BABOON'S PASS 14-16,17,18 DEC

[porcupine]

Well done guys.

Amazing attempt.

Gives us courage to push ourselves a bit more, whatever the level of skill

 

[2StrokeDan]

Enjoyed the photos and the RR, you did extremely well with what you had.

Sorry ExploreSA, I thought you were a bunch of windgat laaities, but I see you are outoppe like myself. ot:

 

[SGB]

We rode in Lesotho last weekend.  At Ramabanta, we decided to ride up Baboons, just to see what it looks like nowadays.  I must say that it is in fair condition (for Baboons), having been up there many times in the last 12 odd years on different modes of transport.  On the plastic bikes it was a walk in the park - 1 hour later we were through - and I am a novice enduro rider.  But looking around, I was thinking about your attempt.  Getting a GS to where you went is an adventure.  It is great that you did it and enjoyed it.  Considering your age, your bikes and your sense of adventure (and humour...), I say well done!!  You got to test all your toys and your bodies, and you had a good time.

I did not feel an urge to take my GS there.  It is too new and shiny for that kind of treatment.  But I believe that if you all took one GSA and took turns to ride and assist, you would get it over together.  If that was important to you.

Great effort and the report, your story on the website and videos were interesting.  Thanks for taking the time to share.

As a tip, I leave you with the pic below.  The condition can be cured with a Lobotomy...  It is not too late!  :imaposer:

 

[ExploreSA]

Respek vir die ouens wat dit aangedurf het, veral PC! Dink sy skill level het eksponensieel(sic) toegeneem!!  :thumright:

En Willem met die Cruiser so half unofficial ge-pack up(sic) het...

Maar onthou, n storie het altyd 3 kante...

Three sides? No. So many people so many stories;
-  There were six riders on bikes
-  Then the Nordeje family trio
-  And Hennie Reyneke

That makes it ten very good stories which I am eager to hear.

But then, don't keep us in suspense. Let us read your story on this ride...
... Oh but now I cannot remember you being on this ride.  :  :lol8:

 

[The Badger]

Nice rr and website......Thanks and well done. :thumleft: :thumleft:

The sense of achievement after getting your scoot through tough sections feels great. :ricky:

 

[ExploreSA]

We rode in Lesotho last weekend.  At Ramabanta, we decided to ride up Baboons, just to see what it looks like nowadays.  I must say that it is in fair condition (for Baboons), having been up there many times in the last 12 odd years on different modes of transport.  On the plastic bikes it was a walk in the park - 1 hour later we were through - and I am a novice enduro rider.  But looking around, I was thinking about your attempt.  Getting a GS to where you went is an adventure.  It is great that you did it and enjoyed it.  Considering your age, your bikes and your sense of adventure (and humour...), I say well done!!  You got to test all your toys and your bodies, and you had a good time.

I did not feel an urge to take my GS there.  It is too new and shiny for that kind of treatment.  But I believe that if you all took one GSA and took turns to ride and assist, you would get it over together.  If that was important to you.

Great effort and the report, your story on the website and videos were interesting.  Thanks for taking the time to share.

As a tip, I leave you with the pic below.  The condition can be cured with a Lobotomy...  It is not too late!   :imaposer:

Thanks for the kind words.

I am absolutely amazed at your skill level although being humble in stating you are still "a novice enduro rider". Completing the Baboon's in 1 hour! Wow, this is stunning. AFAIK the plastics usually do it at best in +4h and you in 1h! Riding that pass at an average of 20.5km/h!! You should consider competing in the Roof or even the Dakar - a win in both those events will be guaranteed.

Your picture however is not applicable to our ride as we did not encounter any mud.

And I'd rather have my balls severed (which I did by way of a vasectomy) than having a lobotomy performed. Maybe you should Google "lobotomy" first. It was originally performed on Psychopaths with the illusion that it will cure them but in fact it also cut off the long term memory and conscience...

 

[throttle jockey]

We rode in Lesotho last weekend.  At Ramabanta, we decided to ride up Baboons, just to see what it looks like nowadays.  I must say that it is in fair condition (for Baboons), having been up there many times in the last 12 odd years on different modes of transport.  On the plastic bikes it was a walk in the park - 1 hour later we were through - and I am a novice enduro rider.  But looking around, I was thinking about your attempt.  Getting a GS to where you went is an adventure.  It is great that you did it and enjoyed it.  Considering your age, your bikes and your sense of adventure (and humour...), I say well done!!  You got to test all your toys and your bodies, and you had a good time.

I did not feel an urge to take my GS there.  It is too new and shiny for that kind of treatment.  But I believe that if you all took one GSA and took turns to ride and assist, you would get it over together.  If that was important to you.

Great effort and the report, your story on the website and videos were interesting.  Thanks for taking the time to share.

As a tip, I leave you with the pic below.  The condition can be cured with a Lobotomy...  It is not too late!   :imaposer:

Thanks for the kind words.

I am absolutely amazed at your skill level although being humble in stating you are still "a novice endure rider". Completing the Baboon's in 1 hour! Wow, this is stunning. AFAIK the plastics usually to it at best in +4h and you in 1h! Riding that pass at an average of 20.5km/h!! You should consider competing in the Roof or even the Dakar - a win in both those events will be guaranteed.

Your picture however is not applicable to our ride as we did not encounter any mud.

