Mountaineering in Lesotho

[DirtyHarry]

A little update on Gery's bike after our trip.
The whole engine and gear box was meticulously taken apart and checked for damage. The gearbox needs a few new bearings and the engine also needs some attention. Marie has got 100k km on  the clock and Gery is not shy of twisting the pigs ear. After all he is keeping up with much more powerful bikes on a regular base.
Marie in pieces.

Chakalaka on the other hand is still untouched and didn't receive any attention. It's almost 4 weeks but I could not get myself to wash the Lesotho dirt off. I am little sentimental after I have done a nice trip and don't like to wash my bike afterwards. I will clean her up soon  8)

 

[AJN]

Amazing trip guys well done on an epic RR.

Very keen to do a day trip from Underberg, up Sani, West and down Ramatseliso's back to Underberg.

Anyone know if it's feasible for a day?

Happy to stick to dirt roads and even a bit if tar if necessary!

 

[DirtyHarry]

Amazing trip guys well done on an epic RR.
Very keen to do a day trip from Underberg, up Sani, West and down Ramatseliso's back to Underberg.
Anyone know if it's feasible for a day?
Happy to stick to dirt roads and even a bit if tar if necessary!

That would be about 500km for the day. If you give it horns it might be manageable.
Remember we are talking about Lesotho not Namibia.
My suggestion would be to go no further than Sehlabathebe NP, sleep over and head home the next day.
Lesotho is far too pretty to rush through it. Have a break in between and soak it in.

 

[AJN]

Thanks very much - what I thought.

We have a house in Underberg so it's easy to do day trips as well.

Again, epic ride, well done!

 

[Casting from Turd]

Thanks very much - what I thought.

We have a house in Underberg so it's easy to do day trips as well.

Again, epic ride, well done!

You live in Gods country !!

 

[Frannarossi]

Wow.Amazing trip and RR.Well done you two! :thumleft:

 

[eikeboom]

Thanks for a well written story and great pics!

 

[tankgirl]

outstanding!
      :notworthy:

 

[Wayne Duck]

What a terrific report!! Thanks for making the effort to share here with us. Yes, Lesotho is still riding heaven  ;D

Wayne

 

[Howard]

Hey Harry,
Great Ride Report as usual.
You are not just Mr. Camelman /Solo-rider extraodinaire... but also a writer.
When can we expect your first Noval ?  :ricky:

 

[DirtyHarry]

Hey Harry,
Great Ride Report as usual.
You are not just Mr. Camelman /Solo-rider extraodinaire... but also a writer.
When can we expect your first Noval ?  :ricky:

Thanks Howard.
No novel from my side to be expected anytime soon. I prefer to keep it real.

 

[LuckyStriker]

Thank you very much for this terrific ride report.
I am on my way to Lesotho soon and had planned a similar route.

I wanted to ride from Tele Bridge to Sehlabathebe in one day
Then from Sehlabathebe to Semonkong
And from Semonkong out the top at Monantsa pass to Drakensville

Reading your report it seems unlikely that I will be able to do it given the time and fuel and temperatures.
I may have to rethink my route, especially since I am doing the trip solo ...on a 1200GS Adventure

 

[Xpat]

Telebridge to Sehlabathebe in one day is not problem - even on GSA. Most of it is great tar only from Quacha's Nek you will hit dirt, but very easy one.

You do not say how much time you have for the rest of it. If you are going to sleep over in Semonkong, again I see no problem at all - assuming you are going to backtrack to Semonkong from Sehlabathebe on tar from Quacha's Nek and take the turn-off north to Semonkong, which I believe is now fully tarred (I've done it 4 years ago and Chinese were busy taring it). In my opinion much better option (but leaving Semonkong out) would be (if you are already so far east) is to take from Sehlabathebe that pass (Ratlia... something) up to Sehonkong, Thaba Tseka, Katse, Koi Mine up to Afri Ski. It is much more technical but I believe doable on GSA (I've done it couple of times on Tenere, no problem and would attempt it on 1150GSA without second thought).

 

[LuckyStriker]

Thanks Xpat
I asked a question here: https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=191858.0
Can you help?

 

[BlueBull2007]

Wow, what a great report. DirtyHary, you are a really tough bugger - Big respect to you for going on to finish the trip after a crash like that. Many others would have ended it right there.

Its a funny thing but the epic trips involving a bit of pain and some nipping always bring the fondest memories.

Thanks again for taking the time to write it up!

 

[treemon]

Hi guys

we are planning something similar and want to get some opinions
Day1 - Port Shepstone to Sehlabathebe via either Quaggas Nek or Ramas Gate.... depending on time and if its worth it to do the pretty scenic road from Quaggas to Sehlabathebe..
Day2 - Sehlabathebe to Sani bottom
Day3 (this could be the hard one), Back up the pass, along the tar north toward KhuKune, turn right there... go through the backroads to Monantsa Pass and then up to joburg or overnight in clarens if there is not enough time.
Day4 (if required.... wake up crack of a sparrows fart and get to joburg.)

Is the route doable in those timeframes and secondly at that time of year (re river crossings etc)
Day1 is Dec 18....

Thanks all

 

[DirtyHarry]

Hi guys
we are planning something similar and want to get some opinions
Day1 - Port Shepstone to Sehlabathebe via either Quaggas Nek or Ramas Gate.... depending on time and if its worth it to do the pretty scenic road from Quaggas to Sehlabathebe..
Day2 - Sehlabathebe to Sani bottom
Day3 (this could be the hard one), Back up the pass, along the tar north toward KhuKune, turn right there... go through the backroads to Monantsa Pass and then up to joburg or overnight in clarens if there is not enough time.
Day4 (if required.... wake up crack of a sparrows fart and get to joburg.)
Is the route doable in those timeframes and secondly at that time of year (re river crossings etc)
Day1 is Dec 18....
Thanks all

Hi Treemon,
sorry that I didn't reply to your questions, I only did read your post now by accident.
Did you do your trip and how did it go?

 

[treemon]

Hi guys
we are planning something similar and want to get some opinions
Day1 - Port Shepstone to Sehlabathebe via either Quaggas Nek or Ramas Gate.... depending on time and if its worth it to do the pretty scenic road from Quaggas to Sehlabathebe..
Day2 - Sehlabathebe to Sani bottom
Day3 (this could be the hard one), Back up the pass, along the tar north toward KhuKune, turn right there... go through the backroads to Monantsa Pass and then up to joburg or overnight in clarens if there is not enough time.
Day4 (if required.... wake up crack of a sparrows fart and get to joburg.)
Is the route doable in those timeframes and secondly at that time of year (re river crossings etc)
Day1 is Dec 18....
Thanks all

Hi Treemon,
sorry that I didn't reply to your questions, I only did read your post now by accident.
Did you do your trip and how did it go?

No worries.
Yea, we did our trip.
Chk ride reports for "Lesotho... otherwise"

Was quite.... eventful


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Slim Jim]

loved this RR, that was an adventure.

 

[Sardine]

You've got me itching for a roadtrip!

Great report and photos  :thumleft: