22 August - Mfolozi ride.

[chicco]

Did our monthly Richards bay ride this morning to the Mfolozi river and Bird park.
Chicco, Winston, Cane Rat, Lady Rat, Raymond and a newbie (sorry cant remember his name...)
KTM 990, KLR, BMW 650, Tenere 660 new and a Tenere 660 old.
The route was a bit muddy in the beginning due to some rain over the weekend but by 09h00 we were over the worst and we followed a new route towards the Mfolozi game reserve. I never tried this route before because it ends just before the game reserve and you either have to turn around or make your own way for about 2km towards the river. It took us about 30 min to maneuver our way between thorn trees, long grass and wash aways to eventually get down into the river bed.
Some of us decided it would be much safer to paddle the bikes through the thick sand to the other side of the river and some of us opted to do it Dakar style, full taps all the way.... :mwink:
Only when we re grouped on the other side we noticed that we were one man short, Winston was gone. We eventually saw him waving his red shirt on the other side of the river, he was at the back and his trusted KLR just died on him. I got back into the river and made my way to the other side, the bank on the other side was quite steep with thick sand with I had to push old Katie into her rev limiter to get out on the other side. By the time I got to Winston half of his KLR was already stripped, It took us about 10 minutes to find the fault, blown fuse, we changed it but it blew again about 20km later after breakfast. After the 3 rd fuse he gave up, parked his bike and waited for Raymond to go and get the trailer in Richards Bay, thanks guys (and girl) for the nice outing, I've already started planning the next one.......

 

[The Badger]

Nice one Chicco. That  Umfolozi river bed is awesome to ride full taps down to the N2 bridge. Its amazing that the bird park is still open...... It has been through some tough times.

 

[Winston]

That riverbed is something special. It is more like a moerofa big beach, full taps is the only way especialy through the water to get up the bank on the other side. You cannot have much more fun than that wiff your clothes on   :thumleft: Pity the blown fuse robbed us of some play time. Thanks a mill for turning around to help me Chico, I was realy stuck out in the sicks. I was realy lucky to make it from there to the bird park cos from then on the replaced ignition fuses just popped when I turn the key. Tru to his word Raymond went to fetch his cruiser in Richards Bay and arrived with a cooler bag full off brewery juice to keep us happy on the way home. It is nice to have have realy good friends around. It turned out that the main wiring harness chuffed through at a place on the frame which caused a short. First breakdown in 30 000 kays is not bad for a farkle bike.

 

[nreyneke]

Ai dit lyk lekker ...  :thumleft:

 

[chicco]

eeesh...I will also blow a few fuses for free beer.... :biggrin:

 

[Patman]

Yes, that crossing looks like great fun.

 

[EddieS]

Look like I missed out big time. Had to keep the rest of the crew happy.

Great buch of friends.

 

[chicco]

ons kan dit altyd weer gaan doen :mwink:

 

[Cane Rat]

Thanks Chicco. Was really a great outing and I am glad we used the "Lawnmower" instead of the Capo. I think it would have been a handfull with Lady Rat on the back.

BTW, the new guy's name is Etienne if im not mistaken.

Here is some more pics







Raymond crossing the puddle



Etienne crossing the puddle



Chicco and Winston on the other side of the river after Chicco went to "rescue" him



Chicco cruising through the puddle



Winston doing it in style