Just Blip It!
Race Dog
Day 2
Soon after a great breakfast the next morning we rode to a nearby filling station and gwalisaed our tanks, interestingly we had the option to fill up in Rands or US Dollars!
After about 50km of the black top we turned off the main drag on to the much awaited gravel.
We first stopped at a low water bridge over the Nuanetsi River for a few photos.
I would hate to be a donkey Africa!
We entered a boom controlled conservation area, where for a while the weather turned a little overcast and dark, fortunately the sight of some the biggest Baobab trees in the eastern Zimbabwe region and plenty of wildlife jumping the road ahead of us was a great distraction. The local baboon troops were terrified at the sight of us which was pretty amusing!
Check out these lekker roads!!
After riding a few kilos on the dirt, we came across this fellow, he went under Henry's bike and refused to give it up, swotting us with his tail when we came too close to "his" GS! ;D
As we headed deeper into the remote area of Mopani we anticipated a fuel shortage in this area because of its remoteness, fortunately we found the makeshift work shop/ fuel station that was marked on the GPS, we bought fuel in used 2lt Mazoe orange juice containers at a price of $2 per litre :eek7: although the going rate at the time was $1.55 but we were happy to pay the premium and saddle up again.
Treffs handlebar bag shook open on this section of road ending his communications with home for the rest of the trip! :xxbah:
Passing alongside the border of the Gonnerezou Game Reserve we were treated to some fantastic bushveld scenery along with some great gravel roads. When the roads get to potholed and rutted, the locals travel next to the road only going back up on to the road to avoid the culverts. This gives you the option of many different routes on the same road!
We eventually reached the Lunde River where we found the bridge had been destroyed by previous floods, we stopped on the remains of the bridge elevated above the great sandy river bed which made a great view point, and also the perfect snack stop.
So out came all the jelly babies and nuts! At that moment it was all revealed, thanks to Henry for bringing along his Woolworths on wheels! Even up until the last day he was still hauling out WW labels. The only thing that Marilyn had not packed for him was muffins which he would steal from the hotel breakfast table for ‘padkos’ which earned him the nickname “muffin” later in the trip.
Without wading through the Lundi waters below I attempted a crossing but the sand was very silty and the KTM 990 was soon embedded wheel deep in the sandy river much to the delight of local woman washing their laundry! Perhaps a little more momentum would have helped.
As there were 2 more similarly challenging tributaries to cross I opted to turn my bike around and find an alternative crossing point. Thankfully Treff came to the rescue and helped me get my bike out, sacrificing his dry boots in the process! Thanks Treff!
Riding in the river bed made for some great entertainment as we watched some of the riders staking land claims where they had experienced a spill or three.
Especially funny was watching Henry the Muffin man on his 1200GSA totally disregarded the fact that 4 very friendly local kids were pushing his bike and he gave them a full throttle sandblasting for their efforts! A technique taught to him at his latest Adventure training course, “When it becomes unstable twist the cable”. Sorry kids.
:imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer:
First dig out the back wheel a bit!
Climb on and twist the throttle as far as it will go!
Nope! That didn't work! Lie the bike on it's side and fill up the trench with sand.............
Let's try again! Push!!! Gooi mielies!!! Its going slowly!! Push harder fark!!
We did it!! Here is a US$1 for you madala.
Treff had filled his panniers with old tennis balls and pens to donate to the locals, so we donated some to the local kiddies for their assistance getting the riders through the river section.
Earlier we had also stopped at a roadside Orphanage?Children's home and also given them pens and balls.
Coming out of the river bed up the steep embankment with thick sand, the combination provided some entertainment!
Here Henry, "Muffin Man" shows us how it should be done!
............or maybe not!
Once we were on solid ground again and after a well needed breather, I then provided the locals with some more laughter as I showed them my domino stacking skills as I swung his leg over the saddle of the KTM 990 R with its high suspension my boot hooked my luggage net l lost my balance pushing my bike over right onto BMs KTM, both KTMs toppling towards Muffin Mans GSA, whose helmet somehow ended up under the KTM preventing damage to the bike, but unfortunately the helmet ended up with some KTM inflicted battle scars! Sorry about the scratches Muffin Man, but I am sure you will have a good chuckle about it every time you put it on. :imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer:
Eventually we found a way to cross the river! :biggrin:
We then entered the sugar cane plantations of the Lowveld town of Chiredzi, after getting slightly lost in the maize of cane fields we eventually made it to our accommodation for the night Hippo Valley Country Club. First stop was the pub for a couple of cold ones.
We even watch some of the locals "play" golf. It was dangerous!
atch:
What a great place to stay, only US$20 per room that sleeps 2 with bathroom and self catering kitchenette in each room. We chose to eat in the restaurant, the food was good and the beers cold!
All in all we had an eventful day, lots of fun and entertainment, what a great bunch of guys to ride with! Zimbabwe had already stolen our hearts!
