The Posers Ride Again

It was good day as the original Posers Scooter Club members rode again. With the weather threatening in the late afternoon I was sceptical going out on the Vespa this evening but luckily the weather cleared and turned out to be one of those memorable Posers SC evening rides.

Left to right is Martin, Magda, Paulo, Jerome, and Lynda.

We all met at The Schwarma Co in Norwood for a good dinner and a long catch up with four Vespas lined up outside on the pavement. Reminiscing on the good old days along with all the bad. Paulo was all smiles as he proudly showed us photographs of his little daughter Ariela who wasn't even in the picture last time the Posers met, not even a twinkle in Paulo and Shani's eyes. It was just good to be among friends and just let your hair down. It has been a long time since the Posers met and we vowed to make this meetup more regularly as we rode back home four abreast along quiet streets late at night hooting at prostitutes plying their trade while they waved back.

Posers Reunited

Friday at last and what a perfect start to the weekend when the Posers Scooter Club got together at Lucio's Pizzeria. It was a night of catch up after such a long time of going a separate ways. The evening was excellent except for a mess up by Lucio's on the food but with good friends nothing could stand in the way of having a good time. From left to right is Lynda, Matthew, myself, Paulo, Magda and Martin. Watch this space as talk was in the air about another trip going nowhere slowly.

The Oak Leaf

Having breakfast with Magda under large oak trees this morning was special, as we haven't seen each other for quite some time. The Oak Leaf Country Restaurant in Sandton has these huge oak trees where we sat under and enjoyed a buffet breakfast while the morning rush of traffic was unheard.

I wish I could have stayed longer under those oak trees catching up with Magda but I needed to get to work sometime before afternoon.

Potchefstroom

During the week Magda contacted me to see if I was interested in a road trip to Potchefstroom as Dave needed to stretch the legs of his new orange Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport.

Sun, beers and the open road what more can I ask for. Of course a ride into the countryside and over 300km later my arse is sore, have sun burnt arms and am super tired. After taking the scenic route via Kroomdraai and Carletonville, we lunched at the Beef Boys in an empty student town. I can only picture that Potchefstroom must buzz when filled with varsity students. But for now a quiet oaked lined streets of the Bult will have to do.

I am out of practice with very few long rides done this year. Well next year, I am looking forward to the Baviaanskloof Adventure. Ahhh the open road with a Vespa purring beneath you.

Magda

On Friday it was my good friend Magda's 40th birthday and she doesn't look older than 28, oh well I wonder what her secret is. Anyway today we joined Magda and her husband, Martin at Kievets Kroon Country Estate and Spa north of Pretoria for a tranquil afternoon with friends celebrating Magda's big four O.

Kievits Kroon had set out a six course gourmet lunch by the pool for us. Head Chef Sammy Mashile made sure that we were treated to a five star culinary experience out of this world with fine wine to match.

But there was something way better than the tranquil scenery and the fine food, and that was the company of good friends. Thank you to the host, the birthday girl, Magda. May you have a blessed 40 more years.

On a Hot Summer's Night

Would you offer your throat to the wolf with red roses? Late afternoon I went to pick up Sophia from Paulo's mechanic and the plan was to join our small group of Vespa friends, the Posers Scooter Club for another evening run. But it was all disappointment when Sophia with a new clutch still had a problem. She is trying to take off in third gear which is not right. This time a roller is expected to be the culprit.

Now being posers, that didn't stop us still doing an evening ride. So Paulo and I loaded Sophia up onto the back of Sassette, my bakkie/pickup, and off we went to join the others for a hot summer's night ride. The wild and free poser posse consisting of three Vespas, including one on the back of a bakkie and a Hog headed for the Schwarma Co. in Norwood for supper. With Meatloaf rocking from the bakkie and Neil Diamond from the Hog, we were defiantly the Posers Scooter Club.

Later on we sat at a side walk cafe called Piccola Prima Donna, being simply good friends. You took the words right out of my mouth.

Happen

If by chance you happen to find a Vespa parked in your garage, and the keys happen to be in the ignition, and your riding gear just happen to be on hand, and there happened to be a breakfast run, would you go? That is how Magda managed to plant the seed for her husband, Martin to happen to get a Vespa and join her on the Vespa rides. Yes that is our Magda and today it is her 28th birthday, well let's just leave it at that. She is still as beautiful and not showing her age. I joined her, friends and family at our favourite Italian pizzeria, Lucio's. The Italians know the secret to staying young. That is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. Magda, remember in the end, it is not the years in your life that count but the life in your years. Happy birthday my good friend.

