The Jericho Rock Project - Logistics

Hi All  We have just about R8000 already. I have spoken to Sportsman’s Warehouse who are also going to come to the party by helping us streeeetch our rands. So far, after discussions with the store manager, it looks like we’re really going to present the Jericho Primary School with a whole bunch of quality kit for soccer, rugby, cricket and netball…. including soccer goals and netball posts. In terms of the day itself. We are planning to get to the primary school at around 10:00am. Jericho is about 40 minutes drive from Hartbeespoort Dam. I will be posting a map and directions soon but an alternative, if you want, is to meet at the Engen garage at 9:00am at the big 4-way stop on the Brits side of the dam wall/Kosmos. We will leave at +/-9:15 for Jericho in convoy. I’m assuming we’ll be at the primary school until about 11:00-11:30 after which we’ll leave for the Bafana Bafana tavern. The tavern will provide braai facilities, please bring your own meat and braai utensils. Also, it would be really cool if we supported the Bafana Bafana tavern in terms of drinks on the day, including soft drinks, instead of bringing our own. To this end, please would you e-mail me at steve.lauter@iafrica.com with your preferred tipple so that I can ensure that they are stocked appropriately. Once at the tavern, we’ll unload dirt bikes, ride a bit, braai a bit and have some good social fun. As far as riding goes, the two big features at Jericho are the dry river bed and the Rock. Trials bike riders will have an absolute blast at the Rock. I look forward to your e-mails for drinks orders and to seeing you all at Jericho on Saturday, 9th August. 

MuddX Introduction to Outrides & De Wildt - 16 August 2008 (Newbies)

Dear Noobie Dirt Biker.

 

There are two types of dirt biker out there. The Motocrosser (these are the folk that prefer track riding with jumps and berms and the like), and the Enduro rider or outrider (that’s me – take your bike out into the bush and deal with what nature throws at you).

 

If you’re just getting into the game and the “outride” option is the one doing it for you right now then read on.

 

MuddX (Pty) Ltd is an organization committed to extreme sports, initially in South Africa, with specific focus at the moment on dirt biking. We do this through the marketing of branded apparel and products and the organization and hosting of tours and events.

 

One event that has had enormous success this year is our monthly Introduction to Outrides and De Wildt.

 

One of the biggest problems for new enduro enthusiasts is that the available places to go and ride in Gauteng are very limited, and due to the ever increasing number of like minded enthusiasts, very crowded. Most folk in this game have heard of the De Wildt area in the North West Province near Brits. It is considered the mecca for outriding if you’re from the Gauteng or North West Provinces. The only problem is that it has this stigma attached that it is only suitable for intermediate or extremely seasoned riders. This is absolutely not so!!!!

 

What our Introduction to Outrides and De Wildt events tries to accomplish are the following:

• Introduce new offroad riders to a proper Outride
• Introduce new offroad riders to De Wildt
• Provide some low-level rider training
• Make sure that everyone has so much fun and gains enough confidence to return on their own and enjoy this sport

 

How we do this is very simple. We take between 20 – 25 riders on a well organised outride that leaves from and returns to the Morula Sun Hotel. The pace of the ride is limited to that of the slowest in the group. We have frequent stops to:

• Show you where you are in the De Wildt area, with specific reference to recognisable landmarks
• Explain the type of terrain coming up
• Explain how best to ride the terrain coming up

 

There are usually at least five MuddX riders to assist. One in the lead, one at the rear, one on each flank, and one roving up and down the rider column. We make sure that nobody gets lost, that nobody is pushed beyond their limits, and that everybody has fun. If there is an obstacle on the trail that a rider is not comfortable with, there is never any pressure to attack it. One of the MuddX riders will either take your bike across the obstacle for you or show you an alternate route around it.

There is a drinks and snacks stop approximately 65% of the way into the ride and a boerie roll braai and drinks waiting at the Hotel when we return.

