The Bucket List - Breaking the Law

[Bomber11]

After a few late evenings reminiscing over last year’s trip around Lesotho in Easter, Husamarine advised us that Sani Pass on ‘plastic bikes’ was now featuring prominently on his Bucket List.
Last year’s memories of our Easter trip -  Bomber11, Husamarine and Bushboy.

After mutually agreeing on some tactics to enable us to ride unlicensed bikes on the pass, a compatible date was finalised, the accommodation in Himeville booked and the bikes prepared in anticipation of a seriously exiting trip ahead.

 

[Bomber11]

The tar section to the Border Post extends approximately 10 km with the remaining gravel road a pleasant warm- up for the challenge ahead.

We reported to the South African customs officials on a windless and sunny Saturday morning, had our Passports stamped and coolly continued up the pass dressed in casual clothes.

Once we had progressed a few kilometres from the S.A. Border post, we found a perfect area to park the Bakkie and off-load the bikes.

Fully kitted, we headed back down to the S.A.Border, turning our bikes around fifty or so metres from the actual Post. (Out of sight, out of mind)

 

[Bomber11]

Husamarine and Bushboy both had serious HD cameras mounted on their helmets to film the day’s activities as well as a permanent record to justify Sani’s Bucket List rating. Naturally the families were also interested to see what all the fuss was about.

We calmly rode up the pass trying to maintain control of our excitement (throttle) while enjoying the beautiful surroundings and negotiating some tourist traffic. The road was slightly rutted with many loose stones and rocks yet in relatively “good” condition. On the steep switch- back section, there were some hard packed sand areas which were slippery due to the many vehicles spinning their tyres searching for traction.

Once at the summit, cheerfully we had our passports stamped and gladly paid the R30 to the official with a smile.

Being the start of March, we were pleasantly surprised to find the vegetation somewhat greener and looking relatively healthier compared to the previous year. We visited the pub to take a few more photos and sat down for breakfast with a cold beer. Unfortunately, the celebratory Maluti beers were out of stock.

 

[Bomber11]

The trip down to the parked Bakkie below was a complete jol where we overtook many tourists in 4x4 vehicles and some on foot.

We had time to assist a fallen Trans Alp rider (and pillion) who was totally exhausted from dropping his bike so often. We easily convinced him that the road ahead was steeper, rougher and definitely more difficult so we turned his mount around and pointed them in a wise downward direction.
In summary -  yes a notice does exists at the S.A.Border post advising that MX bikes and Quads bikes are illegal to travel on the Pass. We maneouvred around that problem by driving to an area between the two Border posts then off-loaded the bikes. Should  you have a 4X4 vehicle, try driving to the very top on the Lesotho side before off-loading  your bikes. The Lesotho Customs had absolutely nothing to say about our mode of transport.
“ Sani Pass – Breaking the Law”
Bushboy skilfully edited the following video footage to fit into a two minutes package.


Co- incidentally, after we had viewed the original video in its entirety, we realised that the ride up Sani Pass at a leisurely pace was completed in 11 minutes and 10 seconds.
So what’s next on the agenda for the lifestyle boys?
                      SAMS in Easter with the whole Lesotho WD gang. Report to follow!

 

[Carrots]

Stoute bliksems!!  :imaposer:

Lyk lekker en na baie fun!  :thumleft:

 

[Bushboy]

Nice Ride report Bomber11.

It’s a pity that the camera does not give you a good indication on how Rocky, sand and rough the ride/switchbacks are.
Any one that’s gone up or attempted Sani will know what the video is all about.
Nice Day . Can't wait for the next thing  -  Sani Pass on Gran'ts push bike??????? hahahahaha.
I'm I’m serious  :ricky:

 

[Ronsard]

You beauties!!! so Lifestyle boys I cannot wait for the guest houses  and ocean front view on our mozam/swazi trip!!!

Lifestyle boys for life hahahaha

 

[CruzaGirl]

Hi Guys
Wanted some inside track info.
See you did the trip on GS's, we are planning a 5 day trip and have booked already will be doing Sani pass up at end April.
My question - how complicated is the pass now-a-days?
I am not very skilled off-road but have done a number of trips over the past 12 months and also a Lesotho trip in the mountains off-raod,
How much experience is needed to get up Sani?
What is the extent of the road surface?
Thank you

 

[Bomber11]

Firstly I think you have ample experience to ride the pass during April. Conditions will differ based on the time of year ( snow, ice, mud, dust and wind ) but the constant in all the various conditions is that stones, rocks, rutts, taxis and tourists are always present. The most difficult section of the pass is definitely the last kilo which consists of steep switchback corners. These corners usually have rocks and stones, rutts and loose sand or slippery mud just where direction and momentum are required most. With a fully laden D/S bike the challenge increases. So if at all possible, lighten the bike and maintain momentum on the upward direction. In the reverse direction, use the bikes engines compression to help reduce the natural momentum created from a downward slope. As the entrance to the corners are slippery from all the upward traffic spinning tyres for traction, be carefull not to apply front brakes to aggressively. Upward traffic has the Right of Way. Relax and enjoy. 

 

[spoedvark]

Doing Sani on 29 April!!!!

9 SLEEPS!!!

Kannie Waggie!!!!!!

Gonna be awesome!!!!

11 min and 10 s - Must be some kind of record???

Thanks for sharing guys!!

 

[Gravelmad]

Fantastic!!!! Did it in 2009 middle of June ....Awesome

 

[Roela]

Gaan in na Tsaba Seka en vat dan die pad na Sani. Vra vir Losper. Disssss nou 'n ride!

 

[Red Adventure]

Wow, am I glad I didn't see this video before I took on Sani...