Monday, March 30, 2009

February Update ...



We now have a very short two and a half months to go before we head off on the adventure of a lifetime. The Durban 2 Dublin express (3 BMW`s and 3 adventure riders) depart from Auto Umhlanga, Durban for Dublin, Ireland. 60 Days on the road and approx. 18,500 kms to travel!


These past few months have been a blur of arranging fundraising functions and so far we have had a function at the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest plus a motivational speaker in Bloemfontein. For this event Jaco spent every day for three weeks before the show travelling to Bloemfontein and back from his farm in Bultfontein, a distance of 170 km`s one way. He set up stands at shopping malls to promote the show and to get people to book for the event. That is what I call commitment for the trip. Upcoming events are the BMW Track Day Swartkops and the SCMSC Dirtfest at Imbabala near Weenen in KZN.
Now comes the time for visa applications, return flight bookings, arranging for the bikes to be shipped back to South Africa and so much more. The route has been plotted and is currently sitting patiently on my PC waiting for the command to send to the device then the main command on 1st May when I enter the where to function and finally press GO !!!!
Two months ago my heart stopped and for a minute I saw the whole trip flashing before my eyes and becoming a non-event.


This is the reason:
I had arranged a fun enduro at the off-road academy at Imbabala KZN. On Saturday 14th December 2008, 50 off-road riders headed off to challenge the hills and rocky river beds around Imbabala in the Weenen area - 140 kms of pure adrenalin and great fun. That evening sitting around the open fire at the Imbabala Lodge listening to all the war stories from the day`s ride I smiled to myself and once again thought what a great bunch of guys the off-road fraternity has.
The next morning on Sunday, after a hearty Imbabala breakfast we once again kitted up to head out for a shorter loop of 70kms. The first section of the ride was on the game farm before we headed out of the park and off for the hills surrounding Imbabala.
During this section of the ride we negotiated a dry riverbed of approximately 5kms. Towards the end of the riverbed section there is a small waterfall of about 1m in height. The top of the fall has a small kicker on it so the trick is to hit the lip with a bit of momentum and as you go over the edge give a bit of gas to help clear the front wheel.
I negotiated this drop-off without any mishap on my trusty BMW 450X. Some of the following riders battled a bit with the timing and there were a few spills and lots of laughs. One intrepid rider, giving a bit too much gas, overshot the landing and promptly went full steam into a nearby waterhole, completely drowning his bike.
Whilst the guys were helping this last rider, a youngster amongst the group decided that he was not up to doing the drop-off on his KTM 80cc. He approached me and asked me to take the bike over for him. Of course I agreed (big mistake!). I kicked started this midget of a bike and aimed for the drop-off. As I went over I knew I had a problem, not realizing how big a problem lay in a split second ahead yet.
As I landed my feet slipped off the small foot pegs and I landed with my full weight on my legs. The soft sand under my feet caused my left leg to lock up and with nowhere to go the force was exerted down and out. I felt this shockwave shoot up my leg and I collapsed to the ground. As I tried to stand up my leg once again gave way. I knew I had a BIG problem, and at this point I saw the Durban 2 Dublin trip saying bye-bye.
The guys then sent Rory, my ever helpful son, back to the lodge on my bike and he returned with a 4×4 Rhino to recover me.

I was taken to the lodge and then transferred to a pick-up to be taken through to Medi Clinic in Pietermaritzburg. This was now Sunday afternoon. When I arrived at the Medi Clinic, Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr Peter Thompson was called and I was summarily sent off for X-rays.
When the X-rays returned they were examined by Dr Thompson I watched his face very closely and when I saw him shake his head I feared the worst. It turned out I had a tibia plateau fracture, (for the layman this is a very bad break just below the knee). Dr Thompson booked me into hospital and made arrangements for surgery the following day. Surgery consisted of inserting a plate and seven very large looking screws into the bone to hold the whole lot in place.

The next morning when Dr Thompson made his rounds and stopped in to check on me I told him about my planned trip to Dublin scheduled for 1st May, which was four and a half months away. He was not very enthusiastic and told me this sort of injury could take three months to heal. I think he saw the determination in my eyes and gave me a bit of advice on how to look after the injury post operation, and instead of putting me in a full leg cast he put on a leg brace. This allowed me to carry on with physio and was treated by Dr Donna Dippenaar, an excellent Chiropractor in Pietermaritzburg.
Well, it is now 8 weeks since the op and I feel great! I still have a slight limp but this is improving every day. On my last visit to Dr Thompson he was amazed at my recovery. To Dr Thompson, Dr Dippenaar and all the staff at Medi Clinic I thank you and salute all of you.

On Friday the 6th February I flew down to Cape Town to visit a few of the Children`s crèches which are being managed by the Pebbles Project, and this was a very touching and rewarding visit. (Pebbles is the charity that we are raising funds for). The children at these crèches are looked after by a team of voluntary care givers and the enthusiasm and care shown by these care givers and teachers is a wonder to behold. I am convinced that we have made the correct choice in choosing Pebbles as our charity. If these children can be given a chance of receiving a decent education and one day entering the work place as well rounded and responsible adults I am sure we can look forward to a better and crime free South Africa.

