Author Topic: Africa Raw Paws (Read 7776 times)

Roadkill · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2013, 07:52:47 pm »

mmm sounds like a great story ,,, now keep it coming

Bokveld · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2013, 08:50:32 pm »

Looking forward to this.So,take your time,I can wait.

Mr Zog · « **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2013, 08:51:37 pm »

Subscribed

Casting from Turd · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2013, 08:58:51 pm »

Waiting

Hubs640 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 09, 2013, 05:43:31 am »

Sorry for the delay guy's,but money does not fall from the sky...damn i wish it did!
Ok - I am not sure how in depth I should go on the prep of this trip - pretty sure everyone just wants to know the rr , but for all you planning a trip like this - this forum and adv rider was all I needed to answer all my questions regarding Carnet's and Thirdparty Insurance. Bike insurance I got at Wheels [very few insurance companies out there that will insure your bike-apparently too high risk] and bike prep we just used common since. The rest I will explain as we go along

Kameel · « **Reply #26 on:** February 09, 2013, 05:53:52 am »

please show us some peeeeeeeeeekchas! Pretty pleeeeeeeaaaaassssseeee?

Hubs640 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:04:58 am »

GeelKameel-I am freeken trying! How do I get the pics smaller?

Hubs640 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:18:07 am »

Ok I think I have it.
The 2 beauties about to be put to the test!

Hubs640 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:20:05 am »

Dammit-wrong pic. Here goes

Hubs640 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:32:44 am »

OK finally!
Day 1 - Paarl to Nieuhoutville [340km -50% gravel]

So with bikes heavily loaded and a quick egg breakfast we left Paarl -the plan was to go as far north as possible doing as much dirt as we could. We both had Michellin Deserts front and rear and wanted to see them last. We rode though Wellington towards Gouda then Citrusdal to Clanwilliam until we finally got to some dirt. We have ridden this before,but the dam stay's a beautifully sight and the road allot of fun. From there we headed for Calvinia though Pakhuis Pass - stunning scenery and fast gravel. Just before Calvinia we hooked a left towards Nieuhoutsville where we would stay the night. There is a toppie that owns the camp site that has helped us before with steak,wood and dop [on a Sunday] which was very helpfull again.

Hubs640 · « **Reply #31 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:47:14 am »

Day 2 - Nieuhoutville to Pofadder [ 320km , 70% gravel]

First day breaking down camp took longer than we thought,but we made time to go to the bike museum in town before we left. The night was cold so we waited for things to warm up first. From hear we did 60km tar towards Loeriesfontein. From there it was a challenging gravel road with high 'middel mannetjies' and soft sand patches. Very few bakkies on the road was an indication that we ARE on the lesser travel roads already. The lands were barren with miles and miles of nothing - if you saw a tree,you stopped,because the next one could be another 20km....and it was hot. ATGAT....all the gear all the time....that was the motto although we suffered in the sun. We reached Pofadder late afternoon with sore bodies,but high spirits since we were only 50km from the border....some how it felt that the trip only starts once we crossed a border.

Hubs640 · « **Reply #32 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:49:09 am »

The bike museum on Nieuhoutville

Hubs640 · « **Reply #33 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:51:00 am »

Road between Loeriesfontein and Pofadder.....Man it was hot!

Hubs640 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:53:13 am »

Camp spot in Pofadder. We first went for a dip in the pool at the hotel and then a massive steak on the fire!

whitedelight · « **Reply #35 on:** February 09, 2013, 06:54:54 am »

Nice,looking forward to the rest

BiG DoM · « **Reply #36 on:** February 09, 2013, 07:28:50 am »

Casting from Turd · « **Reply #37 on:** February 09, 2013, 09:32:57 am »

Hubs640 · « **Reply #38 on:** February 09, 2013, 12:17:36 pm »

Day 3 - Pofadder to Seeheim/Namibia [345km , 60% gravel]

The 50km stretch to the border [Onseepkans post] from Pofadder starts off nice,but then things become REALLY interesting. Soft soft sand with high centers and big trucks driving like maniacs. Funny how you think you know sand till that moment 'close call' that leaves adrenaline rushing though you followed by a sigh and a big smile! At the border the police were very friendly and more interested in the bikes than checking us in. Our papers were in order and we were sent over the bridge to the Nam side where things look like a war has just finished. Buildings under construction and toilets with no doors to them.This 'taking gear off...putting it on' just to do it another 2 km further was already irritating me....little did I know it was only the start. Stories were told of some 'windgat' guy's on bike's that came through there a week before that never made it more that 5km into Nam and had to return to SA after one guy had a bad fall.I soon saw why its possible - the dirt roads on the Nam side are like highway's....you can easily cruise at 120 even with all the weight. Every now and then there is still a patch of loose sand that keeps your ass off the seat. First stop was Karasburg for a siggy and a coke. From there we did a boring tar section to Grunau where we refueled. Then it was another dirt road through Karas to Seeheim - Roadkill had a close encounter with a mining truck...trying to overtake one with a oncoming truck appearing in the dust....be carefull on that road. There is absolutely nothing in Seeheim other than a nice hotel with a pool to cool off in,so we decided to camp there for the night. They helped us with a 'braai pack' and kameeldoring [comodity to us,but like blackwattle to them] and some Tafel to wash everything down.

Hubs640 · « **Reply #39 on:** February 09, 2013, 12:21:28 pm »

I love my country