Mqeku Valley, Matimatola and Lelani

[JonW]

So our annual Bundu Bash ride is coming up and I wanted to look at a route I plotted from Pmb to Lelani, where we plan to spend the night.

5 of us left from the Spar in Hayfields and headed out over the Duzi, up to Bishopstowe and through the canefields towards Table Mountain. The weather was cool and overcast, perfect for riding, but lots of mud around from the huge thunderstorm the previous evening.

After Table Mountain, the road meanderes down to Nagle Dam and then on to the MqekuValley.

 

[JonW]

Into the Mqeku Valley

 

[JonW]

When i was doing the route on Google Earth, my track took me to the top of the Mqeku Valley, near Montebello Mission. It seemed that there was a track leading out the valley, but GE was not that clear and the gradients looked awfully steep.

So I decided to call one of my riding mates. Ian the Tooth, who I remembered had mentioned riding in the area before. He confirmed that he had previously managed to ride out the valley, but it had been on a small fuul on enduro bike and he had "sweated blood". But "give it a go" he said, "that was 4 years ago, and they may have put a bull dozer through there in the meantime".

So it was with a fair bit of trepidation, and an alternative route round the back of Montebello Mission, that I headed up the valley.

 

[JonW]

Well as it turned out, the local roads department had as Ian said, "put a bulldozer through there" and it was a fairly easy ride out the valley.

Even if we had to turn back at the top of the valley and do my alternate route, it would still have been worth it, this valley is absolutely stunning.

 

[JonW]

Nice and muddy going up the road after the storm

 

[JonW]

From the top of the valley along a farm road through some cane, and on to Fawn Leas for a petrol stop.

From there down into the Umvoti Valley, past places with names like Chibini, Gobophahla and Matimotala. The views and tracks and scenery was just mind blowing.

 

[JonW]

A few quick river crossings and before we knew it we were at Lelani.

From there we headed back to Pmb on tar and I was home just after 3.

 

[skydiver]

It is so nice to see green everywhere.
We have not had any rain as yet.
Nice pics  :thumleft:

 

[Oubones]

Me and jnr went through from Hammersdale past Nagle, Wartburg Pmb to Vans for munchies and then home!
Time was tight so we stuck to tar!
Hehe, they cut the tree down where I sat waiting for recovery after my tw packed up!

 

[frankmac]

Thanks for sharing Jon.

Beautiful part of the country and obviously a lot more peaceful than in the days of the murder of Chief Mhlabunzima Maphumulo in 1991

 

[BIGMAC]

Nice one Jon will definitely join you on the Bush n Bundu, only for the first day  :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

 

[JonW]

Nice one Jon will definitely join you on the Bush n Bundu, only for the first day  :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Thanks Blake, will let you know when the Bundu Bash is as soon as the date is confirmed.

 

[sidetrack]

Nice and green  :thumleft:

 

[ianhogg]

Super to hear that we can get out at the the head of the Mqeku valley. It lends itself to all sorts of round trips.

 

[ianhogg]

My wife was so fired up after riding her bike up Ramatseliso's Gate into Lesotho at 7 bridges last week that I planned a day trip through the Mqeku valley to Noodsberg Country club for lunch and back through Montebello today. However, the rain got a bit too miserable and we ran for home at the back of Mount Inanda. Nice round trip though. Plan in red and actual route in blue on attached gpx file. We'll have another go some other time. Ian

 

[trevorwb]

Ian ,Jon.....standby,after roof I will be dusting off the 690.Derrick will be in tow with his new 690.

 

[ianhogg]

Still 30 sleeps Trevor!

 

[MRK Miller]

Super report,  super photos, super area to ride. Well done to all. Rest still to come. Eagerly waiting

 

[CUZZY]

Lekker route Jon!

 

[husky]

Great ride Jon; looks similar to the easy route loop I did at the KTM Rally Raid when it was in Harburg - it also rained. Maybe you helped Mike Glover with the route planning?