Who would like to join the Dan's on a 10 day trip? – THE RIDE REPORT

[2StrokeDan]

Enjoying this story a lot, makes me feel like going back. :ricky:

RIGHT????

Just waiting for you to move to the Netherlands, and Wilhelm and I will go. :biggrin: :biggrin:

Hahaha, would love to see the two of you navigate through Lesotho.

Fok, nie daaraan gedink nie. Sal maar die Xt met die 35 liter tenk vat.

 

[Fudge]

:spitcoffee:

 

[winters]

Day 8 – Himeville to Nelspruit

While loading the bikes the previous night, Dries discovered that his front tyre had a bad cut in it, and asked if there was any way of getting a new one before our weekend’s riding in Nelspruit. I messaged Henk ([member=5599]chopperpilot[/member]) and Canzius ([member=13184]Noneking[/member]) to ask if they could possibly help. I knew that they were probably still working the next day but was hoping that they could spare a couple of minutes to check for us. Within minutes both of them had phoned around, as well as each other, and sorted us out. They even went as far as fetching the tyre for us – something we said we would do the Saturday morning. We would later meet these guys in person and learn what wonderful people and really accomplished riders they are.

So we tackled the (roughly) 800 km stretch up to Nelspruit, where we stayed with Henk and his wife Jana. These people are so incredibly nice, I cannot state it enough what great human beings they are. From the start of the planning, Henk had offered his place to us. They gave us a safe spot to park both the car and trailer, and a place to work on the bikes. The flat we stayed in was fully kitted – milk, coffee, tea, yoghurt, fruit, muffins (luckily he does not own a BMW, so this was safe to eat) – along with great views and awesome dogs.

We arrived rather late and still had to pop by the shop for some snacks. A quick fitment of the tyre and we were off to our braai at [member=13184]Noneking[/member]. Noneking received us and showed us to his braai area which has the most incredible view of the surrounding areas. The only downside was that you needed to pass his garage, which has these massive windows behind which his HP2 stands.

2StrokeDan almost got in the car and left, but fortunately we went with chopperpilot. Just kidding ! We were treated like royals and later to a plankie braai – something Dries had not experienced before and absolutely loved.

 

[2StrokeDan]

Dries soon became best friends with Henk's dog, he love animals a lot.

 

[Noneking]

Noneking received us and showed us to his braai area which has the most incredible view of the surrounding areas. The only downside was that you needed to pass his garage, which has these massive windows behind which his HP2 stands.

2StrokeDan almost got in the car and left, but fortunately we went with chopperpilot. Just kidding ! We were treated like royals and later to a plankie braai – something Dries had not experienced before and absolutely loved.

It was incredible to see, BMWs are truly [member=8876]2StrokeDan[/member] 's Kryptonite. He nearly collapsed as he passed by that magnificent piece of machinery.......  :ricky:

 

[2StrokeDan]

Noneking received us and showed us to his braai area which has the most incredible view of the surrounding areas. The only downside was that you needed to pass his garage, which has these massive windows behind which his HP2 stands.

2StrokeDan almost got in the car and left, but fortunately we went with chopperpilot. Just kidding ! We were treated like royals and later to a plankie braai – something Dries had not experienced before and absolutely loved.

It was incredible to see, BMWs are truly [member=8876]2StrokeDan[/member] 's Kryptonite. He nearly collapsed as he passed by that magnificent piece of machinery.......  :ricky:

No, it was just the tight squeeze past those pods. :thumleft:

 

[Altie7deLaan]

Noneking received us and showed us to his braai area which has the most incredible view of the surrounding areas. The only downside was that you needed to pass his garage, which has these massive windows behind which his HP2 stands.

2StrokeDan almost got in the car and left, but fortunately we went with chopperpilot. Just kidding ! We were treated like royals and later to a plankie braai – something Dries had not experienced before and absolutely loved.

It was incredible to see, BMWs are truly [member=8876]2StrokeDan[/member] 's Kryptonite. He nearly collapsed as he passed by that magnificent piece of machinery.......  :ricky:

No, it was just the tight squeeze past those pods. :thumleft:

Dan, Is this one of that perve moves, like where guys press their nether regions against a hot woman in a loaded subway carriage?

 

[2StrokeDan]

Noneking received us and showed us to his braai area which has the most incredible view of the surrounding areas. The only downside was that you needed to pass his garage, which has these massive windows behind which his HP2 stands.

2StrokeDan almost got in the car and left, but fortunately we went with chopperpilot. Just kidding ! We were treated like royals and later to a plankie braai – something Dries had not experienced before and absolutely loved.

