Muito obrigado, Angola
- Thread starter Damaraland
- Start date
Damaraland
Race Dog
Day 4 - Part 1
Today was the big day! Riding the Doodsakker has been on my biking bucket list since I read MetalJockey's Angola Report so many years ago. After doing Van Zyl's that was the one big thing I still wanted to do in Southern Africa. We did our prep work before the trip, ensuring that we'd take enough fuel to last from Ruacana to Tombua. We double-checked the tide time-tables. Last but not least, I had full faith in my riding partner and in our combined ability to take care of and handle whatever the day can throw at us. All that was left now was to do it.
Low-tide was gojng to be at 8:30, and we needed to be at the southern entrance of the Doodsakker at 07:30. Being there one hour before absolute low gives you the maximum window to make a successful pass. The tide is obviously the major factor, but there were two more. The first is navigation, especially if you do South to North, as there are two false routes you can take. This is a problem because it means wasted fuel and the possibility of getting stuck in a sand tongue. The second issue is the two major rocky sections that lies in the Northern part of the Doodsakker. The recommended way is going North to South, the rocks are about 10 km's in, so if they prove to be impassable on the day you turn around without issue. If you're coming from the south, as we were, then you're a little bit screwed, because you would have to either turn around or have a 12 hour wait on the dune slopes. No use worrying about the unknowns, we were prepared to take things as it come.
Anyhow, we got up bright and early at 5'ish, seeing as we were still 40 km away from the southern entrance of the Doodsakker. As was becoming customary, we broke camp and Heiko sorted us out with coffee. Nuno also woke up in the camp next door and ambled over. Because Nuno is such an awesome guy we kind of lost track of how long we were talking for and before we knew it, it was 7 'o clock and we had to get a serious move one! We were a bit unsure of how the beach would ride. I did a lot of beach riding growing up in Swakop, and I knew there it was lekker, with the sand being quite hard if you stay close to the waterline. I am delighted to report that it is no different in Angola. It's not many rides that start of like this:
Just look at how light the bikes were treading on the sand:
I am not sure how it would be with a heavier (990 / 1200 class) bike. I do know that on the 500 that first section of beach was an absolute joyride. At this point we didn't have the 20L's fuel cans in the back anymore, so they were handling like an absolute dream. Cracking open the throttle, front wheel lifting over every little bump on the beach, fresh sea breeze in your helmet, sun rising over the horizon contributed to this being one of those rides where you laugh like an ***** in your helmet with the sheer joy of living and riding.
We reached the entrance to the Doodsakker in no time at all and we quickly stopped to get our bearings and also to see exactly where the sand tongues were on my GPS. And like that we set off. It felt almost surreal to be riding the fabled and often feared Doodsakker. If you get the tides right you mostly have plenty of space
Not long before we hit the GPS point for the first sandbar. On the pic below you can see how difficult it would be to judge if you were not on the lookout for it - if you carry on straight you're on the sandbar, you need to go right to the dunes:
It didn't take us long to realise that there was little reason for us to stick to the beach on the 500's. Petrol situation was looking great, so we decided to ride up the dunes a bit. On this dune you can easily the sandbar I referenced earlier. The pic doesn’t give good height reference, but this was a massive dune, with the Doodsakker way down below.
Another dune pic:
A bit further on and you can see another sandbar in the distance:
We hit some rocky bits:
Even had time for a nice photo opportunity
I guess with all our playing we didn't keep a 100% tab on the time, but as it turns out it was now past absolute low and the tide was beginning to push up, nothing serious but also no reason to tempt fate and dally too long. I was thinking that we'll have to start getting a hurry-up in certain sections:
I told Heiko this and I could see he didn't share my concern, he reckoned we still had more than enough time. Who was I to argue? We only live once, might as well have some fun despite the risk.
My words weren't even cold when the Doodsakker started opening up nicely. We were still up and down the dunes, the bikes were so willing and combined with the nice firm surface dunes typically have in the morning it was so much fun zig-zagging up and down.
We carried on a couple of km's past the point where the above photo was taken. I was so taken by the riding that I realised with a bit of a shock that we were out of the Doodsakker. Part of me was absolutely elated that I managed to do this and in doing so made a big dream of mine reality. This may sound weird, but the other part of me was a bit disappointed in that after all the horror stories and ride reports full of drama, it was just so easy. Kind of felt that a bit of a prize was taken away from me. I know I should be thankful that it was so easy, but I was really looking forward to measuring myself against the fabled Doodsakker. I was there, the challenge just never came. That said - I can absolutely see how one misstep or mechanical issue can quickly escelate and put you in a very tough position.
