Lesotho Tour - a picture & video story

[Michiel]

A big thanks to all the reaction and comments. As specially those who actually
read the whole report. I have so much pleasure in sharing the story.

Looking back I realise our little adventure was really nothing compared to what
some other motorcycle enthusiasts have endured while exploring the continents
of this earth. We were at no single time more than a days walk from civilization
and a family member who could come to the rescue. I should stress though that
while I can now sit here and make the experience off as mellow at the time we
really experienced a fear of the unknown, fatigue, impatience, panic and regret.

No regrets though for going in the first place. I’d like to encourage every intrepid
explorer out there to reach out and do things worthwhile remembering. We will
only live for so long and then the one chance you had at experiencing this world
and awareness itself will be over.

The ‘ol KLR might have sustained some damage and be my wallet a bit thinner
but boy will I have something to smile about when I’m old and immobile.

Whenever I am confronted by fear while on some adventure ride the words of a
acquaintance, Brian, comes to me. While complaining to him about feeling alienated
during my last visit to Lesotho he responded by saying: “if you wanted to feel
comfortable and safe you should have stayed at home”… Stay home? Hell no!

Another quote related to adventure riding, this one from Kamanya, also comes to mind.
“If you don’t fall you haven’t tried hard enough”.

 

[husky]

A great report, very interesting and superbly put together.

Ah the Mantsonyane - Semonkong "road". I was in a group of KZNers in 2002 or so that followed Ashley Thorne's ballpoint pen map of that road. We arrived at the very spot where you had to deflate your tyres at around 6pm in the rain (Mr Thorne's ears must have burnt that evening). Ultra slippery, very tricky stuff for the 950's and a Triumph. The only reason I survived was that I was on 520 with D606's. Then to find the route down to the river which was just a row of stones then, but very clever with fantastic views. Across the pedestrian bridge at the river then the rock steps and loose baby head rocks on the other side.

Pulled in to Semonkong at 9h30pm and still managed a R1100 bar bill.

Epic.

 

[chalsam]

A very well presented and interesting report.  I didn't follow it as you posted because I wanted to read it all at once without interuptions.  Well done.

 

[The TRANSPORTER]

Awesome well done......very nice report..... :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[Michiel]

I had some questions about what camera I used.

For the stills I used my 350D Canon SLR: One just can't beat the versatility of
an SLR camera and the fact that shooting in camera RAW gives one the ability
to process the images with added tweaking.

For the video I used a Sony W130 "mik en druk". The video quality at 480x640 pix
is just about good enough for tele and computer viewing. The full quality DVD I made
came out pretty well. One of the only things that does create problems is the mic on the
camera. It records bad wind noise even in light wind conditions.

The nice thing is that the camera is compact and I can helmet mount, hand hold,
tripod mount or just put it down on the ground for different effects and shot angles.

Don't laugh, it works!

To demonstrate what I mean have a look at a more recent video I made. For you who
haven't seen my "Suzuki DR500 tribute" yet.

 

[MalcolmX]

Roll of hounor material!! :thumleft:

 

[growweblaar]

Excellent stuff, Michiel, very resourceful :thumleft:

Where did you find that screw thread that fits the camera tripod mount (or was it "forced" :mwink? When I still had my Vespa ET4, I mounted my Canon "mik-en-druk" on the front and got some great videos. When I made the mount, I learnt that the generic "camera tripod screw/thread" is an ancient 1/4 inch BSW (British Standard Witworth) thread, not a metric one. I finally sourced a bolt for it from a classic-car engineering supplier

 

[Michiel]

Yea, I just used a "sinkboutjie" and force the tread on. Just enough to make the camera sit still.
The life span of a camera like this being used like I do is not very long and I recon the tread, being metal,
will still outlast the camera.

 

[GreenMamba1974]

thanks michiel, awesome ride report

you've got a great narrative, the pics and especially the video, wow, nicely done :thumleft:

 

[Gee eS]

WOW! Ek het nou net jou laaste video klaar gekyk. Hierdie was n RR uit die boonste rakke.
Welgedaan. Die songs by die videos was great veral die eerste twee. Dankie vir al jou moeite en tyd.

 

[Bakkie]

Roll of hounor material!! :thumleft:

+1

 

[stevgh0]

altyd awesome michiel!!

10/10

 

[michnus]

BEFOK!!!!!!!!!! :thumleft:  :headbang:

 

[darkhelmet]

Awesome story
I hope I will make it to Lesotho in my coming trip to SA

Spectacular views, same wont go for the roads though...

 

[wooly bugger]

Roll of hounor material!! :thumleft:

+1

+2

 

[lightning1]

Fantastic report. I am heading for Lesotho in 2 weeks, and am now really looking forward to it. 

 

[MikeH]

Yip I agree excellent report.

 

[KnopKop]

I read this again last night, and finally watched the clips - AWESOME !!!!

Michiel,

Thank you very much for all the effort you put in to do report like this. It is really nice to go through a report that is done with such care and effort. Much appreciated!!!

So when can we expect a doccie on Namibia?  :deal: :deal: :deal:


:ricky: :ricky:

 

[Big E]

Nice  :biggrin:

 

[Michiel]

I read this again last night, and finally watched the clips - AWESOME !!!!

Michiel,

Thank you very much for all the effort you put in to do report like this. It is really nice to go through a report that is done with such care and effort. Much appreciated!!!

So when can we expect a doccie on Namibia?   :deal: :deal: :deal:


:ricky: :ricky:

Sure was a lot of effort but it payed off tripple! Thanks.

Namibia? Well, I really want to go that way next so given you are willing to wait
until I have the funds to do so I will surely come up with some sort of report...