Vis Arend
Bachelor Dog
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2010
- Messages
- 11,781
- Reaction score
- 1,993
- Location
- King William's Town
- Bike
- Honda CRF-250 Rally
The wife and I always wanted to attend the Koës rally. This year it was to be, so, we started planning for the trip early in the year.
The original plan was to attend the rally with the two small bikes, she on her CRF250L and me on my CRF250Rally. Getting closer to the date, things slightly changed, fuel prices sky-rocketed and accommodation on route became a problem. Financially, it made more sense to use the sidecar instead of the two smaller bikes, we would spend about the same amount on fuel using the sidecar, but we could cover longer distances per day with the sidecar and only sleep twice on route instead of 3 times with the smaller bikes. We were also restricted to packing space with the smaller bikes and being the middle of winter, we could cart the larger tent and more warm blankets and clothes along with the sidecar. At the end the sidecar was the more luxury option.
This trip was however not restricted just to the Koës rally, we would use the opportunity to visit our friend on her farm on the D503, not too far from Koës. We will never miss an opportunity to visit our friend and of course the beautiful Kalahari and the D503 twee spoor dune pad.
So, let’s start, this should actually be a photo report and not a ride report, you will be overloaded with pics, so brace yourself.
Day 1
Wednesday 29 June
The route for the day.
King William’s Town, Cradock, Middelburg (EC), Richmond, Victoria West. - 542km
All packed and ready for the trip.
The day arrived, we left early morning from home with a nice cold breeze from the front. The 1st 200km’s is the black stuff, just to get us on the road and away from King. From there it will be all gravel to Victoria West.
We reached Cradock, refueled and headed for the gravel between Cradock and Middelburg. It was nice to be back on gravel, away from all the traffic.
Not far we encountered our 1st water crossing, little did we know this would be the norm for this trip.
It was the ideal spot for brunch, some padkos were prepared at home.
We got going towards Middelburg, the gravel was in good condition.
One very friendly Jackie
The original plan was to attend the rally with the two small bikes, she on her CRF250L and me on my CRF250Rally. Getting closer to the date, things slightly changed, fuel prices sky-rocketed and accommodation on route became a problem. Financially, it made more sense to use the sidecar instead of the two smaller bikes, we would spend about the same amount on fuel using the sidecar, but we could cover longer distances per day with the sidecar and only sleep twice on route instead of 3 times with the smaller bikes. We were also restricted to packing space with the smaller bikes and being the middle of winter, we could cart the larger tent and more warm blankets and clothes along with the sidecar. At the end the sidecar was the more luxury option.
This trip was however not restricted just to the Koës rally, we would use the opportunity to visit our friend on her farm on the D503, not too far from Koës. We will never miss an opportunity to visit our friend and of course the beautiful Kalahari and the D503 twee spoor dune pad.
So, let’s start, this should actually be a photo report and not a ride report, you will be overloaded with pics, so brace yourself.
Day 1
Wednesday 29 June
The route for the day.
King William’s Town, Cradock, Middelburg (EC), Richmond, Victoria West. - 542km
All packed and ready for the trip.
The day arrived, we left early morning from home with a nice cold breeze from the front. The 1st 200km’s is the black stuff, just to get us on the road and away from King. From there it will be all gravel to Victoria West.
We reached Cradock, refueled and headed for the gravel between Cradock and Middelburg. It was nice to be back on gravel, away from all the traffic.
Not far we encountered our 1st water crossing, little did we know this would be the norm for this trip.
It was the ideal spot for brunch, some padkos were prepared at home.
We got going towards Middelburg, the gravel was in good condition.
One very friendly Jackie
