Lesotho, the hard way.(Complete)

[fat b]

:drif: keep it coming bru !

 

[Michiel]

I was really hoping that we could travel this road all the way through to Sehonghong. The ironic thing is that,
if the Chinese haven't been constructing/upgrading the existing road we would never have made it this far but
because they are working here they blasted away our pass to the other side. Not wanting to give up so easily
I scouted the kloof below to just shortcut but it quickly became apparent that it won't be a sensible thing to try
as there is a vertical drop of about 2m on each side.

Dustdevil and I invested into a rope and pulley system to hoist/lower the bikes where we really get stuck.
By putting in the time and effort we should be able cross this section... The one thing that does concern me
is that we still have about 10km to go before the next big road and I know from studying Google Earth there
is a hell of a gorge to cross further on. I suppose so early on in the trip we probably shouldn't burn ourselves out.
My riding buddies agreed. Turning back we have a long way to go just to get back where we started this morning.
At least the roads are descent. Now we are hurrying along what is a familiar road.

The plan is to fall back on the conventional road to Sehonghong going over the Matebeng Pass. I think secretly
Dustdevil is rejoicing because he really wanted to go see the Matebeng Pass. Sack just follows the pack.

Back on the suspension bridge we are waiting for Dustdevil. He always falls behing and it's not the HPN's fault
as she has a racing heritage, no, it's all the picture taking and video making that is to blame.

I know that there is a official campsite in the Matebeng Valley and suggest we try and make it there by nightfall.
As usual I was totally over optimistic. As dusk starts to set in we roar back to the parking lot at Rama's Gate.
Now Sack is starting to voice his concerns. The whole day he patiently waited while Dustdevil and I stopped for
pictures and video. Played along by riding some sections a couple of times to get the perfect shot. Time to speed things up!

The consensus was that we would probable make camp on the road side a couple of times during the trip as we
didn't want to set out a fixed schedule. We agreed that by 5pm we should start to look for a suitable sight so we
could settle down by 6. Being already after 7 I understood the urgency. We agreed that it will be better to get out
of the Rama's Gate settlement and find a nice spot on the hills. The local chief wasn't available but his wife was so
kind and agreed to our request, no questions asked.

Now we went shopping for the perfect spot. Oh boy! Did we find it? Hell yes!

 

[The TRANSPORTER]

Nice, this last pic wow calendar stuff....... :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[hawkeye]

Excellent RR

we hoping to do some of the same in June

keep it on  :thumleft:

 

[Dustdevil]

The first night we spend in Lesotho would turn out to be one special experience all on it's own. Running very late after
we were forced to turn around and change our course we arrived back at Rama's gate settlement. The Police officer
welcomed us to camp in the yard and he assured our safety, but the facilities did not leave much to be desired so we
wanted to push on and find a more remote and quiet spot. We were all a bit tense at this moment as there was little
time left to find a camp site and we had a long day behind us.
There was also the uncertainty about the safety of our equipment, after all we are in Africa. Later on in our trip we will
realize that this fear was well misplaced. In general the people of Lesotho have a great respect for another mans stuff,
besides it appear that although they are constantly asking for food and sweets they do not seem to be easily impressed
by other consumerist goods.

A short ride from Rama's and we came across this grassy knoll, it was perfect, tucked away from the road nearby and
far from any settlements. We felt like we were on top of the world.

The HPN getting ready for the night.

We were surrounded by 360 degrees of the most spectacular views imaginable.

A cold wind came up during the night and the tent noise woke me a couple of times. In the morning a cold wind was
still blowing but it could not chill our excitement for the day ahead.

Sunrise the next morning.

 

[Michiel]

Besides having to turn around and backtrack our 1st day really turned out better than I could have imagined.
So we settled down for the night, tents up and a holy calmness in the air. Not even the faintest sound of
anything we city dwellers are so used to. Only some goats and a cattle bell to be heard alongside the distant
conversations in a unfamiliar language.

Sack invested in a little gas stove and proceeded to cook himself a hot meal. Dustdevil and I could only watch
in envy. Sack was kind enough to share but I'm too proud of my "dried fruit and nuts system" to accept.
Dustdevil though made sure he got his fill.

Waking to the mere glow of the sun still far under the horizon we found ourselves in a slightly less friendly
landscape. The wind was blowing and I felt cold.

