H
H8rlequin
Guest
Greetings!
OK so this is my first RR. I would not have done a RR since I thought nothing of the trip as it started but about 2 hours in I binned the bike and decided what the hell, might as well get this jotted down with some kieki's to boot.
I initially wanted to set off to Roodeplaat dam since it seemed the closest place with a bit of dirt and I was kinda lazy after my big Sunday lunch.... But none the less there were dirt roads a foot and I just had to swoop into action on my trusty steed to go tame them... HEY HO SILVER, AWAY!!!!!
Ok so I have only had the bike for 2 weeks and I decided to "train" myself in the art of off-road riding a bit while my friends are away and would not laugh at me when I look like a tool. I headed out on Zambesi road until I saw the sign that read Roodeplaat.... I take a left onto a peace of dirt road that is under construction and follow it. I was looking for some farm roads to follow and have some fun on but none of the roads seemed worthy. I eventually got to a bridge with the train track's crossing over head and the road in front turning into dirt. To my left is a service road that go's along train tracks and I decided to follow this. At first it was very rocky and rutted which made for some slow going but gradually it made way to some decent gravel which allowed for some speed. I passed a couple of quads coming from the front whom obviously had never heard of the concept of sharing the road and decided to promptly force me off it. After the one finger salutes were done we parted ways and I kept going towards ummm what ever direction I was heading in. After a couple of mins riding I noticed a highway going over head and just after that there was this big incline that had seen some quads going up and down it a couple of times in the past. Me not being one to shy away from a challenge, and thinking this to be a fair one( Boy was I wrong ) decided to take this hill and proclaim it for transalps across the world! This is the first time I ever set eyes on a hill like this never mind attempt to go up it. All the warning bells should have been going off then but no... I decide that what this problem needs is POWER!!!!!(In the words of Jeremy Clarckson). I punch it, and without thinking about it go to second gear while starting to ascend what could only be called a mountain!... Ok well maybe not, but it looked pretty damn intimidating from where I was standing. Not thinking about what I had just done I started to go up this hill and noticed the bike was not following suit.... The bike stalled and started to roll backwards... legs out, front brake on. I should explain at this point that I am 1.72, 80kg and VERY unfit. Anyway, without my feat touching the ground the bike started to fall to the right... I got my foot to the ground just quick enough to stop the worst damage and stop the bike from going back too far. At this point I was looking at my new prized possession laying on the ground without life. Boy O boy did I regret not reading the article about how to pick up a bike RIGHT THEN! None the less I had the basic concept and proceeded to get the bike back on it's wheels after 2 attempts and some screaming(insert profanity's here)... Glad there were no woman or small children around.
The hill that handed my ass to me bellow.
And the end result... at the end.
Will do the rest of the RR tomorrow when I am sober enough to properly type... Cheers!
OK so this is my first RR. I would not have done a RR since I thought nothing of the trip as it started but about 2 hours in I binned the bike and decided what the hell, might as well get this jotted down with some kieki's to boot.
I initially wanted to set off to Roodeplaat dam since it seemed the closest place with a bit of dirt and I was kinda lazy after my big Sunday lunch.... But none the less there were dirt roads a foot and I just had to swoop into action on my trusty steed to go tame them... HEY HO SILVER, AWAY!!!!!
Ok so I have only had the bike for 2 weeks and I decided to "train" myself in the art of off-road riding a bit while my friends are away and would not laugh at me when I look like a tool. I headed out on Zambesi road until I saw the sign that read Roodeplaat.... I take a left onto a peace of dirt road that is under construction and follow it. I was looking for some farm roads to follow and have some fun on but none of the roads seemed worthy. I eventually got to a bridge with the train track's crossing over head and the road in front turning into dirt. To my left is a service road that go's along train tracks and I decided to follow this. At first it was very rocky and rutted which made for some slow going but gradually it made way to some decent gravel which allowed for some speed. I passed a couple of quads coming from the front whom obviously had never heard of the concept of sharing the road and decided to promptly force me off it. After the one finger salutes were done we parted ways and I kept going towards ummm what ever direction I was heading in. After a couple of mins riding I noticed a highway going over head and just after that there was this big incline that had seen some quads going up and down it a couple of times in the past. Me not being one to shy away from a challenge, and thinking this to be a fair one( Boy was I wrong ) decided to take this hill and proclaim it for transalps across the world! This is the first time I ever set eyes on a hill like this never mind attempt to go up it. All the warning bells should have been going off then but no... I decide that what this problem needs is POWER!!!!!(In the words of Jeremy Clarckson). I punch it, and without thinking about it go to second gear while starting to ascend what could only be called a mountain!... Ok well maybe not, but it looked pretty damn intimidating from where I was standing. Not thinking about what I had just done I started to go up this hill and noticed the bike was not following suit.... The bike stalled and started to roll backwards... legs out, front brake on. I should explain at this point that I am 1.72, 80kg and VERY unfit. Anyway, without my feat touching the ground the bike started to fall to the right... I got my foot to the ground just quick enough to stop the worst damage and stop the bike from going back too far. At this point I was looking at my new prized possession laying on the ground without life. Boy O boy did I regret not reading the article about how to pick up a bike RIGHT THEN! None the less I had the basic concept and proceeded to get the bike back on it's wheels after 2 attempts and some screaming(insert profanity's here)... Glad there were no woman or small children around.
The hill that handed my ass to me bellow.
And the end result... at the end.
Will do the rest of the RR tomorrow when I am sober enough to properly type... Cheers!
