KTM Rallye Raid - Wartrail, nog 'n version

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SGB

Race Dog
Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
3,158
Reaction score
11
Location
Bloemfontein, SA
Bike
BMW R1200GS
The KZN team slowly took shape over the weeks before the event - we were lucky enough to secure 15 places for Alfie Cox Racing after only 8 were originally allocated.  Time seemed to stop after the Alfie Cox DS Festival which kept us quite busy, and the wait felt like forever until we left in pouring rain on Thursday morning.  We did the softie thing too, and trailered to Matatiele - the LC4 riders with serious knoblies got their way this time around.....  Ugly, isn't it!  >:D
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We offloaded and kitted at Gavin Sol's farm, and thanks to them for looking after the cars for the weekend!
BM Rider practicing the KTM Grin
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The 15 of us left and found the Plothond team along the way - nice big gang.  Qachasnek border.
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I stopped at the Senqu weir for a pic, always nice when the river is in flood.
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Look at the difference, I crossed the river here 2 weeks ago, second pic is from the other side of the crossing 2 weeks ago.
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The ride along the river to Tele Bridge was uneventful, except for Bruce's bike's fuel hose that pinched and we did some quick "repairs" to fix that.  The bike is called Goldilox and she is actually a trophy that Alfie won at the Dakar.  Bruce rode her for the weekend and looked after her very well until the hooligans got hold of her....

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The ride up Lundeansnek was great once again, just a nice route and recommended for any DS ride in this area.  Arrived at the venue to be greeted by a sea of orange.
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We settled into our small good looking tents and chilled until sunset. 
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Dinner and the welcome talks / rider briefing set the scene and a great evening of kuiering and chatting to old friends was had by all.  The relaxed environment and good food and hospitality from the local community was amazing.

Friday morning we set off on the RR1 track.  The fuel station in Barkly East looked quite occupied with all the bikes waiting to fill up.

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The route was just technical enough for a good ride on a 990, and you had to be alert and look where you were going.  We had some rocks, mud, off cambers, water, farm roads, etc.  I took far too few pics en route (especially where we were fighting a little  >:D), just shows how I was holding on!
Here are some.

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Some noobs were slowing us down a little, had to wait for them....  ;)
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Congestion and traffic management before the steep sections:
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The mud monster was out in all its glory....   :eek:

Back at the venue, we had a shower and went down to watch the "Global Challenge".  Mike Glover explaining the rules:
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Barrel racing - first qualifying towards finals
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"Footup" section.  Some serious skill displayed here.
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The Sala challenge follwed - Gio set a technical track which was raced against time, him, Alfie and Riaan competed for the best time.  Riaan on the 640 taught the 950 SE some manners in this....

I never thought there were that many posers around.  The turnout of 250 is impressive if you consider that only about 600 KTM adv bikes were sold in SA in the last 3 years.

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Some smooth riding was seen all over - the riding skill in general was better than I thought, and it was good to see the responsible attitude.  That night in the pub however, some real smooth attitude came out and the party went into the early morning hours.  Shoo.......  :eek: :eek:

Saturday morning we had to pose for the camera in the helicopter for the pic that Plottie posted.  Enough posing.... :p
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We then went off on RR2 - we were threatened with huge rocks and carrying a 990 just did not appeal to me.  Alfie and some went for the hills and the rest of us were on the Tiffendel road heading to Ugie down Naudesnek.

The king of Roy Hesketh, Rod Gray at age 62 on one of Alfie's older Dakar bikes.  Rod is still an incredible rider.  8)
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Top of Naudesnek
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More to follow just now.....



 
Just as I thought the dirt highway was getting too long, we were taken into a pine forest on the way to Ugie, some real good riding.  John had a flat, which we fixed in a flash.  Oz supervising, me photographer, Warren and John working, Bruce posing.
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Lunch stop in Ugie - again spoilt rotten by the locals.  Clouds were building up, note Warren deciding if a rain suit is the right thing - man with vision....
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Another plantation, some more amazing routes, scenery and just good to be out there.  The rain came, and woke up the mud monster again - properly.  The road became a real mess and lots of fighting resulted.   ;)

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But the scenery, even with the rain was still good and the riding most enjoyable.
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"Back at the Ranch", the barrel racing now had an added airborne dimension.
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Some more footups too - serious stuff
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The evening entertainment again was intense, with Rum, Jagermeister, Red Bull and stuff causing more of the mentioned smoothness.  And some of the courage has been posted by Paulsky and others.  Lots of stuff was given away, with Alfie and Richard Manning keeping the KZN boys famous.  Again early morning stuff, no use to try and sleep earlier (lesson from last night), the music was loud and clear in every tent and so was the giggeling of the returning smooth ones at 3 am.

On Sunday AM, we packed and booked out, took the shortcut via Rhodes and Naudesnek.  Filled fuel at Rhodes - the mud monster was still around, and you still had to look where you are going.....

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Scenery amazing....  Clear day just after the rain - mooi....  :)

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The A-team.....  ;D
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John had another flat, and we were waiting next to the road for him to arrive with Richard who went back to help him.  Bruce relaxing
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Arrived back at the farm safely, after some tar - boring really, maybe the LC4 okes were right after all....
Team picture.
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We all had a good time, the event was well presented, thank you to KTM and Red Cherry and the Wartrail community.  And of course to my favourite KTM dealership, you guys are the champions!  Where to next?  O0

 
Awesome stuff, looks like you guys had a jol. Looks like some nice technical sections there too...
 
Hey SGB

Some nice pics man, looks like you guys had a great trip.

Did you decide not to go into Lesotho up Ongeluksnek?

 
Bummed I missed this weekend

After seeing these pics and videos will def be there next year
 
bushclown said:
Bummed I missed this weekend

After seeing these pics and videos will def be there next year

+1
Count me in - where do we book?
 
Looks like cool ride up. SGB, get a pair of long pants for fark's sake you making me cold just thinking about it. Bruce, I'll still got your siphon pipe (an essential piece of kit on a 950 with luggage at speed) and I'm not giving it back.
I think you guys should come to the WD bash in Hogsback.
 
Looked like it was a great success and experience.  Glad to see my neighbor Mike Glover was also involved.
 
LostDOG said:
bushclown said:
Bummed I missed this weekend

After seeing these pics and videos will def be there next year

+1
Count me in - where do we book?

Oh yes, count me in too. Lots of time to pratice the bike riding and perfect the drinking for next year... >:D
 
Well done, look like a great event with the 'right' attitude.

SGB, why are there so few (relatively speaking) KZN boys on the forum? - and yes you can take this as a dare....  ;D

H
 
Cool report...wish my camera worked for the trip!! Keep it coming
 
Hey Paulsky.......where were you when I needed you man!  A piece of that fuel hose would have come in handy in Lesotho.  Not even SGB's best Sotho could get the little locals to understand what we needed and it was only after we'd swapped the radiator overflow hose for the pinched fuel hose that things started to look up again!

Glad you found your tent - you were starting to sound a bit restless!
 

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