Post by: noble steed on January 14, 2019, 10:25:18 pm
It was a beautiful, HOT, sunny morning when we left the Engen garage in search of adventure. We crossed over the Umtamvuna into the Transkei and the adventure began. Fortunately, after 20min of dodging taxis we could relax as we turned off onto the gravel roads.
The winding section of concrete was a little bit of cheating, but it's the only way over this river, and was a good place for a break.
(https://i.ibb.co/qjwYvHY/DJI-0021a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bmn5k45)
(https://i.ibb.co/PGwxHgb/DJI-0018a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/F4g6Tzf)
On the way back we where mobbed by a gang of small boys at this stop, was somewhat less relaxing. And by then all our money and sweets where used up, disappointed boys. But I digress...
Later on we stopped near a small waterfall to eat chocolates and admire the view.
(https://i.ibb.co/8MPp6L2/DJI-0031a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/p248JBZ)
frankmac came perilously close to the edge, I think he spied the beach beyond and fancied cooling off. Was a bit of a drop off though. Luckily, sense prevailed!
(https://i.ibb.co/RYg8gDk/DJI-0040a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Kb5n5rp)
Meanwhile our bikes baked in the warm sun and wished they could also dip their boots in the water
(https://i.ibb.co/R0fJPb6/DJI-0044.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2txpPhM)
After some more gravel road, jeeptrack, een spoor, vyf spoor, criss-crossing tracks covering hills and gulleys, we got to the destination. Dunes stretched as far as the eye could see. As long as you where crouching near the ground so couldn't see very far. And beyond the dunes, the ocean! Yes there was ocean at the Engen garage at the start of the ride too. But it's always more rewarding after hours in the saddle.
(https://i.ibb.co/DwWzfBy/IMG-3366.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7rCjt35)
(https://i.ibb.co/6nKmNL5/Untitled1-1-1-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Wxr6sj1)
(https://i.ibb.co/zJPkV9C/IMG-3368.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sHsB9xc)
Frankmac headed out into the sand first, I took some photos while listening to the sound of the DR fading away. Then I joined him, though I must admit, not having ridden for a while, my sand legs where rather rusty... I may have fallen down the face of a dune. But then, if no-one took a photo, did it really happen?
The sand was a mix of fairly firm sections littered with small round rocks, with nice soft dunes in between. I may also have been bucked over the handlebars when the front end dug in at the base of a small dune. All these hypotheticals, pity frankmac did not have his camera handy. He did not admit to any falls.
(https://i.ibb.co/6mYWXYM/Untitled2-1-2-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R92Dj2F)
After a nice break, some droewors and time admiring the view, enjoying the midday, cloudless sky without a breath of wind, we needed to get back on the bikes to get some airflow through the gear! Way back home was uneventful, we took the straighter, longer gravel path back, not as pretty as the winding road there, and passed out of EC back in to KZN civilization.
Next time I'll try give more warning for anyone who may want to join.
(https://i.ibb.co/xSZYd2t/IMG-3373.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WWC0jH4)
Post by: MRK Miller on January 15, 2019, 04:43:47 am
Post by: Oubones on January 15, 2019, 05:36:31 am
When are you going again?
I am looking for a place to go sand riding in preparation for Namibia.
Those look like the dunes at Port Edward side?
Post by: Lem on January 15, 2019, 05:59:34 am
Thanks for sharing
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Post by: frankmac on January 15, 2019, 06:58:03 am
My neck and the top of my nut go some sunburn. Next time I'll take a bandana.
I was fairly cautious on the ride just in case I broke a leg and NS decided to euthanise me.
Some pics of NS operating his drone and the waterfall
Post by: JonW on January 15, 2019, 07:27:51 am
Post by: ianb on January 15, 2019, 10:02:50 am
Post by: noble steed on January 15, 2019, 10:22:14 am
Nice ride!
When are you going again?
I am looking for a place to go sand riding in preparation for Namibia.
Those look like the dunes at Port Edward side?
I might get riding time again end of February. When is your Namibia trip?
Dunes about 1 hour riding past port Edward. Or maybe we just took long breaks...
Post by: Vis Arend on January 15, 2019, 10:48:08 am
Can you give GPS pointers of the dunes or a pointer on a map please, would like to pay a visit to those beautiful dunes.
Post by: Vis Arend on January 15, 2019, 10:55:24 am
Post by: Mikie on January 15, 2019, 11:18:41 am
Post by: frankmac on January 15, 2019, 11:40:15 am
Nice RR. That looks like the road to Mtentu. And the falls are spectacular.
That's the one, Ian
Post by: Vis Arend on January 15, 2019, 04:44:53 pm
Post by: noble steed on January 15, 2019, 05:17:56 pm
Do you guys know if there is accommodation close to that area?
Those particular dunes, which is largest dune field in the area, approx 65km from wild coast sun, or 20km from Mtentu Lodge
Post by: Oubones on January 15, 2019, 06:11:43 pm
I would appreciate it if you would let me join you in Feb as my trip is only in April.Nice ride!
When are you going again?
I am looking for a place to go sand riding in preparation for Namibia.
Those look like the dunes at Port Edward side?
I might get riding time again end of February. When is your Namibia trip?
Dunes about 1 hour riding past port Edward. Or maybe we just took long breaks...
