Hi all
RR #001 - A short hope to the southern drakensberg
---- There ----->
I was invited to a friends 3-day 30th party down in Underberg, this was 2 days after I had taken delivery of my new 800, so was a perfect excuse to take the alternative routes
unfortunately due to the cost of the bike and the fact i had only had 2 days before the ride... i had to take what i could get, so my faithful black plastic bag was the waterproofing for my bag and a cargo net with backpack was my topbox
many layers of clothes kept me warm and dry
Unfortunately I hadn't quite got the hang of my new gps yet and it was loaded with tracks for africa but not the default southern african streetmaps... that left me to wander the backstreets of joburg for 2 hours in traffic.
I eventually did get underway and decided to make up as much distance as i could before nightfall... so the n3 was it (i know, i know... dont say anything)
i did get a fantastic sunset though
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kSQ2g3tJ0_rQX7kx2uoPaVjkEuViKimf6OOjWkjF10Fu2TUCtkc6PstjyWufpIgBoHi6UO18YIO9SqLKhtPPxEwNjbXz6nGivg6VToC3bTtCQxoDszNMSKbLX1nPhiXMWNTD2R1VvxZFFIy8dlGPsxObVdrw6f5BiPhAK7Ajc-cVrUo9eAPHEZReXEWDaSO_epLJmDW99H2N5EByDagxupUZEow7GzCDPDhEGOAyyM1AgfCZ9lkqeCpITwjcESISe3D-nZ1K31V-NrOil0CH6fkJbhTIQsY5qgTSLrGeCJT7NQESdGHec7VAmCZko9wjhLr2D2Igf_DAFEPjmpfRLTiNK_JNJZqPdOkVcUhxJahSVm4vVHJvDhunEcfyT4tK-Xfk8ZJ_RhrpzWd07iOkPmWwwQCtu3_pUwRhdfD7eRS_mTz15KxShV993DhR9Q6cPZyHAFlKiKBfY-xW35xgz_0wSnJTop29vszsWwN3Y1ZaW-TysEvef9PlUmeCDnmQCMzlrUUXPvgCnNg7jV6Nnvv7KG1u4L6acsZd5Ajx4iga2iLz2GGeNQHYu4AUHXSVgJp2=w800-h600-no">
I was pretty tired at this stage (and as i didnt have a touring screen... i also couldnt feel my neck anymore... hopefully thats just some getting used to) and hadn't made plans, so after consulting my gps for local places to go and finding they were full, the Harrismith Inn motel was it....
If you are traveling with a partner and 2 kids... well worth the price of the room... if you are on your own.... not
I did sleep well tho, and woke up early to continue.... this time... no more n3, in fact, no more highway till the very end of the trip back in jhb, instead I took the R74, past Sterkfontein Dam
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B2x5rgqaE2H437ewQpbXtX-4NkPoaQ1s7VkGQQyOAG9CzHVuHnJt0Q86ccMUEf46Rkpt-pVIRaqRKM6s7RlZZ4y3sJ-rB-rjQe-nPjF7eynNld4zwWs-UlRguWs0rNhvsuxgagiusmBHwXY8f-LLHpy6VKkTsB5zhZJKG0G3CFB-drzai9coWCQbDwDUoPEcxswpNePHcFHg5lS_oAeDKYeGSK9JsvAo5mWH2DqxhS755XhhWXGRYdm6a2x8_POfRlSjidQBGV986UYCRuli_SRQ-eg6mZW79cCIrZZuHTq8ig8OOtKjIxRYUXLnI06nMbTYw_H2NXlMmXQpq8oJVNzFhK6CNHBJTnoN7OrwXIYf0XKNvC4tCpoRnQ0K-h45S-PC4rdoBTDd-EPLazlzj_I0HDBTr1RzitgcUyAGIRL4IT_KdtwguFObaRV93jLne3RcRXmBNlLFpI6yBQCU8WmRtdF5uXSxuaVG4nyqN3y6DBY7DnXLj3Q9ROx8rKFY6APTbJQhCCpBBaCI1Fy7pJC5kiZhBUBtlmRyRVw51dQAhzmuNqXHPP6EO1UYF9eYxZ7c=w800-h600-no">
through Little Switzerland, hit a nasty pothole...
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qH1SKTQrL9PIwdVs7cNs9bad_rNh7TyQtXcULrMnQIwUYwUGVuD_VXRb3jA1pxPM7uCk24AvYU7EMib9oA4TEdePo95T-8JwT1kXNz_o35f3Jf9nvMhTYouJUH51rg538eWRZ5kp8aMDt9-kvhyOn42CANd_Xkjap-YySegdn0WLERVyfCkLhVVp6McFOPSwTT9l8UXCjqOsOgJS3ozAjUZy33LUmi5aP4aOgU-XKDfgeml-BzWouNbsWsZm4al0ZHh0noixh3yFtV2jK-oHGAA4VfOTd3fKJjlTcuw8prbwMw_lOldPZS962hjVlEbzzVOaRNfM656AddwskXTITXDdjQyGTpMj7f55f6kOBH0YE634vymaLeOOTSn4hsOWa-ifw1SbKQirIHMSPKu6wi_MT2RbLPnRLzrlYcAdckiXbkcI2XpVqe-RDujlrMvXqzZTEgxlYBiSx0V8E2mJ4Wp04fDoYRQI2BFJ9IenU_-wOjqBdGIGJbnh2bI_1cfh8gVrEYI9q0qB-7FX14bEKng-WQTbaegmrmyQLMZ_MgSnkGDaBm6FKqhHyq4h79i7D4_D=w800-h600-no">
and just kinda bounced off, refueled at Bergville, then stayed on R74 through Winterton, turned onto the R103 to Estcourt, Mooi River, Rosetta, Nottingham Road (beautiful area, with very twisty roads)
It was after this my gps decided to teach me something new... gravel
the shortest route to Himeville from here is the p27-3...which is tar, that becomes the p27-2... which isnt
and yes, im aware... its an adventure bike, this is where it belongs, etc.... but fact of the matter is, i had never ridden off tar, was alone in an area with no signal and no-one but myself knew my route, had i fallen and hurt myself.... lets just skip that part...
