Grizz & Dozer's Ride South Africa, Ride Report Complete. YouTube Videos.....

[grizz]

Well, between now and next year I need to put in some serious saddle miles to keep fit and get used to distance.

Yesterday we went to that lovely place called Whitstable on the coast, for lunch and to visit Nicola's brother and his wife.

It is an old working fishing harbour with a nice village and harbour to enjoy.

Amongst others it was the worlds first steam operated railway that ran from Whitstable to Canterbury carrying passengers.

Pics without......

And with me.... no idea why TBH

A walk down the High street netted a few pics.

Then back to the harbour for lunch.....

We saw a load of these..... a group of Belgians on about 15 of these, touring England,

Note the SatNav holder on the handlebars.

Latest Touratwat lightwight lugguage carrier....

Left Hand Drive

Whitewalls anyone ?

An uneventful ride back home saw us spend 2 hours at B&Q to look at new kitchens,

Seems that my wife has seen the opportunity of her year, get me to strip out the existing kitchen and fit a new one while I am unemployed.

Guess I can still pop out on the bike.

 

[cracklin]

Hello Riaan

Only picked up on this now.

This is Chickory harry still in Mongolia.

Linda and I will be back in PE by the time you arrive as winter is on its way here.

How about staying over with us when you are in PE?

It would be great to see you again (the last time we met was just before you left for the UK in the entrance of the Greenachers hospital)

You could even dip into some of the stock here

Best regards

Harry and Linda
www.pikipiki2.co.za

 

[grizz]

Hello Riaan

Only picked up on this now.

This is Chickory harry still in Mongolia.

Linda and I will be back in PE by the time you arrive as winter is on its way here.

How about staying over with us when you are in PE?

It would be great to see you again (the last time we met was just before you left for the UK in the entrance of the Greenachers hospital)

You could even dip into some of the stock here

Best regards

Harry and Linda
www.pikipiki2.co.za

Hi Harry,

Thanks for the invite.

Jupiter has booked our asses already, but I am sure we can move about a bit, as we will be in the Eastern Cape a few days.....

I have some financial stuff to sort out, so need business time etc.

The other thing Nicola reminded me of earlier is that this ride will be "for our benefit" not some of our family members etc....

We are, like travelers would be, mainly looking for a spot to sleep, shower and visit at night, daytimes will be (OR SHOULD BE) filled with travel, to places like Addo, and various other intersting places and meeting up with Wild dogs etc.

It will be good to discuss the finer details closer to the time, as I want us to do a lot of the trip impulsively, and to make it up as we go along.

Hope that makes sense. ???

 

[grizz]

As part of this thread build up, I will post over the smaller rides as part of the prep for this ride.

Well it has to be said. The New Forrest is one of the most beautiful parts of the South of England.

Scored a set of AWESOME hand made bike indicators and some other kit, including throw over panniers for next years South Africa trip of UKGSER recently.

So popping down there on the bike in a little while. Well as soon as the morning rush has ground to a halt on the M25



Thought I would download the route and post up quickly.

Some info for now.

Welcome to the New Forest National Park
The New Forest National Park was created in March 2005 and the New Forest National Park Authority took up its full powers in April 2006.

Its unique landscape has been shaped over the centuries by grazing ponies, cattle and pigs which roam free.

Majestic woodlands, rare heathland and a spectacular coastline provide fabulous opportunities for quiet recreation, enjoyment and discovery.

The National Park Authority’s purposes are to :

Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park - Protect
Promote opportunities for understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities – Enjoy.
It also has a duty to:

Seek to foster the social and economic well-being of local communities within the Park – Prosper.
The National Park lies mainly in south-west Hampshire – from east of the Avon Valley to Southampton Water and from the Solent coast to the edge of the Wiltshire chalk downs.

The New Forest has long been recognised as a special and important area that needs protection. National Park designation means the strongest possible level of protection for the future.

This website contains information about visiting, living in, looking after, learning about, news and planning in the New Forest National Park. Welcome.


LINK HERE:

https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/

Expecting some of this.....

 

[grizz]

Right..... The weather forecast earlier this week said RAIN..... This morning it said OVERCAST....

So I wore my Twat Suit and made sure I had even my neck warmer on.

Before I left the cats got a good scare too.

I left at 09.00 as I was waiting for the M25 traffic to get less before hitting the road.

Loads of Filtering later, I left the M25 and ran down the M3 toward Winchester where at the 101 mile mark I pulled in at the Services to use the loo and grab a Costa Coffee...... then decided sod the coffee and kept going as the day was beautiful, nothing like the weather forecast.

I knew the way up to Southampton as it was the patch I worked the last year on contract.
So when I got to Winchester at the services, I started up the Satnav and loaded the address in Lymington and set off....

From the outset the bloody thing wanted to take me on a different route....

Now I know there are a few Lymington/Leamingtons but the address and postcode as well as county were all correctly entered.

When I got to Southampton I stopped and checked my iPhone maps and it said I was 19 miles from destination, yet the SatNav was still 122miles from destination..... so I switched it off and restarted and re-entered the address. this time it worked.