The stars of the show:
Today was the big day! Riding the Doodsakker has been on my biking bucket list since I read MetalJockey's Angola Report so many years ago. After doing Van Zyl's that was the one big thing I still wanted to do in Southern Africa. We did our prep work before the trip, ensuring that we'd take enough fuel to last from Ruacana to Tombua. We double-checked the tide time-tables. Last but not least, I had full faith in my riding partner and in our combined ability to take care of and handle whatever the day can throw at us. All that was left now was to do it.
Low-tide was gojng to be at 8:30, and we needed to be at the southern entrance of the Doodsakker at 07:30. Being there one hour before absolute low gives you the maximum window to make a successful pass. The tide is obviously the major factor, but there were two more. The first is navigation, especially if you do South to North, as there are two false routes you can take. This is a problem because it means wasted fuel and the possibility of getting stuck in a sand tongue. The second issue is the two major rocky sections that lies in the Northern part of the Doodsakker. The recommended way is going North to South, the rocks are about 10 km's in, so if they prove to be impassable on the day you turn around without issue. If you're coming from the south, as we were, then you're a little bit screwed, because you would have to either turn around or have a 12 hour wait on the dune slopes. No use worrying about the unknowns, we were prepared to take things as it come.
Anyhow, we got up bright and early at 5'ish, seeing as we were still 40 km away from the southern entrance of the Doodsakker. As was becoming customary, we broke camp and Heiko sorted us out with coffee. Nuno also woke up in the camp next door and ambled over. Because Nuno is such an awesome guy we kind of lost track of how long we were talking for and before we knew it, it was 7 'o clock and we had to get a serious move one! We were a bit unsure of how the beach would ride. I did a lot of beach riding growing up in Swakop, and I knew there it was lekker, with the sand being quite hard if you stay close to the waterline. I am delighted to report that it is no different in Angola. It's not many rides that start of like this:
Just look at how light the bikes were treading on the sand:
I am not sure how it would be with a heavier (990 / 1200 class) bike. I do know that on the 500 that first section of beach was an absolute joyride. At this point we didn't have the 20L's fuel cans in the back anymore, so they were handling like an absolute dream. Cracking open the throttle, front wheel lifting over every little bump on the beach, fresh sea breeze in your helmet, sun rising over the horizon contributed to this being one of those rides where you laugh like an ***** in your helmet with the sheer joy of living and riding.
We reached the entrance to the Doodsakker in no time at all and we quickly stopped to get our bearings and also to see exactly where the sand tongues were on my GPS. And like that we set off. It felt almost surreal to be riding the fabled and often feared Doodsakker. If you get the tides right you mostly have plenty of space
Not long before we hit the GPS point for the first sandbar. On the pic below you can see how difficult it would be to judge if you were not on the lookout for it - if you carry on straight you're on the sandbar, you need to go right to the dunes:
It didn't take us long to realise that there was little reason for us to stick to the beach on the 500's. Petrol situation was looking great, so we decided to ride up the dunes a bit. On this dune you can easily the sandbar I referenced earlier. The pic doesn’t give good height reference, but this was a massive dune, with the Doodsakker way down below.
Another dune pic:
A bit further on and you can see another sandbar in the distance:
We hit some rocky bits:
Even had time for a nice photo opportunity
I guess with all our playing we didn't keep a 100% tab on the time, but as it turns out it was now past absolute low and the tide was beginning to push up, nothing serious but also no reason to tempt fate and dally too long. I was thinking that we'll have to start getting a hurry-up in certain sections:
I told Heiko this and I could see he didn't share my concern, he reckoned we still had more than enough time. Who was I to argue? We only live once, might as well have some fun despite the risk.
My words weren't even cold when the Doodsakker started opening up nicely. We were still up and down the dunes, the bikes were so willing and combined with the nice firm surface dunes typically have in the morning it was so much fun zig-zagging up and down.
We carried on a couple of km's past the point where the above photo was taken. I was so taken by the riding that I realised with a bit of a shock that we were out of the Doodsakker. Part of me was absolutely elated that I managed to do this and in doing so made a big dream of mine reality. This may sound weird, but the other part of me was a bit disappointed in that after all the horror stories and ride reports full of drama, it was just so easy. Kind of felt that a bit of a prize was taken away from me. I know I should be thankful that it was so easy, but I was really looking forward to measuring myself against the fabled Doodsakker. I was there, the challenge just never came. That said - I can absolutely see how one misstep or mechanical issue can quickly escelate and put you in a very tough position.
