wildside
Pack Dog
Wildside’s way to the Zingela Bash -2023
Since Covid struck in 2020 we had done no riding so when we discovered that there was to be a Zingela Bash we decided this was a good opportunity to dust off the Honda’s, shake out the spiders from our boots, familiarize myself with the route and get ourselves ready for a weekend away.
Looking at the list of Wilddogs attending we saw some names of people we hadn’t seen in a long while and this would be a super opportunity to catch up with the old dogs again.
Departing from Howick allows us to enjoy a lovely route through Karkloof and out on the gravel road towards Rietvlei. A short distance on the Mooi River / Greytown tar road leads us to the Middlerus /Weenen gravel road.
A few Wilddog members will be familiar with this route. However, at the Muden /Mooiriver intersection we turned right continuing on a gravel road until we joined up with tarred Muden road.
We were now a bit concerned about fuel availability and Kingsley (Offside) chatted to one of the locals who directed us to a taxi rank (just down the road) where we could top up with some fuel.
THIS COST US R30 / L
Almost opposite this taxi rank was our next turn off. The last time we road this route it was still gravel, but it has since been tarred but the Tugela Ferry road where we turned left was still a fairly good gravel road. Coming out of a dry winter has certainly left its mark on this very dry and harsh terrain. Rocks, shale, dry aloes, thorns and dust were now our surroundings.
It was great to see the Tugel River still flowing.
These cattle had managed to find some shade and a pool of water.
After a brief stop to return the butt back to its natural state and to satisfy the tummy we headed off again in the direction of Sun Valley.
CROSSING OVER A TRIBUTARY TO THE TUGELA RIVER
The abandoned orange orchards on the left were a warning of what we would see when we turned right into the Sun Valley Estate. The narrow sandy roads were rutted and partially washed away, only broken walls remained of the vandalised buildings and no fences or gates remained.
It was a bad road that led us onto the other recommended route from Weenen that would take us across the Bloukrans River to the start of 'Little Sani".
Crossing over the Bloukrans river - but this is Kingsley coming back to look for me.
Since Covid struck in 2020 we had done no riding so when we discovered that there was to be a Zingela Bash we decided this was a good opportunity to dust off the Honda’s, shake out the spiders from our boots, familiarize myself with the route and get ourselves ready for a weekend away.
Looking at the list of Wilddogs attending we saw some names of people we hadn’t seen in a long while and this would be a super opportunity to catch up with the old dogs again.
Departing from Howick allows us to enjoy a lovely route through Karkloof and out on the gravel road towards Rietvlei. A short distance on the Mooi River / Greytown tar road leads us to the Middlerus /Weenen gravel road.
A few Wilddog members will be familiar with this route. However, at the Muden /Mooiriver intersection we turned right continuing on a gravel road until we joined up with tarred Muden road.
We were now a bit concerned about fuel availability and Kingsley (Offside) chatted to one of the locals who directed us to a taxi rank (just down the road) where we could top up with some fuel.
THIS COST US R30 / L
Almost opposite this taxi rank was our next turn off. The last time we road this route it was still gravel, but it has since been tarred but the Tugela Ferry road where we turned left was still a fairly good gravel road. Coming out of a dry winter has certainly left its mark on this very dry and harsh terrain. Rocks, shale, dry aloes, thorns and dust were now our surroundings.
It was great to see the Tugel River still flowing.
These cattle had managed to find some shade and a pool of water.
After a brief stop to return the butt back to its natural state and to satisfy the tummy we headed off again in the direction of Sun Valley.
CROSSING OVER A TRIBUTARY TO THE TUGELA RIVER
The abandoned orange orchards on the left were a warning of what we would see when we turned right into the Sun Valley Estate. The narrow sandy roads were rutted and partially washed away, only broken walls remained of the vandalised buildings and no fences or gates remained.
It was a bad road that led us onto the other recommended route from Weenen that would take us across the Bloukrans River to the start of 'Little Sani".
Crossing over the Bloukrans river - but this is Kingsley coming back to look for me.