And I'd rather have my balls severed (which I did by way of a vasectomy) than having a lobotomy performed. Maybe you should Google "lobotomy" first. It was originally performed on Psychopaths with the illusion that it will cure them but in fact it also cut off the long term memory and conscience...

Really  atch: (I hope you are not being sarcastic. Or am I looking too much into your reply)

 

[BiG DoM]

Why? Seems appropriate  :

 

[throttle jockey]

Why? Seems appropriate  :

No I don't Dom.

 

[ExploreSA]

Enjoyed the photos and the RR, you did extremely well with what you had.

Sorry ExploreSA, I thought you were a bunch of windgat laaities, but I see you are outoppe like myself. ot:

Many thanks 2SD
Apology accepted. It was tough but very satisfying.

 

[SGB]

I am absolutely amazed at your skill level although being humble in stating you are still "a novice enduro rider". Completing the Baboon's in 1 hour! Wow, this is stunning. AFAIK the plastics usually do it at best in +4h and you in 1h! Riding that pass at an average of 20.5km/h!! You should consider competing in the Roof or even the Dakar - a win in both those events will be guaranteed.

Your picture however is not applicable to our ride as we did not encounter any mud.

And I'd rather have my balls severed (which I did by way of a vasectomy) than having a lobotomy performed. Maybe you should Google "lobotomy" first. It was originally performed on Psychopaths with the illusion that it will cure them but in fact it also cut off the long term memory and conscience...

ExploreSA, the pass looks very different over the handlebars of a 300 to what it looks like over the clocks of a GS or the dash of an Isuzu. I know, having done it many times.....  The good riders do it in < 40 min on a plastic bike.  I am not lying or bragging - I go to Lesotho quite often and just stating fact.  See the time stamped track log attached, from our ride on Friday.  Looking carefully, I see it took about 1.5 hrs total to the point where we turned off on the track to Bridal Pass. (With a few Kodak and snack stops).  My son looked on his bike clock which takes the actual riding time and he stated the 1 hr when we arrived on top.  The track log shows the moving time as 1:05.  Not that far off....  Be that as it may - your 4 hrs estimate on a plastic is very generous.   You could go up and down twice in 4 hrs....  I am a fat, ugly, unfit 50 year old.  And I maintain that I am a plastic novice.

The part about the winch and the lobotomy was tongue in cheek - my apologies if you took it serious.  But the ride time part is true and not out of the ordinary.

All of this does not take anything away from your adventure.  Well done - I still would not go and bash my GS there.  You did what few will ever attempt and I salute you for that!   :thumleft:

edit: Added elevation profile and stats pics as well - just for reference to those who would like to test my word. 

 

[ExploreSA]

Apology accepted SGB. No hard feelings

(Also thanks for your PM). That coffee is hanging

Stay well

 

[Sithe]

I have never seen a ride cause so much controversy. What am I not getting here.

If 2SmokeDan takes his XT660 on a trip from Cape to Vic Falls, is it the wrong bike for the job?

I give all praise to ExploreSA and his team. Dreaming it and leaving it. This time they ExploredLesotho.

 

[throttle jockey]

I have never seen a ride cause so much controversy. What am I not getting here.

If 2SmokeDan takes his XT660 on a trip from Cape to Vic Falls, is it the wrong bike for the job?

I give all praise to ExploreSA and his team. Dreaming it and leaving it. This time they ExploredLesotho.

1. Agreed.  (For good reason)

2. No. (Its one of many correct bikes for the job)

3. I take it you mean living it. They are lucky that they came away with no serious injuries and damage. They lived it, I give you that. Did it, is another question all together.

 

[KTMjedi]

1hr up baboons on a enduro bike is no problem and I have managed 45 mins .... recon Wade could squeeze that down quite a bit as well. My view on it is this.... anything is possible abut honestly I would never consider trying it on a GS 1200 simply based on the effort and postential cost it would take.
Fine give me a bike and I will give it a go, but I can't promise you in what state or if you will get it back. But like the old saying...with enough force and effort you could break your finger off in your arse  :lol8:.
I say well done for even considering giving it a go never mind getting 3 kms from the end.

 

[lamo]

Wow , well done guys

 

[2StrokeDan]

I have never seen a ride cause so much controversy. What am I not getting here.

If 2SmokeDan takes his XT660 on a trip from Cape to Vic Falls, is it the wrong bike for the job?

I give all praise to ExploreSA and his team. Dreaming it and leaving it. This time they ExploredLesotho.

Because Sithe, I will be taking my XT600E from Cape Town to Vic falls without outside assistance. Moot point now, but my initial gripe was with people taking unsuitable vehicles
into equally unsuitable places, but instead of riding it is more a carrying/lifting/pushing exercise.
But these old ballies did well, I must give them that.

 

[SGB]

1hr up baboons on a enduro bike is no problem

Thanks for clearing that one up Jedi.  I don't have Mitas tyres therefore you are faster.... :laughing4:

 

[BiG DoM]

1hr up baboons on a enduro bike is no problem

Thanks for clearing that one up Jedi.  I don't have Mitas tyres therefore you are faster.... :laughing4:

Thanks also for clearing up that engineering question regarding the finger and orifice  :imaposer: 

 

[KTMjedi]

1hr up baboons on a enduro bike is no problem

Thanks for clearing that one up Jedi.  I don't have Mitas tyres therefore you are faster.... :laughing4:

Thanks also for clearing up that engineering question regarding the finger and orifice  :imaposer: 

:thumleft: let me know if you manage  :imaposer: