Lesotho Ride

[JonW]

At some stage I spotted a steep hill leading to what looked like a saddle at the top, so we took off up the hill and made it all the way to the top. getting up wasn't too hard, but riding down again looked pretty daunting. Adding to the challenge was the fact that my back brake wasn't working properly, which I discovered later was due to me not putting my back wheel on properly earlier in the day before the ride. Heading down the steep slope my back wheel locked and somehow my bike stalled. So with my back wheel locked and providing no stopping traction I careened down the mountain gathering speed unable to slow down, with my back wheel threatening to overtake me each time I tried turning. Anyway it was a real heart in the throat moment for me, but I managed to slow the bike down and regain control without falling off.

 

[JonW]

At one stage we were following the river down the valley and came across some amazing Bushman paintings

 

[JonW]

Sunday morning we left the lodge fairly early, PHJ had to drive back to Pretoria and Dacquiri had to get to the airport for his flight back to Cape Town

Our friendly lodge dogs enjoying the morning sun

 

[Sheepman]

Lovely ride & cool pics Jon

 

[JonW]

We took a nice meandering route back, lots of free riding, not following any set track, riding up and down hills wherever it looked interesting and getting to some great view sites

Thanks to @trevorwb for plunging in and helping fix a number of punctures on the trip, even though his bike has tubeliss. I think it's easier for him to do the job himself than stand back watching us amateurs bumble along

 

[JonW]

 

[JonW]

And finally back down the pass, which was a piece of cake going down

 

[Rock_Rabbit]

Looks incredible! Do you guys have any routes to share on GPX?

 

[JonW]

Last pic of the happy bunch

 

[Grunder]

Lekker. Thx for sharing

 

[ianb]

Lovely Jon. Thanks for sharing.

 

[EssBee]

What an awesome RR!!! Nice Jon.

 

[Oubones]

Nice RR and nice area to ride in!
What pass is that and from where did you go in?

 

[JonW]

Nice RR and nice area to ride in!
What pass is that and from where did you go in?

Thanks
The pass is on private property in the Swartberg area.

 

[RobLH]

Thanks Jon, great report as always. What was the issue with the CRF?

 

[Ejay]

Nice RR and nice area to ride in!
What pass is that and from where did you go in?

This looks like the Thule Beacon, St Bernards Peak track

Used to be able to get access via Little Stream Cottage 039 747 4422 / 083 459 3658

Not sure if this is still correct

Search Thule Rustler route

 

[JonW]

Thanks Jon, great report as always. What was the issue with the CRF?

Thanks Rob

No issue with the CRF, just not really suited to this kind of riding.

 

[OomD]

Jon your posts inspire me to get off my lazy ass. Looking forward to riding with you in the (hopefully) not too distant future, your rides always look so awesome! Thanks for sharing man.

 

[JonW]

Jon your posts inspire me to get off my lazy ass. Looking forward to riding with you in the (hopefully) not too distant future, your rides always look so awesome! Thanks for sharing man.

Thanks Dirk, looking forward to you sending me a PM sometime telling me you want to come down to KZN to do a ride

 

[MildlyWild]

Darn, this lookd awesome! Bucket list trip for me!

Either do a 2-3 day ride there from CT, 3-4 days through Lesotho on the recognised routes (probably on the XChallenge) and then 2-3 days back to CT. I have a riding buddy who will then come with on his Africa Twin
OR
See if I can bag a mint KDX220, and trailer it there and back.

Leaning towards the former, simply due to cost and total days riding