The Morula Sun Hotel is approximately an hour’s drive from Johannesburg. We meet there between 8:00 and 8:30 and try to get riding by as close to 9:00 as we can. We usually return back to the Hotel by 14:00-14:30.

 

The event will cost each rider R175 which includes the half way snacks and drinks and the final braai and drinks. The hotel swimming pool is also available for a nominal charge of R10 per head.

 

If this interests you, give me a shout on 083 615 8776 or drop me an e-mail at steve.lauter@iafrica.com

 

Our next one will be on Saturday, August 16^th 2008.

 

Hope to see you there

 

Steve Lauter

  

 

Some comments from previous participants:

Had the best time ever out at Dewildt on Saturday, and you did a great job organising it all. Thanks again and I look forward to riding with you guys now that I’m more confident … the riverbed and 3 Fences and Back of the Moon that we couldn’t fit in.

*******************************************************************************************************************************……and I think you and your crew deserve all the plaudits you get. It was an excellent day out…..This rates as probably one of the best days of riding I had since I started. Did not feel compelled to do anything I was not comfortable with. Challenging as well.*******************************************************************************************************************************Thank you so much for the ride on 3 Feb. it was great I learned so much and a very big thank you to all the guys that helped me out on the ride they were really great, I will definitely be there on the next one please book me in, just let me know when the money is requiredOnce again thank you so much*******************************************************************************************************************************Just to say thank you for the ride on Saturday, think it is the best ride I have had at DeWilt. It was nice to ride up front and not to be worrying about getting lost or upsetting people by riding too slow. It was a great confidence boost for me as I realized my riding skills are not as bad as I thought, it is my fitness that needs worked on. Thanks again for your help and patience with us slower riders. Best R150.00 I have spent since I got my bike ! Thanks to all involved. *******************************************************************************************************************************Awesome, awesome day, I feel so much better about riding, still not where I want to be but you and your helpers are awesome. Please book me in for the next one, just let me know when************************************************************************Hi Steve, had a great time on Saturday. Thanks to you and your team for a really well organised ride.**********************************************************************************Well done again. Very well organized. Awesome, and thanks again.********************************************************Thanks so much for a fantastic ride on Saturday. It was really awesome! Please keep me on your mailing list as I hope to join the rides as often as possible.*****************************************************************************Big ups to you and the sweepers, thanks for another fantastic day out at De Wildt….I have been to both these Newbie rides and to everyone considering them, they are well worth it. Organisation was fantastic. Once again thank you for an unreal day in bringing a no go zone for newbies to us…*****************************************************************************Just wanted to say great job on this past saturday, it was an awesome day out in the dirt. Would like to thank you and the rest of the guys that helped out for a great ride and introduction to DeWildt. Would glady join if anymore of these socials are to happen, (please keep me informed).****************************************************************************Just wanted to say great job on this past saturday, it was an awesome day out in the dirt. Would like to thank you and the rest of the guys that helped out for a great ride and introduction to DeWildt. Would glady join if anymore of these socials are to happen, (please keep me informed). *****************************************************************************Thanks again for a great day on Saturday, I feel like I am getting better and better all the time Its awesome!!!!!!!!!!!My confidence is way up there, I can join in on Sams race on 17th  thanks to you and your guys : )*****************************************************************************To all who attended the ride on Sat I just like to say thanks you’re a great bunch and i had a lot of fun. To Steve and Brad and Sean and all the other marshalls , a special thanks, it was far better than expected and I believe that for people who haven’t realy experienced DeWildt properly this would defenately be my recommendation of the way to do it especially for the first time. Steve great organisation far better than expected and I will return as my small brain coudn’t process all the directions and markers in one ride. Will need a few more in order to really get my bearings. Thanks a lot guys, keep up the performance, you’re doing a great job of promoting the sport. *****************************************************************************Hey Steve,Thanks again for the ride on Saturday…best fun I’ve had on my bike so far.******************************************************Hi Steve,Just a quick note to say thanks for a great ride on Saturday, Having done the Newbie Ride a month ago, and now the intermediate, it has certainly given me the confidence to go to Dewildt with mates, and would be highly recommended to anyone I meet.******************************************************Hi Steve,Thanks for a great day on Saturday,  I really enjoyed myself and liked the terrain at De Wildt. I will certainly be back, keen to try out the tougher sections and get more familiar with the area.***********************************************Thank you once again for a perfect day : )