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WCLdu9WR3UDrRL2Ov8wBhJyiJr6L2q_imQot2wIaniPaTaAcCxdfxtbOWRjbPhNkKIVYPkGekzyiMtJuYctOyAIrdaSTgiXuaJ-G2Njg0hg66sDHuGddN-l56rR1LIbyVX_U5sVNz3XiZeNVrQRdAKCxZW6YJ440x1To_0OjVGg1AycJmhSelwqmwV2piKMCDAIDUiGE3UPabCrMY18QpNodIMw0D20_kPBwcROVV63EwpUOdcVv2z3AM6seK8_g8DVJ5ywjTkEbGkgL0obB1Z_9TQ9Bc_hMHePrI1tx5g_336K59Bn5JzFCNeF9JxJ7PIyzjk3xXcjf15T-5a81GjqL7NzWruupXJm8Wt8GROltP5doKEjeWY4WrMvFHK3HhiUqjq6nXKQqq4Qsm49MLrenBxdY3NGiczgqsHp1mkGcfd5QUqo3irIAysrxy9F0FYfARlUfMHRdLGWAiKD0QPP0Nf01aCf1EGoC9noNFgxNUj0B0b11Dm4CBYuoWPlITmyERD6tYgkkRrIzxWWQ5VTY0I6QWkscmUlm9xV0F41dKBjsJ-OcW_351mnFax25f7I2=w800-h600-no">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/agkCzaKtxrr-swwL7SzCxV6ArWQpS8xrnUXgC1XonDvZsloTBU07mjuMzjQDjOIzFMbxXxIrwvjBpd4nEcggKFwD8LBWn8QIUsBZoMNq8w6bTaKAXaWJLpsr1IZO14JXfju2xyF7LnoeFrnNf-uT4_Fkh6v67i0tndeKeWh4YKm9ju0bIzrTEOuDLkz0jA7XmCZLyl2nKChlwphtMSuRz1baueuzOsfcN6nrGi2WJwCd9ioZhdoxqJnG9gWJNCbxnOKHpaHxXXCjB3jw1Q_iSFz8yeMqHmZFWbay9nO_MC5gZFX1LQkLqvYWvBA7jmo1W1dKbC39AfuvsxVso0ZBsKQbo7V4yr1GWRWtNb2ydl0F0mdta7r6jY0zePEPua-VGUAJKNlABKUxPXTv3bY1QQeOFY4cIwYUI8x30zxBv67H28eM2gXcgBuBDegEYvDiDa6hJJDfXgPaNeT77LamWx03jB0FkSqDPCDAktsrOh0_eUuQzcJRGPgXUan1YlDBkvmeQNLx3428QVxOPr7eCBhatgl5-kO4HbABicVpPrwpSWb9C1vsMvUP6TkC7EcNYS8f=w800-h600-no">
it was invigorating, the views were amazing, i stopped here and heard the birds and insects down by the river more vividly than i'd ever heard birds before
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/coQNABpfjE6P6vrL0TQjPqs13LWkeCuDB03Sp38wtiiZ55jjnrJcQCZ-UAaIochrIY7Jf_AY-SbPL9_9FyLQQvkGpOvX0JvqyJmGRETiTSZWpOnnuTFTe6qEIR8yWj5INVfHiAQfO5eZ5p1CbrAr6sLVeaaYq2ILpRmPNwwcmBoEEYs8IXZ2GWMfnhIYcbs__hSLGVggmn8jP7b06xhzjKE6hDHsdZbk_a4VG3qsFVKvkzBFavv98XSWrEcM9fwC58d1t3K0kBm1pT9yU5XDzygaZBqCwU3TQgpa_0Nn3ryBDJ_2-DUbQeESn4x4YjvIAwBUb7VIIOApZ6ikgaAB_42pkZSe1mQiEll_rZY0TUQaL4hBOK2X32ahxnxYpE0ufqThDzKfjHKwjjJ5p_A8IhRTyIXUZEzItANodwEne-q5PKw0a6QGuexdl39DnZ59OsdVncPfM2XZswMiwD7BHnuNRUbMAbbZf0_6ReyBPLK0lwO_sz2JkaIQ2UZVXdLauAsTuJkz-W7vRjWaPSnGV3Khkh9Nagx-MVX1lFCnPlLuCmOz1U04v_ZJr3Pv5ui6eNVh=w800-h600-no">
the gravel turned out to be fairly easy... just different.
Its scary for noobs tho, back tends to slip around on the loose gravel which is not something you are used to but, with time, it gets there.
I came in through the back of Himeville and from there it was an easy enough ride to Underberg.
-----
Then of course there was the 2 days or so of drinking, lazing in rivers, horses, hiking etc.... what the drakensberg is all about....
