‘Let’s get out

into the country

side and enjoy some good rides,

Mr. S.P. OkeSMan’S bit...

The odysseian

ODYSSEUS WESTERN CAPE

APRIL 2017

THE ODYSSEIAN: Issue 3

‘Spoke Oke’s Bit: 1

Minutes (Feb 2017)

Upcomings’ Diary:

(Platinum Member)

2/3

4

Account Ant’s Report:

2017 Committee:

5

Letter to the Editor:

The ‘Husband Store’

Report Backs:

Cape Town Cycle

Tour

Buff 2017

Opstal

Herringbone Run:

(28th May)

Brass Monkey 2017:

Word of the Month

(Keith’s Bit)

Interesting fact of

Nature…..

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Inside this issue:

It’s that time of the year again, with Easter

upon us and with all the hussle and bussle that

goes with it, but that is life, and what is life

without a bit of fun.

With the first quarter of the year behind us

and with our extended summer this has

afforded us the opportunity to get out into

the country side and enjoy some good rides,

well organised by our able and willing ride

Coordinators, including “Big Chief” himself.

Besides the normal breakfast runs a group

of our members also attended the Steik Yt

and Buffalo rallies, here a big thanks to

those who attended and helped organize, your efforts helped

making Odysseus visible and vocal !!!

Remember … April’s meeting

is on WEDNESDAY 26th as the

27th is a Public Holiday.

Until we talk again, keep the

tyres on the tar, the throttle

under control and a Blessed

Easter to all.

S.P. Okesman Happy

Easter

Everyone!

The Odysseian Page 2

See next page……...

ODYSSEUS WESTERN CAPE

MINUTES OF THE SOCIAL MEETING Held at Jaggers Bowling Club: 23 March 2017

The meeting opened at: 19:47

Welcome and Visitors:

Robbie D welcomed all to the Meeting, and then welcomed visitors, Rick and Connie from Germany

here visiting The Cowmans’ (Peter’s son).

Apologies:

Thompsetts, Davis’s, Graham Aldis, Keith, Wayne, Therese.

Previous Minutes: (AGM)

Accepted:

Proposed: Pink Bob

Seconded by: Peter Cowman

Previous Minutes: (February Meeting)

Accepted:

Proposed: Peter Hemmings

Seconded by: Robin Neethling

Matters arising from Previous Minutes:

Nil

Correspondence:

Communication received regarding the Cape Town Cycle Tour (to be discussed under ‘Past Events’)

A reminder to all members that emails are our favoured form of communication, if you would prefer

an SMS please let Anne B know.

Financial Reports for End of Current Month:

Rodney read out his report:

Only three members still to pay annual subs, these are country members.

Income: R1251

Expenditure R13,267 (10,000 moved to Investment account) R3105 to Jaggers (yearly payment),

R99 for Website, R70 bank Charges

Investment Account R 61,417

Savings Account R 20,201

Total R 81,618

Expenditure due for Boerie Rolls at the buff.

Excess monies this year will be given back to members in various ways including subsidising events,

lots planned for 2017.

Membership:

110 Members: 1 probationary member: Lorraine West and no rejoining fee will be charged.

Two new members hopefully signing up from Klienmond, Elize Poole and partner.

Platinum badge handed out to Derek Wrankmore.

Birthdays:

Rodney read out his list of birthdays for end March and April. (See page13)

Lucky Draw:

Hans, Jean, Mario.

...2

The Odysseian Page 3

Regalia: Chavonne informed the meeting that she has Ladies golf shirts, Hoodies in Red and Black,

Long sleeved T shirts (Rina Posed for us.) For the men she has Black with red trim short sleeved

shirts in cotton.

Chavonne then presented Devin with his ‘Chief’s’ feathered headdress for being ‘The Chief, Ride

Coordinator’ !!!

The Odysseian:

Anne told the meeting the next edition will be out early April. All contributions welcome.

Ride Coordinator’s Report:

Past Rides and Events:

Kleinmond: Devin gave his report back of Susan’s ride to Kleinmond. Well attended 24 bikes and 38

persons, good value and excellent venue. All agreed.

Buff: Robbie D said the weather was great and the Club was very well supported by our Members,

but sadly we did not receive he ‘ Best Attended Club” Ulysses National won and there will be some

discussion about this as only regional clubs are supposed to be included in this award?

Rina thanked Robbie and Therese once again for all their hard work with set up and transporting

luggage.

Petrol / transport costs still to be finalised for some.