Post by: Vis Arend on January 15, 2019, 07:45:48 pm
Do you guys know if there is accommodation close to that area?
Those particular dunes, which is largest dune field in the area, approx 65km from wild coast sun, or 20km from Mtentu Lodge
Thank you, gotit. :thumleft: :thumleft:
Post by: JB on January 15, 2019, 10:19:58 pm
Do you guys know if there is accommodation close to that area?
Ek is so 70km van Port Edward af......Hibberdene. Het vir julle lê-plek as julle sou belangstel.
Post by: Vis Arend on January 16, 2019, 04:58:47 am
Do you guys know if there is accommodation close to that area?
Ek is so 70km van Port Edward af......Hibberdene. Het vir julle lê-plek as julle sou belangstel.
Baie dankie vir die offer, sal jou vroegtydig kontak. Ek het solank vir jou 'n pm gestuur. :thumleft:
Post by: Highsider on April 20, 2019, 05:12:25 am
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Post by: Kortbroek on April 20, 2019, 08:16:21 pm
A comment on the sand dunes, if I have it right these are the Xolobeni red dunes. They are a declared heritage site as far as I know and it is a still poorly studied archaeological and paleoanthropological site with a lot of artifacts on the surface, some dating back 500 - 600 000 years. So I wouldn't advise riding through there. Then also these are the same dune fields related to the ongoing heavy minerals mining dispute involving an Australian mining company. The local community is against this so might not be happy with bikers just riding around in there as they please.
Some more on the paleoanthropological side:
Quote
This is a paleoanthropological site, dating back 500 - 600 000 years. Stone age tools lie on the surface of the sands. The site has not been thoroughly studied as yet. Archaelogists Kathy Kuman and Len van Shalkwyk visited the area in 2006 and 2007 respectively, and compiled brief reports. The area appears rich in artefacts from the Sangoan Industry period (300 000 years ago), and also the older Acheleuan Complex.
(http://www.theheritageportal.co.za/sites/default/files/styles/adaptive/public/Xolobeni%20Red%20Dunes%20-%20Tools%20and%20mud%20rock%20via%20Kathryn%20Costello.jpg?itok=9-mn2vX0)
Tools and Mud Rock at Xolobeni
The reason for the lack of a thorough investigation of this area, appears to have been that the area was volatile due to the interest in mining for heavy minerals, and the people, whose ancestors lived at Xolobeni, would not allow anybody into the area for study purposes or any other reason. Paleoanthropologist Erich Fisher has done extensive research at related smaller sites in the area, but because of the situation at Xolobeni, opted not to go there.
(http://www.theheritageportal.co.za/sites/default/files/styles/adaptive/public/Xolobeni%20Red%20Dunes%20-%20end%20of%20desert%20via%20Kathryn%20Costello.jpg?itok=ZnHMxeBX)
Another shot of Xolobeni Red Dunes
The area is rich in heavy minerals, and mining rights have been applied for and granted. The Xolobeni people objected, and an 18 month moratorium was put in place in September 2016. This means that unless research is done in the next 6 months, the area may be mined, and the evidence destroyed forever.
Source: 2017 Endangered Heritage Sites Nomination Form.
http://www.theheritageportal.co.za/thread/xolobeni-red-dunes-wild-coast
Post by: Vis Arend on April 20, 2019, 08:40:38 pm
Do not get me wrong, I am all for the preservation of heritage sites and so on, but for crumb sake, seems as if are forever sucking on the hind tit. >:( >:( :eek7:
Post by: Kortbroek on April 20, 2019, 11:20:27 pm
Ja right no fine, we must stay away from this site and in the mean time a fucking foreign mining company will just come along and stuff the whole place up. Typical where we are in SA.No the mining company won't be mining there. At least that has been stopped for now.
Do not get me wrong, I am all for the preservation of heritage sites and so on, but for crumb sake, seems as if are forever sucking on the hind tit. >:( >:( :eek7:
I just thought I would inform you guys about the fact that it is an archaeological site and therefore is sensitive. All I'm saying is we should consider maybe not riding in those dunes. I try to not stuff things up for others. Do with that info as you please.
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Post by: Vis Arend on April 21, 2019, 04:17:38 am
Ja right no fine, we must stay away from this site and in the mean time a fucking foreign mining company will just come along and stuff the whole place up. Typical where we are in SA.No the mining company won't be mining there. At least that has been stopped for now.
Do not get me wrong, I am all for the preservation of heritage sites and so on, but for crumb sake, seems as if are forever sucking on the hind tit. >:( >:( :eek7:
I just thought I would inform you guys about the fact that it is an archaeological site and therefore is sensitive. All I'm saying is we should consider maybe not riding in those dunes. I try to not stuff things up for others. Do with that info as you please.
Sent from my BV6000 using Tapatalk
I am 100% in with you on this. I for one was planning a trip to that area, but knowing now that it is a archaeological site I will cancel my trip. My aim was to ride the dunes, not for sight seeing, so I will not go there. But that is my gripe with it, you and I will try to safe the place just for one or other big money company to come and stuff up the place, and let me tell you, it is just a matter of time before it becomes a reality.
In any case, thanks for letting us know as I was not aware of it. :thumleft: :thumleft: