Barberton - Cape Town and the wrong way home, my Epic Solo ride (Finally done)

[Chrissie B]

But now it was time to make my way to da Beeg City, where I would have my tyres fitted before heading home.  The ride to Joburg was uneventful and not all that far, despite a detour that took me near Carletonville, due to road works.

Once I got to Krugersdorp, traffic was once again a little interesting with my wide Broom, but I managed just fine and finally arrived in Randburg, where I went straight to one of my favourite eateries, the Corner Bistro near Kya Sand.  At the Bistro I made some calls while I had a delicious German lunch and waited for my friend G to bring me my tyres.   :biggrin:

(Distance from Lichtenburg to Randburg: 240km)

From there it was off to my longtime friend and business partner Penny’s house, where I would stay for the next 2 nights.  And that is when I got my one and only puncture.  In the morning I woke up to find my rear wheel flat and after some searching found a nail stuck I it!  Must have been the zig-zag dumb sight-seeing route I took past the old dump in Bloubosrand and the squatter camp next to it…  But I had my new tyres and new tubes, so by the afternoon everything was sorted.  Now I’m riding on Anakees for a while, let’s see how that works for me?

On Friday morning I started my final leg of the journey, home to my beautiful mountains and my anxiously waiting daughter.  But I was not ready to end my trip by going down the boring N4!  I decided to get off at the R544 and made my way to Van Dyksdrift, Hendrina, Carolina, Badplaas and then down the pass into Barberton.

My first stop was Mario’s Pub… where I ended up staying ‘til late, as I was informed that it is my daughter Natascha’s farewell party!  Now why was I not informed of this beforehand?  Ah well never mind, I had not been home for 18 days, so a few more hours would really make no difference.  

When I eventually arrived home around 22h00 I was exhausted.  I off-loaded the bike, dumped everything on the bedroom floor and went to sleep.  
It was actually nice to sleep in my own bed for a change, but I was also sad that it was really all over now.

(Distance from Joburg to Barberton: +/- 380km)

 

[Chrissie B]

This was the most amazing thing I have ever done and not for one moment did I think I won’t make it,  Even when I was tired and a bit lost, I felt confident that it would all go well… and it did.  :headbang:

Thank you again to all those who helped me make this happen.  Without all of you I would still be wondering what the fuss, with the flat hill and the city around it, is all about, never mind all the other awesome places I ended up seeing.  I am glad I was finally able to experience so many different parts of this beautiful country, I’m glad that I have no bad memories (only annoyances) and I would do it all over again any time.  :thumleft:

Some stats from the trip:

5149km in total
+/- 350l of fuel at a cost of R4180
14.7km/l or 6.8l/100km
Fuel cost per km = R0,81

I bought 2 bottles of oil, but ended up only using one.  And I used a lot of chain lube… but mostly on my number plate!
I don’t have a final amount for accommodation, meals and drinks, but it must be in the region of roughly R4500. 

 

[Chrissie B]

And to conclude this Ride Report, here are the pics of all the churches!   ;D

I wonder if anyone can correctly guess where ALL of them are?  There are a lot of hints though 

 

[White Rhino]

Great adventure Chrissie - it take courage to step outside your comfort zone - well done :thumleft:

You should read Zen in the art of motorcycle maintenance, if you haven't already.

 

[Ganjora]

nice read,  thanks ChrissieB

 

[mischiefjay]

Excellent read and ride. Thanks Chrissie. 
Right planning must begin.
:thumbleft:

 

[GIDEON]

Very nice Thanks  :thumleft:

 

[woody1]

Dankie, ek het lekker saamgery.  WELL DONE !! :ricky:

 

[Pietcoke]

Now this was nicely done Chrissie :thumleft:

I only dream about an EPIC trip like this. Still hope it will come true one day.

It was also very nice to have met you.

The 2 other peeps that joined us @ the DROS Restuarant for lunch was Andries(V-Strom) and his wife Zettie(Hottie)

If you ever come this way again................pop in please.

Thanx for a realy nice RR

 

[Chrissie B]

Now this was nicely done Chrissie :thumleft:

I only dream about an EPIC trip like this. Still hope it will come true one day.

It was also very nice to have met you.

The 2 other peeps that joined us @ the DROS Restuarant for lunch was Andries(V-Strom) and his wife Zettie(Hottie)

If you ever come this way again................pop in please.

Thanx for a realy nice RR

Thanks for the info, I am terrible at remembering names...  : 
I will definitely pop in if I'm down that way again one day.  Although the next time may only be for business, and by plane!  I am thinking of doing my 'What'z Up Cape' website launch down there, but have to first see how the budget looks by then!

 

[Crab]

Thank you8 ChrissieB. It has been really lekker to follow your travels and read your ride report. looking forward to your next one!!

 

[Chrissie B]

Great adventure Chrissie - it take courage to step outside your comfort zone - well done :thumleft:

You should read Zen in the art of motorcycle maintenance, if you haven't already.

It was an amzing experience, a few years ago I would never have imagined I would do something like this!  Next I'm aiming for Namibia, maybe include Botswana... but for now work comes first for a while.

I have been meaning to read that book for a while... must get around to it soon!  :biggrin:

 

[Chrissie B]

Thank you8 ChrissieB. It has been really lekker to follow your travels and read your ride report. looking forward to your next one!!

Thanks Crab and thank you for your help too.  I hope we can meet up some time in the future.  :thumleft:

 

[KTMRICK]

Nice, glad you made it home safely. How those Anakees doing? Just watch them in mud, otherwise great tyres.  :biggrin:

 

[Chrissie B]

Nice, glad you made it home safely. How those Anakees doing? Just watch them in mud, otherwise great tyres.  :biggrin:

It was a great trip.  Had to get used to them Anakees, but have not done anything more than a good gravel road here and I was fine.  I don't do mud and sand very well at the best of times, so will try to avoid if I can.  I went to Hazyview on the wknd, tar only, and around the twisties they are so much better than my Mitas were.  So like with everything, it's a trade off!

And thanks  :biggrin: !  Sorry I didn't come down south on my way back, was stuck in Randburg.  But I may be around there over Easter wknd, especially if I can find someone to loan me a scrambler or quadbike to take to Wild Thing... hehehe... 

 

[T Rex]

Thank you for taking us along!!

Welcome back home!!

 

[KTMRICK]

Got scramblers and quads. Just shout.

 

[stevo]

Thanks was a great report and a great trip. Thanks for sharing and great photos. :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

Its suprising what you can learn about yourself when you allow yourself to.  :biggrin: :biggrin:

 

[Chrissie B]

Got scramblers and quads. Just shout.

Cool... I will shout!  :biggrin:

 

[Chrissie B]

Thanks was a great report and a great trip. Thanks for sharing and great photos. :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

Its suprising what you can learn about yourself when you allow yourself to.  :biggrin: :biggrin:

:thumleft:

"Thank you for taking us along!!

Welcome back home!!"  - Nice to be home, but longing for the next adventure!