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We had a great ride the weekend at De Wildt and will be back soon thanks for the effort and time spent with us newbies.***********************************************Hi Steve, Just to say thank you for another great ride on Saturday.  Once again just like to say thanks to you for giving your time to us slow riders and newbies. It is really appreciated. Please pass my thanks on to Brad, Anthony and all who helped on Saturday. ***********************************************Man, that was an awesome ride, can’t wait for the next one. Those who have not done one of these rides do yourself a favour and go on the next one. The terrain is so varied and the marshals are very helpful. I learnt a lot and can’t wait to try it out on the next ride. Definitely the best ride I have done.

The Jericho Rock Project

 On a Saturday in mid-June, we went out to the Jericho Rock and for a beer at the Bafana Bafana Tavern at the base of the Rock at Jericho. I was having a chat with J.J., the village chief and he was telling me how the young kids at the primary school are desperately short of sports equipment to keep them busy after school. So big was the problem with not having things to keep the kids busy, that some kids had been arrested the day before for getting up to mischief instead.

I have started collecting donations, starting with my own of R250.00. You can add R10 or R10 000, whatever you feel like.

During the last week of July, I will take what has been collected and I intend buying a set of portable soccer goals, soccer balls, cricket kit, baseball kit, netball kit, and rugby balls.

On Saturday 9 August (Woman’s Day), I’d like you, whether you contributed or not, to join me at the Bafana Bafana Tavern at Jericho for a braai, drinks, some dirt biking and the handing over of the sports equipment to the school.Families are welcome. Trials bike riders are welcome. The Rock itself is only about 1km from the Tavern. There is plenty local riding ground to have some fun.The bank account details are:Nedbank
Branch: Killarney Mall 191605
Account name:S Lauter
Account no: 1916062660

You don’t have to put your name down if you want to remain anonymous but please put ROCK in the reference so that I know that the amount it is for this cause.

For more info, you can mail me at steve.lauter@iafrica.com. I have posted this on 25/07/2008, only 3 weeks before the handover of the sports equipment and I have collected almost R7000.00 so far!!!

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It’s Sunday, 10th August 2008. The “Project” was delivered yesterday. WOW!!!! Before I tell you all the story let me first throw out a massive thank you to all the dirt bike community who raised R14 500.00 which was delivered in the form of the desired sports equipment and a R5 000.00 cheque made out to the primary school.

By Monday morning, 4th August we had collected R9 500.00 and I was looking forward to going for some retail therapy on behalf of the kids at Jericho. So off I went to Sportsman’s Warehouse in Fourways with a nice big shopping list.

For their soccer requirement I bought 7 soccer sets, each including a bag, a ball, a pair of shin guards, cones, a water bottle, and a pump. I bought a really up-quality match ball. I bought a pair of dismantleable netted goals.

For their rugby requirement I bought 10 rugby sets, each including a bag, a ball, a water bottle, a pump, training cones, and a kicking tee.

For their netball requirement I bought 2 freestanding netball posts complete with netted hoops, 2 practice balls, and a match ball.

For their cricket requirement I bought 3 cricket sets, each including 2 bats, 2 sets of stumps and bails, 2 sets of batsmen’s pads, 2 sets of batsmen’s gloves, 1 set of wicket keeper pads and gloves, 4 balls for hard and soft play, 10 marker cones, and a score book.

They had asked for baseball but unfortunately the cost of baseball equipment was too rich for our budget, but….

I bought a netted basketball hoop and 2 basketballs. I bought 4 tennis racquets and 4 packs of tennis balls. And finally, lest we forget the folks that have to hep these kids, I bought 3 referee/coach whistles.