Nothing could dampen the spirits though as today we would head into the direction of Katse Dam but via a
track we dubbed "West Route". The normal road over the Matebeng Pass will be a scenic cruise but once we
reach Sehonghong we will attempt to cross the Senqu River and ride another unknown track.

The new day revealed just what a spectacular place Lesotho really is.

The trio.

On our way to Seshlabathebe.

The Chinese shop near Seshlabathebe. Now we had a chance to stock up on Bully Beef and Pilchards.
Oh yea, and petrol.

This guy came to buy some petrol for his car. Ironically he placed the containers in the saddlebags of his trusty steed.
With all the greenery around this mode of transport will never run out...

 

[fat b]

:happy1:

 

[Rynet]

Great photos, and report ,when is the movie coming out ? ;D

 

[Michiel]

I don't want to sound too dramatic but this Ride Report has been dawdling because of some setbacks
suffered by the parties involved. Dustdevil has had, what can bee seen as, a long sick bed and now he
has, what can be seen as, died...

I fear to say that the nature of this report might change for the worse as I will fail to tell the story as only
Dustdevil can. I am grief stricken for losing the only friend that was willing to follow me down the red routes.
We all suffer a great great loss...  :'(

 

[MrBig]

Michiel stop playing for time and finish the report.

 

[Jadon]

You care to explain yourself Michiel?  ???  ???

 

[faniesmith]

You care to explain yourself Michiel?  ???  ???

+1

I am sincerely hoping that I am misunderstanding something here and please do explain.

 

[AntonW]

Michiel you are scaring the guys. Dustdevil is moving from Cape Town and Michiel is sad to lose his ridding buddy.

 

[RobCrouch]

Then say so... this hidden weasel talk is seriously unprofessional in the light of the current situation with regard to accidents and murders. :xxbah:
I was under the impression the Dusty onel had met his end! :
Phew! :ricky:

 

[Michiel]

It's really for Dustdevil, or what spirit remains, to explain or not explain the situation.

All I should say is that I really felt exited about the trip we did and how the ride report
started out. For me there lies great personal reward in sharing these things with my fellow
adventure riders. Dustdevil and I managed to team up and write in such a way that we
inspired each other, or at least I felt inspired. Sadly as time went by Dustdevil got increasingly
distracted by serious difficulties and obstacles and no amount of encouragement nor nagging
nor threatening from my side seemed to urge him on. I feel that we aught to finish what we
started and do so within a reasonable amount of time.

The unfortunate thing is that I really only focussed on capturing video for the film I'm busy
editing and don't have enough images to tell a complete story. Dustdevil did take some
absolute spectacular shots and it will be a crime not to share them.

My plan of action is as follow: I will ask you lot to be patient and wait till I made a final attempt
to resurrect Dustdevil. We are going on the Easter Desert Run including a little jaunt up North
and there in the presence of desolation we will either celebrate a new beginning or cast Dustdevil's
ashes to be blown over the Namib in to eternity.

If all is lost I will finish the report solo. Maybe Sack will lend a hand.

 

[RobCrouch]

Relax Michiel! :thumleft:
Clearly some of us, myself included jumped to the wrong conclusion, glad we are wrong and understand how you feel.

 

[JonW]

Drama Queen  ot:

 

[faniesmith]

Wow this is a relief!!  :thumleft:

I just thought we lost one of the great 'geeste' van die DS scene in South Africa. I have met him only once, but his knowlegde about the BMW airheads AND his willingness to share that knowledge made a lasting impression.

Dustdevil, all the best and just go out and enjoy the Desert run.

 

[Michiel]

Great photos, and report ,when is the movie coming out ? ;D

Rynet, I'm working on it. For the last two weeks I got up every morning between 3 and 4 to put in a few hours
before work. Weekends are also taken up. It's a hell of a process but very enjoyable. The 1st cut will be of
everything I feel is telling the story or special to me, my private cut. This will add up to be 4 episodes of about
40min ea. Way too long for the commercial market but for you hardy adventurers out there that don't mind getting
dehydrated, tired and bruised I guess it will be in order.

Later on there will be a 90min cut and even later a 50min cut but you can imagine how much footage will be lost
in this process. Thanks for your support out there, after all, it would be worthless without an audience.

 

[Michiel]

Relax Michiel! :thumleft:
Clearly some of us, myself included jumped to the wrong conclusion, glad we are wrong and understand how you feel.

Yea, I like being a Drama Queen. It is though a hard thing to lose a friend, if only to distance. Funny how I almost feel a bit suicidal.
Thanks for the support and understanding.