Dads and Lads 2015 Lesotho trip, the Mellow version
- Thread starter MellowJo
- Start date
MellowJo
Race Dog
Mmmm, I see this this is now a family thread .... :imaposer:
I was still wanting to comment on the ascent to Tiffendell on Day 2.
We were approaching Tiffendell from the west i.e. not the tourist approach.
Man, there was quite a steep rocky start to this route that had me wondering about the next days Bastervoetslaan and Matabeng passes .....
I could clearly smell my clutch complaining about the abuse ...... but we all made it to Tiffendell unscathed (pass Loch Ness no less).
On the downhill from Tiffendell to Rhodes on the nice concrete road, I must have cooked my rear brake as there was no rear brakes for a while .....
I was still wanting to comment on the ascent to Tiffendell on Day 2.
We were approaching Tiffendell from the west i.e. not the tourist approach.
Man, there was quite a steep rocky start to this route that had me wondering about the next days Bastervoetslaan and Matabeng passes .....
I could clearly smell my clutch complaining about the abuse ...... but we all made it to Tiffendell unscathed (pass Loch Ness no less).
On the downhill from Tiffendell to Rhodes on the nice concrete road, I must have cooked my rear brake as there was no rear brakes for a while .....
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MellowJo
Race Dog
Anyway, on with Day 3 .... :biggrin:
I must say, hats off to my boet Fried for taking the 1100GS up there. This was his first trip on the bike after we just finished it the week before.
Looking at the footage on Page 2, I am just more impressed !!
I must say, hats off to my boet Fried for taking the 1100GS up there. This was his first trip on the bike after we just finished it the week before.
Looking at the footage on Page 2, I am just more impressed !!
Archangel
Race Dog
MellowJo said:
Ja ja, julle het die hele naweek kans gehad. :deal:
Btw, it might also be worth mentioning both the big Beemers might have had slight worries about their brakes boiling on the downhills, but KTM on the other hand, was overheating on slow sections due to lack of airflow over the radiator.
On Baster, Godfried had 2 offs in about 3 meters, Charles came off and Metusalem almost lost the front bumper. Other than that, the bikes held up nicely.
Nog 'n paar kiekies voordat ons vir julle meer vertel van Bottelneks, Rhodes, Naude's en Matabeng passe.
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![Professional First Aid Kit, Trauma First Aid Kit with Labelled Compartments Molle System for Car, Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Traveling, and Cycling[New Upgrade]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41uCkwNilAL._SL500_.jpg)
Archangel
Race Dog
Nou ja, ek sal nou nie verder jaag nie. (Cue KTM chirp)
Ons gee maar die agter osse ook 'n kansie om op te vang (Cue BMW chirp).
:biggrin:
To the rest of the team: feel free to chip in with comments, emotions, experiences, pics, videos or whatever turns your motor...
Side Note: Toffie chose this trip as the time to learn how to kickstart an 80's XT. This resulting in some entertainment, which included, but was not limited to coaching, shouting, praying and swearing and generally took place after each stop we made.
At the end of the trip, Toffie was able to do his magic dance and make it rain with the first kick. :thumleft:
Ons gee maar die agter osse ook 'n kansie om op te vang (Cue BMW chirp).
:biggrin:
To the rest of the team: feel free to chip in with comments, emotions, experiences, pics, videos or whatever turns your motor...
Side Note: Toffie chose this trip as the time to learn how to kickstart an 80's XT. This resulting in some entertainment, which included, but was not limited to coaching, shouting, praying and swearing and generally took place after each stop we made.
At the end of the trip, Toffie was able to do his magic dance and make it rain with the first kick. :thumleft:
MellowJo
Race Dog
Hee hee, Arch, Check out the 4x4 Video and listen to the comments on the pass ...... :imaposer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg8r0vdXAHE
Sid's Isuzu 4x2 did the pass with a trailer in tow ...... :imaposer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg8r0vdXAHE
Sid's Isuzu 4x2 did the pass with a trailer in tow ...... :imaposer:
MellowJo said:
It's all about the driver guys!!!!
I'll catch up with my contribution this evening.
