Every ride I have ever been on, no matter how bad the weather, and no matter what mishaps came along to try to spoil it, will leave one or two memories that made it worth it.
Yesterday’s memories were riding the open grassland to the edge of the Msilili gorge, and watching the surreal view of mist and light drizzle swirling about below us. Occasionally the mist would open up enough for us to see the gorge below us, and I was hoping for a gap to make the falls visible to MadDog and our cameras, but unfortunately that never happened.
But it was great being out there anyway, and big thanks to MadDog for getting very wet in the name of riding and for keeping me company.
The objective of the day was to get a few additional shots for an “under construction” register I am putting together for a “KZN waterfall register” for this forum. The “planning” thread indicated that we would have a pack of five bikes but these woosies who ride KTMs and BMWs took one look at the rainy weather and went back to bed leaving the party just MadDog and myself on colour un-coordinated pair of Teneres.
Unfortunately the waterfall photography was not that successful. We took very wet tar through the Mgeni valley and then up towards Bruin’s Hill, and then a Km or so of muddy side roads before riding the open grass to the gorge. I must admit my E07s did better in the mud than I expected, but the general rule of the valley is that mud high up is not as slippery as mud down in the valleys, and neither of us suffered any side stand incidents or tumbles.
But there is good news. We stopped and chatted to helpful group of locals and a guy told us that it is possible to follow paths to the base of the Msilili falls. He mentioned that there is a dam (I suspect natural pool) where he used to go and play as a kid. He said it is quite a lot of walking and intimated that I may struggle as I am a “madala”, but he said it is doable if you give yourself time.
So this is advanced warning that I intend to try one day and will be looking for a team to join me with walking shoes and some spare time.
But, a couple of pics to show we were really out there.
Bikes in the mist.
A nice view of thefalls mist.
Dunno what these flowers are, but they sure are pretty when wet.
There were hundreds of these spider webs in the grass. I am sure they would have been invisible without the mist.
A small gap in the mist.
Yesterday’s memories were riding the open grassland to the edge of the Msilili gorge, and watching the surreal view of mist and light drizzle swirling about below us. Occasionally the mist would open up enough for us to see the gorge below us, and I was hoping for a gap to make the falls visible to MadDog and our cameras, but unfortunately that never happened.
But it was great being out there anyway, and big thanks to MadDog for getting very wet in the name of riding and for keeping me company.
The objective of the day was to get a few additional shots for an “under construction” register I am putting together for a “KZN waterfall register” for this forum. The “planning” thread indicated that we would have a pack of five bikes but these woosies who ride KTMs and BMWs took one look at the rainy weather and went back to bed leaving the party just MadDog and myself on colour un-coordinated pair of Teneres.
Unfortunately the waterfall photography was not that successful. We took very wet tar through the Mgeni valley and then up towards Bruin’s Hill, and then a Km or so of muddy side roads before riding the open grass to the gorge. I must admit my E07s did better in the mud than I expected, but the general rule of the valley is that mud high up is not as slippery as mud down in the valleys, and neither of us suffered any side stand incidents or tumbles.
But there is good news. We stopped and chatted to helpful group of locals and a guy told us that it is possible to follow paths to the base of the Msilili falls. He mentioned that there is a dam (I suspect natural pool) where he used to go and play as a kid. He said it is quite a lot of walking and intimated that I may struggle as I am a “madala”, but he said it is doable if you give yourself time.
So this is advanced warning that I intend to try one day and will be looking for a team to join me with walking shoes and some spare time.
But, a couple of pics to show we were really out there.
Bikes in the mist.
A nice view of the
Dunno what these flowers are, but they sure are pretty when wet.
There were hundreds of these spider webs in the grass. I am sure they would have been invisible without the mist.
A small gap in the mist.
