Asterix and Obelix does it again

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Another weekend, another trip. Mrs. Trailrider has never been to Attakwas Kloof and with the upcoming big ride over Easter she wanted to get more experience and riding time. A plan was set in motion – Mrs. Trailrider, I and young Andre will each ride our own bikes and Johann would ride pillion for a family trip to Attakwas Kloof. We also invited some friends of the family along who would be somewhat new to both bikes and camping. This was to be a weekend full of firsts.

We gathered on the farm so that the unlicensed riders could avoid riding on tar. One of the newbies – 16 year old Clinton – could not wait to go on a bike trip. He started packing a week prior. Imagine his surprise when he heard that not only was he going on a bike trip, but that the bike he’ll be riding was his very own brand new Honda NXR125!



There would be a CRF70, a CTX200 and 3 NXR125’s on the trip while the other mom and three kids would follow in a car (this brings the total amount of NXR125’s in our circle of friends to eight!).



We started out slowly and cautiously with lots of stops.



Going past a game reserve we always stop to look at the wildlife along way.





And yet another stop next to a river:





Enough already! Let’s ride!



By now we have spent 2½ and a half hours to cover 40km and we decided to push on to get to the campsite which was still 40km off. About 6 km from our destination we encountered a downhill with a sharp right turn at the bottom. The road was filled with loose rocks and gravel and young Andre carried to much speed into the corner. He tried his best to make it work but halfway through the bike slipped and he came down hard. He skid on his chest and tummy over the rocks and gravel, but by the time I got to him he was already up and inspecting the bike for damage. The heart of a true biker.



No damage apart from minor scratches. The chest protector, gloves, elbow and knee guards work well. We really need to get him some boots to complete his kit. This was about 4km from the spot where he's had his other incident. This road seems to be his nemesis.

Time to pitch camp with Andre now sporting his own tent and camping gear.



Night fell and we had a nice braai and chatted around the fire until the wee hours.



Fresh air and the millions of stars do something for the soul, but for me daybreak is the best time of the day.



Some more bikers came in during the evening and booked into the chalet.







Neat little camper he is



And of course a trip is so much better with some good looking girls attending.



While we were preparing breakfast our neighbors decided to go explore the Attakwas Kloof proper.



The kids and I decided to go spider and scorpion hunting while the capable chef prepared a feast. We found some interesting specimens too!



Daddy broken leg?



What a nice place. You hardly want to leave.



Luckily the scenery on the way back makes it all worth it.













Smiles all around always are a good sign.



Since Andre’s first trip to Attakwas Kloof in November last year he really has grown as a rider. He’s very capable and apart from the mishap (only his 2nd fall since he got the bike) he handles all road conditions well. On good gravel roads we travel at speeds of up to 75km/h - not bad for an 8 year old. Mrs. Trailrider is also getting familiar with the biking thing. She wanted to keep going when we got back to George! We’ll ride some more this coming weekend, but in my opinion she’s ready for the Easter trip.

All in all, a successful weekend.






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