The service station I pulled over at was closed, so not even a person to check my directions with. Anyway, set off and made my way into the New Forest.

Camera mounted to my crash hat meant pics taken as I went along.

Loads of this ....

Along the way I got stopped at a railway level crossing and saw this pub along the way, very tempting it was.

I stopped outside Millards garage at 12.05 which showed just how well I had done in spite of the roads..... filtering has its value.

I was warmly invited in by a giant of a Scotsman, well he was 6foot plenty tall......

Coffee offered, and then the magic words came to life...... "Would you like a Bacon and Egg sandwich? "

Holy Crap !!

Of course I would .... to me it is still a special treat having a bacon sandwich to this day.

Millard got going.....

How good does that coffee look ??

By the time I had eaten this far I remembered that a photo of the feast would be in order.....

After lunch we went back to the garage where Millard sorted out a load of old kit he was going to throw out, and give me the set of indicators which were the main reason for my 140 mile ride there.....

A pair of saddle bags which will go on the South African trip next year as the GS has no panniers, and a second pair for Goose to take to Cape Town for his one XT550
Then some stunning old leathers and a HG riding jacket for Maverick to use when he rides trials.

All in all a load of kit that may have been destined for the tip, now redistributed and due to be cherished and used for another life time.

Just about to leave I forced Millard to pose up next to his 1100GS, a bike that has been about a bit with trips to Morocco etc....

The return trip was reasonably uneventful, but thoroughly enjoyable.

Except that I got caught at the level crossing again.

On the way I suddenly passed a group of horses in a field and turned around when it was safe to do so and rode about a mile back.

The group of four New Forest horses included a young one..... typically I did try to make friends with them, and while taking pics, the youngster came closer and eventually tried to eat my camera.....leading to this....

I had filled my bike up yesterday and on the way I was doing constant mental calculations to see where I could get to.
Usually I refill my tank at around 160 miles or 240 km.
Today I pushed the range as hard as I could and made it to Fleet services....200.4 miles from my last refill and showing a reserve of 19 miles.
The tank then took 20.4 litres. For the Non-UK readers.... note the cost of a 20 liter fill or cost per litre.

The last pic I stopped to take before taking on the rest of the M3 and M25 was of this drive thru Starbucks.... it used to be a shower block for truckers.

RIGHT, for those still awake....Here are the indicators.

Hand made on the lathe with his own fair hands for one of his Nortons in the style of Iron Man meets Ziggy Stardust meets Dan Dare over a cuppa SteamPunk

LOVELY RETRO LOOKING LED LIGHTS.

Thanks a Mil Millard, great to meet you and sample your cooking.

 

[grizz]

Pic I forgot to post earlier......

I always love weird angle pics that you guys take on various rides.

More later.

 

[Gerard]

Hello Riaan

Only picked up on this now.

This is Chickory harry still in Mongolia.

Linda and I will be back in PE by the time you arrive as winter is on its way here.

How about staying over with us when you are in PE?

It would be great to see you again (the last time we met was just before you left for the UK in the entrance of the Greenachers hospital)

You could even dip into some of the stock here

Best regards

Harry and Linda
www.pikipiki2.co.za

Hi Harry,

Thanks for the invite.

Jupiter has booked our asses already...

It will be good to discuss the finer details closer to the time, as I want us to do a lot of the trip impulsively, and to make it up as we go along.

My thoughts were that there might be a few people in PE you would want to say hello to. When closer to the time you know when you will be staying over, you pick an evening and we have a lekker gettogether jol for everyone at my place.  :thumleft:

 

[Goose]

Hello Riaan

Only picked up on this now.

This is Chickory harry still in Mongolia.

Linda and I will be back in PE by the time you arrive as winter is on its way here.

How about staying over with us when you are in PE?

It would be great to see you again (the last time we met was just before you left for the UK in the entrance of the Greenachers hospital)

You could even dip into some of the stock here

Best regards

Harry and Linda
www.pikipiki2.co.za

Hi Harry,

Thanks for the invite.

Jupiter has booked our asses already...

It will be good to discuss the finer details closer to the time, as I want us to do a lot of the trip impulsively, and to make it up as we go along.

My thoughts were that there might be a few people in PE you would want to say hello to. When closer to the time you know when you will be staying over, you pick an evening and we have a lekker gettogether jol for everyone at my place.  :thumleft:

:mwink:  :thumleft:

 

[Obix]

haha nice to see you spot us with the smal bikes in the UK

Have a look to

www.mobilickx.be


Regards

Rudi

 

[grizz]

haha nice to see you spot us with the smal bikes in the UK

Have a look to

www.mobilickx.be


Regards

Rudi

Hi Rudi,

Nicola and I nearly broke our necks getting to look at all your bikes, all over Whitstable.

In the very early 70's or maybe very late 60's my dad had a Honda Help my Trap that he used for work.

I would LOVE to have a Brommer for my own amusement.

 

[grizz]

haha nice to see you spot us with the smal bikes in the UK

Have a look to

www.mobilickx.be


Regards

Rudi

Hi again Rudi,

Just found these pics.....

Just to show how much I love these small bikes.

I used to have one of these.....

Take note where Nicola made me park and work on it in my old house.....

