noble steed
Race Dog
It's been 2 months since we moved out of Gauteng, and so far haven't done any riding to speak of. The only trip the bikes have had out the garage is a 120km sprint to the Durban airport before dawn, and returning home again after sunset. Definately not counting as adventure riding!
So today I decided was the day that I would make time to get the dust off the bikes. Unfortunately, as Tulip is in a delicate way, she was not feeling happy to be riding along, so solo it is. And I had a choice of bikes... Eventually decided on the BMW coz the Strom at least has had a chance to do some highway sprinting (see above) and I have more carry space on the BM for the nice camera.
120km, 2 1/2 hours, lots of breaks for pics, Tulip was very sad been left behind so I had to try and bring the little ride home for her.
I googled some roads around Oribi, all looked fun, and headed out from Shelly Beach up towards Paddock. Got the first little stretch of gravel, mostly very badly corrugated but Donkey enjoyed rattling along. Lost a little of my gravel finesse after the little break (not that I had too much anyway), so had a slow cruise along the road.
The farm lands looking much greener than their Gauteng counterparts
Encountered a teeny tiny mountain pass, with some pretty trees. Okay, a windy bit of road going over a hill, with some pretty trees.
After Paddock I spent a stretch on the N2 looking for some more farm roads. Found another nice stretch heading towards Oribi gorge. African Trees:
The road that had just been ridden
All over the farmlands are little dams which actually have water in them! Think summer going to be a muddy affair!
And the roads to come
The gravel ended joining onto a narrow little tar road heading through the Oribi Nature Reserve. Luckily a public road so can be enjoyed by all sorts of bikes (including yellow ones). Some beautiful views
At the bottom of the gorge I set up the tripod so I could say I was there too (not just the bike!)
Coming out of the gorge again, the bush opens up in places to make good view spots.
Once out the nature reserve, headed off to Oribi flats to enjoy the rolling hills bewteen the settlements. Many people have warned us since been here to not go out to the flats, bad place. I just enjoyed the ride. Like most informal settlements in Gauteng, most residents just wave and the kids all run out to see the bike going past! Hopefully my future experiences remain as positive.
The rolling flats:
Last little river crossing before hitting the highway again.
I took the same gravel backroads back as I used to get there, much more interesting than highway! Hopefully soon Tulip will be able to share the rides again!
And next ride will not take another 2 months!! ;D
So today I decided was the day that I would make time to get the dust off the bikes. Unfortunately, as Tulip is in a delicate way, she was not feeling happy to be riding along, so solo it is. And I had a choice of bikes... Eventually decided on the BMW coz the Strom at least has had a chance to do some highway sprinting (see above) and I have more carry space on the BM for the nice camera.
120km, 2 1/2 hours, lots of breaks for pics, Tulip was very sad been left behind so I had to try and bring the little ride home for her.
I googled some roads around Oribi, all looked fun, and headed out from Shelly Beach up towards Paddock. Got the first little stretch of gravel, mostly very badly corrugated but Donkey enjoyed rattling along. Lost a little of my gravel finesse after the little break (not that I had too much anyway), so had a slow cruise along the road.
The farm lands looking much greener than their Gauteng counterparts
Encountered a teeny tiny mountain pass, with some pretty trees. Okay, a windy bit of road going over a hill, with some pretty trees.
After Paddock I spent a stretch on the N2 looking for some more farm roads. Found another nice stretch heading towards Oribi gorge. African Trees:
The road that had just been ridden
All over the farmlands are little dams which actually have water in them! Think summer going to be a muddy affair!
And the roads to come
The gravel ended joining onto a narrow little tar road heading through the Oribi Nature Reserve. Luckily a public road so can be enjoyed by all sorts of bikes (including yellow ones). Some beautiful views
At the bottom of the gorge I set up the tripod so I could say I was there too (not just the bike!)
Coming out of the gorge again, the bush opens up in places to make good view spots.
Once out the nature reserve, headed off to Oribi flats to enjoy the rolling hills bewteen the settlements. Many people have warned us since been here to not go out to the flats, bad place. I just enjoyed the ride. Like most informal settlements in Gauteng, most residents just wave and the kids all run out to see the bike going past! Hopefully my future experiences remain as positive.
The rolling flats:
Last little river crossing before hitting the highway again.
I took the same gravel backroads back as I used to get there, much more interesting than highway! Hopefully soon Tulip will be able to share the rides again!
And next ride will not take another 2 months!! ;D
