Impendle Technical

So no-one wanted to join me on this ride, so I decided to do it this morning, by myself.

I first saw this track about a month ago when we were setting up routes for the Alfie Cox festival, but we didn't get to go down the track as it looked like it could be a bit too hectic. So we decided to leave it for the time being and maybe rather try do it from the bottom to the top, as that way if we came across anything too rough we could always turn around and go back down.

Anyway I decided to risk doing it from the top, mainly because I wasn't too sure where it came out at the bottom.

Looking down into the valley:



You can see the track along the side of the mountain that I had to follow



The start of the descent:





There was nothing too hectic, just lots and lots of rocks:











This rocky section was not too bad, just long and tiring. Had to stop quite a few times to let the XR cool down, it doesn't really like spending extended periods in 1st gear. Probably time for me to get a fan fitted.

There were no big drops or anything, but I am glad I did the down ride, wouldn't like to ride up this track.

Some nice views of the river below



Then the rocks were gone and the terrain levelled out, what a pleasure to get a bit of wind on my face after spending the last hour in first gear.





But then I got to this section where trees were lying across the track. Going back up the path to the top was not an option, so I tried braking whatever branches off that I could, the rest I managed to ride over.





Got over them ok, but then at the bottom of the little hill I came to this:



As I said, going all the way back was not an option, so with the help of some logs lying nearby, together with some rocks that I put at the back of the pipe, I made this obstacle a bit more rideable



Twisted the throttle and I got over no problem.

Nice 2 track riding after this, no more rocks to worry about.

My only concern at this stage was where I was going to cross the Umkomaas River, as we have had quite a lot of rain and it looked very full







Then as I got close to the river I spotted a logical place to cross  :biggrin:



Someone had built this bridge in the middle of nowhere which was just perfect



After that the path became wider, then got onto a road and soon joined up with the Impendle - Himeville road.

Was a great morning out in the country, very glad made the effort to do this route, well worth the trouble.

Got back to Hilton just before 13h00, in time for lunch.

Any dogs wanna join me next time?

Well done Jon - that temporary bridge is going to be replaced with a new one in 2 months time and track you rode will be constructed in 2014 so best we make the most of it know.

Very nice place!!!Nice ride report :thumleft:

I will do a bit of practising and with the 650 I might just make it.

Hi Jon

Looks like a great ride ..................... KZN rocks with all the choices

Regards

Looks like a great ride,I could kick myself for not commiting to Sat.Will try to make next ride...please

Very nice RR indeed :thumleft: :thumleft:

Thanks for sharing it with us

This is what adventure riding is all about!  :thumleft:  :thumleft:

Jon, I'm at a bit of a loss to work out your route here. Did you drop off the P127 or the D14? Do you have a track or a map drawing to show us? Strangley enough I was in the same area trying to work out where we had the WFO Elandskop enduro in the mid 80's. It was in a deep valley that Mike Egan cooked the brakes on his ranchero going down into. It must be on the Umkommaas side but I din't find it. By the way, on exploratory trips I used to carry something called a Sierra saw for just such a thing as the tree you found. Ian

nice one jon.
beautiful scenery.

Thanks for the positive comments guys, KZN has so many awesome places to ride we are really spoiled.

If anyone wants to do this route with me sometime just give me a shout.

Would be nice to combine it with the Impendle Nature Reserve route that was used at the Alfie Cox weekend this year.

Here is a Google Earth shot of the track I rode

WOW. That is a lekker route Jon....... Nice find. :thumleft:

Glad all was well and well done.

Thanks for the great pics as usual. :thumleft:

Awesome Jon Rocks first gear overheating trees pipes and home made bridges  all in one morning  glad you back safe great ride and great pics .

Glad i was away dont fancy riding there on the big bike.

Cheers

Had a good laugh at the "logical place to cross the river"! :imaposer:, yes you Banana ramas have a beautiful province and great riding. Thanks for showing us.

Nice one, next time I am in

Great one Jonw - looks like riding heaven.  :ricky:  :thumleft:

JonW said:

Had to stop quite a few times to let the XR cool down, it doesn't really like spending extended periods in 1st gear. Probably time for me to get a fan fitted.

Click to expand...

The standard Zaar doesn't like the slow stuff. Runner fitted a fan kit for me and I never had any worries since. A highly recommended farkle.  :thumleft:

Found you now Jon, much further north than I expected. After the Amashova this weekend I think I am free until the 2nd & 3rd weekend of November. I've attached your route as .GPX file to help people place it. How would the other bit go? Ian

Nice one   :thumleft:

Having the right bike, opportunity everywhere hey!

BTW, if you get the fan, I have a CAD file for the bracket required that you can take to a machining shop...paid about R70.00 to have it cut and bent.

You can see it in this pic

Nice ride - just finished some work at Stepmore for a water scheme.

Let us know via Planning a Ride when you go again.

Thanks for sharing. Brave man doing all that solo!!!