A horde of motorcycles and family members descended on the famous Numbi Hotel in Hazyview for a slap-up dinner and an introduction as to what to expect for the balance of the weekend. It’s just a case of meeting old friends really, lots of bench racing and catching up.
Is it a biking weekend?
Well yes it is, but there’s a bit more to it than just enjoying your motorcycle with like-minded people. It’s also presented as a weekend of challenges – remember Skatejaag and shows like that? That’s where the focus lies.
Team challenges:
You choose your team mates, (We teamed up with the boys from Billys Bikes), download the challenge app (GoTeam) and simply follow directions.
It all started on Saturday morning with a dip in the pool for some. Whoever got the most wet gets maximum points.
Then you need to run around and enter the replies to all sorts of questions on the app about the hotel and surrounds. Stuff like – how many bottles are in the wine rack, how many S logo’s are around the pool – it’s good fun and gets everyone going…
Then it started to rain:
We followed the route maps into the glorious Mpumalanga surrounds on our respective routes.
Yup! The rain started to fall, but motorcyclists are a tough lot, so it was a case of suck it up! The roads got slippery and the gravel became a lot of fun. Many of the roads were pretty churned up by the traffic, we saw tourist buses taking a run at some of the slopes… but our little V-strom just hauled along completely unphased. There were big grins all round at the first stop as the sun tried to peek out.
More challenges:
All along the route, Suzuki included team challenges in the middle of nowhere:
Can you impersonate a Rhino? Take a pic and post it. Have you lost your head, take a pic and post. Simple maths additions – which we got wrong… but all interactive and lots of laughs…
By the way, the trails were very scenic and lots of fun to ride.
Eventually we arrived in Graskop where we swamped the local produce store looking for garish outfits that we could photograph and display.
All for points you see. It was great!
Despite the dampness, not a single bike was wounded…
Overachievers:
Back on the tar, we whizzed past the Blyde River Canyon – where someone spotted a Suzuki flag…. The dice was on to catch the rest of the team, four little 250’s in full cry is quite something to see. 130KPH is the max but eventually the posse was all roped in and the route was ridden back to Blyde… where we were told that “Actually, this is a stop for the home run, please go back the way you were going…”
Shux. Well at least it wasn’t a race. But that cost someone a few beers later that evening…
Shotgun!
After the extra miles travelled, we arrived at the lunch stop, a cool little canteen called Tiezers where a series of challenges were set up. Clay pigeon shooting, count the links on a chain – make a shadow animal, – fun when it’s so overcast, leave the ostriches alone… you know arbitrary stuff that all makes for good teamwork.
Hot coffee was well received, our Mr Bean members made a big impression on the restaurateurs and – tummies full we headed out again…
Blyde:
Back down to Blyde we went for a refuel. Sunshine. What a beautiful section of road that is. Stripes on the mountains, beautiful curves and great tar… magic! Top-up – a few more challenges, count the signs, take a silly pic (We did wheelies)… and off we went again.
Onwards:
Back to Graskop and… it was miserable. Zero visibility, cold and wet, but the cuppa coffee waiting for us upon arrival dispelled that misery. Caffeine is an amazing tool!
Toss the beanbag, decipher the signs, find a slogan… we were kept on our toes to much raucous laughter. You need to remember – it’s all for points and the prizes for the winning teams were pretty awesome.
We suspect that parts of the adventure loop were cropped thanks to all the rain, probably a good call and it was a soggy bunch who eventually made their way back to Numbi and a hot shower.
Saturday evening was one big laugh.
The entertainment was top-notch more individual challenges – all on your phone, prizes for – well just about everyone. Even the hotel joined the fun with cash prizes for the early bird bookings and all sorts. Accessory guys like DMD distributors stepped in with vouchers and spot prizes and trophies were awarded.
The highlight of the weekend was to announce the team winners and we are happy to report that after an amazing dinner – well…
We didn’t win.
Not… even… close!
The teams that did win simply knocked the ball out of the park – and it all started with a freezing cold dive into the pool…
As things do, the evening was rounded off with many laughs. The guys from Bikeshop Boksburg bought a seriously expensive once-off Hayabusa cap at the auction and all proceeds were donated to the good folks from Cancervive.
What a great weekend away this is.
If you’ve never been on one, make sure that you book for next year, we guarantee that you’ll have a great time!