:3some:
Soon after a great breakfast the next morning we rode to a nearby filling station and gwalisaed our tanks, interestingly we had the option to fill up in Rands or US Dollars!
After about 50km of the black top we turned off the main drag on to the much awaited gravel.
We first stopped at a low water bridge over the Nuanetsi River for a few photos.
I would hate to be a donkey Africa!
We entered a boom controlled conservation area, where for a while the weather turned a little overcast and dark, fortunately the sight of some the biggest Baobab trees in the eastern Zimbabwe region and plenty of wildlife jumping the road ahead of us was a great distraction. The local baboon troops were terrified at the sight of us which was pretty amusing!
Check out these lekker roads!!
After riding a few kilos on the dirt, we came across this fellow, he went under Henry's bike and refused to give it up, swotting us with his tail when we came too close to "his" GS! ;D
As we headed deeper into the remote area of Mopani we anticipated a fuel shortage in this area because of its remoteness, fortunately we found the makeshift work shop/ fuel station that was marked on the GPS, we bought fuel in used 2lt Mazoe orange juice containers at a price of $2 per litre :eek7: although the going rate at the time was $1.55 but we were happy to pay the premium and saddle up again.
Treffs handlebar bag shook open on this section of road ending his communications with home for the rest of the trip! :xxbah:
Passing alongside the border of the Gonnerezou Game Reserve we were treated to some fantastic bushveld scenery along with some great gravel roads. When the roads get to potholed and rutted, the locals travel next to the road only going back up on to the road to avoid the culverts. This gives you the option of many different routes on the same road!
We eventually reached the Lunde River where we found the bridge had been destroyed by previous floods, we stopped on the remains of the bridge elevated above the great sandy river bed which made a great view point, and also the perfect snack stop.
So out came all the jelly babies and nuts! At that moment it was all revealed, thanks to Henry for bringing along his Woolworths on wheels! Even up until the last day he was still hauling out WW labels. The only thing that Marilyn had not packed for him was muffins which he would steal from the hotel breakfast table for ‘padkos’ which earned him the nickname “muffin” later in the trip.
Without wading through the Lundi waters below I attempted a crossing but the sand was very silty and the KTM 990 was soon embedded wheel deep in the sandy river much to the delight of local woman washing their laundry! Perhaps a little more momentum would have helped.
As there were 2 more similarly challenging tributaries to cross I opted to turn my bike around and find an alternative crossing point. Thankfully Treff came to the rescue and helped me get my bike out, sacrificing his dry boots in the process! Thanks Treff!
Riding in the river bed made for some great entertainment as we watched some of the riders staking land claims where they had experienced a spill or three.
Especially funny was watching Henry the Muffin man on his 1200GSA totally disregarded the fact that 4 very friendly local kids were pushing his bike and he gave them a full throttle sandblasting for their efforts! A technique taught to him at his latest Adventure training course, “When it becomes unstable twist the cable”. Sorry kids.
:imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer:
First dig out the back wheel a bit!
Climb on and twist the throttle as far as it will go!
Nope! That didn't work! Lie the bike on it's side and fill up the trench with sand.............
Let's try again! Push!!! Gooi mielies!!! Its going slowly!! Push harder fark!!
We did it!! Here is a US$1 for you madala.
Treff had filled his panniers with old tennis balls and pens to donate to the locals, so we donated some to the local kiddies for their assistance getting the riders through the river section.
Earlier we had also stopped at a roadside Orphanage?Children's home and also given them pens and balls.
Coming out of the river bed up the steep embankment with thick sand, the combination provided some entertainment!
Here Henry, "Muffin Man" shows us how it should be done!
............or maybe not!
Once we were on solid ground again and after a well needed breather, I then provided the locals with some more laughter as I showed them my domino stacking skills as I swung his leg over the saddle of the KTM 990 R with its high suspension my boot hooked my luggage net l lost my balance pushing my bike over right onto BMs KTM, both KTMs toppling towards Muffin Mans GSA, whose helmet somehow ended up under the KTM preventing damage to the bike, but unfortunately the helmet ended up with some KTM inflicted battle scars! Sorry about the scratches Muffin Man, but I am sure you will have a good chuckle about it every time you put it on. :imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer:
Eventually we found a way to cross the river! :biggrin:
We then entered the sugar cane plantations of the Lowveld town of Chiredzi, after getting slightly lost in the maize of cane fields we eventually made it to our accommodation for the night Hippo Valley Country Club. First stop was the pub for a couple of cold ones.
We even watch some of the locals "play" golf. It was dangerous!
atch:
What a great place to stay, only US$20 per room that sleeps 2 with bathroom and self catering kitchenette in each room. We chose to eat in the restaurant, the food was good and the beers cold!
All in all we had an eventful day, lots of fun and entertainment, what a great bunch of guys to ride with! Zimbabwe had already stolen our hearts!
:3some:
