Spore
Pack Dog
Wragtig pragtig!! Kannie wag vir die res nie! :thumleft:
King of the Mountains
- Thread starter jverster
- Start date
:thumleft:
JACOVV
Race Dog
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2009
- Messages
- 4,628
- Reaction score
- 96
- Location
- East of London EC
- Bike
- BMW R1200GS Adventure
Waiting . . . . . :mwink:
jverster
Pack Dog
Arriving at the house at Katse I noticed that my trusted Simonsig load had sprung a leak. What was I think riding a cardboard box full of red wine through the Maloeties.
Leaving Katse now on our way to Sani Pass. The locals are still farming the old way.
Our trip for the day is marked in yellow.
Fuel is relatively scarce in Lesotho so when you get a chance you better fill up.
Carl on the Honda XL650 was having trouble with his luggage system. With all the rattling and shaking the bolts were breaking off and he needed some repairs. He replaced to 6mm bolts with 6" nails and we were back on the road in no time.
On our way from Katse we pass through Thaba Tseka where the repairs are performed. The town looks almost modern with the TV and radio communications antennas all over.
The we head out through the northern region of Lesotho and into the highlands. At almost 3000 meter ASL plant life is rare.
Even at this altitude little villages are scattered on the escarpment. You can see the farmland on the hillside. It's late September but I don't see anything growing.
At some point we decided to take a short cut. Now this is where the "must have some experience" on the invitation to the trip must come from.
A local pub along the way offers outdoor music to its guest.
After midday we stop at what looks like the only shadowed spot on the country side.
Carl is now riding high in the mountains.
Bart is enjoying the view at the top of the mountain.
Before we know it we're at the top of Sani Pass.
Going down Sani Pass seems quite easy. Mist had rolled up the mountain-side so you can't see the drop down the side.
At the border-post they hand out the famous Lesotho headgear and I wear it with pride.
All the way down from Sani Pass and we arrive at Himeville for a well deserved rest. The accommodation is again tops. Himeville is about 40km from the RSA / Lesotho border and is situated in KZN. The town has a rich history of love and war.
Now for the trip from Himeville to Rhodes. About 200km of gravel and we're going to traverse the famous Naude's Nek. I can't wait. The scenery is said to be spectacular.
The Rhodes hotel
Leaving Katse now on our way to Sani Pass. The locals are still farming the old way.
Our trip for the day is marked in yellow.
Fuel is relatively scarce in Lesotho so when you get a chance you better fill up.
Carl on the Honda XL650 was having trouble with his luggage system. With all the rattling and shaking the bolts were breaking off and he needed some repairs. He replaced to 6mm bolts with 6" nails and we were back on the road in no time.
On our way from Katse we pass through Thaba Tseka where the repairs are performed. The town looks almost modern with the TV and radio communications antennas all over.
The we head out through the northern region of Lesotho and into the highlands. At almost 3000 meter ASL plant life is rare.
Even at this altitude little villages are scattered on the escarpment. You can see the farmland on the hillside. It's late September but I don't see anything growing.
At some point we decided to take a short cut. Now this is where the "must have some experience" on the invitation to the trip must come from.
A local pub along the way offers outdoor music to its guest.
After midday we stop at what looks like the only shadowed spot on the country side.
Carl is now riding high in the mountains.
Bart is enjoying the view at the top of the mountain.
Before we know it we're at the top of Sani Pass.
Going down Sani Pass seems quite easy. Mist had rolled up the mountain-side so you can't see the drop down the side.
At the border-post they hand out the famous Lesotho headgear and I wear it with pride.
All the way down from Sani Pass and we arrive at Himeville for a well deserved rest. The accommodation is again tops. Himeville is about 40km from the RSA / Lesotho border and is situated in KZN. The town has a rich history of love and war.
Now for the trip from Himeville to Rhodes. About 200km of gravel and we're going to traverse the famous Naude's Nek. I can't wait. The scenery is said to be spectacular.
The Rhodes hotel
jverster
Pack Dog
The next morning everyone's in good spirit. Today we're going to ride the Bastervoer Pass. It's an unused pass that connects KZN with the Eastern Cape just outside Barkley East. From there we'll take some tar and settle in Cintsa on the coast for the evening.