It was incredible to see, BMWs are truly [member=8876]2StrokeDan[/member] 's Kryptonite. He nearly collapsed as he passed by that magnificent piece of machinery.......  :ricky:

No, it was just the tight squeeze past those pods. :thumleft:

Dan, Is this one of that perve moves, like where guys press their nether regions against a hot woman in a loaded subway carriage?

More like pressing your nether regions against a carbo-loaded woman in a hot subway carriage. :eek7:

Nah, I'm joking, that HP is not half-bad.  I like the no electronic aids thing.

 

[Noneking]

Noneking received us and showed us to his braai area which has the most incredible view of the surrounding areas. The only downside was that you needed to pass his garage, which has these massive windows behind which his HP2 stands.

2StrokeDan almost got in the car and left, but fortunately we went with chopperpilot. Just kidding ! We were treated like royals and later to a plankie braai – something Dries had not experienced before and absolutely loved.

It was incredible to see, BMWs are truly [member=8876]2StrokeDan[/member] 's Kryptonite. He nearly collapsed as he passed by that magnificent piece of machinery.......  :ricky:

No, it was just the tight squeeze past those pods. :thumleft:

Dan, Is this one of that perve moves, like where guys press their nether regions against a hot woman in a loaded subway carriage?

More like pressing your nether regions against a carbo-loaded woman in a hot subway carriage. :eek7:

Nah, I'm joking, that HP is not half-bad.  I like the no electronic aids thing.

[emoji43][emoji43]
Is jy seker jy voel ok?


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[2StrokeDan]

Voel so bietjie lomerig...... :thumleft:

 

[Skaiidawg]

We were treated like royals and later to a plankie braai – something Dries had not experienced before and absolutely loved.

Wat is 'n plankie braai?

Naaise RR  :ricky:

 

[Noneking]

We were treated like royals and later to a plankie braai – something Dries had not experienced before and absolutely loved.

Wat is 'n plankie braai?

Naaise RR  :ricky:

Geen borde, messe, vurke of slaai.....

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[Skaiidawg]

OK thanks, daai vleis lyk heerlik.... :drif:

 

[2StrokeDan]

OK thanks, daai vleis lyk heerlik.... :drif:

Dit was. Die wyse waarop Henk en Canzius ons trakteer het, is hoogs waardeerd.

 

[winters]

Day 9 – Noneking Day Ride 1

After a great evening and meeting Chopperpilot and Noneking, we would now finally get to experience their backyard. Noneking met us at Chopperpilot’s house and we headed around the corner to the petrol station. Here we got to meet Martin ([member=23937]Foxi[/member]) on his 790 and Saai on a 690.

It feels like I’m repeating myself but, again, super nice guys. The seven of us headed out of town to the rendezvous point. Here our group doubled in size when we met: Rex Benson ([member=283]Rexc-w[/member] ) on an 1190, Stephan Reyneke on an HP2, Ingo de Jager on another 1190, Ivan Gibbons on a GS1200 and, the most chill giant I have ever met, Jan Venter ([member=9540]BikerJan[/member]) on his Africa Twin.

The rest of the day was a bit of a blur, with awesome riding and the people we were with, making it even better. A pine forest was our first destination after leaving the rendezvous point. The pace was good as we flew through forest sections, zigzagging our way to our first stop high up in the hills.

Next would be breakfast at a place called the Bohemian Groove Café (or I think that was its name). Anyway, the food was great, and the banter was off and running. The day was heating up, so the outside area under the umbrellas was ideal.

If you look at the photo above, you will notice everyone except old Dries in the shade which reminds me of our third day in Lesotho. We were on our way to Katse dam and it was also rather hot. Whenever we stopped for a quick drink, 2StrokeDan and I would always seek out a shady area where we could take a break and this time was no different. As we disembarked and settled under some trees we noticed that Dries was not joining us but rather lying flat on his back in the middle of the road enjoying the sun. When commentating that he was crazy, he replied; “Come on man, I’m from Germany!”

After breakfast, the ride continued and I honestly had no idea where we were. I actually did not care, as Noneking had the perfect day’s riding planned. From forests to plateaus, down valleys and up tarred passes; the riding never stopped and it just got better and better. We would take the occasional break here and there, but we kept on going.

The above photos are from one of our stops overlooking some part of their backyard. Again no idea where we were…  ;D

Here we also took a group photo.

The following pics are from another lookout…still lost.

Martin([member=23937]Foxi[/member]) and his spiffy 790.

[member=5599]chopperpilot[/member]  admiring the place he calls home.

Stephan here accompanied by hundreds of flying insects. Actually never noticed them on the ride, but from the picture they were clearly there.

Soon we found ourselves at a shebeen for a nice cold one. The banter continued and everyone was just in an all-round good mood.

The guys all filing into the shebeen.