Future Rides:

Sunday, 26 March: Errol’s run to Opstal, Slanghoek. Errol told the members of his planned route.

Emails have gone out with info.

Sunday 9 April: Susan’s ride to Fisherman’s in Kommetjie (Robbie D to lead the ride)

Sunday 30 April: Peter Hemmings’ Ride:

Possible unofficial run on Sunday, 7 May to the Olive Festival in Riebeeck Kasteel. (Robbie D will

organise.)

Watch the Newsletter and emails for details.

Brass Monkey:

Anne sent out first email today and good response with 12 rooms / chalets already booked.

To be held once again at the Riveria Hotel in Veldriff they are looking forward to hosting us again. A

reasonable increase in price since our trip there two years ago, which is only to be expected.

Club to sponsor coach trip on the Saturday. Quiz on Saturday night and Music both nights. Book with

Anne. Deposits due end April, balance end May all monies to be paid to the Clubs bank account.

See full details on Page 11

Charity:

Cape Town Cycle Tour:

Robbie D explained that Peter Hemmings was approached by the organisers to get Odysseus

involved. The pay was R60 per person per hour worked as car park marshals. Monies to go to charity

of our choice.

Due to lack of interest from the Odysseus members we asked the Lions Club to assist us and

between us we raised R12,000. Sadly as we all know the race was cancelled however, the monies

will still be paid.

Robbie D thanked all those who helped.

General :

Nil

The Meeting Closed At: 20:25

MINUTES OF THE SOCIAL MEETING 23 March 2017 CONT:

The Odysseian Page 4

Upcomngs:

diary of events!

Sunday, 9 April: (Susan’s Run: (Robbie D to lead the ride) To Fisherman's in Kommietje

Wednesday, 26th April: (‘cos Thursday 27th is a

Public Holiday) Social: 19:00 at Jaggers Sunday, 30 April (Peter Hemming’s Ride: All details tbc) Watch this Diary: For details of a Restaurant / Dinner evening / Get together / Event during May? Sunday,14 May: (Mother’s Day) Devin’s Run Thursday, 25 May: Social: 19:00 at Jaggers Sunday, 28 May: Herringbone Run organised by Krog and Jean. Bring and Braai at Jaggers afterwards, all welcome. See Page 10 For full details. Brass Monkey 2017: 7/9 July: Riviera Hotel Velddrif: All details on page 11 (Exciting events planned...)

NOTE:

Sunday Run Departure Time: 08:30 for 09:00

from N1 City McDonalds.

N.B. Please remember if

you decide to meet us along the route on a Sunday Run, you MUST please remember to let the ride coordinator know in advance that you are attending, for catering purposes. Please let them know well before they leave McDonalds.

Diarise the dates

now!

Platinum

Member

Derek Wrankmore

receiving his

Platinum Badge

form spokesperson,

Robbie D.

Well done Derek on

reaching another

millstone!

Your

2017

Committee

The Odysseian

Committee Members:

Robbie Doidge Spokesperson 083 455 4702

Rodney Camacho Treasurer / Membership / Statistics 084 951 3336 Wayne Armstrong Secretary 079 875 4082 Chavonne Armstrong: Regalia 084 555 1360

Devin Corney Head Ride Coordinator 083 310 2485

Errol Murtagh Ride Coordinator 078 942 6116 Peter Hemmings Ride Coordinator 082 467 2397 Susan James Ride Coordinator 082 353 7531

Co-opted member:

Anne Bareham: Newsletter Editor / Communication 072 268 1207

Odysseus Committee 2017

Page 5

F ROM THE ‘ a CCOUNT A NT ’ !

NB:

Next Social

Wednesday,

26 April,

19:00 for 19:30

Don’t Miss it….

From the Account Ant. The period of grace for the payment of

subs has come to an end and a last reminder was sent out to

those still outstanding. At the time of this report there were 6

single and 2 families outstanding. Sunday 26th we had a run to

Sandown Blues in Kleinmond, and as announced at the meeting it was a

sponsored run. 34 members had breakfast and 2 guests, who paid full price.

Each member was sponsored an amount of R22.50. Our membership affiliation

to Jaggers has been increased from R35 to R45, and an amount of R3105

needs to be paid to Jaggers. Please keep in mind that as a affiliate of Jaggers

you may book the hall for an occasion at a reduced cost. Our social

responsibility fund is standing at R1460, this being a portion of your subs

allocated to this account. Finances are looking good with a slight increase on

last year’s figure for the same time.

