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The
2nd annual VMax'ers Rally 07 - 09 September 2007.
Author: VO Neil Hamilton-Wood (VO 015)
Photo's: By the Crew!
This most auspicious event took place from 07 to 09 September 2007 in a
far away land that is known as
“Koinonia”.
It is situated on the old R103 between Drummond and Botha’s Hill
(where even the Comrades runners have to change gear)
which, in turn, are situated between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. It was
the second national gathering of that famous intrepid breed of men and
women, known more affectionately as
“V MAXERS”.
Ably representing the
Vee Owners’ Group
(VOG) was
Michael Wood with Caro Heard
on pillion,
André Blignaut
(of Roodepoort)
with his son André Jnr
(aged 16 and already an avid rider) on pillion,
John Knight
and
Neil Wood
– both one-up.
Michael, John and Neil
travelled together and stuck to the speed limits. When the traffic
officers saw V Max’s, they immediately started rubbing their hands
together, anticipating the flying yellow VFR 800, as ridden at high speed
by Mrs van Wyk’s younger son last year, but to no avail, as his name was
on the list of apologies, as was Deon’s and Ian Murchie’s. We really
missed these guys and the other VOG Maxers!
The eye of the beholder - Rainbow V - Max's
Remembering the Swazi Rally just a week earlier, when we dressed for
winter and encountered summer, for the Odyssey we dressed for summer, and
guess what we encountered. It was as cold as the hairs round a polar
bear’s bum for the whole of Friday morning – real brass monkey weather, so
cold that we almost succumbed to the temptation of stopping somewhere to
buy some warmer garments. By Saturday morning it was warmer and by Sunday
it was hot. We travelled on the highway, paid the toll fees and enjoyed
the mostly good road surface.
The traffic was fairly light both ways and we met up with the usual
hard-blowing gusty winds which, on the way there, we thought were bad –
until we took the road home! We were riding with a continual list to port
(leaning to the left, for you landlubbers). It was quite scary to watch
Michael taking a right-hand bend at 110/120 km’s per hour, while leaning
to the left. What made it worse was the realisation that I was doing
exactly the same! That wind was “NAG”!
The VOG VMax Crew - John Knight (VO 148) not shown here but part of the
Crew!
It has been said that the V Max is a cult in itself. I am of the opinion
that this is quite true as the only things that really count when looking
for a V Max are the condition of the bike, which country it came from and
how much money you are going to spend in making it to your liking. You
will look long, hard and far for a genuinely standard Max. The year model
(and mileage) is irrelevant and so is the previous owner.
Christened by the Americans as “The Meanest of Machines”, this one-time
“fastest accelerating production vehicle in the world” is just as
unforgiving now as it was in 1985. In 20 years of production there were no
major modifications to the Max! The Maxers we met up with at the rally are
all enthusiastic about their own bikes and are all keen to know everything
about each other’s bikes and, also, they are all very helpful with
information about modifications, spares and tuning. It is quite amazing to
see the innovation in the different bits and pieces the guys use, foot
pegs, wheels, handlebars, sissy bars, carriers, pannier bag brackets and
supports, exhaust systems, hooters, fuel tanks, paint jobs and saddle
coverings and own inventions and cosmetic attachments. Most Max’s are very
different to the others and yet they all look good – they are all
beautiful, but some are just a bit more beautiful than others – just like
women!
Caro in the foreground with part of the Valley of Thousand Hills in the
landscape.
There were
30 Max’s
present, some 7 other bikes and two Harleys (quite friendly little
Harleys) and 1 scooter, but what a scooter! A Yamaha 500 cc vertical twin,
ridden by the Yamaha representative who kindly graced us with his
presence. One Max, owned by a Scotsman who lives close to the rally site,
was a basket case when purchased but now, at 22 years of age, looks like a
new dream machine – you cannot help but love them!
We met up with old friends, made some new ones and sorely missed those who
could not make it, especially young
Travis Bramley
who died at 22 in a motor vehicle accident earlier this year. He was the
son of Mike Bramley of Mike Bramley Racing. Mike and his brother James (Reg
no JIM 1 GP) and their good ladies were also at the rally. It was on
advice from Travis that I lowered my steering head by 25 mm, so I shall
never forget him.
Hans Knop, the organiser,
took us on a mass ride to Durban and promptly gave us a guided tour
through the city, which caused a lot of heads to turn at the sight and
sound of all these lovely Max’s. We say a great big thank you to Hans and
his good lady, and all the others who so ably assisted them in the
organising and sponsoring of this wonderful event. Last year, just a week
before the rally, while doing a recce of the route for the mass ride, Hans
took a tumble from his Max and so could not join in the fun and games.
This year, however, Hans was firing on all cylinders and walking on both
legs. Thanks again, Hans!
"Chip off the old block" Michael Hamilton-Wood
The accommodation at the Koinonia Conference Centre was, once again, very
good. By far better than that at just about all other rallies. It is a
lovely site with a beautiful view. Serviced bedrooms and good food served
in a dining room – with white tablecloths nogal! The pub also rendered
excellent service to all participants. The management and staff are all
very friendly and helpful and made our stay very pleasant. The roads
around the rally site, however, leave a lot to be desired.
Remembering that this is still part of the old Valley of a Thousand Hills
that we, as youngsters, used to travel through, on these same roads, by
car and by bike in all kinds of weather – mist included – makes me wonder
how on earth we ever survived. These roads have more twists and turns and
ups and downs than any 25 games of snakes and ladders and yet, we had one
enterprising young man called Two Dogs, from Satan Saints in Jo’burg, and
he rides his Max a lá Rossi through these same bends (same as last year).
Neil Hamilton-Wood VOG's Old Man & writer of the report!
But all in all, it was a very worthwhile trip – although numb bum – and a
very enjoyable week-end.
I even received a prize for being the oldest V Maxer to have arrived on
his own bike.
I might not be the oldest bike rider, but I am probably the oldest V Maxer
in the country. I
spent my 75th birthday in the saddle on the Sunday.
Gary (SpongeBob Maxpants) Smith of Bike SA had one thing wrong last year –
tents we will use as fuel for our braai yes, but definitely not quads.
These we will use for perimeter fires as the stink will keep all wild
animals away! We are all very proud to have been a part of it, and also
proud to have been able to represent VOG in such distinguished company.
Our sincere thanks go to all those who were involved in this great
event.
End of report. |
