De Wildt 22 November 2008 - COMFORTABLY NUMB by Albert Pos

Comfortably Numb

 

Satisfied - this was one of those days that makes one feel that the world is a great place. Rose tinted this may be and problems a plenty but it made no difference. I wanted for nothing else but to be on a dirt bike on a sunny day after some rain in De Wildt. I was looking forward to the ride and could not wait. Not as bad as waking up at 3:00am on Saturday morning, but close. Tombstone has this area as his weekend hang-out and one could not wish for a better guide. Sixteen riders made the trek to the far side of Pretoria and a 140km dirt ride from Morula Sun to Jericho and back. Jericho is in itself not remarkable apart from a large rock that presents one with a daunting challenge to ride up. Tombstone got a warm welcome from the local community which can only help keep riding areas open to bikes. Sports equipment was donated to the local school which included soccer balls and goals. The next superstar may be practicing already. My day began well by arriving early for a buffet breakfast before the ride. Not a bad way to start the day. I had an omelet which I never bother making at home. Some strong coffee also went down well.   Life sometimes makes obvious circles and one gets a chance to try things again. I did a Newbie ride a while ago with MuddX and this was going to be a re-test. Riding at De Wildt is always a test actually.  To my horror, not long into the ride I was faced with a long rocky downhill called Aloes. Not to worry I had my positive mood to get me down in one piece. I did have a slow rider in front of me which gave me some time to catch my breath. We then dropped into a washed out river bed. What fun. We had to ride out the sides if it was rocky or full of water. Then we did a track which had large puddles of water which had an agricultural smell to them which we all managed to get covered in. Wonderful fun and no worries. This was my day to enjoy splashing mud everywhere and that I was covered in it did not matter. One of the riders managed to kill his bike in a larger puddle and was pulling his bike out when I went flying past not giving a thought that he was actually stuck. Shark_za went back to rescue him. My apology.  At around this time we got a lecture from Tombstone on how one is to cross water without getting stuck. It turned out that two rivers later, the one and only, managed to drown his bike. This exercise proved to be a challenge not only to get the bike going but not to be left holding a tool. I think the chiefs managed well at passing the tool. I stayed out of the way and prayed that my bike would not break down. It seemed that KTM’s where in the wars and mine must have been on the list. At least my bike was far enough down that we did not get to it.  The masses where becoming restless and started demanding a shebeen stop. We went to the Coconuts shebeen and where greeted by singing children. I did not find out why but I hoped it was something to do with 2010. Fuel bought in 2l coke bottles and beers in quarts we enjoyed our stop.  Next was the Three Fences river bed. This is a wide winding sand pit. I never really got my bike flying but speed is the extent of technique required. Some large personal dangling bits help. Nothing being implied regarding my endowment, I was only looking after my own interests. I did manage a tumble or two and brushed it off with I am not trying hard enough if I never fall. No harm done. Next was something different. We rode through dense scrub having to make a million twists and turns. Nintendo games have nothing on this. This is real adrenaline pumping action. One could go as fast as you know what was just mentioned allowed.  It also involved the crossing of three river in flood for De Wildt – the rivers actually had water in them. We managed so cross just about every imaginable type of terrain in our own backyard. Jerico awaited and the climb of the brave. I took the easy route and got to the top in no time only to get lost trying to get down. Another mountain conquered, sorry could not resist.  Another pit stop at a shebeen in Jerico with blaring techno music. Can you imagine. The masses had rugby to play, sorry support and plans made for a quick escape route back. So the group became four.  The day was not done and Coconuts was the last challenge. I was hoping the we would stop and be given the option of taking an easier route back but this was not to be. It gets its name from the size of the rocks one has to ride over. They do not make for a controlled ride and some blind faith is needed to remain going in the right direction. I did manage to get launched off my bike. I made it to the top in one piece but physically spent. In my exhausted state getting back home was a mission for survival. I did not mind somehow and took this in my stride. We got back at 5:30pm. Tired but happy, a perfect day in everyway. Many thanks to Tombstone for a magnificent day’s riding.  Click on the polaroid to view the whole album.