The 20 acre VENUE
situated on a Ridge above the Valley of a Thousand Hills.
(along the Famous Comrades Marathon Route Road.) Within spacious and tranquil grounds graced by  the magnificent scenery of the Valley, where people have come together for over 30 years to experience
"KOINONIA"....
the Greek word for Fellowship.

is ideally positioned to enjoy a weekend of fun and relaxation, situated between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, just a few kilometers off the N3 highway .

 
and Reports

BY: NEIL WOOD

Once again, in that far-off exotic place which is affectionately known as Koinonia and which is situated on the R103 between Botha’s Hill and Drummond, halfway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg – in the Valley of a Thousand Hills – the gathering of the V-Max Clan took place in the form of the “4^th annual SA Vmax Odyssey Gathering” from 11 to 13 September 2009. How quickly the years pass us by – it seems like only the other day that we battled the winds when attending the 2007 Rally. Unfortunately, we missed the 2008 Gathering, but were very happy to be able to attend this year. From the Vee Owners Group (VOG) we had Andre and Linda, Michael and Caro, myself and Michael’s son Damien and his daughter Bronwyn – and we all trailered down this year.

 It may be the world recession, but attendance was quite a bit down on previous years. It is a bit disappointing when one considers just how many Maxes there are still in fond use in the RSA. However, we are all confident that next year’s figure will be a big improvement. This year I counted fifteen (15) older model Maxes, including a 20^th anniversary model (i.e. a 2005 model) which was damaged when its rider – Carel van Niekerk, took a tumble! There were two new model Maxes (Mike and Jim Bramley). Present also were two BMW’s and an elderly Kawasaki 1100 from the South Coast, a very healthy looking and sounding MT01, a lovely blue and white Suzuki 1100 and my Kawasaki VN800 cruiser and a lot of lovely people – very special people, who took a lot of time and trouble to attend the gathering. Our sincere thanks to you all.

 On arrival we were all welcomed with great big smiles and open arms. Once again Hans and his good lady did an excellent job of organising everything and for this we all thank them both very much. Such obvious enthusiasm is always greatly appreciated. Thanks again. Having celebrated my 77^th birthday two days previously – on 09/09/09 – I was once again the oldest participant and was thus accorded a little bit extra sentimental treatment.

 The venue – Koinonia – was up to its usual high standards with en-suite serviced rooms. Meals, of a high quality, were all served in the dining room – again with white table cloths! The staff members at this venue have always been very friendly, polite and helpful and continue to be so! The liquid refreshment department was run by Clinton and his friendly and helpful associates, thus ensuring that a good time was had by all. We wish to convey our sincere thanks to all of these kind people who, by their kind and friendly actions, once again contributed to the success of the annual event.

 On Saturday morning, Hans took us on a 130 km scenic tour through parts of the Durban surrounds that we never even knew existed. If we had tried to count all the twists and turns we experienced, it would have taken more than twice as long to complete the run. It is truly a beautiful part of the world! A stop was made in Umdloti where we enjoyed some liquid refreshment and then returned to our venue for a typical Natal lunch. Shortly after lunch the Concourse d’ Elegance was held to identify the most beautiful Max. This was won by Arrie Venter, with Gerrit (Dok) Dokter second, Billy Willemse third and Francois Campher fourth. The time and trouble taken and effort put into the modifying and beautifying of these grand old Maxes has to be seen to be believed. (Remember, the V-Max first appeared in the USA in 1985 and production ceased in 2008 with NO major modifications at all ever having been brought about) The Max owners always share their knowledge, experiences and sources with each other, always come up with ideas to help solve each others problems and really appreciate and respect each other. What a grand crowd they are! They all enjoy this – as christened by the Americans – “Meanest of Machines”. Severely disadvantaged in both the braking and road holding departments – the V-Max’s handling is comparable to that of a puppy on a leash and yet, in its heyday, it was the fastest accelerating production vehicle in the world! It was an excellent drag racer! No wonder they love it – I mean, who wouldn’t?

 We are proud to be associated with this intrepid breed of “V-Maxers”. We really enjoyed this short time with them and we are looking forward to a grand Gathering next year. We are equally proud to have been able to represent VOG at the annual V-Max Odyssey Gathering this year and we offer our sincere thanks to all of those nice people who were involved.  

Dear Vmax Friends,

May we take this opportunity in thanking you all for participating in our 4th Annual SA Vmax Odyssey Gathering.

We had a great time in having the privilege of spending the weekend together with all our old and new friends.

 TO ALL OUR SPONSORS……….also a GREAT THANK YOU

for your Generous Donations:

 
Dok Dokter
our Main Sponsor

Francois Campher of NICO PAINT & PLASTICS

Fred van Niekerk and Mike de Vos of YAMAHA Importers.  Pinetown

Willie van Greunen of BIKEPARTS ON LINE

TILL NEXT YEAR ! !

TAKE CARE AND RIDE SAFELY

Vmaximus Greetings

Hans & Marlies Knop
 

----- Original Message -----

From: Arries Venter

To: HANS JP KNOP

Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:50 AM

Subject: V Max gathering.

Hi Hans,

Baie dankie aan almal wat betrokke was met die reelings van die " 2009 Gathering ". Ek dink dit is 'n eer om deel te wees van 'n uitsoek groep mense wat 'n passie het vir 'n fiets met 'n mooi geskiedenis . Ons moet net die ander manne aanspoor om deel te word van ons volgende "Gathering". Die wat nie daar was nie, "Manne julle weet nie wat julle mis nie ! "

 Groete,

 Arrie en Elize Venter.

----- Original Message -----

From: Brett Nicholas

To: mail@awol.co.za

Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 11:01 AM

Hi Hans,

 I just wanted to thank you for a great weekend at the 2009 Oddysey. It was nice to finally meet you and some of the fellow members. Thanks especially to Francois, Stan & Skippy for letting me lodge with them and ride part of the way home together. Also to Phil who I was in contact with prior to the rally and told me where to meet everyone on Saturday.

I hope that everyone had as a safe and pleasant ride home as I did. With any luck I will be there again next year.

 Thanks again

Brett (Brutusmaximus)

----- Original Message -----

From: Andre Blignaut

To: Hans Knop Bamminger

Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 1:56 PM

Subject: Vmax Odyssey Rally 2009

 Hi Hans / Marlies

 From Linda and I we want to thank you very much for again a VERY well organised Vmax Odyssey Gathering.

 It is the Gathering / Rally that we talk about the most through out the year and can not wait to happen.

 The venue; people and everything around this gathering is making it the best.
Thanking you againg and looking forward for next year's gathering.

----- Original Message -----

From: Lieb Liebenberg

To: Hans Knop

Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 11:57 AM

Subject: Odyssey gathering 

Hi Hans,

  Congratulations with your success with the recent Odyssey gathering. Wish we could be there!!

 Keep up the good work.

 Vmax greetings

 Lieb & Cecile
 NAMIBIA