Regards, Rodney Camacho Odysseus Treasurer Cell 084 951 3336 Home: 0215582580

Club’s Banking Details:

Bank: ABSA

Name: Odysseus Western Cape

Account: 9263536308 Savings Acc.

Branch Code: 632005

The Odysseian

The Husband Store!

Page 6

Letter to the Editor

Hi Anne

I got your email address from Steven Kettlety. My friends and I camped with the Odysseus group this past

weekend and I want to express our thanks.

Attached is really just a few words we would like you to publish in your next news letter please.

Best regards.

Attachment:

20 March 2017 Noll To all Odysseus Western Cape members Words can once more not describe the overwhelming kindness and friendly welcome we as non club mem-bers experienced at this year’s Buffalo Rally. From the moment we arrived at the camp site every member went out of their way to make us feel at home and part of the group. Usually we go as friends of Steven and Linn but even though they had other responsibilities and could not be there themselves, we went as friends of the club and was treated as BEST FRIENDS. We thank you all very much and if any of you are ever in George and feel like spending a night on a farm, please do not hesi-tate to contact me. From myself, Kobus, Gert, Veronel, Jaco and Magda may God bless. Antonie Verster

antonieverster@yahoo.co.uk

A store that sells new husbands has opened in Melbourne, and is where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates:

You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are six floors and the value of the products increases as the shopper ascends each flight. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you

cannot go back down except to exit the building! So, a woman went to the Husband Store to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads:

Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs. She is intrigued, but continued to the second floor, where the sign reads:

Floor 2 - These men Have Jobs and Love Children. 'That's nice,' she thinks, 'but I want more.'

So she continued upward. The third floor sign reads: Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Children, and are Extremely Good Looking.

'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going. She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Children, are Drop-dead Good Looking and Help With Housework. 'Oh, mercy me!' she exclaims, 'I can hardly stand it!' Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads:

Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Children, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Ro-mantic Streak.

She is very tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor, where the sign reads: Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor.. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that

women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.

PLEASE NOTE: To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner opened a New Wives Store just across the street.

The first floor has wives that love sex. The second floor has wives that love sex and have money and like beer.

The third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors have never been visited.

The Odysseian

Report Back: Cape Town Cycle Tour (that wasn’t)…...

Page 7

Despite a poor turn out of

volunteers from Odysseus,

those that did participate had

great fun……

We raised +- R11,000 for our

Club and our

Social Responsibility Fund.

The Odysseian Page 8

Buff 2017

This year a contingent of some

35 -40 Odysseus members migrated to Mossel Bay to attend their annual novena, The Buffalo Rally. As in previous years the hype started with a group get together and a kit “drop off” the previous Friday evening at the Doidges. On the Thursday morning Bob, Rob and Paul got to the camp site at sparrows and after securing our spot we unloaded The kit and proceeded to pitch tents (and straightening tent pegs), all 20 of them. It wasn’t long after that before the first Group started arriving, including Hans the orphan who arrived on his bike, that was it, no tent or blankets-thanks Keith your tent came in handy as did our blanket. The rally itself was another successful event with great weather and atmosphere, not many incidents to report except for Martin’s ‘rouge drone’ and it’s attempt to decapitate him! See pic…. Unfortunately this year for the best represented club we were beaten by a NATIONAL organisation, yes Ulysseus did it, after trying last year as well, but good luck to them that they found that is the only way to wrestle the title away. All in all another successful event and a good team building effort, thanks for all those who chipped in to make this all happen. Robbie D

Odysseus

Laarger

Happy

Campers!

Martin

After

‘The Drone

Strike’!

Ouch!

Girl’s (and

Boys),

‘just wanna

have fun’ !!!

Devin’s new

machine…..

Noooooo

Just playing !

The Odysseian Page 9

rePOrt back: errOL’S

RUN TO SLANGHOEK, to

Opstal RESTAURANT

On Sunday, 26 March, we left Mac's shortly after 09:00 am as usual and followed the N1 to Paarl and then over Du Toits kloof pass to the Rawsonville turn off. There we turned right and followed the old N1 to the 2 way stop where we turned left to Slanghoek valley and Opstal Estate and Restaurant. Fortunately it was a beautiful day for biking and there was 28 bikers on 17 bikes, 4 of which were visitors including Peter Cowmans’ son and daughter in law from Germany. The venue was really nice with a picturesque view over vineyards with the Slanghoek mountain range in the background. The breakfast was also really good with no complaints that I am aware of. Some of used the opportunity to stock up with a few bottles of hanepoot to help with the fast approaching winter. One of us even bought a whole case of hanepoot as there was enough room in her husbands top box of his Super Tenere. All in all it was a very enjoyable day and I hope everyone there enjoyed it as much as I did. Thanks a million for supporting the ride. Errol

The Odysseian Page 10

Herringbone Run

Sunday 28 May 2017

Good day fellow Odysseus members.

