the_wes' Lesotho trip

[the_wife]

Just to let those who are interested know the_wes' trip is going pretty well at this stage.  Besides for quite hectic cross winds Saturday and yestersay he managed quite well.

On Saturday morning bright and early he left our place at just before 8:00 to go past his folks. This was after much packing and delibiration about how he is going to fit on his VERY packed bike. When we got to his folks' place, his dad just shook his head, made him remove all not so necessary items from his bag and helped him to re-pack. He then only left at 8:40, but with much more (breathing space).

He, however, did deviate from hi original route plan. On Saturday he slept over in Steytlerville (and yes, he did enjoy it very much ) and then pushed on to just before Barkley East yesterday.

Today Matetiele via Naudé's Neck is on the menu. 650DL will join him on Wednesday at Himeville, so the_wes has decide to take a detour to Pietermaritzburg tomorrow to go say hi to some friends and then to go play a bit in the Midlands en route to Himeville on Wednesday.

Unfortunately there's been one slight casualty during yesterday's stint... Just after Pearston, as the_wes was deflating his tyres for the gravel, he knocked his bike over which resulted in him losing his right mirror  Luckily for him some rally ride came past at that specific time, and a Harley rider (God bless him!) helped him to pick up his bike.

So mirrorless, but strong he continues on in pursuing adventure.... I'll keep you updated

 

[Stofstreep]

Cool!

 

[the_wife]

Latest update:

After a very beautiful and scenic ride past Rhodes and over Naudé's neck, the_wes arrived in a very wet Matetiele. Quote: "What an anti-climax. This day ended on a downer. Rhodes was so beautiful I want to go live there!"

With the very wet, muddy and slippery conditions the_wes had to swop his nice-ish, but fairly inaccesible accomdation for a cottage in the caravan park. Poor man

Today it's onwards to Pietermaritzburg with some possible play in the Midlands - I am so jealous!!!!

 

[JonW]

Hi the_wife

Please let Wes know that if he wants someone to show him around the Midlands area he is welcome to give me a call on 082 805 7002.

Jon

 

[the_wife]

Thanks JonW, but he enjoyed his stay in PMB so much, he only left there at 13:00 today! He says he appreciates it though...

 

[Mark Hardy]

Hi there the_wife

Glad to have Wes out your hair abit... ;D, next time you hear from him please say Hi from EV and I

 

[Ama ride ride]

Thanks JonW, but he enjoyed his stay in PMB so much, he only left there at 13:00 today! He says he appreciates it though...

And the Wes sez...." I want to go and find myself......" Looks more like a planned holiday away from the wif... ;D

 

[MrBig]

Hope the poor chap got a good rainsuit.
Seems like that area's in for a washout.

 

[Hermanator]

Jeez,

Enough about Wes, tell us about your day and ow you're keeping yourself occupied while Wes is away.  >

Lawrence 

 

[SuperJuice]

Yea and post a pic at the same time...  :

 

[the_wife]

Well... life with the_wes is different for sure! Much more quiet and uneventful :angel1:

So, the_wes had his 2nd fall. Poor man - if the first one wasn't bad enough, he managed to wipe out on the drive way at our friends in PMB!!!  :-[ In his defence, it is a ridiculously steep, S-shape incline. Besides for a bruised ego, he's also lost a part of his clutch lever and managed to crack his one foot peg... I guess it's all in a day's riding?

Yesterday he set out from PMB via Howick and Notingham Road to the Drakensberg to then meet up with 650DL in Himeville. I love that part of the world, so I am thoroughly jealous!!

Last night the two of them spent time repairing their bikes (650DL came off on Naudé's neck)... Bravo to steel weld!

Today it's the trek up Sani Pass which will surely be fun after/during the rain.

Up to now these two has spent their nights in lodges, B&Bs and backpackers but apparently made a pact to camp from here on forwards (as long as it doesn't rain) since the budgets are wearing a bit thin. LOL...

Thanks for all your interest. Will make sure they get your messages.

 

[bmad]

So, the_wes had his 2nd fall. Poor man - if the first one wasn't bad enough, he managed to wipe out on the drive way at our friends in PMB!!!  :-[ In his defence, it is a ridiculously steep, S-shape incline.

Tell the_wes that Sani pass is one set of long steep S bends  > >

 

[Ama ride ride]

So, the_wes had his 2nd fall. Poor man - if the first one wasn't bad enough, he managed to wipe out on the drive way at our friends in PMB!!!  :-[ In his defence, it is a ridiculously steep, S-shape incline.

Tell the_wes that Sani pass is one set of long steep S bends  > >

Yes....steep rocky washed out S bends.... >

 

[SGB]

So where is the_wes now?  There is some water flowing in Lesotho, and the scene is set for a decent ride report?  Why the silence the_wife??

 

[mountainboy]

Hey Wifey - tell Wes to keep the info coming

and wish him good luck for the rest of the trip too

luck sod!!!

Wes is luckey too  ;D ;D ;D

 

[the_wife]

Apologies for the long silence... Work got in the way, sigh.  I have also only heard from the_wes again today since Thursday.

They've crossed the border late afternoon en route to Barkley East. Form there they're shooting through to Tsitsikama tomorrrow and then possibly home on Wednesday ;D Yipee!!!!

It sounds like both of them have fairly trashed bikes, but will update you when I know more. All I was told was: "I have no mirrors". Awesome!  :-\

Keep checking this space...

 

[Mark Hardy]

All I was told was: "I have no mirrors". Awesome!  :-\

:laughing9:

 

[fire-ant]

Hope the_wes is doing just fine and going strong. Good luck on his last stretch and safe riding.

Stand ready, when he gets the sniff of home, the horse turns from trot to a wild playful gallop.

 

[the_wife]

...and so the story continues.

the_wes and 650DL slept over at the Old Mill Inn (Barkley East) yesterday evening. The poor guys were so tired, that shortly after booking in (at about 4pm) they fell asleep. They woke up briefly for supper and went back to bed just before 8pm! This is insane, 'cos Wes is quite a night owl! 

Some tit bits about Lesotho itself: Going to Katse, they couldn't quite find the place they intended to stay over at, until they realised they were riding on a hiking trail and not the dirt road they thought they were on!   LOL  They were also caught in a hail storm just before Katse... I'm sure there will still be alot of stories that will surface, so drinks on Friday will definitely be quite interesting

Change of route again: they decided to rather opt for Steytlerville tonight (makes you wonder...) and then home tomorrow. So, expect the next post to be form the_wes himself, unless there's a piece of "skinder" I just have to share before then.

Ciao.

 

[mountainboy]

Back on Wednesday??

so the_wife's leave is over!!

hope you enjoyed it

Hope Wes has like a gazillion pics!!

cannot wait