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y53Kb6yBgaey4WTnbYY0tekmqVPYt2ypLMlB9r8ebCDeO9leCD_6vBVqxmQAJXGGKsB2jCXJNsTrUbOuQbSNzU20PtImZod1HCXCTpTUjpM9s5GLPds08_caORBxwPdGNNH-EVlQtmQJzX1N8ZEjAfSsCsjq-fXHmbB6Pquwm1F-qSajBlekd2NSPuyZkVh486RjToD-KT_dmOm8XQj9k9gsPVTGOeowGeMR_22zBAUPafhAFHY4-eTTu6mYrLO2graVwhND2dmbayJ_c0VcOxsHa1rgttOL5_MuZ0t5PD5Ly58QdH_TNtYUmMLTQEyHHqOeF5gZPW6ejCqKsPphlqX18BTA6ZXULsYNIFwRF9SAFkyTRJbEtOV4JX9Z4F-uZRhDesf7AbBCOjYxNan437M7ULaVumWSC2xkdvrNGfla7zZw_DiQDcLJqlmaq7pMNAwfPvHMldQrUPpADi7rJfLoiur1xKvd9qyt4UUEkhgVCgCJotmTKLfdPJ8vBuMrRESyXa1bPZxLF2cMymM4DiRIXyydDQ-08NcIrmJuhq340Sia7lbJqywT0KzL23JyUDCo=w800-h600-no">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yHjuez0nKAmxGo7GUsGMyGJacZoDfUo85g7I0ov7jRg3RJbj9bpS6SUlY13V0aJ3PjuEg-tA5aErXYKICjQ0JtnQt3zsB-w3OC2lIZI8yOaA4Ib96A0qbUULVgTPmcu_p1p4yAlU3X-DZZIwSla_XWFSoEnt5mKS18RE0-eFxvENMDN1mRLF1EZCQCdz2jHp8ng1UlqYKESluqA-fBziTblo1yE2lOMGFSw3Eyn7UwaZBqh4YXCQ2rnlvi2lcTg6w6kaULrGue-CAwTFTFltF9BSROd76Q8HNzrNRSTxa_J4_GPs-aBzAFT6_dLpMQ06-JjHas8c0gXwmpPFQJreWoq8_2e-PfjU2LAqHeH_jgSUHWUskYepBAf46n_yb2NrWLDUzaaraF2c3br71H4HcRefa4aao9fbxTuTZYcf-7CnUJFUgffDZGR_gtjQJiekJiQaAi7Dw0uaPfAI5ahQOYqO-nrBJz3Qj4URa3TgajCYmr650JpfHpg4d3wGoVOb4WZ2CE4z227874Q7Z_bucr2D0dP9naL0KmYCvK9achSk8pvhZq7NaEdKmnR-dDCEhY-y=w800-h600-no">
and then i had to go back
---- Back ----->
I went back a slightly different route...
Headed the main route toward Howick, did around 60km through thick fog before turning left
this was a newly tarred road, as in... so new it wasnt properly dry or painted... i longed for the stability of the dirt by comparison, I soon got that wish and was driving past very pretty mountain villages and lakes, came out the other side of Nottingham Road and followed my original tracks past Mooi River, Estcourt, Winterton, Little Switzerland,
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YSNdurWOz5NKHNP5i_M1f0oR7EgbUNRUpEISxQzUFC1w3WfXVON_sgDAjlHccxoMcQKWDUaxQDMZo_M4QUG04fTmU02ofVJ3n-5NhCUq-XNA_vVNok5EjGm0UsbhPFZMOw7BCf8I7Ut9cAkdQEQCzVhFIkjD4y-VIr8emq1zWanF-KltJqFLu7P7AE0xPoeQaHYMcd8lRAcn45ClRuotJtMxW8Jjqn4ig5o8pME88K0dCkjzbsgIwIyuMrSJtgyxtBjZn5uKhKOlVtjrdl2O8z8nh_U1B17wrQuFS26CSk09A46HMNzg-4zdH9hHG5DWMjY28AQdOB5iLIgYkY1e5v8ZJCT1x4T6_OY2asx1SG20Oqte3TOuBbp5fPvc0wGWl7QrP9VLZFtuhqiGHgGMh7X9LFb2-753EhcFO7cdrvs-TZ5UYtGwgtZaimnDux_II6Es0iQ3e7JIOt9McHGsSfsRsb613O5xFJs6bsYDuTaRx1xWqGl6MjvmmKa-Ksa4zpdDscedgxJbQa2T4bCMxwNRcOTwOG4b7KfrCwYXir-nf7wGFC3GYhJoC4o3yZYIC205=w800-h600-no">
then en route to Clarens, went through the Golden Gate Park, where i decided to have a little photo shoot.. sorry, bear with me, but it is a pretty area and i am quite fond of the bike
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/94Od9dkUPKDtZ1eKLHh2ciE_zuKs7QfpuostApKLmTDwmZawkgAcSK86vjR7DBeLWZuI1QhtgADzGAOYOzndAbkgjaExGMfdEJB4wfxpioC1NHhy-Zh3JecyOLU4518x-BocyuRUF-MQU-sdbNPSxsr1SJIEFK5ngmsB5T2mn4FsI7WqLap_vWFVamOgWS5bkTsEAKdUTU6OSCLj8aMGzgX6Tche_la0SinCPyV4WkumTEyIB_DDUgsEpUIeOy7qQcEfu22z3cGBvoNs3oQ10tfLccugKDC7YpfzdgNHnYsInXPE2L4oWJml9wtmJBlg_cw_uqfrGY4PSuyrZRP9HF-L4LcE87oKCqN_dRR8zhsh0YEFfe-XY9k-ryiMwosiGvkahHmlCTCCIV7GxCDLyTyNnYVOGetQ5K2pcP223FJ9wOdgEesKkm6eoCKCexTpLT4NDdo3f7QYuzM89jLBNyPg6ZsPA1xYq8QYTjs4Oo_Q86SueUeKf3JfOG4wFtFR_o-zYyvx82vF3tFHGITGuUEPdUhsyBPaZFVT1nbyqseyezrAsWWqmRlMHl30JrCKaf4Y=w800-h600-no">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B_Cn-AhvvIoHZiGwvXR0hie4p1SXXQ2xfWZO34tukzWW9TClmhQ52pFD5QpJ12M441Rjw_skx_rZvC52dF1R0CA6bTWYjF0bgb9v8k74WKq0OXfRKptJgKq4AT52vkq1IDfPris0kjlPJfA6NLUgLNPyzwd1Ld9C-vKHwprbDVKZ7LWoxMRywvj-oxdAMOsW4xZNv1nHL42z8vopU56vKne44mF2Vlaal_bJ7OGFH76pKcjTWtdA80wG2h3QaQl7utGIbRhgUD01XoOnfy8cAaf6QUZWS5TCWjbtIDOvGRaZ1R_gIjVXXer9y2ylJh4D1SFVsGXBH8kNmP1IV3rl_kxlWP-DId-bfZy2eQGxsaCfYFEBQuSJrFdffDGmylDvUDwg7uNeCh1gpPFNBBEsh2-nhkTxJcl2hw_NsY2RA6aKniusQK1rQwrBHi3ENAk6--3xGIMfyrEpBohTBvjSglxjt5GGr2gZv7kJ21j7_I6OS9fo2fRJanbCBqmnS9Obqm8nHl7QEXOeG7JgRFuJWKTMDIIOFgDkigaaKIzymGx74JvpK6wOcqsBx6BRqBJyqp8r=w800-h600-no">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Dndku87IiUr6E3lDGKhUV4DYE-X00Zu1UU-40Kcya-L7uGMJ3jG8pksNXa3NRY-uh31bxVYorV-SMQisMaHaENuPuotpJtPsQOSpaHZkqMFNPTSabKjNcmUcZ2o05TaS8IqLO35Ttl0WtP5gI16oowrzGhsCjFdxpGOo0zzg_IVo3KAKXd2dlmkUTwz4my4eXQBCHSD54KfTVXHCT1BdKZ2IY2JdzQ9yLsMJbviiqoiHu8f3HzAKXXvbtM6Cc8mrXaQijw2kf8YrBXaJqfkap7x8PT40jKFHXmoV7h7RyZf0ejhvs-Cp34FUACAltbRl-JpIwoR1IyLdppnDPayNRaOTjqaIU4ABNkC2vCPxxWDp6coqXxEAq-tF1VAW8wWAyBfxjgQvVOArXvX6WT0IpmClvQIpfjZJQWlxdpvNlqCwSy214HbdO4tQlWnJbKqXvKEHYmbEaDRUS_wwIud7HwA7hH_Iir3KWKEZh8FjN6zSAHrhQRy0BFSStcLS2VYX3J-uf3Bxd5tAztHuKJQUCQSIruz-MfxQ_sZIajeNvi_8UlaUj0JrVIERTacb7MLn3Cut=w600-h800-no">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lFPoYqNQ02GMRt8cjKIj-LP3EsA07bWhtt8uuo-9r-rI4AniXTwi_7OXI0qUozwdrW-PT7sETauwi-jwE-mgE_hRaaV5zqXrwXWHqOmVOzXwknIqMf-VcWTAM2p-EFjurr2FzwjQh8ohHOecGUOkZp2lH7aryL3mY9caob83ONxL8fbL8QY2s18xFLHgUTb_ObvH6Y5qHom9AOIvd_YhQ6wtMzKupvkO9nozFNIKY01W0K-tno-xgy1RlnBS-JCezRsOjLmjRtzqGTna7VFRtrswl1l0we9j6Qe_AcfrWuCHUwZJ-IZ9Rg_RX2rdwxk8PWJuOlWNJrw3WjgELcrkR8SMTaj3F7NdjmuqkdaMg7afP6Df2bzsxnOjBCdTQtobpyCDuFO6yriDXiLNZ39oaaPpFYk6PizPjGD8Ey17ZbK7PrJhGcPi93Ug1ZbYlPqsMPxOeLTd-SUZJ1Z0xLyVtm1STZKICsqpygNOK1EZ1MX9NKnoLxGriFVgvmJF42nulSoyxTAPArK6K8BL9zvTuXsUcMhLnVTj6e_W1eWUQLsilBCshVS1aWT0Hbd1XCxzHdlF=w1263-h947-no">
refueled at Clarens (383km on a 16l tank... not too shabby, although it was a bit disconcerting seeing 16.88l actually going into the tank)
from there, up toward Oranjeville, Deneysville and finally into joburg where the weather turned sour and blitzed hailstones all over me...
was quite an interested day weatherwise (thick mountain fog in kzn, lows of 16, highs of 33, very strong crosswinds in fs, finishing off with the lightning and hail in gp)
and after the 1700km I had now put on the clock, decided i better check in for the run-in check
RR #001 - A short hope to the southern drakensberg
---- There ----->
I was invited to a friends 3-day 30th party down in Underberg, this was 2 days after I had taken delivery of my new 800, so was a perfect excuse to take the alternative routes
unfortunately due to the cost of the bike and the fact i had only had 2 days before the ride... i had to take what i could get, so my faithful black plastic bag was the waterproofing for my bag and a cargo net with backpack was my topbox
many layers of clothes kept me warm and dry
Unfortunately I hadn't quite got the hang of my new gps yet and it was loaded with tracks for africa but not the default southern african streetmaps... that left me to wander the backstreets of joburg for 2 hours in traffic.
