noble steed
Race Dog
I had a wonderful ride planned for today. Plotted it out, and carefully entered all the info into my pooratech GPS. Unfortunately, I missed a mark somewhere along the line, and Pooratech doesn't start flashing arrows and screaming 'Make A U-Turn!'. And as a result, I had one of the most beautiful rides I've been on in a long time, and thoroughly enjoyed myself!
A Late start. Sundays are not always my good day for early rising. Especially as I have to rise early the other 6 days of the week. So 9am I was off!. The Dragon got some saddle time today, Donkey had its turn last weekend. I really enjoy the strom, just no space to pack the SLR, so only an old samsung to take along for pictures.
Started along the same route as last time. Initially the GPS working well (one reason must be that I had done the route before!) GPS even privileged to have colour coded attachments ;D
The same start to harding. The Strom handled all the corrugations more comfortably than the GS. Heavier bike, softer springs...
Turned off through the Oribi Nature reserve again. prettiest little tar road in the area. With some washed away stretches to make it count as adventure riding.
Took an alternate route through to Lake eland reserve. Road bit not quite as wide or as busy as the gravel highway. Farming lands all around. Met a MX family on the route (2 big plastics and 2 little plastics). The Yamaha version of trailriders family! No pics of them...
And some cattle conviently directed me to the appropriate turn-off. Now the new roads began.
Riding through the Communal areas again, everything very rustig. The roads stayed off the contours enough to make the ride really interesting.
It's spring time! And everyone very thirsty. This was not the only suckling mother who did not get out the way. And others where on much narrower roads
Some of the spring time animals are trying to keep up with the latest fashions: Donkey foal with an Afro! (They're still cool in donkey-land)
Arty pics without having to get out the saddle
Some more photos of the road. Stopped often for pics, amazing views!!
At this point I got lost. Looking back with google earth I found that I went straight at an intersection I was supposed to go straight at. Except up close to go straight you first had to turn left, and my route swerved right... How was I to know.
The road started on a steep decline, mostly 1st or 2nd gear down into the gorge.
I got to what I thought was my turn off, which turned into a little twee-spoor track down to the river. The road split at the right odo-reading...
Some of the local flora I encountered
Then I met a group of young boys who I think must have really been confused about white guys. They could only speak Zulu, I don't speak any (yet), so after realising they couldn't point me in the right direction, I made sign language to tell them they had nice dogs. I think.
Initially the group where swimming naked in the river. when they heard me they quickly dressed and ran away. But the 2 young ones got curious and came to visit the fully suited stranger in the hot midday sun, then all joined and examined the bike. Hot exhaust!
After which the fully suited stranger did an even stranger thing. He walked into the middle of the river to take photos without even removing his shoes! (BMW santiago, dont you love them!)
Standing in the middle of the gorge, was much more beautiful than from the view-point at leopards rock! That is why I ride!
And the spectators watching the wierdo wondering if his feet are wet. Pity I wasn't carrying any sweets for them.
As it was already getting late and Tulip was missing me, I decided to head straight home and abandon the rest of the route. Since I didn't know where I was, just followed the biggest road until I found something familiar. Which wasn't too far, actually. Some last pics:
Then home via tar and the Oribi twists. I will definitely wet my boots there again!!
A Late start. Sundays are not always my good day for early rising. Especially as I have to rise early the other 6 days of the week. So 9am I was off!. The Dragon got some saddle time today, Donkey had its turn last weekend. I really enjoy the strom, just no space to pack the SLR, so only an old samsung to take along for pictures.
Started along the same route as last time. Initially the GPS working well (one reason must be that I had done the route before!) GPS even privileged to have colour coded attachments ;D
The same start to harding. The Strom handled all the corrugations more comfortably than the GS. Heavier bike, softer springs...
Turned off through the Oribi Nature reserve again. prettiest little tar road in the area. With some washed away stretches to make it count as adventure riding.
Took an alternate route through to Lake eland reserve. Road bit not quite as wide or as busy as the gravel highway. Farming lands all around. Met a MX family on the route (2 big plastics and 2 little plastics). The Yamaha version of trailriders family! No pics of them...
And some cattle conviently directed me to the appropriate turn-off. Now the new roads began.
Riding through the Communal areas again, everything very rustig. The roads stayed off the contours enough to make the ride really interesting.
It's spring time! And everyone very thirsty. This was not the only suckling mother who did not get out the way. And others where on much narrower roads
Some of the spring time animals are trying to keep up with the latest fashions: Donkey foal with an Afro! (They're still cool in donkey-land)
Arty pics without having to get out the saddle
Some more photos of the road. Stopped often for pics, amazing views!!
At this point I got lost. Looking back with google earth I found that I went straight at an intersection I was supposed to go straight at. Except up close to go straight you first had to turn left, and my route swerved right... How was I to know.
The road started on a steep decline, mostly 1st or 2nd gear down into the gorge.
I got to what I thought was my turn off, which turned into a little twee-spoor track down to the river. The road split at the right odo-reading...
Some of the local flora I encountered
Then I met a group of young boys who I think must have really been confused about white guys. They could only speak Zulu, I don't speak any (yet), so after realising they couldn't point me in the right direction, I made sign language to tell them they had nice dogs. I think.
Initially the group where swimming naked in the river. when they heard me they quickly dressed and ran away. But the 2 young ones got curious and came to visit the fully suited stranger in the hot midday sun, then all joined and examined the bike. Hot exhaust!
After which the fully suited stranger did an even stranger thing. He walked into the middle of the river to take photos without even removing his shoes! (BMW santiago, dont you love them!)
Standing in the middle of the gorge, was much more beautiful than from the view-point at leopards rock! That is why I ride!
And the spectators watching the wierdo wondering if his feet are wet. Pity I wasn't carrying any sweets for them.
As it was already getting late and Tulip was missing me, I decided to head straight home and abandon the rest of the route. Since I didn't know where I was, just followed the biggest road until I found something familiar. Which wasn't too far, actually. Some last pics:
Then home via tar and the Oribi twists. I will definitely wet my boots there again!!
