PE Wilddogs take on the Elands river valley - the abridged version

[Watty]

PE Wilddogs take on the Elands river valley

Subject: WD Ride Report â?? an abridged version

Date: 07h00, Saturday 9 February 2008

Participants:  Capt Slow, Watty, Kampies, Paddler, Chuck U Farley, GreenMamba1974, SlowPoke, Crab, Carnivore (not listed in any particular order of importance).

Route:  Start - KFC Kabega Park, Port Elizabeth, along gravel road via Elands river valley to Patensie.  Return via Hankey, Geelhoutrivier, Loerie and N2 national road to PE.

Route gravel level: 3

Distances:  PE to Patensie â?? 116 km.  Patensie to PE via N2 â?? 92 km.  Total = 208 km

Weather: 18°.  Overcast with intermittent light rain in mountains. 70% cloud coverage at major pit stop. Easterly gale force wind on N2 @ 90 kph.

Pit stops:  Major = Tolbos County Shop, Patensie.  Secondary = Sand River dam, highest elevation point (33° 38â?? 50.6â? S  24° 47â?? 59.6â? E,  807m), or whenever nature called.

Smallest bike:  Suzuki Djebel 250XC

Biggest bike:  KTM 990 Adv

Ugliest bike:  Kawasaki KLR 650 (3 times)

Prettiest bike:  Triumph 955 Tiger

Fastest bike:  The one in front.

Slowest bike:  The one riding as sweeper.

Virgin bike: Two â??first time on gravelâ?? bikes = KTM 990 Adv and Suzuki DL650 V-Storm

Highest speeds achieved: Tar = 161 kph.  Gravel = 93 kph.

Slowest speed achieved: Parked outside Tolbos.

Most contented moment:  When the first gravel was encountered.

Most terrifying moment:  When the â??mud monsterâ?? started to rear its head @ 08H43 and back wheels started sliding sideways in the mountain sections.

Most enjoyable ride section: The more technical conditions going downhill from the highest elevation point.

Most boring ride section:  The tar roads from Kabega Park to Rocklands.

Number of cages encounter:  Gravel sections = 2.  Tar sections = who cares.

Interesting observations:  Old dilapidated buildings dating from 1800â??s at Sand river dam.

Most pleasing experience:  Observing the enthusiasm and quick adaption of the rookie riders to the scenario of gravel.

Most amusing moment:  The encountering with 4 BMW riders (not WDâ??s) riding 3 identical 1200GSAâ??s (the only noticeable difference were the number plates) and a F650GS Dakar, and each rider dressed in identical BMW gear, from helmet to boots â?? carbon copies of each other.

Biggest personal concern:  Riders were to far strung out at times (with respect to safety issues).

Regrets:  No action photographs taken on slippery and technical sections.

Ride rating:  8/10.  Enjoyable and definitely worth a repeat.

 

Photos of ride in chronological sequence:

 

[Watty]

More photos:  irregular pit stop, checking in with SWMBO.  Adding to the mud problem.  Just under the cloud cover.

 

[Watty]

More photos:  at the highest elevation point.  BMW triplets.  Parking problems at Tolbos

 

[letsgofishing]

Novel format for a ride report Watty - well done ;D

 

[GS-holic]

Those BMW Triplets + 1 Dakar are the guys I've met whilst trying to catchup with you guys but turned around. :-\

 

[Paulsky]

Looks like a lekker ride, those okes look like they stepped out of the Motorad catalogue. Unfortunatley I was actually busy with house shit and not woolies as my esteemed tjommie would like everyone to believe, if it's any consolation I did sulk the rest of the day. Next time!

 

[Zeff Cowboy]

Lekker i'll post some more pics later today.

 

[SlowPoke]

As a newbie to WD and WD rides I must make a few comments. I enjoyed the ride a lot. I am very hesitant on the slippery stuff and there was a few k's where the mud was like riding on soaped up liquid snot - very slippery. Thanks to the guys that were willing to hang back and go slow with me on that stretch.

Then as the new kid, I did not feel like a complete outsider. Although when the guys started ragging the BM's I got worried. So I drove through some heavy puddles to hide the fact I am also on a three letter bike. (took me ages to strip and clean it afterwards though...)