This woman is truely without equal in my world.

I do wonder if she will let me bring a bike into the new kitchen?

 

[grizz]

HOLY THREAD RESSURECTION BATMAN !!!


I am sure some of you know that I will be in SA for part of April.


Doing a memorial ride with my brother on two GS's (1150 and 1000 airhead) for our mum and dad who started us off riding when we were 12 and 14 years old, on an old aircooled RD350.
Since then we have never stopped riding.

I was wondering, if you look at the road from PE to Durban, through the Transkei etc, who has recently ridden this route?

Any advice, warnings, tips etc ?

Do we do it in one big hit, or do we go to East London, find a guest house and sleep over, then hit the road early and do a one hit runner?

Advice on where to sleep in East London that is CHEAP, Clean and "safe" for the bikes would be appreciated.



ROUGH AGENDA.

Landing at 22.00 on the 3rd in Cape Town, probably leaving for George the 5th via the coastal route as advised by Goose, sleeping somewhere in George or Oudtshoorn area in a CHEAP, clean, safe guesthouse or similar (Not camping) so that we can meet up with Jupiter to do Baviaans, then sleep in the caves en-route.
I have some business to deal with in PE, so probably Monday and Tuesday spent in PE, then off to Durban for a day or two,, hoping to meet up withh Dirty Boy (James), then going up to Rustenburg via Eshowe and Melmoth (we went to school and koshuis there, so has to be done) and then back to my brothers place in Springs.
I will be doing a solo ride from Springs/Dunnottar on the bike, unless someone wants to join me,  back to Paarl, leaving the 16th or 17th so that I am in Cape Town by the 18th. flying out the 19th again.


PM me, or post in here if you have advice, tips etc please.

 

[Buff]

Make it really worthwhile and go down to the coast in the Transkei and sleep over at Mazeppa Bay Hotel. The best adventure riding area... ever!!! It's a 140km detour off the N2.

 

[Goose]

Kom boetie... kom.......... ons wag vir jou.

Weather predicted for Cape Town tomorrow - Monday - 38deg with ample sun............  :thumleft:

 

[grizz]

Make it really worthwhile and go down to the coast in the Transkei and sleep over at Mazeppa Bay Hotel. The best adventure riding area... ever!!! It's a 140km detour off the N2.

My brother wants to go to Dwessa/Dwesa..... not sure how to spell it, we used to go there as kids in the early 70's with our parents and uncles, aunts and cousins every Christmas.....

No idea what it looks like these days.

 

[grizz]

Kom boetie... kom.......... ons wag vir jou.

Weather predicted for Cape Town tomorrow - Monday - 38deg with ample sun............   :thumleft:

Be there as soon as possible  :biggrin:

Just booked the 7th April at https://www.baviaansuitspan.co.za/

Will be doing that section with Jupiter as well.

 

[Chrissie B]

Great story...  :3some:  I wish my parents had been kinder to me, no bikes allowed! But to piss them off I bought my younger brother an old Suzuki 50cc for his 16th birthday... and I only got my first bike at about 27y (Katana 750MKII), but I did ride my (now ex) hubby's RD350 now and then.

Your trip will be great, I'm sure, especially judging from the 5000km Solo trip I just did around SA, it was fantastic.  ;D

Pity you're not coming further north, I always have space for weary travelers.  Keep us up to date.  :thumleft:

 

[Gerard]

Kom boetie... kom.......... ons wag vir jou.

Weather predicted for Cape Town tomorrow - Monday - 38deg with ample sun............   :thumleft:

Be there as soon as possible  :biggrin:

Just booked the 7th April at https://www.baviaansuitspan.co.za/

Will be doing that section with Jupiter as well.

:thumleft: En die rede hoekom ek my tent saamvat is om bo in die kloof te kamp ver van julle twee snorkers af  :imaposer:

 

[grizz]

Kom boetie... kom.......... ons wag vir jou.

Weather predicted for Cape Town tomorrow - Monday - 38deg with ample sun............   :thumleft:

Be there as soon as possible  :biggrin:

Just booked the 7th April at https://www.baviaansuitspan.co.za/

Will be doing that section with Jupiter as well.

:thumleft: En die rede hoekom ek my tent saamvat is om bo in die kloof te kamp ver van julle twee snorkers af  :imaposer:

Jy is maar lekker bang ne??

Deon slaap so diep waneer hy n bottel brandewyn deur gedraf het dat jy niks met hom kan doen nie.


Chrissie..... Dankie.

Ons tyd is relatief beperk, ek weet nie hoe ver noord jy is nie, maar ons kon altyd vir jou n Wimpy koffie gekoop het erens langs die pad.

 

[Chrissie B]

Chrissie..... Dankie.

Ons tyd is relatief beperk, ek weet nie hoe ver noord jy is nie, maar ons kon altyd vir jou n Wimpy koffie gekoop het erens langs die pad.

Ja nie, I'm a bit too far north/east, near Kruger Park.  And although I'd love to just come south for a ride, I don't think I can do that again in a looong while. 
Only just got back from 18 days of riding  ;D

Was actually just busy updating my ride report.  It's taking forever to write  :