So I got a bit lost...

[firecoast]

So when we were discussing going to the Slumdog Bash, I was merely informed that I would be riding the AT as it's good to go and requires the least work.

OK then...

And, oh, by the way (THROTTLE says the night before)... we are riding with the boys (Greyhounds)! 

So what was meant to be a slow meander on one of my single cylinder ponies with just me and THROTTLE, became a bit of a group activity  :biggrin:

Weapons of choice were the KTM 950 SE and the Honda Africa Twin DCT.

 

[Chrisl]

:thumleft:

 

[Sputnik080]

This can only be good!

Looking forward to your RR!

 

[edgy]

eepwall:

 

[firecoast]

eepwall:

 

[firecoast]

So we all met up at the BP in Grahamstown and head out towards Bedford, hook a right on the gravel towards Kwandwe.... destination Baddaford Farmstall in Fort Beaufort.

1 Yamaha
1 KLR
3 KTM's
4 Honda's

Maybe one of the boys can post the route here.

 

[firecoast]

We stop every so often to regroup and take photos, etc etc...

Rod keeps checking his bike and it seems the radiator is causing some problems. It is advised that he should abandon the trip, so he turns back to get some help and load the bike onto a trailer before there is any proper damage caused.

1 Yamaha
1 KLR
3 2 KTM's
4 Honda's

 

[Mev Vis Arend]

:sip:

 

[firecoast]

Random pic of the road and another of a whoops shot... I handed THROTTLE the camera and it must have gone off.

 

[firecoast]

Two horses bomb out of the road in front of Dave and myself.

We decide to stop so that they can turn around and get back home, as they just kept running in front of us.

Dave takes a walk, but the one horse decides to carry on... not sure if he though Dave was an alien in his kit or what.

THROTTLE then says nah, this isn't going to work and bolts past the horse on the SE and TA DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, the horse makes a move for it and trots off to his mate.

 

[firecoast]

Quick stop for a bite to eat at Baddaford's and we head out to Seymour for the dreaded Mitchell's pass. Well so I thought, as I had heard horror stories about it being quite treacherous when there's a bit of loose stuff.

 

[firecoast]

It honestly wasn't bad at all and not very loose either, but Marius had a bit of an off when he became cross-rutted. I stopped to help, but couldn't get much footing, so was utterly useless and decided to go find some level ground... which happened to be the same idea of the guys ahead of me.

THROTTLE helped with getting the bike up and all was good, except for a really bloody finger on Marius' part.

 

[firecoast]

Came into Hogsback via the back entrance and had a lovely stay at the Arminel Hotel.

Nice place, but the vibe / atmosphere was a bit dull, so we headed out for supper.

I didn't see the point of both of us riding our own bikes, so I opted to pillion with the husband... although that said, the last time that happened we both ended up in a thorn tree!

 

[Lem]

:sip:

Gooi nog :thumleft:

Dis lieflike bike ry wereld daai.

 

[firecoast]

Let me just explain the tally I am keeping....

1 Yamaha
1 KLR
3 2 KTM's
4 Honda's (1 off)

At the bar on the Friday night there was a fair (understatement of the year!!!) amount of KTM vs Honda banter. It got quite heated at times and I am sure someone *cough* Leon *cough* would be slapped by the end of the weekend. This carried on the whole weekend with the skewed verdict being that Honda was super shit and KTM is the best.

Time would tell...

 

[firecoast]

Saturday morning the health nuts went to the Park Run. Seriously?

Breakfast was had at the Butterfly Bistro where we encountered a whole lot of weirdness.

 

[firecoast]

Destination... Cathcart via the back road out of Hogsback. I think it is called the Happy Valley road? Or is it Nature's Valley?

 

[firecoast]

Happiness himself...  :biggrin:

 

[firecoast]

More pics of Happy / Nature's Valley...

 

[firecoast]

At the tar I told THROTTLE to swop bikes just until the petrol station so I could feel a bit of erm... power between my legs.

Jirre, big mistake, as we had forgotten that he had raised the bike and our luggage was pushing my fat butt forward, so I had less than my big toenail on the ground.

I kept praying that there would be no traffic and that I would not have to put my foot out at the upcoming STOP sign.  :imaposer:

Anyway, luckily there wasn't and I could creep my way to the petrol station, where we had a bit of a break.

Thanks to the guy with the long hair who very kindly gave me some duct tape to sort out my boots.