Zingela Bash 2023

[XTZCharlie]

That little track has been a favourite of mine for years, but it always feels a liitle too short when you get to the end of it. We made our way back down to the D55/middlerus road, and rode for Weenen. A good few miles dowen the road , we turned off, following our esteemed leader for the day, down a track which led to a few kilometers of awesome riding along a river bed, only available in late winter.

 

[JonW]

Some more

Getting some rest in the shade before getting back on the dirt road

 

[XTZCharlie]

I managed to ride the rocks just fine.... its the hard flat sand that seems to baffle me

We rode the rest of the river bed without any more casualties. Stopped for a pic or two, and just enjoyed being out in the saddle. Its the first time i have ridden this bit of river bed, Thanks @JonW , it was awesome.

We made our way up to the main dirt road that would take us to Weenen, where we stopped off for a coke and to top off the tanks. I made a stupid mistake and added a few litres of fuel to my tank. That ridiculous thing is 20litres, and I get about 450kms on it from full. I could have ridden our Saturdays ride, and still had spare fuel to get me back home. Instead I opted to have a top heavy bike for the next days ride. We rode through Weenen and turned off the tar after a few kms, and rode straight to the lodge via 'little Sani'
We happened upon Simon, who had binned his trusty steed on his way down to the lodge. Hope you're back on top form Simon.

 

[JonW]

That little track has been a favourite of mine for years, but it always feels a liitle too short when you get to the end of it.

Do you remember the ride when I first took you down this track 11 years ago?

 

[JonW]

From there back on the Middelrus Road to Weenen.

Awesome dirt highway this. Somehow i just never tire of this road no matter how many times I do it.

People often talk about the Lotheni Road as an iconic KZN dirt route, but IMHO it doesn't compare to the Middelrus Road.

After a short ride we hit the little town of Weenen where we topped up our tanks as there would be no more fuel for the rest of the weekend.

 

[JonW]

From Weenen it's probably about a 45 minute ride to Zingela Lodge, it's nice ride, mostly dirt and includes the interesting switchbacks up "little sani" and then the interesting ride through the Zingela reserve and to the lodge.

For me that first cold beer on the Zingela deck is always a highlight after the ride.

Kev Storie and Grim:

Ianb, Wildside and Offside:

@Winter

IanB and XTZCharlie

Outhere and Sarah:

And Petri:

 

[XTZCharlie]

Do you remember the ride when I first took you down this track 11 years ago?

If memory serves me correctly, I was on my beloved XTZ750 Super Tenere.... Beast of a thing to take down that little track.

 

[JonW]

If memory serves me correctly, I was on my beloved XTZ750 Super Tenere.... Beast of a thing to take down that little track.
View attachment 851006

Yup you were on your XTZ, here's the link: https://wilddog.net.za/threads/saturday-ride-to-imbabala-lodge-complete-video-clips-working.100731/

Post #14

 

[JonW]

So Friday evening guys were deciding if they were going to join me on the offroad ride or Outhere, who had very kindly and at very short notice agreed to lead a ride that was to be predominantly dirt roads and some twee-spoor.

In the end we had about ten bikes in each group, which was perfect.

I had decided to make the offroad route much shorter than the day rides that I normally do, which literally take the whole day and have riders arriving back in camp as the sun is going down and pretty knackered. So the plan was to have a leisurely start after breakfast at about 09h00, and just restrict the riding to tracks in and around the reserve. I had three routes which I wanted to do, the Tugela route, the Zihgela Hill route and the Contour route. I was a bit concerned that we may finish the ride too early and get back to the Lodge too quickly.
But this was not the case.
The first track I call the Zingela Tugela route and I think it is such a fun route.
Some pics:

 

[JonW]

Ian Bean on his immaculate 500

Grim:

Father and son.
My mate Beowulf and his 12 year old son Finn.
Finn lives in Germany with his Mom and is currently on holiday in SA visiting his dad. He just loved this ride and it was so awesome to have him along.

Finn:

 

[OomD]

From Weenen it's probably about a 45 minute ride to Zingela Lodge, it's nice ride, mostly dirt and includes the interesting switchbacks up "little sani" and then the interesting ride through the Zingela reserve and to the lodge.

For me that first cold beer on the Zingela deck is always a highlight after the ride.

Kev Storie and Grim:

View attachment 850996

Ianb, Wildside and Offside:
View attachment 850997

@Winter

View attachment 850998

IanB and XTZCharlie

View attachment 850999

Outhere and Sarah:

View attachment 851000

And Petri:

View attachment 851001

Jirre daai Petri lyk nes 'n second-hand car salesman.

 

[sidetrack]

Goodness but it's dry !

 

[JonW]

Goodness but it's dry !

It's very dry, long time since we had any rain at all
I think the local subsistence farmers are kakking

 

[JonW]

Some pics along the way:

DR BIG 750

BuRP on his 300

Ian Bean

Grim

Finn

Beowulf

 

[JonW]

Some more pics along the track

Shot of the day and Rider of The Day, 12 year old Finn

 

[JonW]

A few issues along the way, including two punctures and a broken bike, but nothing we couldn't sort out

 

[JonW]

And...

And some shade at the end of the ride

 

[JonW]

After spending the whole morning out in 30 degree heat of the valley, the guys decided that after the Tugela track they were keen to head back to the lodge and watch the MotoGP sprint race.
I got a few tentative non committal acceptances to my suggestion that we do one of the other tracks early on Sunday morning, but I must admit, no-one sounded very keen

 

[JonW]

So Saturday afternoon was spent watching MotoGP and socializing around the lodge. It was really cool catching up with people that I haven't seen for a while.

Saturday night was a wild boar that had been slow roasted in the pizza oven.



AlanM

Forum Bromance, Dookie and Rooi

456 Louis

Kev Storie

Grunder

 

[Grunder]

Grunder
View attachment 851062

I expected to look worse that morning! As a matter of fact, I don't look half bad...
Nothing compared to @XTZCharlie of course

I actually forgot that long sleeve shirt there on the Sunday morning... pity

Thanks again @JonW for the event. It was a pleasure meeting you.