The stars of the show:
Damaraland
Race Dog
Fransw said:
No reason why you can't do it on a larger bike, it'll just be harder work. People have done this route on anything from 990's, to F800 to BMW Dakars. Some battled more than others but for the most part they were successful. Obviously the lighter you go, the easier the technical bits are and the worse the liason sections between the fun bits are. You decide what's important to you and base your decision on that.
Damaraland
Race Dog
Fransw said:
Yes we are - we were chatting about our next Angola trip, plan is to leave home at about 03:am, trailer up to Ruacana, hit the border at 11-ish and spend the first night in Chitado, Angola. Imagine that, you leave your house and ride Angola the same day still. For you guys the logistics are much more difficult!
On the other hand, you have places like Moz to go ride which is far for us :thumleft:
Fransw
Race Dog
Damaraland said:
Moz/Botswana are nice but it became tourist traps. Not the northern part of moz though.. The chances are very slim for Angola to become a tourist trap like moz! You guys must look into the idea of maybe hitch a ride on a truck with the bikes up to Lobito and then all the way down off the beaten track to Nam with bikes. Possibilities are endless..
gser
Race Dog
Lekker !
Das Alpha Tier
Pack Dog
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Awesome report Ruan!
I did the trip down from Lobito to Nam. Not that exciting. I thing another nice area would be the source of the Zambezi in the corner of Zambia, Angola and drc. I really want to go there!
I did the trip down from Lobito to Nam. Not that exciting. I thing another nice area would be the source of the Zambezi in the corner of Zambia, Angola and drc. I really want to go there!
Damaraland
Race Dog
Thanks for the positive feedback guys, will get the rest of day 4 and the Flamingos rest day in today (in between work and finalising tax submissions :-\) Admittedly my recollection is a bit hazy, what with the free beer and all...
Fransw
Race Dog
Das Alpha Tier said:
That's a VEry remote area. I looked at it a while back and you wil need a long fuel range ,±550km, is my guess. That's if you want to do the drc-zambia border crossing right in the tip where Solwezi is the closest fuel in Sam. It looks like Dilolo in DRC is the next fuel stop! (Solwezi - Dilolo)If you're lucky maybe some bushfuel in between.. But its also nice to get the 'surprises' along the road. Over planning is also not a good thing.. Maybe landmines can still be a problem there. Tom van Brits will probably have a better feel for that..
Damaraland
Race Dog
Thanks Frans, with our current load out we can hit close to 800km's. The more remote the better
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Fransw
Race Dog
Damaraland said:Thanks Frans, with our current load out we can hit close to 800km's. The more remote the better
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Sounds good! I think I made a mistake. That stretch is closer to 700km..
What is the fuel consumption on the 500 on average over a couple of days? I know you mentioned it somewhere but can't find it..
Damaraland
Race Dog
Mixed terrain we're seeing 20km/l
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Das Alpha Tier
Pack Dog
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I know a guy that has done that area twice already, Criss-crossing between Zambia and Angola. Will be able to get a lot of info from him.
Fuel: I did a test ride with normal gravel roads fully loaded with all 25lt extra fuel, 10lt extra water and all camping gear and got 4.6lt/100km. The other 500 that was with me had no luggage and got 4.3lt/100km. This is with stock gearing and not going faster than 80km/hr.
On the Angola trip our average fuel consumption was 5.5lt/100km. This was going thorough the rocky bits, through doodsacker etc. It was also with heavy load in beginning and obviously getting less as we used the fuel.
Fuel: I did a test ride with normal gravel roads fully loaded with all 25lt extra fuel, 10lt extra water and all camping gear and got 4.6lt/100km. The other 500 that was with me had no luggage and got 4.3lt/100km. This is with stock gearing and not going faster than 80km/hr.
On the Angola trip our average fuel consumption was 5.5lt/100km. This was going thorough the rocky bits, through doodsacker etc. It was also with heavy load in beginning and obviously getting less as we used the fuel.
Jackol.
Race Dog
Damaraland said:
Ag nee Damaraland!! Hier sit ek en dink hoe eensaam is die Kaokoland nou nadat ek Noneking se report gelees het, en nou vertel jy my dit is tour highway...
eepwall: ot:Baie nice report!!! Dankie vir hierdie deel van jou!!! Ek weet van Metaljockey se RR, het hom lank terug gelees. Goeie nuus dat ons Angola oop is vir besoek.
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If I have not said it yet, thank you to all who posted and replied to questions on this report.
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