A carry-along ashtray shows the guys care more about the environment them themselves.
This time of the year lambs are a plenty. Looks like all the lambs were born on the same day.
Just outside Rhodes.
The start of the Bastervoet Pass and we're already slowing down for a tricky bridge.
At the top of the Bastervoet pass a marbleplate marking the official opening of the pass by Dr Lapa Munnik in 1979.
The famous Gatberg close to Elliot in the Eastern Cape.
Then finally some rain. Fortunately we didn't see rain on the Bastervoet Pass as this could have been quite tricky.
Now someone had to go overboard with "being visible" when it rains. Bart looks like a neon colored canary on steroids.
A carry-along ashtray shows the guys care more about the environment them themselves.
This time of the year lambs are a plenty. Looks like all the lambs were born on the same day.
Just outside Rhodes.
The start of the Bastervoet Pass and we're already slowing down for a tricky bridge.
At the top of the Bastervoet pass a marbleplate marking the official opening of the pass by Dr Lapa Munnik in 1979.
The famous Gatberg close to Elliot in the Eastern Cape.
Then finally some rain. Fortunately we didn't see rain on the Bastervoet Pass as this could have been quite tricky.
Now someone had to go overboard with "being visible" when it rains. Bart looks like a neon colored canary on steroids.
hayleyscomet
Race Dog
SJoe my aching Heart
Wanna go back ...Baaad
Lekker guys
Wayne
PS who is the photographer ...Camera and Lens info if Possible ?
Wanna go back ...Baaad
Lekker guys
Wayne
PS who is the photographer ...Camera and Lens info if Possible ?
jverster
Pack Dog
Thanks for noticing the photo-gear. I took about 1000 pics on this trip.
I used my trusted Canon550D with it's 17-55mm lens. It's light and works great for trips like these. I wrapped it in a protective cloth and stuck it in my tank bag. I also took my tripod but did not use it once.
I used my trusted Canon550D with it's 17-55mm lens. It's light and works great for trips like these. I wrapped it in a protective cloth and stuck it in my tank bag. I also took my tripod but did not use it once.
jverster
Pack Dog
Finally after riding on the N1 for about an hour we arrived at Cintsa. What spot! We are welcomed with Margarita's.
Piet Wyn , a hammock specialist, test the local gear.
The Lodge at Cintsa.
Another great day followed by a first class dinner.
The restaurant at Cintsa is properly designed.
The next day we're off the Patensie so that we can get back on the gravel again. On the way we stop for a cheese burger at Port Alfred.
Bart just looks happy.
Generally the spirits are high. We stop for a quick break just outside Patensie.
Today we traveled almost 400km from Cintsa to Shumba Lodge just outside Patensie. It was a long day in the saddle with not much to do than evading trucks and cars. We are in time for a great sunset followed by an awesome dinner.
Checking the genes.
Bart and Gustav is reliving days gone by.
Dinner is served.
The owner of the Lodge and his son sees us off the next morning. The laaitjie just wants to ride.
We say farewell to Shumba Lodge and the friendly people there.
Piet Wyn , a hammock specialist, test the local gear.
The Lodge at Cintsa.
Another great day followed by a first class dinner.
The restaurant at Cintsa is properly designed.
The next day we're off the Patensie so that we can get back on the gravel again. On the way we stop for a cheese burger at Port Alfred.
Bart just looks happy.
Generally the spirits are high. We stop for a quick break just outside Patensie.
Today we traveled almost 400km from Cintsa to Shumba Lodge just outside Patensie. It was a long day in the saddle with not much to do than evading trucks and cars. We are in time for a great sunset followed by an awesome dinner.
Checking the genes.
Bart and Gustav is reliving days gone by.
Dinner is served.
The owner of the Lodge and his son sees us off the next morning. The laaitjie just wants to ride.
We say farewell to Shumba Lodge and the friendly people there.
jverster
Pack Dog
Thanks for the nice comments.
Dankie vir die gawe kommentaar. Ek sal hopenlik my stories binnekort klaar maak.
