LeonDude
Bachelor Dog
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2007
- Messages
- 10,493
- Reaction score
- 532
- Location
- Gauteng - Centurion
- Bike
- Suzuki DR650
Today was one long day. I started out at 5:30 this morning, and got home exactly 12 hours later. All in all 615 Kilometers.
I went from Centurion to Thabadzimbi, then did Rankins pass and then just followed my nose through the gravel roads to Bela Bela. From Bela Bela I was going to ride home, but changed my mind because that road really sucks. (The R101). So instead went back to Koedoeskop and home from there.
Right at the beginning of the gravel I met three other riders coming from the front. I didn’t get their names, but if you guys read this, please contact me via or by replying to this thread.
Only did about 120 Kilos gravel, but that is the beauty of tar – takes you to the far away gravel places quickly.
First break – still on tar here, but have had a breakfast at Umfulu.
Serviced the Basterbrak yesterday – check how clean she is. That was not to stay!
After leaving the tarmac I saw some wildlife close up.
And on the other side of the fence.
I also saw this elephant!
Isn’t she beautiful?
Strange rock formations.
Close – up of the strange rock formations.
Beautiful scenery. Rankins pass is not much of a pass, the other pass – called Jan Trichardtpass – is much better. What you can’t see in this photo is the gorge between myself and the rock formations in this photo. The bush was so dense I could only hear the river.
Arty Farty shot of the Kenda.
Coming out of the pass, I noticed the signpost does not even mention Rankins pass, although on my map it mentions Rankins and not Jan TrichardtPass
From the pass up to Alma the road was mostly good, but turning south it quickly deteriorated into this – deep sand with corrugations. By now it was time for a bite to eat and a rest though.
A last photo of the road to Bela Bela, I found this old building and thought a photo of the Brak would look good.
Thanks to Groenie and Welsh, whose ride reports on the area is what got me to do this ride.
Overall impression of the ride – Except for patches of deep sand it was a very nice ride, nothing technical. Any newby should be able to ride this if they’re careful.
That’s me out – having a frosty now and looking forward to my bed!
I went from Centurion to Thabadzimbi, then did Rankins pass and then just followed my nose through the gravel roads to Bela Bela. From Bela Bela I was going to ride home, but changed my mind because that road really sucks. (The R101). So instead went back to Koedoeskop and home from there.
Right at the beginning of the gravel I met three other riders coming from the front. I didn’t get their names, but if you guys read this, please contact me via or by replying to this thread.
Only did about 120 Kilos gravel, but that is the beauty of tar – takes you to the far away gravel places quickly.
First break – still on tar here, but have had a breakfast at Umfulu.
Serviced the Basterbrak yesterday – check how clean she is. That was not to stay!
After leaving the tarmac I saw some wildlife close up.
And on the other side of the fence.
I also saw this elephant!
Isn’t she beautiful?
Strange rock formations.
Close – up of the strange rock formations.
Beautiful scenery. Rankins pass is not much of a pass, the other pass – called Jan Trichardtpass – is much better. What you can’t see in this photo is the gorge between myself and the rock formations in this photo. The bush was so dense I could only hear the river.
Arty Farty shot of the Kenda.
Coming out of the pass, I noticed the signpost does not even mention Rankins pass, although on my map it mentions Rankins and not Jan TrichardtPass
From the pass up to Alma the road was mostly good, but turning south it quickly deteriorated into this – deep sand with corrugations. By now it was time for a bite to eat and a rest though.
A last photo of the road to Bela Bela, I found this old building and thought a photo of the Brak would look good.
Thanks to Groenie and Welsh, whose ride reports on the area is what got me to do this ride.
Overall impression of the ride – Except for patches of deep sand it was a very nice ride, nothing technical. Any newby should be able to ride this if they’re careful.
That’s me out – having a frosty now and looking forward to my bed!
