Magalies, Swartruggens Bokkraal quicky

[Nicobie]

A friend (Kobus) lured me into a gravel ride on Saturday. Him and his neighbour (Rudou) needed some gravel time in the saddle as they are going on a tour somewhere in the Cape shortly. I must admit myself was not in the saddle for a long time.

I am quite a sucker when this happens, so I gladly accepted the offer/invitation. The neighbour apparently is a novice when it comes to gravel roads and wanted to get some bonding with his GS1200LC.

As we all stay on the western side of Gauteng the obvious area would be a trip of some sort from Magalies to Swartruggens or Groot Marico.
The pitch was a mix of tar and gravel to ease the nerves and build confidence.
So, Saturday the 7th March was set and we met at the Wimpy in Magaliesburg

To my surprise both of the instigators had all the ATTGATT for offroading, was it really novices ?? or some movie watching, or youtube ??
Anyway, after a coffee we set out to start at Boons, tar from Magalies to there, and then hit the gravel to Derby.

The road is actually quite nice, graded after the rains, with here and there still water patches, pebbles and loose rocks. Even a bit of sand –although not deep sand.
When we arrived at the next bit of tar – Rustenburg to Derby, everyone was very happy as we rode all sorts of road conditions to build experience. This stretch is only about 16km gravel and just enough to get everyone excited for the rest

 

[Nicobie]

At Derby we took the gravel road just outside the little dorpie, north side, running parallel with the R509, to join the R509 outside Koster where we had a quick stomach refill from Steers at the Shell garage.

The next piece was to Swartruggens via Koster dam. All tar from Koster to the dam, and then a turnoff to the left which is quite an amazing piece of road. You go through a stretch that reminds me of some pass somewhere with mountains on both sides of the road. This piece of gravel eventually meets the N4 from Rustenburg to Swartruggens.

The last section of this road was quite heavy with pebbles and Rudou, with only anakee 3 tyres on, inlflated to 2.6bar had the time of his life holding the 1200 on its wheels. He compared this to a road with soap on, so slippery it was for him. Total gravel 12km, but felt quite longer as you go slow to admire the scenery

 

[Nicobie]

We went straight through Swartruggens as it was agreed to make the next section a longer gravel expedition and time was of concern to me. Everyone was now quite comfortable on the gravel.

We then took the road to Bokkraal, just outside Swartruggens, which has a fair bit of tar but eventually turn into gravel. This is where Kobus decided to deflate Rudou’s tyres so that he could feel the difference between hard and softer tyres.

 

[Nicobie]

This piece of road is also a favourite for me, only 23km but it feels like never ending until you reach the Bokkraal road – Koster to Zeerust rd, also known as the Rosmincol road.
We took a breather here and then proceeded on the Rosmincol road to Koster.

At Koster we inflated the tyres again and returned home on tar.
We started in Magalies 8:45 and were back by 14:00

What a wonderful ride is was, this mix with tar and gravel. There are obviously a lot more gravel in this area that can keep you busy for the whole day.
Rodou did not ride like a novice and Kobus was the sweeper, also very capable. No mishaps and quite an enjoyable ride

 

[eberhard]

Great ride  :thumleft:
Beautiful outing!

 

[0012]

Lekker man, lekker  :thumleft:

 

[skydiver]

Nice roads.  :thumleft:

 

[Roxtar]

Enjoying my backyard I see..... :thumleft:

 

[ClimbingTurtle]

That looks like it should be on my list - any chance you have the GPS routes available for me (us)?

Cheers!!

:thumleft:

 

[Nicobie]

That looks like it should be on my list - any chance you have the GPS routes available for me (us)?

Cheers!!

:thumleft:

I have quite a few, will post them sometime?
These roads are well travelled by the North west guys and some Gautengers..
You can make it a morning ride, full day ride and even sleepover ride.

 

[ClimbingTurtle]

That looks like it should be on my list - any chance you have the GPS routes available for me (us)?

Cheers!!

:thumleft:

I have quite a few, will post them sometime?
These roads are well travelled by the North west guys and some Gautengers..
You can make it a morning ride, full day ride and even sleepover ride.

Please post if you can - I have ridden very little in the area - one memorable trip to Groot Marico in the rain - daai paaie is snotglad in die reen!!
We have pics of the 2 big GS's doing Synchronised Sliding down the road next to each other, while we were standing watching them as they slid away.....  :imaposer:

Or email them to me - steven(@)majita.co.za

Cheers!!

 

[Nicobie]

Rather late than never they say.

Here's some routes from Magaliesburg/Hekpoort to the western side of our country - Groot Marico, Swartruggens, etc.

Once the lock out is over, we will start riding again, until then we sit with Basecamp and travel in our minds.

Cheers.