Weekend to Verneukpan

[NewEra]

Verneukpan 28 Nov 2008

Summary
Three days, 1 830km from my driveway and back.  Nine bikes ranging from a HP2, various BMWâ??s, Pegaso, Africa Twin and my green machine KLR.

There is probably numerous Verneukpan stories but this one is unique â?? its mine.
All the planning culminated in Friday 28 November 06:00 at the Winelands 1 stop.  Lots of excitement and some nerves.

At the Winelands 1 Stop

Thanks to all the planning there was a backup vehicle which proved to be really helpful along the trip.

Our backup and trailer

We made good time to the other side of Ceres where the longest gravel road in SA starts.  Here the excitement chased off in clouds of dust while some nerves wondered if loading the bike on the backup vehicle was not the preferred option.

Chasing off into clouds us dust

Paul - the organiser of the trip getting ready of the longest gravel road in SA

All the bikes started out on the gravel which was just plain fun and games for some and jaw clenching concentration for others.

Except for flat tires all arrived in good spirit and shape to have a well deserved lunch in Calvinia.

Fixing a flat front

Lunch in Calvinia

Just outside Calvinia the group split, some going the highway to Brandvlei while others took the more scenic, lotsa gravel option.

Part 2 will follow as soon as I get all the pix to upload to imagge shack.

 

[Piston Pete]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing...more more! :thumleft:

 

[NewEra]

Part 2

All went well until this small little wet spot water crossing.  Who could have known that a maverick foul hearted green slimy monster lived just below the surface, waiting to cause havoc with our group of high spirited adventurers.
Considering that this little crossing turned out to be treacherous to walk itâ??s a bit of a miracle that only three bikes went down to meet the slime monster.

Fishing bikes out of the water

Great thing we had a backup vehicle, because otherwise we would have had to wait for all the Pratley steel and other muti to set before we could continue.  Thanks to the backup, the bike with the broken clutch bracket could be loaded and running repairs made that night in Brandvlei.
At Brandvlei, some were hungrier than others and the Climax burger at the Windpomp pub and grub was in high demand.

Climax Burger

Next morning everyone got up at their own time and we left for Verneukpan late morning. 

Final planning at the Windpomp - next stop Verneukpan

The compulsory â??Verneukpan at the bellâ?? photo.

The three girls on the trip

Now for some fun and personal land speed records.

Me and image shack again  ??? , there will have to be a part three

 

[NewEra]

Part 3

Sunset at the pan was a wonderful site.

If its out there we will ride to it and ejoy the ride and being one with nature

After a cold and windy night we left the pan quite early.

Ready to hit the road back home

From there it was the best route home.  For some that meant gravel as far as possible, others opting for more tar.
The last bit down to Cape Town with the head winds played havoc with everyoneâ??s fuel consumption but hey when you smell home who cares about fuel consumption.

Thanks to all who made this trip possible and a great adventure.

 

[Snafu]

Awesome!! Defnitely something i want to do in the near future!

Thanx for the report!

 

[the_BOBNOB]

very cool  :thumleft:

do you have to get permission to go onto the pan and stay over on the pan?

 

[NewEra]

very cool  :thumleft:

do you have to get permission to go onto the pan and stay over on the pan?

Yes, the pan is on a private farm.  https://www.verneukpan.co.za/

I suppos there is nothing stopping you from just riding through but if you want to stay and sight see you will have to contact the owner.

 

[Plore]

Nice fotos. Looks like you had a great time. Slimey monster, ugly bugger i hate you.

 

[Mungo Park]

nice pics...and yes its still on my list

 

[Side-Chick]

Thanks for the lovely ride-report! What a weekend!

 

[Snafu]

En die support is nogal ingevoer vanaf Langebaan!!

 

[r u talking to me]

Mooi mense. Its such a stunning place to be at.

...that vast space and flatness is such a contrast to anything else.



Good on you for having a vehicle to lug the essentials through. Theres absolutely fokall there to work from, no wood, no grass, nada.

As some USA govener once said ' ILL BE BACK'........there.

 

[Mark Hardy]

One of my favorite places, been there a few times and will gladly go back many more.

Thanks for sharing

 

[RASSIE GS800]

Lekker man, lyk na die regte plek om te oornag oppad na die Desert Run te Kuruman April 08

 

[JourneyMan]

Nice pics!

Like that one in the dusk with the tent and AT.  8)

 

[Tienie]

Die Pan is awesome! Was onlangs daar. https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=24098.0