The next part of the ride was my absolute favourite of the day. It was a section of roughly 40 km and it was next to the Kruger fence. It was so good that I unfortunately forgot to switch on the GoPro. The road had these great little humps which were a lot of fun while going at speed. Actually that is an understatement, they were the ****!!! We stopped for a quick break under a railway bridge.

Dries trying to spot wildlife, because while on the bike there was no time to look around.

The second part of that road had our group split in two, as someone had gotten a puncture. Noneking, chopperpilot, 2StrokeDan, Dries and I chilled at the turnoff while waiting for the others. The sun was hot, but at least the bikes offered some shade.

When we were joined by the other guys, Noneking was back on his bike and we were off again for the last bit of sand. Now sand is something I like very much, in fact, I love sand, so this last section was good fun for me and seeing that I was on the 701, I was in 7th heaven.

The day was coming to an end as we climbed one of the final hills and reached the tar road again. It was getting rather late and we still needed to get home, shower and go to the shop before heading to Noneking for another braai. But the okes would have non of that and insisted on one last beer.

Rex, Ingo, Ivan and Jan. Rex looking angry that the ride was over.

That evening we were hosted by Noneking again for another great braai and was joined by Jan and Saai. We chatted about the day’s ride and I must have mentioned to Noneking about two or three times what a great route it was and how it could not have been any better.

I was wrong again…

 

[Noneking]

Day 9 – Noneking Day Ride 1



Next would be breakfast at a place called the Bohemian Groove Café (or I think that was its name). Anyway, the food was great, and the banter was off and running. The day was heating up, so the outside area under the umbrellas was ideal. Correct - in the little Town called Kaapsehoop, which by road is about 30km from Nelspruit. We took the scenic offroad route there through the plantations from Alkmaar


If you look at the photo above, you will notice everyone except old Dries in the shade which reminds me of our third day in Lesotho. We were on our way to Katse dam and it was also rather hot. Whenever we stopped for a quick drink, 2StrokeDan and I would always seek out a shady area where we could take a break and this time was no different. As we disembarked and settled under some trees we noticed that Dries was not joining us but rather lying flat on his back in the middle of the road enjoying the sun. When commentating that he was crazy, he replied; “Come on man, I’m from Germany!”



After breakfast, the ride continued and I honestly had no idea where we were. I actually did not care, as Noneking had the perfect day’s riding planned. From forests to plateaus, down valleys and up tarred passes; the riding never stopped and it just got better and better. We would take the occasional break here and there, but we kept on going.



The above photos are from one of our stops overlooking some part of their backyard. Again no idea where we were…  ;D In the Blue Swallow Reserve on the escarpment close to the town of Kaapsehoop. Views from the escarpment towards Nelspruit in the North East and Barberton in the South east. Also had a view over Adam's Calendar


The following pics are from another lookout…still lost. Views over Low's Creek Valley towards Louisville coming from Shiyalongubu dam. Overlooking Lily Mine

Soon we found ourselves at a shebeen for a nice cold one. The banter continued and everyone was just in an all-round good mood. Shebeen in Matsulu

The guys all filing into the shebeen.

The next part of the ride was my absolute favourite of the day. It was a section of roughly 40 km and it was next to the Kruger fence. It was so good that I unfortunately forgot to switch on the GoPro. The road had these great little humps which were a lot of fun while going at speed. Actually that is an understatement, they were the ****!!! We stopped for a quick break under a railway bridge.


The second part of that road had our group split in two, as someone had gotten a puncture. Noneking, chopperpilot, 2StrokeDan, Dries and I chilled at the turnoff while waiting for the others. The sun was hot, but at least the bikes offered some shade.

When we were joined by the other guys, Noneking was back on his bike and we were off again for the last bit of sand. Now sand is something I like very much, in fact, I love sand, so this last section was good fun for me and seeing that I was on the 701, I was in 7th heaven.



That evening we were hosted by Noneking again for another great braai and was joined by Jan and Saai. We chatted about the day’s ride and I must have mentioned to Noneking about two or three times what a great route it was and how it could not have been any better.

I was wrong again…

 

[Noneking]

View over Shiyalongubo dam towards Swaziland/Eswatini

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[Dwerg]

Maak my nog meer suur dat ek moes uit mis!

 

[Noneking]

Day 9 – Noneking Day Ride 1










The day was coming to an end as we climbed one of the final hills

This little rocky climb looks a lot less intimidating on the photos than it is in real life. Before the climb, you are riding beautiful jeeptrack in the bush (See pics of 2SD & MiniDan approaching). Come around a 90 degree corner With vegetation obstructing your view of what waits ahead and you are immediately onto the big rocks at the start of the climb. It has caught out many a skilled rider, but on this day, everyone negotiated it without any issues.

 

[BikerJan]

It was a privilege to have met you all! NK, the route was great!