Vaal River Trip - Sat. 24 Jan. '09

[bertrand]

Ride Report (the short version that will be added to over the next few days)

Before I get into the details: Thanks to everyone who joined the ride. I really enjoyed this one.

We met as planned at 10:00 at the Sasol garage in Parys. Some guys already came through on Friday. Others like me and Shaun took the highway to Parys on Saturday morning. ThinkMike and a few fellow riders took the dirt option from the Westrand side to Parys.

We started just after ten and followed the planned route across the Vaal to the North West Province side. Everyone settled in nicely on the dirt roads and we enjoyed a perfect ride on easy dirt roads past Thabela Thabeng to Venterskroon. After a quick stop and with Rietrot also catching up with his 990 we set of for the strecth to Kromdraai where we stopped for a leg stretch before crossing the Vaal back to the Freestate Province.

The bikes were a very nice mix that included 1200GS', F800, DR650, KTM 990, KTM 690, X-Challenge and KLR's. There were also two pillions who came along for this scenic route.

On the dirt roads back to Parys we encountered some mud pools that made for nice, but easy water crossings. We were back in Parys for a late lunch. I enjoyed meeting some new people and was impressed with Jenks' riding on his first outride. Rietrot and me stuck together for the ride back to the east of JHB and even with the rain threatening we managed to get home dry.

OK guys, please add pics and comments! (I will also add my pictures).

 

[umshiniwam]

ThinkMike and a few fellow riders took the dirt option from the Westrand side to Parys.

Mike, you seem to be getting in a lot of time on dirt. Awesome.

 

[jenks]

Nice RR Bertrand.

I must admit to being totally poked by the time I got home.  :-\

Credit to you guys for making me feel so comfortable offroad. I immediately knew I could relax and just watch what was going on ahead with the other riders.

Nice wide dirt roads with some minor rocky sections, gentle winding hills and fast stretches. Perfect! The numerous water crossings were a real jol, especially that longer one.

My dr now looks like its got measles :

NICE PICS RIETROT!!
VID is AWESOME

 

[HWassermann]

Thanks everyone.  I had lots of fun!!

Here are my pictures as clickable thumbnails.  Let me know if you would like the full version of any of them.

I also compiled some video clips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v47TBiMkaD4&feature=channel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28vVO4XZ-n0&feature=channel_page

Looking forward to see your pics!

[BR]Priceless!

 

[jenks]

What did you use to take the vid Rietrot? The audio and vid quality are pretty good. Like that soundtrack too!

 

[HWassermann]

Glad you like it Jenks.  I used a little cheapskate pocket cam - Samsung L73.  The quality actually deteriorated during the numerous format conversions (Windows Movie Maker insists on .wmv).  I am a complete novice at this and would appreciate any advice. 

 

[bertrand]

Nice pics and video Rietrot!

 

[bertrand]

Here goes mine:

(Also clickable thumbnails)

 

[jenks]

Here goes mine:

Mooi. Ek dink daai waitress het die shakes gehad.  :biggrin:
Weereens dankie Bertrand!

 

[NIEKIE]

I did not take pics. Miles took this one. I went a bit big on this. I loved it

Thx for a wonderfull we had.

Regards

Niekie

 

[pdk]

Thanks guys for a lovely trip. My son and I realy enjoyed it. Something different to what we are used to.Nice pictures and video. I have got a few fotos, but I am not sure on how to upload them. Do I use photo bucket?

 

[bertrand]

Thanks guys for a lovely trip. My son and I realy enjoyed it. Something different to what we are used to.Nice pictures and video. I have got a few fotos, but I am not sure on how to upload them. Do I use photo bucket?

Jip, photobucket works nicely.

 

[jenks]

Thanks guys for a lovely trip. My son and I realy enjoyed it. Something different to what we are used to.Nice pictures and video. I have got a few fotos, but I am not sure on how to upload them. Do I use photo bucket?

Jip, photobucket works nicely.

There is a little trick, tho'. Just remember to copy the image URL, not the other URLs. Then paste that URL into this screen. I think the same applies to album postings (as Bertrand and Rietrot have done above)??

 

[Boeloe]

Thanx Bertrand & the rest for a wonderfull ride. Nice to see you again Niekie. Nice photo's which will add to the memories.
Mike, Jenks, Briggs, was nice to ride with you guys from Krugersdorp to Parys. Sorry i had to leave early but did manage to miss the storm & was on time at home for the family braai.

Must do it again.

PS. Craig, you and yor DR did good.

 

[jenks]

Thanx Bertrand & the rest for a wonderfull ride. Nice to see you again Niekie. Nice photo's which will add to the memories.
Mike, Jenks, Briggs, was nice to ride with you guys from Krugersdorp to Parys. Sorry i had to leave early but did manage to miss the storm & was on time at home for the family braai.

Must do it again.

PS. Craig, you and yor DR did good.

Tx Boeloe

I was taking your line on the sand roads most of the time :thumleft:

Had a jol! I'm going to buy myself a helmet cam for the next ride ...

 

[bertrand]

Hi Jenks. I was also thinking about helmet cams... Do you have any info? I don't really know what to look for / haven't heard any feedback from guys using them.

 

[pdk]

Full throttle are selling them for +/- R1500. Looks like a small telescope and work independently, no battery packs and cables.Uses a mem card.It was shown on two weels.I don't know what the quality are like.

 

[LeonDude]

Nice ride guys.

 

[pdk]

Hi guys.
I had a look at the helmet cam at full throt today.It is a Oregon atc2k action cam and this is the webpage
https://www.myactioncam.co.uk/default.asp
Please buy one and tell me what it's like!!!
Pieter

 

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Some more Pics