Krog and myself will be organizing a Herringbone run on Sunday 28 May 2017. I believe a few of the members are familiar with this run, some with fond memories and others with not so fond memories. In this article I will endeavour to explain to some extent how this ride will work and hopefully we will have a white-board at May meeting and Krog will be able to do some more explaining and answer questions. On the day you will receive a list of instructions. The route will be about 180-200km long (we still have to work on that one) and will end at Jaggers Bowling Club where there will be bring and braai afterwards. Over and above the instructions you will receive a map and a list of approx 30 questions. We try to ask a ques-tion as soon as we can after a turn-off in order to assure that you are still on the correct route. Please note: if you get to a town, the object is to get through to the other side, so if you find yourself somewhere in the suburbs going in circles or among farmers, re-check your route map, somewhere you have gone astray. Retract to last question and start again. Also, roads to gated communities, parking areas, farm roads and gravel roads are to be ignored. There will be two categories: solo and pillions (pillions at disadvantage, needs more time to argue). We will gather at our usual starting place from 8.30am onwards and the first entrant will leave at 9am sharp. The route itself will start from the robots turning out of N1 City MacDonalds onto Monte Vista Boulevard. Riders will be leaving at 1 minute intervals. There will be an ideal time allocated to do the ride and penalty points will be given after that (1 point for every 5 minutes late). As the end venue is known, you will receive a telephone number sealed to the back of your question paper. This is to be opened in an emergency only or if you are really really lost. Ideally tanks are to be filled before ride but you are allowed to fill up anywhere on the route, just have to make that time up. You also need some plastic sleeves to put your map in, masking tape and a pen for writing down answers to questions. The object of a herringbone run is to follow the map (that looks like a herringbone) from the start to the end, an-swering questions about landmarks, sign-posts, etc along the way. The map is read by following the “backbone”. In other words, the “backbone” is the road you are on. The “ribs” are roads leading off to the left and right of the road which you are on. The roads to be taken to the left or right are marked with a dot. The rest are counted to determine the next turn off. The circle with number next to the “backbone” marks the points at which you have to look out for answers to questions. Prizes will be allocated to the entrants who did the route in their closest ideal time and also have the most ques-tions answered correctly. As Krog and myself will be at start venue by car, anybody who would like us to take their meat or other goodies straight through to Jaggers are free to do so. Just mark it clearly so that we know who’s is who’s. Salads and rolls will be provided and as usual there will be a cash bar. Those of you who are not able to do the ride are most welcome to join us at Jaggers for the braai and prizegiving afterwards. This is about it in a nutshell. Hope to see plenty of enthusiastic entrants on the day and make it a most enjoyable and memorable experience. Cheers

Jean

The Odysseian Page 11

Itinerary:

Friday, 7th:

Arrival, Welcome Sherry/s (lots,) Check In and meet for Drinks on the Terrace

Grand Buffet Dinner:

19:00 (Menu to be finally decided but including)

Starters: Soup / Seafood / Salads

Mains: Lamb Spit Braai, Roast Chicken, Veg, Rice / Potatoes

Desert Table:

Disco / Dancing until Midnight (or later!)

Saturday, 8

th

Full English Buffet Breakfast 11:00

Surprise Mystery Tour by coach around the coast (Coach and Sherry on board Sponsored by the Club)

12:30 Lunch at surprise venue by the sea: (own cost:)

15:00 Our Traditional Cheese and Wine tasting on board the coach on the way back to the hotel (all to bring cheese

and wine as usual!) 16:30

Time at leisure at our hotel

Saturday Buffet Dinner: 19:00

(Menu to be finally decided but including) Starters:

Traditional West Coast Fare Mains:

Roast Meats, Dish Of The Day, Veg and Rice / Potatoes

Desert Table:

Quiz Night / Music

Sunday, 9th

Full English Buffet Breakfast

Farewells and Depart at Leisure

The Odysseus 2017

Brass Monkey Weekend! Friday, 7 to Sunday, 9 July at the Riviera Hotel

Cost is per couple for: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast for 2 Nights:

Hotel Rooms: Twin Bedroom (en suite) x 3 Rooms left Chalets:

Two bedrooms, (1 double bed, 1 twin beds) with bathroom (4 per-sons) x 1 Chalet left

(All chalets have a double sleeper couch in the lounge area.) Please ask me for details and cost. (Those requiring single supple-ment , chat to Anne re your cost:)

R2620.00

R2280.00

Almost fully Booked….. Don’t miss out.. this will be a great weekend!