Dankie vir die gawe kommentaar. Ek sal hopenlik my stories binnekort klaar maak.
JACOVV
Race Dog
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2009
- Messages
- 4,628
- Reaction score
- 96
- Location
- East of London EC
- Bike
- BMW R1200GS Adventure
Nice photos & report.
Cannot wait for the rest.
Cannot wait for the rest.
jverster
Pack Dog
After our "rest day" traveling from Cintsa to Patensie on tar we were looking forward to the Baviaanskloof. I had done it a few year before bur from the Uniondale side. We heard there was plenty of water in the kloof so the water-crossings were going to be tricky.
We picked item 2 on the list. "An adventure drive"
It was Auret's 5th time in the kloof on a bike.
A very friendly reception at the gate to the reserve.
A friend of ours was recently gorged by a buffalo in the kloof. The new sign warns of other dangers as well.
Baviaans mountains in the southern side of the kloof.
Piet Wyn had picked up a bug or something and wasn't feeling all that well.
He did however try to show some good spirit.
Soon after we entered the reserve we stopped for a breakfast break. We were going to need the energy later.
Then the crossings started.
Willem was always there with a helping hand.
The guys were getting tired.
Pieter was fighting the Adventurer through the water and over the rocks.
The shallow crossings posed no real obstacle and the guys went for the big splash.
Pet Wyn kept a full record of the event.
We needed to get some of the water out of those leather boots.
Piet decided not to get his boots wet.
It seemed that the water was just deep enough to get into the 1200s air intake. In the end 3 of the 1200s took water and we had to stop and blow them dry.
Tipping the bike over helps getting the last drop out.
A freaky gate closes in on Gustav and lifts him out of the saddle in Baviaanskloof.
We stop for lunch and I chow a Vienna cheese wrap. One of my special snacks.
We picked item 2 on the list. "An adventure drive"
It was Auret's 5th time in the kloof on a bike.
A very friendly reception at the gate to the reserve.
A friend of ours was recently gorged by a buffalo in the kloof. The new sign warns of other dangers as well.
Baviaans mountains in the southern side of the kloof.
Piet Wyn had picked up a bug or something and wasn't feeling all that well.
He did however try to show some good spirit.
Soon after we entered the reserve we stopped for a breakfast break. We were going to need the energy later.
Then the crossings started.
Willem was always there with a helping hand.
The guys were getting tired.
Pieter was fighting the Adventurer through the water and over the rocks.
The shallow crossings posed no real obstacle and the guys went for the big splash.
Pet Wyn kept a full record of the event.
We needed to get some of the water out of those leather boots.
Piet decided not to get his boots wet.
It seemed that the water was just deep enough to get into the 1200s air intake. In the end 3 of the 1200s took water and we had to stop and blow them dry.
Tipping the bike over helps getting the last drop out.
A freaky gate closes in on Gustav and lifts him out of the saddle in Baviaanskloof.
We stop for lunch and I chow a Vienna cheese wrap. One of my special snacks.
jverster
Pack Dog
The day continues and when we leave the Baviaanskloog we head past de Rust to our final destination at Kruisrivier just outside Calitizdorp. That's a neat 410 km trip for the day.
Willem checks his GPS which lead us through this great King of the Mountains trip.
An old tobacco drying shed next to the house where we rest at Kruisrivier.
By now Carl en Auret had left the group to attend to other commitments. The remainder of us take a final stop stop in Villiersdorp , eat a pie , drink some coffee and take the last picture.
Willem checks his GPS which lead us through this great King of the Mountains trip.
An old tobacco drying shed next to the house where we rest at Kruisrivier.
By now Carl en Auret had left the group to attend to other commitments. The remainder of us take a final stop stop in Villiersdorp , eat a pie , drink some coffee and take the last picture.
THE END
GreenAnt
Puppy
Nice report JP. Very inspiring....
JACOVV
Race Dog
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2009
- Messages
- 4,628
- Reaction score
- 96
- Location
- East of London EC
- Bike
- BMW R1200GS Adventure
Lekker gewees om saam met julle te ry.
Foto's is baie mooi. Thanks
Foto's is baie mooi. Thanks
