| |
This page was last Updated
Saturday, 27 February 2016 16:21









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 “4th
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 20th 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 77th
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 |
|
L

1st PRIZE R 1500 CASH:

MIKE BRAMLEY


OVERALL WINNER

Michael Wood.
he won by a large margin
...........finished the 2 glasses in record time whilst the other competitors
were still trying to finish the 1st one..........! ! ! ! !


|

SEA-VIEW at the BUSH TAVERN - UMDLOTI
with Kite-Surfers up-front and Ships anchored at the horizon |
At the BUSH TAVERN - UMDLOTI...........our
final destination of the Scenic Ride |

Judges Concourse d' Elegance scrutinizing
the Maxes |

A part of the crowd awaiting the Price Giving........ |
 |
 |
 |
 |
LtoR. Michael,
Caro, Bronwyn & Neil Wood |
LtoR. Wayne Theron
& Lance Joseph |
Hans & Marlies enjoying the sea-breeze. |
The photographer being caught in the
act |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Damien Wood - Hans & Marlies Knop |
Michael Wood at Krantzkloof Gorge |
Krantzkloof Gorge |
Andre & Linda
at Krantzkloof Gorge |
 |
 |
 |
 |
LtoR
Roger Wilson, Rob Nicholas & Hans
Knop Krantzkloof Gorge |
LtoR
Roger Wilson, Rob Nicholas ,
Michael Wood, Cora Heard & Roger Wilson |
LtoR
Mike & Jim Bramley, Wally Heales |
Linda Blignaut |
 |
 |
 |
 |
our Prettiest Members are in the Pic
and the not so beautiful Rugby Addicts are hiding behind their TV
Screens |
The Wood family |
Scenic Ride briefing |
Andre says: I shower once a week only
but wash my Max every day |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Dawn at Koinonia |
Our Concourse Winner up front |
The Wood's bikes have arrived |
THE Bramley bros Maxes on show. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Not one Max looks the same |
Jim's naughty Rear-End |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Mike has manufactured
the bracket for his luggage rack himself |
and this Bracket is Jim's
artwork. He also had the pillion seat widened to give Jenny a more
comfortable ride |
Jim Bramley won the Belly Pan in the
Lucky Draw and sold it straight away to Brett Nicholas |
Mike's naughty Canadian Police stickers |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Mike and his mistress |
Parking for Vmaxes only |
Hans proudly unveiling the new Banner |
Entrance to the venue |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Keep an eye on your oil pressure, it
could prevent damaging your crankshaft bearings |
CAMPFIRE logs ready for the evening |
Mike Wood
entertaining us with his Balancing Act |

|

|
 |
 |
LtoR.
Neil Wood, Jim and Mike Bramley |
Watering-Hole wall |
Just talking Vmaxes |
Beer drinking
Competition.
LtoR.
Michael Wood,
Andre Blignaut & Brett Nicholas |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Hans congratulating
Michael Wood, the winner of the Beer drinking competition |
LtoR...Michael
Wood, Linda Blignaut, Eleze & Arrie Venter |
Enjoying breakfast |
 |
 |
 |
ROGER & JANENE WILSON
They have Participated in all our 4
Gatherings
and always brought a lot of
their Buddies of the Wheels Club with them as well .....! ! ! !
|
Hans testing the Ice-cream at the Braai |
Wally Heales |
 |
 |
 |
Show me your rear-end |
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST
a few close-up-pix ....
We apologize to all the other beautiful people who's pix are missing.
SORRY GUYS/GALS you were not there when our photographer took
the pix. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Wayne Theron |
Roger Wilson |
Skip Scheepers |
Rob Nicholas |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Linda Stumpke |
Andre Blignaut |
Stan York |
Bret Nicholas |
 |
|
Participated in previous Gatherings |
DOK DOKTER - Pietersburg
|
06/08/ |
BILLY WILLEMSE -
Pietersburg |
06/08/ |
HANS KNOP - Durban |
06/07/08 |
MARLIES KNOP-
Durban |
06/07/08 |
MICHAEL WOOD - PTA |
06/07 |
CARO HEARD - PTA |
07 |
DAMIEN WOOD - PTA |
|
BRONWYN WOOD - PTA |
|
NEIL WOOD - PTA |
06/07 |
CAREL VAN NIEKERK -
Boksburg |
|
LORRAINE PAGE - Boksburg |
|
MARIUS VAN NIEKERK -
Boksburg |
|
PHILL ROOS - Krugersdorp |
|
NEREZE FOURIE -
Rustenburg |
|
MIKE BRAMLEY - JHB |
06/07/ |
JIM BRAMLEY - JHB |
06/07/ |
BRETT NICHOLAS -
Middelburg |
|
ARRIE VENTER - Meyerton |
07/08 |
ELIZE VENTER - Meyerton |
07/08 |
FRANCOIS CAMPHER -
Vanderbijlpark |
06/07/08 |
SKIP SCHEEPERS -
Krugersdorp |
06/07/08 |
STAN YORK -
Vanderbijlpark |
07/08 |
ROGER WILSON - Margate |
06/07/08 |
JANENE WILSON - Margate |
06/07/08 |
WALLY HAELES - Margate |
06/07/08 |
LYNN HEALES - Margate |
07/08 |
WAYNE THERON - Ramsgate |
08/ |
ROB NICHOLAS - Margate |
|
ANDRE BLIGNAUT -
Roodepoort |
07/08 |
LINDA STUMKE - Roodepoort |
08/ |
JJ van ZYL - Atlasville |
06/07/ |
|
Kindly forward any complaints in respect of
spelling and grammar mistakes to Mr B. Gates
.
Web Design -
INGLOMARC.
Copyright © 2005. Awol.
All rights reserved.
Vmax Club. Vmax Owners Group.
V Max World.
V Max Gallery. V Max Odyssey Rally. V Max road tests. V Max
Opinions. V Max
Technical
Tips. V Max Prototype. Yamaha Vmax Motorcycle.
The "Vmax Owners Group South Africa" . Motorbikes. Motorcycles.
Technical tips. Tyres. Petrol. Carburetors . Power Cruisers. Harley Davidson.
Battery. Sparkplugs. V4 engines. Hotrod motorcycles. New Vmax. 2009 Vmax.
0463
|