Contact Anne today to book.. Email: odysseuswesterncape@gmail.com

The Odysseian

Word of the Month: This month I have chosen a word myself before Anne comes after me with a large stick demanding my input for the Newsletter. I thought that I would choose the word Constitution as in a set of rules governing the operating of any grouping in society, be it an administration or an organisation. Nationally we have this much vaunted Constitution with all its fine ideals and checks and balances while at the head of this sits a metaphorical poisonous bag of pus; a.k.a. the government, which flouts this document with impunity and gets a great many people hot under the collar; for good reason.

The point of the Constitution is to regulate and hold accountable those entrusted with the honest and efficient government of the country, for the good of all people. This government is apparently democratically elected, [I would argue against that but will not do so here as it is a whole other avenue of discussion]. If they do not abide by the Constitution then we may as well not have one, and we the tax paying electorate will have no means

by which to hold an increasingly corrupt administration from doing what it likes, short of a violent revolution – which is the last thing we need.

So what does that have to do with a motorcycle association of venerable and not so venerable members? I know this is a big leap but the principles remain the same. Odysseus has a constitution, mandatory if we want to operate a banking account for example. Therefore it is incumbent on the Handlebar Committee to adhere to the

Club Constitution where decisions are made that are governed by this document. Case in point, last year the HC decided to raise the annual subscription fees unilaterally and in conflict with the Odysseus Constitution. The HC can propose a subscription increase,[in fact it is duty bound to monitor the financial viability of the Club, which is impeccably done by our various Treasurers] but this proposal should have been put forward to the membership for approval prior to the decision being

carried out. I have no objection to the increase, it was very reasonable and overdue anyway but the important thing here is that we need to ensure that we act within the confines of the Constitution at all times. Otherwise why bother with one? This is not to say that the Constitution is cast in concrete, far from it, it may be changed from time to time as long as the procedure for so doing as laid down in the Constitution is followed. Keith Scrooge Reeves

Consultant to Snatch, Grabbit and Clutch.

Page 12

Word of the month

Constitution !

‘So what does that have to do with a

motorcycle association of

venerable and not so venerable members?’

Hey you ...listen up, it’s your

Birthday!

Page 13

Club announcements!

NB:

Next Social

Wednesday,

26 April

19:00 for

19:30

Don’t Miss it….

Disclaimer.

Note: The Editor or

any club member

shall not be held

liable for errors and

/or omissions in any

article and / or

drawing contained in

this newsletter. Furthermore, any view

expressed is not necessarily that of the

Editor, any committee member or

other members of the Club. If

copyright is infringed, it is not

intentional but, is published as a free

service to The Odysseus Motor Cycle

Club (Cape Town) Members and

friends, and is not for profit or gain.

Happy

Birthday To Our

April 2017 Babies!

Best wishes to all the Birthday babes and lots of

good wishes for the

coming year!

We end on THIS interesting fact !

"A I didn't know wolves put the elderwolf pack on the move : The first 3 are the old or sick, they give the direction and pace to the entire pack. If it was the other way round, they would be left behind, losing contact with the pack. In case of an ambush they would be sacrificed;

. then come 5 strong ones, the front line;

. In the center are the rest of the pack members;

. then the 5 strongest following.

. Last is a lone male, the Alpha. He controls everything from the rear. In that position he can see everything, decide the

direction. He sees all of the pack. The pack moves according to the elders' pace and help each other, watch each other. Again I am left speechless by nature ... I knew that wolves are different, but didn't realize how much we could learn from them...

ELDERS of the pack FIRST .... a lot of people on this planet should take note... they are to be seen up front, setting the pace and direction while enjoying the protection of the rest... and not invisible at the back of the line. "

Unknown Author Cesare Brai's photo.

MARIETJIE RUSTER 11 Apr

JOHANN NIEUWOUDT 14 Apr

TONY ADDISON 18 Apr

ANTONY SEARLE 18 Apr

BRIAN EAGLE 19 Apr

JOHN BETHELL 21 Apr

ANNETTE CAMACHO 29 Apr