The Wasp
Race Dog
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2009
- Messages
- 669
- Reaction score
- 0
- Bike
- Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer
Me and my dear pillion left for SANI very early on 29 May 09. Was freezing past Harrismith and computer registered minus six! I now know that heated grips doesn’t really work at that temps. That’s what WIMPY Mega coffee is for. Remove the gloves and heat your hands around that...not while you’re driving. We arrived safe at Karmichael Guest house just outside Himville on a farm 1.6km from SANI turnoff. Fantastic place to stay!https://www.karmichaelfarm.co.za/
I did the tyre pressure thing and went up solo. Absolutely fantastic but did realise the GS8 is rather heavy when the rubber-side is up and the gravel moves under your feet.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat just not alone... or maybe. Will rather join other Wild Dogs when they go up. More fun if you’re not the only one that gets a drop, and there is help at hand when it happens to you.
What did I learn from my experience? Two things.
Momentum is everything but it is not always your choice. I had to stop more than once for ascending traffic to go pas and one of those 4X4 taxis was all over the road. He did smile and apologise. That is where I had two drops. As a kortgat getting away again is tough when the loose rock give way under the tyres. Having said that they know how to handle their specially imported 4X4 taxis full of people that actually sleeps whilst on SANI. Yep, true story I saw it.
Secondly I learned that to fall is not the end of it. Yes I swear, and then I panic and then I pray and then I’m up again and then I smile. Wonder if somebody can make me training wheels...
I did experience loneliness like never before, but it was something that enhances spiritual growth, as any wild-dog knows.
Two things you should never ever do SANI without is crash bars and hand protectors. Thank you Peter and thank you Kurt!
The last 1-km of SANI is bad. A tour operator said he never saw SANI in this state, ever. I won’t know if it is true since it’s my first time.
This was training for me. I was not good, I did fall, lots, but I learned a lot. Next time my technique will be a bit better.
I did the tyre pressure thing and went up solo. Absolutely fantastic but did realise the GS8 is rather heavy when the rubber-side is up and the gravel moves under your feet.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat just not alone... or maybe. Will rather join other Wild Dogs when they go up. More fun if you’re not the only one that gets a drop, and there is help at hand when it happens to you.
What did I learn from my experience? Two things.
Momentum is everything but it is not always your choice. I had to stop more than once for ascending traffic to go pas and one of those 4X4 taxis was all over the road. He did smile and apologise. That is where I had two drops. As a kortgat getting away again is tough when the loose rock give way under the tyres. Having said that they know how to handle their specially imported 4X4 taxis full of people that actually sleeps whilst on SANI. Yep, true story I saw it.
Secondly I learned that to fall is not the end of it. Yes I swear, and then I panic and then I pray and then I’m up again and then I smile. Wonder if somebody can make me training wheels...
I did experience loneliness like never before, but it was something that enhances spiritual growth, as any wild-dog knows.
Two things you should never ever do SANI without is crash bars and hand protectors. Thank you Peter and thank you Kurt!
The last 1-km of SANI is bad. A tour operator said he never saw SANI in this state, ever. I won’t know if it is true since it’s my first time.
This was training for me. I was not good, I did fall, lots, but I learned a lot. Next time my technique will be a bit better.
