Just the two of us, Kaokoland Edition

[Minxy]

I'd so like to give this report more attention, but got caught up with real life stuff again... I did however have some time over the weekend and started video editing, something I love to do!
Below is footage I put together of the riding we did on our second day in Brandberg area, Goantagab riverbed and some Sandy roads heading towards Twyfelfontein. Enjoy! And more coming "soon"

[flash=800,600]https://www.youtube.com/v/fqCI3PExVZQ[/flash]

 

[Ri]

..... ...

 

[Zanie]

Great video. :notworthy: to the sand skills!

 

[DRme]

Well done meisiekind. Jy begin my hero te raak.

 

[TVB]

Nee pok julle mag maar!

Too rocky to drop tyre pressure right? What pressure were you running?

 

[Minxy]

Nee pok julle mag maar!

Too rocky to drop tyre pressure right? What pressure were you running?

We were running Michelin Desert mousses in both bikes for the trip, so the tyre pressure is about the equivalent of 1 bar. That section near Landcruiser hill was tricky as there was plenty of rocks in between the soft sand. That is exactly what threw HSK off. It would literally be like, twee spoor sand dunes, random rocks, random rocky hill, more dunes Absolutely magical terrain, but tricky to ride with luggage etc. It is doable on the "bigger" bike, but I think when we return to finish this trip it will be on the 500's.

Eish I really need to finish this report... I've got some awesome footage of the Huab riverbed as well ;D

 

[Xpat]

I may have unwittingly misled you there near the Landcruiser hill a bit as I assume you were following the tracks I've sent you. I have made slight mistake when plotting those tracks (and we followed the same route with Bertie and Justin) - I didn't realize that my track didn't go all the way to the top of the Lancruiser Hill and then continue left on top of the dune, which is what I wanted to do. Instead that track you and us took was a shortcut but required to ride up sand dune off-camber, which is what I think caught HSK. I may remember it wrong but I think one of us lost it there as well.

Next time rather gun it all the way up the Landcruiser hill - i.e. to the top of the dune once you are out of that canyon and then on top of the dune turn left. Attached is the map - purple is the route you and us took there, and blue is the recommended route that will be slightly easier (because you are gunning it straight up the dune to the top instead of riding off-camber) and also more fun (because going full throttle up big sand dune  :ricky.

But of course - 500 will make all of that much easier. Just go for the backbone luggage that wraps the bike tightly without racks - the bags hanging off the side of bike are not the best for spirited offroad riding - especially on 690/701 with its wide backside (I know, I also have them, including the same luggage rack on my 690 and suffered because of that).

Edit: Big advantage of 500 also is that they are old school minimalist, so you cannot get caught up by the latest technology gizmos such as a key that caught you up on this trip. Leave those toys to young kids  eepwall: >

 

[Minxy]

I may have unwittingly misled you there near the Landcruiser hill a bit as I assume you were following the tracks I've sent you. I have made slight mistake when plotting those tracks (and we followed the same route with Bertie and Justin) - I didn't realize that my track didn't go all the way to the top of the Lancruiser Hill and then continue left on top of the dune, which is what I wanted to do. Instead that track you and us took was a shortcut but required to ride up sand dune off-camber, which is what I think caught HSK. I may remember it wrong but I think one of us lost it there as well.

Next time rather gun it all the way up the Landcruiser hill - i.e. to the top of the dune once you are out of that canyon and then on top of the dune turn left. Attached is the map - purple is the route you and us took there, and blue is the recommended route that will be slightly easier (because you are gunning it straight up the dune to the top instead of riding off-camber) and also more fun (because going full throttle up big sand dune  :ricky.

But of course - 500 will make all of that much easier. Just go for the backbone luggage that wraps the bike tightly without racks - the bags hanging off the side of bike are not the best for spirited offroad riding - especially on 690/701 with its wide backside (I know, I also have them, including the same luggage rack on my 690 and suffered because of that).

Edit: Big advantage of 500 also is that they are old school minimalist, so you cannot get caught up by the latest technology gizmos such as a key that caught you up on this trip. Leave those toys to young kids  eepwall: >

This whole Landcruiser hill business has left me a bit confused. I thought it's the big sand dune? But the owner/manager at the White Lady lodge mentioned it is extremely rocky? I could be wrong, but it seems the locals refer to another route as Landcruiser hill? In my video, at about 48sec, to the left of where I'm pointing is a seriously rocky road going up the hill. I almost, almost think it could be what the manager was referring to. Will have to go back there and have another good look with that 500!

This is what we did. Also on the off camber dune, then up that steep rocky climb (the video really doesn't do it justice, if you stop you just can't get going again)

 

[Xpat]

Well, it's designted right there on the T4A maps on both mine and yours screenshot, so I assume that is what Landcruiser hill is - and that one is top of big dune. If you followed the route you've sent you didn't follow my tracks - we came from Ugab river up that valley called 'Not recommended' on T4A. Why did you come down the dune just to have to climb it again offcamber (the point where HSK fell in the video)? You could have just stayed on top and connect to the track further on.

Anyway - any of those tracks are fantastic riding so it is no biggie, just wandering why you actually avoided Landcruiser Hill when you were right on top of it  :biggrin:

 

[Minxy]

Well, it's designted right there on the T4A maps on both mine and yours screenshot, so I assume that is what Landcruiser hill is - and that one is top of big dune. If you followed the route you've sent you didn't follow my tracks - we came from Ugab river up that valley called 'Not recommended' on T4A. Why did you come down the dune just to have to climb it again offcamber (the point where HSK fell in the video)? You could have just stayed on top and connect to the track further on.

Anyway - any of those tracks are fantastic riding so it is no biggie, just wandering why you actually avoided Landcruiser Hill when you were right on top of it  :biggrin:

What T4A says still conflicts with what the old man at White Lady lodge said. Maybe he has no clue what he's talking about *shrug* He just told us, LC hill is soooooo rocky and loose, they could barely make it up there in 4x4.

And looking back, I don't quite know why we went that specific way exactly haha, I think I plotted us on the "escape route" and not on the main route... it was fun though :imaposer: :biggrin:

 

[Xpat]

I think I know what owner of WL meant - the gully leading up to the bottom of the Lancruiser hill dune from Ugab is extremely rocky. That is the one we took and is designated inT4A as not recommended. Like so (Landcruiser hill is the red dune at the top of the rocks:

 

[Xpat]

Here some pictures of the rocky ascent to the bottom of the Landcruiser hill dune when we did it in 4x4 - I'm pretty sure that is what the WL guy is talking about:

 

[Minxy]

I think I know what owner of WL meant - the gully leading up to the bottom of the Lancruiser hill dune from Ugab is extremely rocky. That is the one we took and is designated inT4A as not recommended. Like so (Landcruiser hill is the red dune at the top of the rocks:

Very cool, I think that could very well be what that man was referring to, thanks for sharing photos

 

[geopat]

Heading out there next week can't wait these reports really build the gees