Sophia does the Roof of Africa

The Great Sani Pass Vespa Adventure
Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four | Day Five
Day Four: Sophia does the Roof of Africa

Note to all: Sani Top Chalets is not the best place to overnight. No running water means no showers and to go to the toilet, you have to dip a bucket into a drum of iced water to flush. On top of it all the bedding was much to be desired, thankfully I had brought my own. After a restless sleep and a cold breakfast we went down to rescue the two BMW bikes that got stuck the day before then we set off very late at 11am, from Sani across the Roof of Africa to Butha Buthe along one of the highest roads in Africa. The BMW 650 Dakar bike would not start where it was stuck on the pass and had to be towed to the top. Thankfully Sophia started first turn and with her motor purring in the snow she was a sight for the astonished 4x4s arriving at the top for the day. The route started with a slushy, icy track until pass the Black Mountain Pass. The road then became a dusty road up and down mountain passes for quite a way until we got to this very good tar road.

We flew up and down the mountains along this wonderful tar road until just pass Moketeng where we hit the potholes. Well not just potholes but just one continuous pothole that there was very little to resemble what was once a tar road. I've been told that this road was once a beautiful tar road until the mine trucks and "luck" of maintenance has turned it into a dirt road with bits of tar edges and large potholes. After I went through two large potholes and nearly collided with Magda who had slowed down for a large hole in the pothole and Marlene who also went through a large hole that was obscured by the lengthen shadows we called it a day. Well that was Marlene and I, Magda still wanted to continue and she did. Up over the Tlaeeng Pass, highest road pass in southern Africa, Magda pushed on that was until it got too dark to continue. With all the Vespa's now loaded we rushed on to the border post before it closed.

Tired and hungry we reached Butha Buthe just before 8pm and were just so happy to cross the Caledonspoort border post into South Africa and back to civilization of a hot shower at Camelroc Guest Farm. Just to have a hot shower and a clean room was a blessing. What dawned on me as I quickly sank into my bed was the lack of trees in Lesotho.

Is the world ending?...

Black Ice and Death

The Great Sani Pass Vespa Adventure
Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four | Day Five
Day Two: Black Ice and Death

We wanted an early start, well Magda and I did while the Paulo and Martin wanted breakfast first. I did protest to get them to change their minds but to no avail. The plan was for Paulo and Martin to escort Magda and myself down to Underberg but I think the distance got to them and they wanted to get back early so the plan was changed slightly. Paulo and Martin would ride with us down through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park to the town of Estcourt then head back to Johannesburg while Magda and I would continue until Underberg. Our four support 4x4s left Pretoria early this morning and the plan was that they would catch up to us round about Estcourt, from there they would travel with us.

But our plans changed again. While in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park we came upon a serious accident which happened minutes before we got there. A mini bus taxi with twelve family members travelling to a funeral in Fouriesburg, lost control due to black ice and plummeted over 200m down the side of the mountain. Sadly only six people survived including a twelve year old boy named Manuel. With tears running down her face, Magda tried to comfort Manuel as best as she could, not knowing if his parents are among the survivors.

We were badly shaken when we left the scene after the emergency services started arriving. Running late and with the weather changing for the worse, we made contact with the support vehicles and arranged to met them at Harrismith instead of Estcourt. In a way it was a blessing that we met the support vehicles at Harrismith because it started sleeting soon afterwards. We loaded our Vespas onto the trailers and headed for Sani Valley Lodge between Himeville and the Sani Pass border post. Round about Bulwer the sleet turned to snow.

After settling into our accommodation at Sani Valley Lodge, we set off to find some food. Here I must give a big black mark to Himeville Arms Hotel for turning us away we were too much for them to handle. Would you believe it they turned 18 hungry people away in the now falling snow. So we headed down the road to Underberg, only to be turned away from another restaurant because they didn't have enough plates for us. Nobody wanted our business. Ten stars must be given to The Grind Café who opened up the Wolly Bugger pub to us. The food was very good that even our tired bodies appreciated it. If you ever in this part of the country please support The Grind Café and its pub the Wolly Bugger.

