KZN Midlands Ride

[JonW]

So the Middelrus ride proved to be an "interesting" ride for those who came.

Great to have Tommy Transalp, Ian thr Tooth and GazGaz from the forum at the ride, 8 bikes in total.


I really enjoyed most of the ride, sorry we did not all finish it together. The ride started out great, through Demagtenberg Plantations, no issues, just really sad to see how dry and dusty the whole area is, I am used to seeing it green and lush.

Then down the back of CraigieBurn no problems. Especially impressed with GazGaz, who declined to miss out on this rocky section on his 1200 and handled it like a pro.

 

[JonW]

From there through Middelrus and onto some nice tracks and dry riverbeds that everyone enjoyed.

 

[JonW]

Unfortunately we were slowed down a bit by the size of the group and that inevitable puncture to one of the guys' rear wheel which, after stopping a few times to put Tyre Weld in, which didn't work, took a while to fix. Still some good riding.

 

[JonW]

Towards the end of the ride after a couple of the guys had been taking a bit of strain and were a bit worried about fuel, most of the guys decided to end the ride early, leaving Ian and me to continue on alone. At this stage we were riding footpaths that I was not very familiar with, following a track on my GPS that I had drawn on Google Earth. Long story short is that at some stage we lost the track and it took us forever riding through the bush to find it again, and then later as it was getting dark, got diverted again on the wrong track, costing us another hour or so, as well as precious fuel which was running out rapidly.

Eventually we got back on the right track, but now we were in the middle of the bush in pitch dark, miles from anywhere. Quite an experience riding over rocks and dongas not being able to see anything. Unfortunately my XR's headlight is worse than useless, so I was almost riding blind. We coped by Ian riding right behind me, enabling me to see by Ian's headlight, which was actually pretty good. The only consolation for me was that the others had turned round earlier, it would have been way worse if they were still with us.

After what seemed like forever of riding through the bush in the dark we made it to the tar road, and headed towards the fuel station at Muden. I ran completely out of petrol just before we got to the fuel station and I managed to coast up to the pump with my engine off.

What followed was a bit of a nightmare couple of hours back to Hilton via Greytown and karkloof, but we made it without incident, eventually arriving home in Hilton at 20h40 exhausted and frozen after 12 hours in the saddle.

My thanks and admiration go to my riding mate Ian, who throughout the ride kept cheerful and positive and didn't complain once about our kak situation. Big up to you mate.

Sorry no pics of this section, my mind wasn't really on taking pics, more focused on survival at this stage  :biggrin:


Now who is joining me the weekend after next on a trip through the Tugela Valley, should be home before lunch.

 

[ianhogg]

More fun than you make out Jon!

Tell them about the bit where the glow from your headlamp suddenly vanished and I found you at the bottom of a humongous donga.

 

[BIGMAC]

Nice one JonW. I need to join you on a ride, I am keen to do the Impendle Nature Reserve some time with all the river crossings.

 

[CRH]

Well done to everyone ;D.

 

[Wolzac]

:thumleft: Love the Scenery. Beautiful KZN.

 

[trevorwb]

Jon u and Ian can't be trusted .Definitely my sort of ride

 

[Tommy Transalp]

I really enjoyed the ride.... :thumleft:.... that's what makes for adventure riding... the unknown  :ricky:

Glad you guys got back in one piece.... albeit a bit late and cold!! :thumleft:

 

[GazGaz]

Great ride JonW. As I said before always interesting riding worth you. Craigeburn was challenging with the rocks covering the whole road and path. It tested me and the S10. It was great that "no one" really moaned about the ride we all enjoyed it. Thanks again

 

[GazGaz]

Some more pics

 

[wooly bugger]

Towards the end of the ride after a couple of the guys had been taking a bit of strain and were a bit worried about fuel, most of the guys decided to end the ride early, leaving Ian and me to continue on alone. At this stage we were riding footpaths that I was not very familiar with, following a track on my GPS that I had drawn on Google Earth. Long story short is that at some stage we lost the track and it took us forever riding through the bush to find it again, and then later as it was getting dark, got diverted again on the wrong track, costing us another hour or so, as well as precious fuel which was running out rapidly.

Eventually we got back on the right track, but now we were in the middle of the bush in pitch dark, miles from anywhere. Quite an experience riding over rocks and dongas not being able to see anything. Unfortunately my XR's headlight is worse than useless, so I was almost riding blind. We coped by Ian riding right behind me, enabling me to see by Ian's headlight, which was actually pretty good. The only consolation for me was that the others had turned round earlier, it would have been way worse if they were still with us.

After what seemed like forever of riding through the bush in the dark we made it to the tar road, and headed towards the fuel station at Muden. I ran completely out of petrol just before we got to the fuel station and I managed to coast up to the pump with my engine off.

What followed was a bit of a nightmare couple of hours back to Hilton via Greytown and karkloof, but we made it without incident, eventually arriving home in Hilton at 20h40 exhausted and frozen after 12 hours in the saddle.

My thanks and admiration go to my riding mate Ian, who throughout the ride kept cheerful and positive and didn't complain once about our kak situation. Big up to you mate.

Sorry no pics of this section, my mind wasn't really on taking pics, more focused on survival at this stage  :biggrin:


Now who is joining me the weekend after next on a trip through the Tugela Valley, should be home before lunch.

Nice one, Jon................... :imaposer:

 

[COLES]

looks like a very ruuuuuuuuuf area for the big bike

 

[GazGaz]

looks like a very ruuuuuuuuuf area for the big bike

Just 2 areas that were the rest was fine