On Saturday, 14th February the BMW Road Rider Academy at Swartkops arranged an open track day for us and to all the guys who took the time to get away from your partners on Valentine`s Day I thank you for your support. To your partners I also thank you for giving the guys the time to attend.
At this track day it was also the first time I got back onto a bike since the accident, and I must say after a few hesitant and slow laps around the track, I was really getting back into my stride and feeling at one with the bike again. I must also mention here a big thank you to EVS Gear for the recent sponsorship of the web knee braces that they have so kindly sent up to me. The braces really give one a sense of confidence knowing that your legs are properly protected. My only regret is I did not have a pair before my accident as I am sure they would have minimized the damage.

I am now looking forward to putting in some off-road riding and really getting back into the groove of handling the big 1200 Adventure bike that is going to be carrying me to Dublin.
In between the rider training there is still the question of a few more fund raisers to arrange as well as the never ending paper work to complete.

Sponsors and support received so far:
· Metal mule Rider Equipment,
· Pannar Seed,
· BMW Midrand,
· BMW Road Training Academy,
· Ryder Motorrad,
· BMW Auto Umhlanga,
· Gear Up,
· Alfie Cox Racing,
· Mac`s Shipping,
· Barts Computers,
· Marius Vorster, Expanda-sign,
· South Coast Motorsport Club,
· EVS Rider Gear
All the individual people that have made a donation to the trip and, of course, to Pebbles we thank you all. You know who you are.

18 comments:

  1. i will like to ask you if you have the e mail address of dr peter thompson i knew peter thompson back in 1981 and i was wondering if he is the same one

    nava writz
    nava@navasdesigns.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! This can be one particular of the most helpful blogs We have
    ever arrive across

    on this subject. Actually Magnificent. I am also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.


    Here is my web page nfl golf shoes

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really know what you are talking
    about!

    Bookmarked. Please also visit my site =). We could have a link exchange agreement between us!



    My blog post: psmm.com.ar

    ReplyDelete
  4. Definitely, what a fantastic blog and revealing posts, I surely will
    bookmark your

    website.Have an awsome day!

    Feel free to visit my website: www.thespainforum.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I'm impressed! Very

    helpful information particularly the last part :) I care for such

    information a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a very

    long time. Thank you and best of luck.

    My blog ... Freesat TV Spain

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and

    you are just too great. I actually like what

    you've acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you

    say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it smart. I

    cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a wonderful website.

    My homepage :: holidays in Costa Blanca

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hmm is anyone else having problems with
    the images on this blog loading? I'm trying

    to find out if its a problem on my end or if it's
    the blog. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.


    Also visit my web page ... http://www.seolinkads.com/tag/spokane+weather+averages,+ymca+spain

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you for another informative site. Where else could I
    get that type of

    info written in such a perfect way? I have a project that I
    am just now working on,

    and I've been on the look out for such info.

    my web blog :: http://wikinoise.org/

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my weblog so i

    came to “go back the want”.I'm attempting to find things to enhance my web site!I assume its

    ok to use some of your ideas!!

    Feel free to surf to my blog post ... correo junta extremadura

    ReplyDelete
  10. That is the appropriate

    weblog for anybody who wants to seek out out about this topic.
    You

    understand a lot its almost hard to

    argue with you (not that I really would need…HaHa).
    You definitely put a

    new spin on a subject thats been written about for years.
    Great stuff, just great!

    Also visit my blog :: http://www.formerkeeper.com/

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good article and straight to the point. I am not sure if this is


    truly the best place to ask but do you guys have any ideea where

    to get some professional writers? Thanks in advance
    :)

    Here is my web site - http://Www.Redtube.Org.uk

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to “return the favor”.

    I

    am trying to find things to improve my web site!
    I suppose its ok to use some

    of your ideas!!

    Feel free to surf to my web blog planetforward.org

    ReplyDelete
  13. Excellent web site. Lots of useful

    information here. I’m sending it to some pals ans
    additionally

    sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you to
    your

    effort!

    my weblog: http://kgsolcon.in/buddypress/groups/facts-and-fiction-solar-heating-971080326

    ReplyDelete
  14. Admiring the hard work you put into your

    website and in depth information you present.
    It's nice to come

    across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same outdated rehashed material.
    Wonderful read! I've bookmarked your site and I'm adding your

    RSS feeds to my Google account.

    Feel free to surf to my site :: xtravel calpe viagem de finalistas

    ReplyDelete
  15. Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one!

    It's on a totally

    different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!

    Also visit my homepage :: bh tal real estate

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just couldn't depart your web site before suggesting that I

    actually enjoyed the standard information a person provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back often to check up on new posts

    Take a look at my webpage :: http://115.146.20.228/mediawiki/index.php?title=%E5%88%A9%E7%94%A8%E8%80%85:MaximaWest87

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really know what you're talking about!

    Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my site =). We could have a link exchange

    arrangement between us!

    Also visit my blog Oliva Property

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic however I'd figured I'd ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or
    maybe guest

    writing a blog article or vice-versa? My blog discusses a

    lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you're interested feel free to send me an e-mail. I look forward to

    hearing from you! Fantastic blog by the way!

    Feel free to surf to my homepage - classified Fuerteventura

    ReplyDelete