Another big thank you to Sportsman’s Warehouse in Fourways for also assisting by stretching our rands a little.

On Tuesday afternoon, the 5th August, I was standing at O R Tambo airport getting ready to fly to Durban when I received a phone call from one of the guys who has already made a sizeable donation in his own right. He told me that his company loved the initiative, would like to get involved, and would like to donate R5 000.00. Wow!!! Unfortunately the shopping was done so a cheque was made out to the primary school for that amount. Awesome.

Yesterday morning a bunch of dirt bikers, some with their families, all met at Hartbeespoort Dam from where we left in convoy to Jericho, some 55km away in the general direction of Brits and beyond. On arrival, our cars were herded onto the school’s sports field by a huge group of children in school uniform literally singing us in. Even the most grizzly, gnarly bikers had lumps in their throats.

We unloaded all the equipment onto one of the netball fields in front of a couple of gazebos where all the local dignataries were gathered. Next to them were parents and teachers of all the kids, and place for all of us to take our seats. We were greeted by one of the teachers who acted as MC for the day and who called the local reverend for a brief scripture reading and prayer. I must admit the whole evangelistic “Gimme a halleluyah” kind of thing was quite cool. We were then introduced to the local tribal authority official who delivered his welcome and then to the one of the most important men there, the tribal chief. This guy carries serious weight and commands respect from those around him in a way that I was quite unused to. Then it was my turn. I got the opportunity to present the equipment by sports type to the captain and coach of each discipline. It was amazing to see how cricket and rugby captains were made on the spot! There were pleas by almost all the speech makers for folk who knew the sports to try and find time to come through to Jericho more often to help teach and coach in those two sports which they as, a community, are aching to play. Unfortunately, there is only so much some of us can do. I finally had the opportunity to introduce Lassy and Hannes, who were making the cash donation, to the dignataries. This went down very well.

Final speeches of gratitude were then made by JJ and a final, very moving one by JJ’s own son, also a pupil at the school. Man, I got a huge kick out of the “Viva Tombstone Viva” bit!

The children went to get kitted up for various sports events that were going to continue into the afternoon but it was requested that a very brief dirt bike demo was asked for by the main manne. Hmmmm….ok. Tom and I unloaded our bikes, did a couple of short wheelies on the soccer field, and gave a couple of the small kids a slow ride around the field. We loaded our bikes and took a small tour around the school. 

And then we all headed for the Bafana Bafana tavern. Round two was about to begin.

At the tavern we all headed immediately to the bar to wash out dry throats with quarts of Zamalek (black label beer) icy cold as only African shebeens know who to keep them. After the first three or four gulps had got us back to a feeling of general humanity again, we unloaded our bikes, lit the fires in the braais that had been provided next to long covered tables and chairs that had also been prepared for us and went for our first ride. This was to the Rock. A few of us rode up and down this huge mound of stone and then headed back to the Tavern. One of us rode half way up and fell down the rest…. ouch Brad. (P.S. Brad 3 - The Rock 2. I think that’s the score at the moment).

The fires were just right and, after grabbing another beer, we started braaing. The families that joined us sans bikes were already getting into the swing of things. The afternoon was fantastic. Those that wanted to ride more did so - the Jericho River Bed is another big attraction. Others, like yours truly, decided to spend the afternoon eating, drinking and talking with the locals. How often do us whities get to experience something like this?

As it happens, JJ’s brother Koos, yes his name is Koos, lives across the road from the Tavern. It was the most wonderful thing for a whole bunch of us to be invited into his modest lounge to join him and JJ to watch the rugby.

Bar one unfortunate incident late in the afternoon, although I did get all my credit cards and license back and there wasn’t much cash left anyway, and I suppose this is Africa, it was one hellava day!!! Dirt biking is a fantastic sport, the social aspect of it is a huge passion of mine given the people and experiences and acquaintances and friends I get out of it. This one rated right up there with the best ever.

Click on the polaroid to view the whole album.