I eventually did get underway and decided to make up as much distance as i could before nightfall... so the n3 was it (i know, i know... dont say anything)
i did get a fantastic sunset though
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kSQ2g3tJ0_rQX7kx2uoPaVjkEuViKimf6OOjWkjF10Fu2TUCtkc6PstjyWufpIgBoHi6UO18YIO9SqLKhtPPxEwNjbXz6nGivg6VToC3bTtCQxoDszNMSKbLX1nPhiXMWNTD2R1VvxZFFIy8dlGPsxObVdrw6f5BiPhAK7Ajc-cVrUo9eAPHEZReXEWDaSO_epLJmDW99H2N5EByDagxupUZEow7GzCDPDhEGOAyyM1AgfCZ9lkqeCpITwjcESISe3D-nZ1K31V-NrOil0CH6fkJbhTIQsY5qgTSLrGeCJT7NQESdGHec7VAmCZko9wjhLr2D2Igf_DAFEPjmpfRLTiNK_JNJZqPdOkVcUhxJahSVm4vVHJvDhunEcfyT4tK-Xfk8ZJ_RhrpzWd07iOkPmWwwQCtu3_pUwRhdfD7eRS_mTz15KxShV993DhR9Q6cPZyHAFlKiKBfY-xW35xgz_0wSnJTop29vszsWwN3Y1ZaW-TysEvef9PlUmeCDnmQCMzlrUUXPvgCnNg7jV6Nnvv7KG1u4L6acsZd5Ajx4iga2iLz2GGeNQHYu4AUHXSVgJp2=w800-h600-no">
I was pretty tired at this stage (and as i didnt have a touring screen... i also couldnt feel my neck anymore... hopefully thats just some getting used to) and hadn't made plans, so after consulting my gps for local places to go and finding they were full, the Harrismith Inn motel was it....
If you are traveling with a partner and 2 kids... well worth the price of the room... if you are on your own.... not
I did sleep well tho, and woke up early to continue.... this time... no more n3, in fact, no more highway till the very end of the trip back in jhb, instead I took the R74, past Sterkfontein Dam
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B2x5rgqaE2H437ewQpbXtX-4NkPoaQ1s7VkGQQyOAG9CzHVuHnJt0Q86ccMUEf46Rkpt-pVIRaqRKM6s7RlZZ4y3sJ-rB-rjQe-nPjF7eynNld4zwWs-UlRguWs0rNhvsuxgagiusmBHwXY8f-LLHpy6VKkTsB5zhZJKG0G3CFB-drzai9coWCQbDwDUoPEcxswpNePHcFHg5lS_oAeDKYeGSK9JsvAo5mWH2DqxhS755XhhWXGRYdm6a2x8_POfRlSjidQBGV986UYCRuli_SRQ-eg6mZW79cCIrZZuHTq8ig8OOtKjIxRYUXLnI06nMbTYw_H2NXlMmXQpq8oJVNzFhK6CNHBJTnoN7OrwXIYf0XKNvC4tCpoRnQ0K-h45S-PC4rdoBTDd-EPLazlzj_I0HDBTr1RzitgcUyAGIRL4IT_KdtwguFObaRV93jLne3RcRXmBNlLFpI6yBQCU8WmRtdF5uXSxuaVG4nyqN3y6DBY7DnXLj3Q9ROx8rKFY6APTbJQhCCpBBaCI1Fy7pJC5kiZhBUBtlmRyRVw51dQAhzmuNqXHPP6EO1UYF9eYxZ7c=w800-h600-no">
through Little Switzerland, hit a nasty pothole...
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qH1SKTQrL9PIwdVs7cNs9bad_rNh7TyQtXcULrMnQIwUYwUGVuD_VXRb3jA1pxPM7uCk24AvYU7EMib9oA4TEdePo95T-8JwT1kXNz_o35f3Jf9nvMhTYouJUH51rg538eWRZ5kp8aMDt9-kvhyOn42CANd_Xkjap-YySegdn0WLERVyfCkLhVVp6McFOPSwTT9l8UXCjqOsOgJS3ozAjUZy33LUmi5aP4aOgU-XKDfgeml-BzWouNbsWsZm4al0ZHh0noixh3yFtV2jK-oHGAA4VfOTd3fKJjlTcuw8prbwMw_lOldPZS962hjVlEbzzVOaRNfM656AddwskXTITXDdjQyGTpMj7f55f6kOBH0YE634vymaLeOOTSn4hsOWa-ifw1SbKQirIHMSPKu6wi_MT2RbLPnRLzrlYcAdckiXbkcI2XpVqe-RDujlrMvXqzZTEgxlYBiSx0V8E2mJ4Wp04fDoYRQI2BFJ9IenU_-wOjqBdGIGJbnh2bI_1cfh8gVrEYI9q0qB-7FX14bEKng-WQTbaegmrmyQLMZ_MgSnkGDaBm6FKqhHyq4h79i7D4_D=w800-h600-no">
and just kinda bounced off, refueled at Bergville, then stayed on R74 through Winterton, turned onto the R103 to Estcourt, Mooi River, Rosetta, Nottingham Road (beautiful area, with very twisty roads)
It was after this my gps decided to teach me something new... gravel
the shortest route to Himeville from here is the p27-3...which is tar, that becomes the p27-2... which isnt
and yes, im aware... its an adventure bike, this is where it belongs, etc.... but fact of the matter is, i had never ridden off tar, was alone in an area with no signal and no-one but myself knew my route, had i fallen and hurt myself.... lets just skip that part...
