Wild Dogs Do Ride

[Offroad Adventurer]

Ride to Berg River Dam

After receiving loads of replies and lots of PM's I invited a whole bunch of riders, WD's and friends to join me on this ride.

I managed to obtain permission to ride to the top of Middelberg koppie which is between the new dam project and the town of Franschhoek.

We had a quick briefing regarding the route (in case some riders got lost) and soon we were riding. Well that is what we are here for!!!

We left Durbanville and got onto the gravel :lol: just next to the Fisantekraal informal settlement. The road "tosses and turns" and soon we are in the Joostenberg small holdings.

Regroup

We then took the road passing the Tygerberg zoo and then again onto the gravel to rejoin the tar at Klapmuts.

A few of the riders missed a turn and after about 10 minutes they found us and then we had to wait for len who had gone to look for them. I called Frik to say we would be about 15 minutes late.

And so as we approach the bridge crossing the Berg River we spot Frik waiting for us.

So we stopped and all met Frik.

Len explaining his point to Mark

Madal contemplating!

We finally get going and after signing through security we start the road, or should I say track to the fire lookout. I drove the track a year ago and it has got BAD. The riders had been warned of this and I had suggested to Frik and Lance not to bring pillions.

After making it to the first place to stop we did and within the forst 500m a few riders had taken a tumble. :shock: :shock: I would grade the the track 4 (other opinions are welcome).

First view of the dam.

The track (Hey I was not going to stop and take the pics of the bad parts - I would have fallen off).

At the first stop

Finally we arrive at the fire lookout and the top of the mountain.

Almost at the top

At the top

The dam from the top

Brekkies was calling and so we did the descend. Amir and I took the eastern track which was much better until I came around a corner and found a fallen tree across half of the road...and it just happened to be the side I was on. I saw my #%$&^.

Hey Africa is not for sissies.

Brekkies at the Franschhoek Inn (food was amazing) :lol:

Frik went over the pass to Greyton and we all went home via the backroads.

Thanks to all the riders.
Clive, Bruce, Philip, Colin, Lance, Amir, Madal, Mark, Frik, Francois, Chris, John, Steve, Mike, Len and Edric :wink:

Next time I promise a more mundance run with no rocks and wash aways.

 

[chrisB]

Awesome stuff you guy's are blessed with awesome scenery! 8) 8) 8)

 

[MuttsNutts]

Wow nice ride, I would like to join you buggers if you do it again, Pleeeez

 

[macduff]

OA, i couldnt make it....
but after reading the report, i am not so sure i would have made it.... :shock: :shock:
but will keep an eye on your agenda ... 8)

 

[X Banana Boy]

Awesome. great pics.

 

[Kev]

Very nice report. Nice to see the mugshots... but I cannot connect names to faces. No shots of the lekker breakfast?

 

[Groenie]

Great stuff guys.

That green KLR just does it for me.

 

[JourneyMan]

Lekker turn up and cool selection of bikes!

Thanks.

 

[Stephan]

Enjoyed the pics! So the Capies can ride after all! :lol: :lol:

 

[warrior]

Big thank you to Greg for organising this one. It was my first time ever off the tar and what an introduction to adventure riding. The dakar behaved most surprising.

 

[briv]

Hey what n lekker DAKAR ride (not the bike,the rally) the AT gave me a workout on them small round stones and wash outs :shock: Went down once but managed to only strain a hamstring a bit I would like to take the TW200 and explored all the roads on the mountian 8) Thanks Greg and nice riding with all the chaps :lol:

 

[Frik]

Thanks Greg & all the guys, it was great fun & nice to meet you all.

Some hill - felt like Greg was subjecting us for a prequalifier for the 2007 Roof of Africa.. Going up the hill 1 thought kept cropping up in my mind - if I want to win the Dakar in 2009 then I'm going to have to get much fitter, faster & slimmer.!

Glad Lito did'nt join us - I doubt I would have made it up with a pillion on the back without incurring serious damage to man & machine..

Greg, I found that road you spoke about on the other side of the pass - it says in huge bold letters " ABSOLUTELY NO ENTRY WITHOUT A PERMIT "

Note the absolutely...

Had a good ride back to Greyton except further down the pass a youngster on a superbike made a serious miscalculation on a very sharp corner & came off his bike. It would seem that he & the bike parted and he then had a head - on with an oncoming car. Enough to put one off motorcycling....

Otherwise all's well & look forward to the next outing.

 

[Lito]

Frik... have faith me mate... looks like we have to go for a ride in Grabouw then sometime. Or even Steenbras. Build up your faith a bit in pillioning


Looks like two of my mates were there, that I didnt suspect to be there at all.

Were John Kleyn (950) and Lourens vRensburg there?

 

[Frik]

Lito, believe me, you didn't want to be a pillion on that hill. :lol:

Can't you just increase the size of that deal you are busy putting together & buy me the 525 with the small change.? Then I'll go riding with you up any hill. Any also put away a few bucks for Mark - he really needs a new back tire..... :shock:

There was a John on a 950 (Very fast bike) but I cannot remember his surname. I'm not sure about Lourens, too many names in 1 shot Sorrie Lourens.!

 

[Mark Hardy]

Thanks Greg, that was a lekker ride. Any time you are doing another ride please let me know.

 

[Philip Scott]

Thanks for a great ride Greg. I thoroughly enjoyed the morning outing. The mountai section was a bit hetic for us beginers, but what the heck? Marvellous brekkie by the way.

 

[Veemax]

Thanks Greg, I don't often ride in a big bunch but this time was worth it, I got to see a new chunk of western Cape just when I thought there were no 'fresh' roads. Thanks to Clive for the invite at the last minute, and may I say Clive, you might be new to riding kibbles bru but you look like you've been doing it all your life!

 

[wino]

great turnout to what looks like an awesome ride! well done guys! 8)