Some of us spent the last 4 days in PE setting a new direction for South Africa..... :biggrin
Some of us spent the last 4 days in PE setting a new direction for South Africa..... :biggrin
Archangel
Race Dog
OK, so here goes...
Bottelnek Pass is a short section that stretches from the R58 (tar) to the R393 (gravel), which then leads to Rhodes.
This piece of road was in the process of being scraped (you'll notice the CAT in the video), so even though the general road condition was good, the surface was extremely loose with pebbles in some areas. This tempted you to ride faster, but had everybody on their toes with many "almost" events until Toffie decided to simply not turn in the same direction as as the road. The result saw him going off the left shoulder of a right-hander. This was more than just a fall over...
The bars of the bike was bent, the middle braces was broken off and further damage the the tank was sustained. Toffie was a little shaken up, but other than a few scratches and bruises, he was OK. Phew!
From there, the road conditions improved and we could easily travel up to 80kmph towards Rhodes, where we stopped for our afternoon Tea and rest.
[Bottelnek Pass Vid to follow soon]
Bottelnek Pass is a short section that stretches from the R58 (tar) to the R393 (gravel), which then leads to Rhodes.
This piece of road was in the process of being scraped (you'll notice the CAT in the video), so even though the general road condition was good, the surface was extremely loose with pebbles in some areas. This tempted you to ride faster, but had everybody on their toes with many "almost" events until Toffie decided to simply not turn in the same direction as as the road. The result saw him going off the left shoulder of a right-hander. This was more than just a fall over...
The bars of the bike was bent, the middle braces was broken off and further damage the the tank was sustained. Toffie was a little shaken up, but other than a few scratches and bruises, he was OK. Phew!
From there, the road conditions improved and we could easily travel up to 80kmph towards Rhodes, where we stopped for our afternoon Tea and rest.
[Bottelnek Pass Vid to follow soon]
MellowJo
Race Dog
OK, so to finish off day 3 ......
We had lunch snacks at Rhodes, before we again skipped over Naude's Nek, but this time we diverted north to Mount Fletcher an Matatiele.
1. On our way to Rhodes
2. Rhodes Lunch stop
3. We wondered why the back-up vehicle was taking it's time, Tyre Change :deal:
4. Repairs to Scrappy's lights as we were expecting to arrive at Matatiele in the dark.
6. At Matatiele we stayed at Ian's place. He was so kind to help with spare parts, especially a set of handlebars for the one Tenere
We had lunch snacks at Rhodes, before we again skipped over Naude's Nek, but this time we diverted north to Mount Fletcher an Matatiele.
1. On our way to Rhodes
2. Rhodes Lunch stop
3. We wondered why the back-up vehicle was taking it's time, Tyre Change :deal:
4. Repairs to Scrappy's lights as we were expecting to arrive at Matatiele in the dark.
6. At Matatiele we stayed at Ian's place. He was so kind to help with spare parts, especially a set of handlebars for the one Tenere
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MellowJo
Race Dog
Day 4 : Matatiele to Katse dam ?
We woke to the beautiful views from Ian's place. At last the day arrived that we would venture into Lesotho. We were treated to a great breakfast, and then returned to Matatiele to stock up.
From Matatielle we proceeded to Ramatselitso Gate. Ian warned us that there were a few interesting rock banks/steps just before the gate.
This was indeed so ......
We woke to the beautiful views from Ian's place. At last the day arrived that we would venture into Lesotho. We were treated to a great breakfast, and then returned to Matatiele to stock up.
From Matatielle we proceeded to Ramatselitso Gate. Ian warned us that there were a few interesting rock banks/steps just before the gate.
This was indeed so ......
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MellowJo
Race Dog
From Ramatselitso Gate we turned East towards Sehlabathebe on a beautiful road, Lesotho was a breeze >
After tea next to this road, we eventually turned north at Sehlabathebe towards the Matabeng Pass.
This was a completely different story, not as bad as Bastervoetslaan, but still a challenge ..... with spectacular views
After tea next to this road, we eventually turned north at Sehlabathebe towards the Matabeng Pass.
This was a completely different story, not as bad as Bastervoetslaan, but still a challenge ..... with spectacular views