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WCLdu9WR3UDrRL2Ov8wBhJyiJr6L2q_imQot2wIaniPaTaAcCxdfxtbOWRjbPhNkKIVYPkGekzyiMtJuYctOyAIrdaSTgiXuaJ-G2Njg0hg66sDHuGddN-l56rR1LIbyVX_U5sVNz3XiZeNVrQRdAKCxZW6YJ440x1To_0OjVGg1AycJmhSelwqmwV2piKMCDAIDUiGE3UPabCrMY18QpNodIMw0D20_kPBwcROVV63EwpUOdcVv2z3AM6seK8_g8DVJ5ywjTkEbGkgL0obB1Z_9TQ9Bc_hMHePrI1tx5g_336K59Bn5JzFCNeF9JxJ7PIyzjk3xXcjf15T-5a81GjqL7NzWruupXJm8Wt8GROltP5doKEjeWY4WrMvFHK3HhiUqjq6nXKQqq4Qsm49MLrenBxdY3NGiczgqsHp1mkGcfd5QUqo3irIAysrxy9F0FYfARlUfMHRdLGWAiKD0QPP0Nf01aCf1EGoC9noNFgxNUj0B0b11Dm4CBYuoWPlITmyERD6tYgkkRrIzxWWQ5VTY0I6QWkscmUlm9xV0F41dKBjsJ-OcW_351mnFax25f7I2=w800-h600-no">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/agkCzaKtxrr-swwL7SzCxV6ArWQpS8xrnUXgC1XonDvZsloTBU07mjuMzjQDjOIzFMbxXxIrwvjBpd4nEcggKFwD8LBWn8QIUsBZoMNq8w6bTaKAXaWJLpsr1IZO14JXfju2xyF7LnoeFrnNf-uT4_Fkh6v67i0tndeKeWh4YKm9ju0bIzrTEOuDLkz0jA7XmCZLyl2nKChlwphtMSuRz1baueuzOsfcN6nrGi2WJwCd9ioZhdoxqJnG9gWJNCbxnOKHpaHxXXCjB3jw1Q_iSFz8yeMqHmZFWbay9nO_MC5gZFX1LQkLqvYWvBA7jmo1W1dKbC39AfuvsxVso0ZBsKQbo7V4yr1GWRWtNb2ydl0F0mdta7r6jY0zePEPua-VGUAJKNlABKUxPXTv3bY1QQeOFY4cIwYUI8x30zxBv67H28eM2gXcgBuBDegEYvDiDa6hJJDfXgPaNeT77LamWx03jB0FkSqDPCDAktsrOh0_eUuQzcJRGPgXUan1YlDBkvmeQNLx3428QVxOPr7eCBhatgl5-kO4HbABicVpPrwpSWb9C1vsMvUP6TkC7EcNYS8f=w800-h600-no">
it was invigorating, the views were amazing, i stopped here and heard the birds and insects down by the river more vividly than i'd ever heard birds before
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/coQNABpfjE6P6vrL0TQjPqs13LWkeCuDB03Sp38wtiiZ55jjnrJcQCZ-UAaIochrIY7Jf_AY-SbPL9_9FyLQQvkGpOvX0JvqyJmGRETiTSZWpOnnuTFTe6qEIR8yWj5INVfHiAQfO5eZ5p1CbrAr6sLVeaaYq2ILpRmPNwwcmBoEEYs8IXZ2GWMfnhIYcbs__hSLGVggmn8jP7b06xhzjKE6hDHsdZbk_a4VG3qsFVKvkzBFavv98XSWrEcM9fwC58d1t3K0kBm1pT9yU5XDzygaZBqCwU3TQgpa_0Nn3ryBDJ_2-DUbQeESn4x4YjvIAwBUb7VIIOApZ6ikgaAB_42pkZSe1mQiEll_rZY0TUQaL4hBOK2X32ahxnxYpE0ufqThDzKfjHKwjjJ5p_A8IhRTyIXUZEzItANodwEne-q5PKw0a6QGuexdl39DnZ59OsdVncPfM2XZswMiwD7BHnuNRUbMAbbZf0_6ReyBPLK0lwO_sz2JkaIQ2UZVXdLauAsTuJkz-W7vRjWaPSnGV3Khkh9Nagx-MVX1lFCnPlLuCmOz1U04v_ZJr3Pv5ui6eNVh=w800-h600-no">
the gravel turned out to be fairly easy... just different.
Its scary for noobs tho, back tends to slip around on the loose gravel which is not something you are used to but, with time, it gets there.
I came in through the back of Himeville and from there it was an easy enough ride to Underberg.
-----
Then of course there was the 2 days or so of drinking, lazing in rivers, horses, hiking etc.... what the drakensberg is all about....
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y53Kb6yBgaey4WTnbYY0tekmqVPYt2ypLMlB9r8ebCDeO9leCD_6vBVqxmQAJXGGKsB2jCXJNsTrUbOuQbSNzU20PtImZod1HCXCTpTUjpM9s5GLPds08_caORBxwPdGNNH-EVlQtmQJzX1N8ZEjAfSsCsjq-fXHmbB6Pquwm1F-qSajBlekd2NSPuyZkVh486RjToD-KT_dmOm8XQj9k9gsPVTGOeowGeMR_22zBAUPafhAFHY4-eTTu6mYrLO2graVwhND2dmbayJ_c0VcOxsHa1rgttOL5_MuZ0t5PD5Ly58QdH_TNtYUmMLTQEyHHqOeF5gZPW6ejCqKsPphlqX18BTA6ZXULsYNIFwRF9SAFkyTRJbEtOV4JX9Z4F-uZRhDesf7AbBCOjYxNan437M7ULaVumWSC2xkdvrNGfla7zZw_DiQDcLJqlmaq7pMNAwfPvHMldQrUPpADi7rJfLoiur1xKvd9qyt4UUEkhgVCgCJotmTKLfdPJ8vBuMrRESyXa1bPZxLF2cMymM4DiRIXyydDQ-08NcIrmJuhq340Sia7lbJqywT0KzL23JyUDCo=w800-h600-no">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yHjuez0nKAmxGo7GUsGMyGJacZoDfUo85g7I0ov7jRg3RJbj9bpS6SUlY13V0aJ3PjuEg-tA5aErXYKICjQ0JtnQt3zsB-w3OC2lIZI8yOaA4Ib96A0qbUULVgTPmcu_p1p4yAlU3X-DZZIwSla_XWFSoEnt5mKS18RE0-eFxvENMDN1mRLF1EZCQCdz2jHp8ng1UlqYKESluqA-fBziTblo1yE2lOMGFSw3Eyn7UwaZBqh4YXCQ2rnlvi2lcTg6w6kaULrGue-CAwTFTFltF9BSROd76Q8HNzrNRSTxa_J4_GPs-aBzAFT6_dLpMQ06-JjHas8c0gXwmpPFQJreWoq8_2e-PfjU2LAqHeH_jgSUHWUskYepBAf46n_yb2NrWLDUzaaraF2c3br71H4HcRefa4aao9fbxTuTZYcf-7CnUJFUgffDZGR_gtjQJiekJiQaAi7Dw0uaPfAI5ahQOYqO-nrBJz3Qj4URa3TgajCYmr650JpfHpg4d3wGoVOb4WZ2CE4z227874Q7Z_bucr2D0dP9naL0KmYCvK9achSk8pvhZq7NaEdKmnR-dDCEhY-y=w800-h600-no">
and then i had to go back
---- Back ----->
I went back a slightly different route...
Headed the main route toward Howick, did around 60km through thick fog before turning left
this was a newly tarred road, as in... so new it wasnt properly dry or painted... i longed for the stability of the dirt by comparison, I soon got that wish and was driving past very pretty mountain villages and lakes, came out the other side of Nottingham Road and followed my original tracks past Mooi River, Estcourt, Winterton, Little Switzerland,
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YSNdurWOz5NKHNP5i_M1f0oR7EgbUNRUpEISxQzUFC1w3WfXVON_sgDAjlHccxoMcQKWDUaxQDMZo_M4QUG04fTmU02ofVJ3n-5NhCUq-XNA_vVNok5EjGm0UsbhPFZMOw7BCf8I7Ut9cAkdQEQCzVhFIkjD4y-VIr8emq1zWanF-KltJqFLu7P7AE0xPoeQaHYMcd8lRAcn45ClRuotJtMxW8Jjqn4ig5o8pME88K0dCkjzbsgIwIyuMrSJtgyxtBjZn5uKhKOlVtjrdl2O8z8nh_U1B17wrQuFS26CSk09A46HMNzg-4zdH9hHG5DWMjY28AQdOB5iLIgYkY1e5v8ZJCT1x4T6_OY2asx1SG20Oqte3TOuBbp5fPvc0wGWl7QrP9VLZFtuhqiGHgGMh7X9LFb2-753EhcFO7cdrvs-TZ5UYtGwgtZaimnDux_II6Es0iQ3e7JIOt9McHGsSfsRsb613O5xFJs6bsYDuTaRx1xWqGl6MjvmmKa-Ksa4zpdDscedgxJbQa2T4bCMxwNRcOTwOG4b7KfrCwYXir-nf7wGFC3GYhJoC4o3yZYIC205=w800-h600-no">
then en route to Clarens, went through the Golden Gate Park, where i decided to have a little photo shoot.. sorry, bear with me, but it is a pretty area and i am quite fond of the bike
