Dash to the Bash and mountaineering in Lesotho

[NIMMO]

I left Colesberg Friday morning

Heading north there were not many options plotting a gravel route to get to Springfontein, the Prior’s road would end up taking a lot of time with all the gates on the section. 

Plenty of neglected infrastructure across our country that had stories to tell


IMG_8951 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_8954 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_8956 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

These creatures always amaze me

IMG_8958 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Less than 50km from home and already taking in never before seen landscapes.


IMG_8959 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_8960 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_8962 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_8964 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Springfontein a once triving railway town

IMG_8965 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

On a whim I decided to alter my route and track back in order to go past Breipaal and Helvetia – places I have often seen on the map but never been there. 


IMG_8966 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Now try and read this:


IMG_8968 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_8969 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Whoever did the layout of “motorhekke” in the Freestate must come and look at how they are supposed to be built – almost a road width to the left or right with a tight bend in and out – impossible to do at speed.


IMG_8970 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_8971 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr




Steve171 and I would meet up in Dewetsdorp and ride up together from there.  He was already waiting there by the time I made Breipaal.
The Freestate with its crisscrossing roads and long sweeping bends made for some nice fast sections. 


IMG_8974 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Just before Helvetia I missed twee vlakvarke by a hair’s width.  They are everywhere these days. In Colesberg they have become quite a nuisance for the farmers.


I made Dewetsdorp, met up with Steve and we set off. 


IMG_8979 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_8980 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


The route I plotted took me along sections HPFreak and myself did when we did the ECO in Clocolan some years back.  It was a nostalgic trip, I missed my pal. :'(
RIP Chomma

181020121285 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_8983 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Some sections were very sandy

IMG_8985 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_8986 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Interesting corner posts


IMG_8988 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_8990 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Steve and I made Ladybrand and while filling up noticed his one pannier frame had broken off at one of the mountings.  After off loading our kit at Little Rock he set of to get it fixed.  I met up with the old gang in the meantime.

After the braai and social I got to bed early.  We had made plans to do a trip through “lesser known” Lesotho with Losper the next day.

Saturday came and after meeting everyone that made up our party we set off. 
Losper, Steve171, Henk, Andre, BigDom and myself
I often wondered how so many Toyota’s managed to pass the border post after being acquired in SA.  You need but visit the post as Maseru once to understand why.  Total contrast to going into Namibië or Botswana.  Traffic was chaotic to say the least, never mind keeping six bikers together through it.


IMG_9004 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Not long after going through Maseru we turned onto “Losper’s interesting route” as I was told that morning.  I won’t elaborate on my exact thoughts after going down the first cliffhanger.


IMG_9006 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9005 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9007 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9009 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9011 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


The route was a tester but the scenery was SPECTACULOR and well worth the sweat.

 
IMG_9014 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9015 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9017 (Medium) by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9018 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

 

[NIMMO]

What a view from your grave  :eek7:

IMG_9021 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Did not matter where you stopped or how desolate you thought this or that riverbed or hill was within minutes you had a couple of onlookers throughout the day.

The villages and people were friendly.

IMG_9025 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9026 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Judging by the scrape marks the landscape took its toll on local vehicles


IMG_9028 (Medium) by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9029 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9030 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9031 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


The photos do not do justice to what we saw; I wish you could get a sense of the elevation etc.


IMG_9032 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9033 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9035 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9039 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9042 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9043 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9045 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9048 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9049 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9050 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9054 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9058 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9062 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9063 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9064 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


The pack helped each other and we mashed well throughout the day.  I don’t think there was a single terrain we did not encounter.  Sand, mud, gravel, rock, pebbles, dry areas, wet areas, uphill, downhill – it was a GEM!

Lospers Video:
[youtube]https://youtu.be/e4tJGMDASuY[/youtube]


IMG_9082 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9074 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9076 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9077 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


It is absolutely unbelievable what these machines can handle.


IMG_9080 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Some initiation ceremony


IMG_9086 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9088 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9089 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

You wanted to what? Why?

IMG_9094 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9095 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr




What I did notice is that there were NO dustbins – even at the shops or garages.


IMG_9098 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9101 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9102 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9106 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9107 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9109 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9110 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9112 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9113 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9115 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

 

[NIMMO]

IMG_9118 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9119 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9120 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9123 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9126 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9128 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9130 (Medium) by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9132 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


The group RR for Saturday:  https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=215473.0

After about 11 hours in the saddle we hit tar and made for the border post.  By now it was almost dark, and on a Saturday night well let’s just say driving between party goers keeps you on your toes.


IMG_9133 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


At the border we said our goodbyes to Henk who made for home and the rest of us pinned it to make LB.  We got there well after dark.
After a well deserved shower we mingled and devoured whatever leftover food we could find.  We all hit the sack early – we were bushed.


Sunday I said my goodbyes and headed back to the border, I had plotted a route all along it to Hobhouse and then cut across inland hitting gravel till I made home.


IMG_9138 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9139 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9140 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9143 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9146 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9148 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9149 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9150 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_9152 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Was nice seeing everyone again and sorry I missed some guys.  :thumleft: :biggrin:

 

[TinusBez]

Thanks for the report. Great route!

 

[BMWPE]

Another awesome ride report thank you  :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[Jackol.]

