Zimbabwe Gravel Travel

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Fuel situation in Zimbabwe was challenging. The BLEND that is sold at all fuel stations did not do well in the 990s and most would splutter and miss after every refuel. It improved under load, but the bikes did not run like they would on 95 octane. I think I heard somewhere that BLEND is around 90 Octane?

The next issue is that 90% of the fuel stations have 1working pump only. If you arrive behind a line of cars and have to refuel 12 bikes, you can imagine the time spent at each refuel. Some of the riding buddies would refuel together and pay for both bikes to save time. Mark and I put money into a kitty and I managed the fuel and bar bills for the two of us In a couple of instances we would arrive at a fuel station where fuel price was too high and we would then look for cheaper option. In Kariba the difference was as much as R2-50 per litre
We often spent 30 minutes or more at a refuel because of these challenges.

 

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We stop to regroup after a particularly sandy section.

 

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The last three riders do not arrive. Mark eventually gets hold of @Treffon Smith . A goat took out his front wheel and he went down hard. He feels ago, but says he is just going to take 2 minutes to "walk it off". Eventually @Amsterdam arrives and inform us that Treffon is a bit confused and could not remember his name. This had me worried that he might have sustained a concussion and I ride back to the spot where treffon and @51Mobile is waiting next to the road.

The bike has some damage, but rideable

 

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Poor Treff however has a proper concussion.

He doesn't know my name, doesn't know where we are. Reckons it happened 2 minutes ago, but the rest of us had been waiting close on 45 minutes for them.
He then gets very upset about the "**** attached to his bike" which turns out to be the luggage he has been riding with the whole trip.
He again says that he just needs 2 minutes to walk it off and will be ready to continue after that. At this point Boris and I have to step in and tell him that his trip is over.

He is not happy about this, but I believe we acted in his best interest.

I called Mark again and informed him that Treff's trip was over. Plan was that Boris would stick with Treff as his riding buddy. This arrangement was discussed before we left Musina. If your riding buddy cannot continue, you have to stick with him and see to it he gets back safe. It is not realistic for a group of 12 to try and sort this out. First prize would be to get a bakkie to take Treff and the bike to our overnight spot.

I arrived back at the group and the situation was explained to everyone. Marc wasn't happy with this and decided he was going back to also assist with Treff's situation. He rode off towards the scene of the crash on his own.

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After spending a couple of hours in the shade and being unsuccessful at arranging a bakkie, Boris, Treff and Marc start riding towards Bulawayo. The track ahead has some serious sand riding and we do not feel comfortable with him riding the planned route.

The rest of us continue on the track. Some sublime riding on awesome sandy roads towards Bulawayo

 

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It's a warm day out there and we look for shade whenever we need to stop to regroup

 

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We stop around midday to enjoy some cold drinks and cold slaptjips

 

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Guess you can't expect warm slaptjips if this is what the kitchen looks like

 

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Fixing a puncture on Koot’s 1290 if I recall

 

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The lovely sand roads continue

 

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We wait more than 30 min at the next turnoff and the rest of the group doens't arrive. No cellphone signal, so I turn back to go look for them. At the previous turnoff, there is no sign of someone waiting for the rest. Very frustrating! So much time wasted if we don't stick to the system we agreed on. It is rocky terrain and I can't see tracks going past the turnoff, so I'm guessing there is an issue further back on the route. I ride back on the route and eventually find the group just before a bridge we crossed probably close on 45 min ago. The Rabbi's bike is dead. The guys are checking everything but not managing to sort the issue out. I race back to where the other three are waiting to get Mr 990 aka @Just Blip It! to come have a look.

 

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The problem is identified as a faulty battery. @Muffin Man has a jumper pack, bike is started and the Rabbi has to rev it constantly to keep the bike going.