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/94Od9dkUPKDtZ1eKLHh2ciE_zuKs7QfpuostApKLmTDwmZawkgAcSK86vjR7DBeLWZuI1QhtgADzGAOYOzndAbkgjaExGMfdEJB4wfxpioC1NHhy-Zh3JecyOLU4518x-BocyuRUF-MQU-sdbNPSxsr1SJIEFK5ngmsB5T2mn4FsI7WqLap_vWFVamOgWS5bkTsEAKdUTU6OSCLj8aMGzgX6Tche_la0SinCPyV4WkumTEyIB_DDUgsEpUIeOy7qQcEfu22z3cGBvoNs3oQ10tfLccugKDC7YpfzdgNHnYsInXPE2L4oWJml9wtmJBlg_cw_uqfrGY4PSuyrZRP9HF-L4LcE87oKCqN_dRR8zhsh0YEFfe-XY9k-ryiMwosiGvkahHmlCTCCIV7GxCDLyTyNnYVOGetQ5K2pcP223FJ9wOdgEesKkm6eoCKCexTpLT4NDdo3f7QYuzM89jLBNyPg6ZsPA1xYq8QYTjs4Oo_Q86SueUeKf3JfOG4wFtFR_o-zYyvx82vF3tFHGITGuUEPdUhsyBPaZFVT1nbyqseyezrAsWWqmRlMHl30JrCKaf4Y=w800-h600-no">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B_Cn-AhvvIoHZiGwvXR0hie4p1SXXQ2xfWZO34tukzWW9TClmhQ52pFD5QpJ12M441Rjw_skx_rZvC52dF1R0CA6bTWYjF0bgb9v8k74WKq0OXfRKptJgKq4AT52vkq1IDfPris0kjlPJfA6NLUgLNPyzwd1Ld9C-vKHwprbDVKZ7LWoxMRywvj-oxdAMOsW4xZNv1nHL42z8vopU56vKne44mF2Vlaal_bJ7OGFH76pKcjTWtdA80wG2h3QaQl7utGIbRhgUD01XoOnfy8cAaf6QUZWS5TCWjbtIDOvGRaZ1R_gIjVXXer9y2ylJh4D1SFVsGXBH8kNmP1IV3rl_kxlWP-DId-bfZy2eQGxsaCfYFEBQuSJrFdffDGmylDvUDwg7uNeCh1gpPFNBBEsh2-nhkTxJcl2hw_NsY2RA6aKniusQK1rQwrBHi3ENAk6--3xGIMfyrEpBohTBvjSglxjt5GGr2gZv7kJ21j7_I6OS9fo2fRJanbCBqmnS9Obqm8nHl7QEXOeG7JgRFuJWKTMDIIOFgDkigaaKIzymGx74JvpK6wOcqsBx6BRqBJyqp8r=w800-h600-no">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Dndku87IiUr6E3lDGKhUV4DYE-X00Zu1UU-40Kcya-L7uGMJ3jG8pksNXa3NRY-uh31bxVYorV-SMQisMaHaENuPuotpJtPsQOSpaHZkqMFNPTSabKjNcmUcZ2o05TaS8IqLO35Ttl0WtP5gI16oowrzGhsCjFdxpGOo0zzg_IVo3KAKXd2dlmkUTwz4my4eXQBCHSD54KfTVXHCT1BdKZ2IY2JdzQ9yLsMJbviiqoiHu8f3HzAKXXvbtM6Cc8mrXaQijw2kf8YrBXaJqfkap7x8PT40jKFHXmoV7h7RyZf0ejhvs-Cp34FUACAltbRl-JpIwoR1IyLdppnDPayNRaOTjqaIU4ABNkC2vCPxxWDp6coqXxEAq-tF1VAW8wWAyBfxjgQvVOArXvX6WT0IpmClvQIpfjZJQWlxdpvNlqCwSy214HbdO4tQlWnJbKqXvKEHYmbEaDRUS_wwIud7HwA7hH_Iir3KWKEZh8FjN6zSAHrhQRy0BFSStcLS2VYX3J-uf3Bxd5tAztHuKJQUCQSIruz-MfxQ_sZIajeNvi_8UlaUj0JrVIERTacb7MLn3Cut=w600-h800-no">
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lFPoYqNQ02GMRt8cjKIj-LP3EsA07bWhtt8uuo-9r-rI4AniXTwi_7OXI0qUozwdrW-PT7sETauwi-jwE-mgE_hRaaV5zqXrwXWHqOmVOzXwknIqMf-VcWTAM2p-EFjurr2FzwjQh8ohHOecGUOkZp2lH7aryL3mY9caob83ONxL8fbL8QY2s18xFLHgUTb_ObvH6Y5qHom9AOIvd_YhQ6wtMzKupvkO9nozFNIKY01W0K-tno-xgy1RlnBS-JCezRsOjLmjRtzqGTna7VFRtrswl1l0we9j6Qe_AcfrWuCHUwZJ-IZ9Rg_RX2rdwxk8PWJuOlWNJrw3WjgELcrkR8SMTaj3F7NdjmuqkdaMg7afP6Df2bzsxnOjBCdTQtobpyCDuFO6yriDXiLNZ39oaaPpFYk6PizPjGD8Ey17ZbK7PrJhGcPi93Ug1ZbYlPqsMPxOeLTd-SUZJ1Z0xLyVtm1STZKICsqpygNOK1EZ1MX9NKnoLxGriFVgvmJF42nulSoyxTAPArK6K8BL9zvTuXsUcMhLnVTj6e_W1eWUQLsilBCshVS1aWT0Hbd1XCxzHdlF=w1263-h947-no">
refueled at Clarens (383km on a 16l tank... not too shabby, although it was a bit disconcerting seeing 16.88l actually going into the tank)
from there, up toward Oranjeville, Deneysville and finally into joburg where the weather turned sour and blitzed hailstones all over me...
was quite an interested day weatherwise (thick mountain fog in kzn, lows of 16, highs of 33, very strong crosswinds in fs, finishing off with the lightning and hail in gp)
and after the 1700km I had now put on the clock, decided i better check in for the run-in check