These bunch o' blokes are a good crowd to have a ride with and I will definately join them again... that is if they can handle a slowpoke tagging along somewhere towards the back...

 

[Zeff Cowboy]

As a newbie to WD and WD rides I must make a few comments. I enjoyed the ride a lot. I am very hesitant on the slippery stuff and there was a few k's where the mud was like riding on soaped up liquid snot - very slippery. Thanks to the guys that were willing to hang back and go slow with me on that stretch.

Then as the new kid, I did not feel like a complete outsider. Although when the guys started ragging the BM's I got worried. So I drove through some heavy puddles to hide the fact I am also on a three letter bike. (took me ages to strip and clean it afterwards though...)

These bunch o' blokes are a good crowd to have a ride with and I will definately join them again... that is if they can handle a slowpoke tagging along somewhere towards the back...

Nee man jy was nie so stadig nie

 

[Kampies]

Ja thanks ouens. Die ride was flippen lekker gewees. Ons sal weer so iets moet doen!!

 

[Chuck U Farley]

......thanks Captain Slow for organising & Watty for for photography! Nice meeting the rest you PE WD's!
Unfortunately I forgot my camera at home, but here's some pics from the cell phone....

 

[Chuck U Farley]

....& some more.......

 

[Kampies]

CHUCK U FARLEY, met sulke kwaliteit selfoon pics het jy nie n n kamera nodig nie.

 

[Chuck U Farley]

...jy se net so want daar's n mooi foto jou Tiger!!!!!!!

 

[Kampies]

LOL.. ja,ja. Jy moes my gewaarsku het! Dan het ek sommer n stoppie gedoen!  ...... of ek wens! ;D ;D

 

[Zeff Cowboy]

We started the day at the KFC next to old Cape Road. I was surprised by the amount of riders that turned up. Was pretty cloudy that day and it looked like rain.

From left to right:  Crab, Captain Slow, Mamba, Watty, Chuck O Farley, Kampies, Slow Poke and Paddler. Carnivore holding the camera.

Resting at Sandriver dam on the Elands river road.

Carnivore on top of the mountain.

Chuck O Farley explaining why KTM is better

Have brunch in Patensie at Tolbos. I smaaked the waitress.

Captain Slow thinking ja julle ouens praat nou lekker k*k.

Donâ??t know what the hell Kampies were thinking aboutâ?¦ must be that triple

Watty explaining why small bikes with road tyres are better.

Mamba thinking: â??WTF!!â?

Paddler checking out the menueâ?¦. Thinking I better stay out of this.

Chuck O Farley: â??Nee hel dit kannie wesieâ?, Crab: â??Huhâ?, Watty: â??Werklikâ?

After brunch at Tolbos me and Mamba decided we should continue our ride into the Baviaans. I mean you canâ??t ride till 10km from the gate and then turn around. This was the first time I went into the Baviaans and all I can say is â??Jislaaik Baviaans ROCKS!!!â? Wanna go back as soon as possible for a one nighter.

On top of the Mountain at Berg Plaas. We turned around at this point.

Nice view from Berg Plaas.

We rode down through Van Stadens pass. Its nice if you go by bike.

We ended the day at Out of Africa with a beer.

320km covered for the day. Not bad. It was one of the best gravel rides Iâ??ve done so far.

Thanks for the photos Carnivore.

 

[edgy]

Awesome ride guys,wheres Captains yellow pants?

 

[Watty]

Watty explaining why small bikes with road tyres are better.

WTF!  What road tyres?  Here is the official info re the tekkies on my scoot, and btw, I had no hassles with both the mud monster or the loose pebbly stuff on the mountain sections! 

 

[Zeff Cowboy]

Awesome ride guys,wheres Captains yellow pants?

Jaja ek het hulle maar by die huis gelos.

 

[Zeff Cowboy]

Watty explaining why small bikes with road tyres are better.

WTF!  What road tyres?  Here is the official info re the tekkies on my scoot, and btw, I had no hassles with both the mud monster or the easy movable rocks on the mountain sections! 

Lyk vir my nog steeds soos pad tyres ;D