Kobus Myburgh
Grey Hound
Preparation is often as exciting as the trip itself. On the pre-established Whatsapp group the excitement was building as everyone posted pics, chirps and advice.
Part of preparation is of course bike choice. To many this is often a stumbling block when considering these adventures. There is no such thing as the perfect bike for this trip, so no need to make excuses any longer. I have been privileged to see 23 Africa Twins complete this route (albeit slightly different) and now a vast variety of bikes from a CRF230, CRF250 Rally, 650 class thumpers, a previous generation Africa Twin and the latest and greatest KTM 500's. Every single one completed the journey, with varying levels of comfort and each and every one compromising at some stage or another.
My adventure biking life took off in 2007 when I was privileged to buy a KTM 640 Adventure out the box. Prior to this, apart from my first bike (PE 250) I only knew enduro riding. I thought it suitable to use the same bike for the trip that started my love for the adventure lifestyle.
Preparations started and after not being ridden for a long time, the carburettor was tweaked and serviced by our local guru. A test ride of about 240km a couple of days before departure made me think why I even own any other bike but the 640.
After sorting out last minute shopping for rehydrate, spare tubes etc. the day arrived where myself and Peter would leave to meet the Specialised Adventure team and some fellow riders in Loxton.
It was great to have company on the journey and before long we stopped in Beaufort Wes to pick up some additional deep cycle batteries for Hardy. Just outside town we started climbing the Molteno Pass for the last +-100km gravel stretch. It's an underrated stretch of road that I've had the privilege of traveling by bike before as well.
We arrived in Loxton to a warm Karoo welcome and a proper cup of coffee, ready to meet our fellow travellers.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Part of preparation is of course bike choice. To many this is often a stumbling block when considering these adventures. There is no such thing as the perfect bike for this trip, so no need to make excuses any longer. I have been privileged to see 23 Africa Twins complete this route (albeit slightly different) and now a vast variety of bikes from a CRF230, CRF250 Rally, 650 class thumpers, a previous generation Africa Twin and the latest and greatest KTM 500's. Every single one completed the journey, with varying levels of comfort and each and every one compromising at some stage or another.
My adventure biking life took off in 2007 when I was privileged to buy a KTM 640 Adventure out the box. Prior to this, apart from my first bike (PE 250) I only knew enduro riding. I thought it suitable to use the same bike for the trip that started my love for the adventure lifestyle.
Preparations started and after not being ridden for a long time, the carburettor was tweaked and serviced by our local guru. A test ride of about 240km a couple of days before departure made me think why I even own any other bike but the 640.
After sorting out last minute shopping for rehydrate, spare tubes etc. the day arrived where myself and Peter would leave to meet the Specialised Adventure team and some fellow riders in Loxton.
It was great to have company on the journey and before long we stopped in Beaufort Wes to pick up some additional deep cycle batteries for Hardy. Just outside town we started climbing the Molteno Pass for the last +-100km gravel stretch. It's an underrated stretch of road that I've had the privilege of traveling by bike before as well.
We arrived in Loxton to a warm Karoo welcome and a proper cup of coffee, ready to meet our fellow travellers.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