Dankie Nimmo!!!  Was lekker om weer deur die fotos te kyk!!!  Voel of ek die trip sommer van voor af doen.  Dankie dat ek kon saam kom!!!

 

[Dorsland]

Pragtige foto's Nimmo. Lesotho lyk ook maar droog. Paar lekker paaie wat jy soentoe en terug gery het.

 

[hondsekierie]

Dankie vir n baie lekker RR :thumleft:

 

[171steve]

Jinne losper ek het nie geweet jys cissersdam verby nie ek het elke skoolvakansie op die buurplaas daar deurgebring op gruiskop.
Ons moet eendag daarheen gaan klomp boesmantekeninge op die berg n grot wat ek kon inkruip toe ek nog so 12 was en n holgat in die berg wat diep ingaat met water binne.
Vissersdam was eens die grootste skeerskuur in die suide as ek dit reg verstaan deesdae maak hul droe voer daar hulle het reeds niu nuwe 15ha lusern lande ontwikkel op vlakfontein en mynrus ook n buuurplaas van vissersdam

 

[Orangeswifty]

Nice one Nimmo
I saw you okes leave early on Saturday and was a tad envious that I did not go with but the hangover quickly sorted that feeling out. :BangHead:
Great riding in Lesotho! :thumleft:

 

[armpump]

Thanks for sharing

 

[Snafu]

Thanks Nimmo! Lekker RR!

 

[DRAZIL]

excellent report and ride
I do not have the brass balls for that interesting route  :
Thanks for sharing  :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[woody1]

Dankie vir die deel Jean.. ek het lekker saamgery en niks gesweet nie.  :ricky:

 

[BiG DoM]

Thanks Nimmo - great meeting and riding with you again.

PS: One of the reasons for no rubbish bins is that there is most often no rubbish! Outside the bigger towns the villages and dwellings, while poor, are immaculately clean and ordered. There are also no stray animals and live stock.

PPS "Dash to the Bash" was the Grahamstown Greyhounds trans Lesotho trip to the bash.  8)

 

[Chrisl]

Dankie vir die post Nimmo. Mooi deel van ons land wat ek nog wil sien op n dag. :thumleft:

 

[africana]

Jean, lekker fodies en nog lekkerder paaie wat julle gery het. Kamera of selfoon? Watter kamera/foon?
Thanks vir die moeite.

 

[the_BOBNOB]

Stunning  :thumleft:

 

[NIMMO]

Jean, lekker fodies en nog lekkerder paaie wat julle gery het. Kamera of selfoon? Watter kamera/foon?
Thanks vir die moeite.

IPhone 5s - gewoonlik met die 4s

Dankie vir die post Nimmo. Mooi deel van ons land wat ek nog wil sien op n dag. :thumleft:

Kan nie dink daar is plekke wat jy nie ken nie Chris

Thanks Nimmo - great meeting and riding with you again.

PS: One of the reasons for no rubbish bins is that there is most often no rubbish! Outside the bigger towns the villages and dwellings, while poor, are immaculately clean and ordered. There are also no stray animals and live stock.

:thumleft:

Dankie vir die deel Jean.. ek het lekker saamgery en niks gesweet nie.  :ricky:

Sien jy en mamma was daar - spyt het julle gemis 

excellent report and ride
I do not have the brass balls for that interesting route  :
Thanks for sharing  :thumleft: :thumleft:

Was wondering if you might show up at the last minute - rod in hand

Nice one Nimmo
I saw you okes leave early on Saturday and was a tad envious that I did not go with but the hangover quickly sorted that feeling out. :BangHead:
Great riding in Lesotho! :thumleft:

With Saturday's ride I missed saying to a lot of guys, next time  :thumleft:

Another awesome ride report thank you  :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

Would have loves to have seen the Rallye there  :thumleft:

 

[Stevie]

Jean, lekker fodies en nog lekkerder paaie wat julle gery het. Kamera of selfoon? Watter kamera/foon?
Thanks vir die moeite.

IPhone 5s - gewoonlik met die 4s

Dankie vir die post Nimmo. Mooi deel van ons land wat ek nog wil sien op n dag. :thumleft:

Kan nie dink daar is plekke wat jy nie ken nie Chris

Thanks Nimmo - great meeting and riding with you again.

PS: One of the reasons for no rubbish bins is that there is most often no rubbish! Outside the bigger towns the villages and dwellings, while poor, are immaculately clean and ordered. There are also no stray animals and live stock.

:thumleft:

Dankie vir die deel Jean.. ek het lekker saamgery en niks gesweet nie.  :ricky:

Sien jy en mamma was daar - spyt het julle gemis 

excellent report and ride
I do not have the brass balls for that interesting route  :
Thanks for sharing  :thumleft: :thumleft:

Was wondering if you might show up at the last minute - rod in hand

Nice one Nimmo
I saw you okes leave early on Saturday and was a tad envious that I did not go with but the hangover quickly sorted that feeling out. :BangHead:
Great riding in Lesotho! :thumleft:

With Saturday's ride I missed saying to a lot of guys, next time  :thumleft:

Another awesome ride report thank you  :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

Would have loves to have seen the Rallye there  :thumleft:

Nice

Sent from my SM-G570F using Tapatalk