I have to say to EssBee and all the folks that put this bash together that this was one of the lekkerest weekends I have ever had. Good everything – company, organization, riding – da works.
Next Year ? Same place, same time of year would get my vote.
A couple of folks have nagged me for a while to show them my favourite mountain, Ngilanyoni, and it really does not take much twisting to oblige. I put together a 220Km route that took in Ngilanyoni, and the river road on the South of the Mkomzi up to the Ixopo area.
I must admit I screwed up the route in two ways. First of all I decided to slab it on tar to the Mid Illovo dorpie to save time before dropping into the Lovu valley, but what I thought was tar turned out to be stony and bumpy gravel and we should have just taken gravel roads. I am sure this poor planning cost a lot of time.
The second error of judgement was the Mkomazi river road. It was a lot longer and slower than I remember – especially of you are still wrestling descent demons like I am at the moment.
But it was still a great day in the saddle nonetheless, and a big thanks to the four who came along for the trip.
I have just a few pics, and most from my helmet cam that had got horribly dusty and I forgot to wipe it.
My spot – and Jane the ostrich.
Inspecting my top box.
The trip onto the mountain was quite overgrown and I nearly did not notice this log’s mate lying in the grass. Sorry about the dust on the camera’s lens.
This is probably the most overgrown time of year, and this part of the “road” onto the mountain is quite a thorny tangle.
I noticed a bump on my forearm today, gave it a bit of a scratch and out popped about 3mm of thorn. I know where I got it.
From the bush onto the "freeway".
Approaching the knoll.
On top of the knoll.
Seems that I picked up a bark passenger somewhere without realizing it.
The team on the hill. Cyclops, Superoo, Grantis and Tommy (without a ) Transalp.
The cottage showers. Do you notice you can only see one of Roxenz’ hands. :