Sophia summits Sani Pass...

Vespas and Belgium Beers

When Sophia went in for her last service I bought her a second hand windscreen but it was all hazy so my biker chick Magda, said I must come round to her place as she knows just the trick to get the screen looking almost new again. So this afternoon Magda and Martin held a braai at their place and I bought Sophia over and Magda, true to her word brought out the best of Sophia's windscreen. I must say that she knows how to handle that braso and that vibrating polisher. Here is she doting over Sophia as if she belongs to her. I better be careful Magda may want to keep Sophia.

I am posting this now as later this evening I am heading out to join my friends for a Belgium evening of Stoofvlees met frieten en mayonnaise and not to forget the Belgium beers and chocolates. Let's hope it doesn’t have an effect with the antibiotics that I am still taking.

Lucios

Last Wednesday, Matthew wanted to go out to a restaurant for dinner to celebrate my birthday but my favourite restaurant, Lucio's Pizzeria in Blackheath was full and so we ended up at a Italian restaurant which I think is called Giovannis at Brambury Crossing. The food was well okay but could never come close to Lucio's quality and the price for Matthew and I was R300 with tip. So we decided to book a table at Lucio's for today and invite some friends. Good atmosphere, good food, good wine and good friends made for a perfect evening. To top it all Matthew and my cost came to R200 with tip. I recommend Lucio's Pizzeria as the top Italian restaurant in the whole of South Africa. So far nothing comes close to their Claudio's Special Calzone.

Vespizzatevi

Having a Vespa changes your lifestyle. It gives you a new perspective on life. No more living in the fastlane. Now zipping through traffic has never been cooler. Let's face it, if you wanted to be cooler, you'd be riding a Vespa.

Since Sophia, my sexy black Vespa ET4, came into my life it has been cool to say I ride a Vespa. It is cool to be seen riding with a group other Vespas into the countryside that even the hogs on their Harleys wave us as we cruise by. The superbikers and BMW bikers enjoy seeing us playing on their turf.

To top it all there are a great number awesome Vespisti in Johannesburg. One group is the Viva la Vespa Social Club who organizes monthly rides. This weekend they held their annual Winter Ride and selected Dullstroom as their destination for the weekend. Brrr it was cold this weekend but things hotted up, as you can see. I joined them for breakfast at the Dullstroom Inn on my way back from Nelspruit. As you can see from today's photo we sure have fun on a Vespa. Vespizzatevi, Vespa yourselves.

Purple Rain

Purple rain, purple rain. With all the rain this morning, I heard reports of chaos in the traffic and all I wanted was to dance and laugh in the rain. The rain cleared up in the afternoon and I had a lovely time catching up with Magda and looking at purple orchids together. All I wanted was to see you underneath the purple rain.

Amarula and fast cats

After breakfast we headed out to the Amarula Factory outside Phalaborwa and enjoyed ourselves to lots of Amarula. "Now now Magda, we know you like Amarula but we have a long way still to go." Afterwards we headed for Hoedspruit and the Endangered Animal Rehabilitation Center. It was great to see the cheetahs up close. It turned out to be a very very hot day and only cooled off once we got into the mountains. Stopping only at the Brurkes Luck Potholes we made for Sabie getting there just before dark. Sophia enjoyed herself along the windy mountain roads stretching her legs and showing a clean pair of heals to the bigger Vespas. For more photos see Mille Day Two on Facebook.

Road Trip

Six Vespas with their riders myself, Francois, Andrew, Magda, Romi and Staford left Johannesburg at 5am this morning and headed to Phalaborwa. Ten hours later we arrived, bums sore but all in one piece. After booking into luxury tented lodges with air conditioning we went on a 3 hour evening game drive. Moment of the Day: Our game ranger while waching 3 young hyenas said there is the mother calling her young while it turned out to be Romi snoring away. For more photos see Mille Day One on Facebook

Braai day

Today was Magda’s farewell held at Metrorail’s Rolling stock yard. Here is Greg and Magda during the braai. I didn’t stay too long and found myself at David and Di’s house. Di was away for the evening on a girl’s night out so David, looking after his son Luke, asked me to stay and invited one of his colleagues who is also called Greg. David bought this massage Texan steak from the butcher and Greg made a salad. So we boys spent the evening in a sort of primal way, braaing meat on the fire and drinking very good whiskey.