Thy Kingdom Come

[Bomber11]

“Here you go again, you say you want your freedom”, lyrics to ‘Dreams’ a song by Fleetwood Mac.

It seems to perfectly describe the feeling I get in anticipation of my departure on our annual Easter weekend biking adventure. We decided over our usual beer and braai that we would use slightly modified enduro bikes as it would allow more of the gang to participate. As Husamarine had previously spent a weekend in the area, he was given the thankless task of finalising the arrangements for this year’s trip.
The Wild Dogs based on age:
Zugger – Suzuki DRZ 400
Modification – Extended headlight screen.



Bomber11 – Kawasaki KLX 450 R
Modifications – Flicker set, mirror, 15 front and 48 rear sprocket, etrex personal navigator.



Husamarine – Husaberg FE 550 e
Modification – Flicker set and mirrors (refitted)



Bushboy – KTM 530 Safari
Modifications – Tank, screen, navigation, suspension, sprockets and gearing.

 

[Bomber11]

5am Good Friday, a quick stop to fill up the ‘Beast’ and a few energy refreshments.




A sunrise leg stretch outside Machadadorp.



A very easy border crossing.



The accommodation was in the old asbestos mining town of Bulembu.



Kitted out and ready to hit the plantations.

 

[Bomber11]

The magic of the forest.

 

[adv]

awesome!  :drif: :drif: :drif:

 

[Gerry10]

Classic!!

 

[Bomber11]

Day one – after action satisfaction.




The door designed for ‘Oscar’.



Day two – early morning petrol at Piggs Peak.




Maguga dam wall

 

[Lem]

I like this already  :thumleft: keep it coming

 

[Dorsland]

Great riding area, looks like a lot of fun on those bikes.  Lived in Barberton as a kid, gets warm there, even in winter.

 

[Bomber11]

Up into the mountains and down to valley below.






A quick refreshment and a fun evening

 

[Bomber11]

The forest section at the start of day 3.




Local wildlife inspecting our machines.

 

[Bomber11]

Friendly local population.

 

[Bomber11]

We met up with some WD’s on D/S bikes in the area. Some of them were physically exhausted and desperately looking for cold water to satisfy their thirst.




Fortunately, a tap with cold water was available nearby which did the trick as we bumped into them again at the dam. Dual sport bikes and riders take a serious hammering on most of the roads with huge ruts and wash-a-ways due to the amount of rain in the area lately.

Relaxing with some cold ones at Maguga Lodge.






Car park at Maguga Lodge



A friendly tourist offered me a spare ice-cream while we were in the car park preparing to leave.

 

[Bomber11]

Our last evening in Swaziland.





All packed and ready for the trip home via Josefsdal border, Barberton, Machadadorp and ahead of the heavy Easter traffic straight to P.Town.



In Summary:

 

[edgy]

Awesome stuff...proper adventure biking! :thumleft:

 

[zugger11]

Hi all,

Thanks to bomber for the rr . Again we had a great long week end with good riding and friendship. It was great to have a  with our middle size bikes as all our previous trips have been on our big adventure bikes. It is a beautiful country and the riding exceptional.

Roll on the next trip for the motley crew.

Thanks again to all,

ZUGGER11

 

[Bomber11]

In Summary:
Day 1 = 94km of wonderful forest roads and tracks.
Day 2: = 124km of scenic roads in northern Swaziland.
Day 3: = 218km of tremendous valley and hilly roads, twee-spoor and single tracks around the eastern Swazi and Maguga  Dam areas.
Accommodation : Bulembu Lodge – Quiet and relaxing which totally satisfied our requirements.
Recommendations:
Most roads/tracks we travelled would be totally treacherous for heavy D/S bikes during their rainy season.
Brilliant riding facilities only a four hour drive from Gauteng.
The Swaziland population are a friendly, happy bunch living in a beautiful scenic country just waiting to be explored.
Finally:

A very special thanks on a job well done as usual goes to Husamarine for all the travel, accommodation, food and riding arrangements. To  Bushboy for his exciting etrex directions, to Zugger for arranging the mole-hills in a special pattern to weave around and to the Boomgate operator for being so patient waiting for me each morning.



Thanks to the gang for another brilliant trip where riding, fun and camaraderie just escalates on an annual basis which makes me look forward to the future and all the exciting trips ahead.

 

[cheesy]

"Thy Kingdom Come" how appropriate. God's own country. Brilliant photos. Thank you.

 

[gwild]

Awesome thx for sharing  :thumleft:

 

[Husamarine]

Always great to go on a trip with the boys!

Area and scenery breathtaking, riding awesome and socialising as great as always.

Can really recommend Swaziland to anyone eager to experience a good ride.

Thanks to you guys for making it another memorable one!!

No roll on the Wild Coast.

(Just need to make sure that we take with a dancing partner for "Swagger Jagger"........or what do you think Bomber?)

 

[lj111]

Nice :ricky: