, I saw Ray Bergman was going to do the ride, but was not going to stay at our overnight accommodation. Unfortunately, about 500 meters before the petrol station, Ray`s bike started to misfire, with an electrical short in the spark plug wires. What a pity, as Ray was really looking forward to do the economy ride. I must admit when Ray did leave, to limp home, his bike was not sounding very healthy. Ray, I hope you have managed to sort out that misfire problem.

At 08h30, I called everybody closer, to brief them on the basic rules of the economy ride, to thank everybody for taking part and thank the marshals for assisting at the start, the refuel point and at the finish. I also thanked Kevin for arranging the coffees and muffins at the start and the sandwiches and juices for the refuel point. I then wished Kevin a happy birthday and everybody burst into song, singing happy birthday to Kevin. I then wished Tracey Wubbeling a happy birthday and once again everybody burst into song, singing happy birthday to Tracey.

Soon 09h00 arrived and it was time for the rider to depart and everybody else to line up as they were due to leave at 2 minute intervals.

Briefly the route went up Bosmansdam Road to the N7 turning left and heading past Malmesbury, turning right just before Moorreesburg. Riding through Riebeek West, Riebeek Kasteel, turning left to bypass Tulbagh and Wolseley. Turning right before Mitchell`s Pass, which leads to Ceres. Continuing to the N1 and turning right towards Paarl.

The refuel point was at the new Ultra City on the N1, for those who had to refuel. This was a compulsory 45 minute stop for everybody. Rejoining the N1 towards Paarl, we then turned left at the weighbridge towards Rawsonville, proceeding through Rawsonville and heading towards Villiersdorp. Through Villiersdorp, over the bridge at Theewaterskloof Dam, all the way to the back of Grabouw, turning left towards the N2. At the N2 we turned right towards Cape Town. At the turn off to Grabouw we turned right and then left into the BP service station, where the ride finished and everybody refueled. The marshals recorded the odometers and the liters of fuel that was put into each tank.

We all left together and headed for our overnight accommodation, which was at the turn off to Kromco, at the Tri Active Kunguru Lodge.

There were 25 members and 3 visitors. 14 bikes and 2 cars.

Results are as follows;
Categories:

Rider alone.
1 Eddie Duncan    Honda Africa twin 1000cc – 20.92 kilo/litre
2 John van der Spuy    Triumph 1200cc – 19.90 kilo/litre
3 Shaun Matthews    KTM 1190cc – 19.47 kilo/litre
4 Barry Wrankmore.   BMW 1200cc – 17.91 kilo/litre
5 Ivy Matthews    KTM 1050cc – 15.08 kilo/litre

Rider/pillion.
1 Robbie/Jeanine Geugis    BMW 800cc – 26.54 kilo/litre
2 David/Tracey Jacoby   BMW 800cc – 23.24 kilo/litre

3 Luderick Jacoby/Katy Erasmus   BMW 1200cc – 17.96 kilo/litre
4 Glen/Christina Kotze   BMW 1200cc – 17.80 kilo/litre
5 Pierre/Tracey Wubbeling   BMW 1200cc – 17.34 kilo/litre
6 Harold Mead/Mads Rowland   BMW 1200cc – 16.53 kilo/litre
7 Ian Sinclair/Mandy Koorsen   H/Davidson 1787cc – 12.56 kilo/litre

Overall winner: Kevin Farrow on a Suzuki 650cc V Strom, 2018 model, with an economy of 27.58 kilo/litre.

 

                                                                                  THANK YOU

Thank you to everybody who participated and to the marshals who assisted at the start, the refuel point and the finish.

To the Masakhane Caltex Service Station for the hot drinks and muffins

To Kevin & Jonathan of Pathfinders Transport Consultants for the sandwiches & beverages