Author Topic: 3WD's Guateng-Limpopo The Waterberg 2day ride. Report. (Read 2999 times)

blazes · « **on:** March 03, 2008, 11:51:49 am »

Planned a 2 day ride from Pretoria to the Waterberg with Splash and Malgat

Splash met me at my house on Saturday at 7.10 am and we quickly did some repairs to his tank protectors with cable ties. Left along the back gravel roads to do the 106km to the meeting place at the Pienaars River Hotel

One new section of road was so sandy it felt like we were riding on the beach.( Have to go back soon with some noobs.

) Carried on through Boekenhoutkloof up to Uitvlugt and too a short- left to the Hotel to meet Malgat who was already there. Here are some pics of the start of the trip up to the Hotel and some of the roads. Malgat and Splash can add there photo's as i am still sorting out all the one's i took

blazes · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2008, 11:54:44 am »

Here is one of the road to nowhere

blazes · « **Reply #2 on:** March 03, 2008, 12:42:02 pm »

The Route i plotted was from the Pienaars river ramp towards Moreteli, through Tilholwe through Dreigsloot and up to Leeupoort. From Leeupoort we skipped over the R516 and took a short section of tar to Rooiberg where we had lunch at the Koekepan.
After lunch we moved up to Olievenhout to Marekeli and road all along the bottom of the Marekeli Reserve and Rankin's Pass ( In pouring rain.) it seemed like the heavens had opened. From a hot sunny day to a wet, wet, wet day. Nevertheless we carried on riding through the Waterberg towards Vaalwater. Then

I NEED FUEL Malgat say's

Does that Africa Twin piss fuel

Nearest fuel stop 40km away. Had to cut the trip short by about 110km

Malgat ? have you filled up were the words we reminded Malgat at every stop.

We slept over at de Draai just outside of Bella Bella. Wet and Hungry we tried to look for a Gap in the rain to go and eat something. After what felt like hours of waiting we decided to just go. Rain or no Rain. Arrived in Town soaking wet

After having a good meal and leaving Malgat behind who wanted to watch the Blue Bulls loose

we left for our overnight cottage.

blazes · « **Reply #3 on:** March 03, 2008, 12:50:19 pm »

Malgat could not understand what tyre Adv. MX put on for him as it left a strange trail in the sand.

Sand tyre

Took a pic of Malgat and his Tortoise

Rooiberg bar. Malgat and Splash having a cold one

Splash · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2008, 01:08:15 pm »

As usual, brilliant routes, varied terrain and a great weekend of riding. I struggled to get of my bike at the end of Saturday (very happy to be at the Bed and Breakfast) but all came crashing down - luckily not hurt. It took a good nights sleep to really enjoy the "roads" on Sunday. They seemed to fly by. We did take it a little easier as we were joined by two up riders. They had a very "pleasant" trip to Bela Bela which was soon changed to real adverture riding! We got caught on Saturday afternoon in the Waterbergs best weather. No place to hide but to carry on. My camera got a little damp which accounts for my one artistic picture. I hope that my sand riding will be just adequate to negociate a trip in Botswana. Time will tell. The pictures should be self explanitory (easy way out).

blazes · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2008, 01:42:07 pm »

And the journey continues to sandspruit and then up to Marekeli Rankin's Pass

malgat (RIP) · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2008, 01:44:29 pm »

hmmmm.....

2 notes to myself:

1, start a thread finding out what the leader and what the sweepers responsibility is on a trip
2, bring camera to download photos and do report tommorrow on the WD forum

blazes · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2008, 01:47:19 pm »

And some more

After the storm

One of many thundershowers we had to ride through.

blazes · « **Reply #8 on:** March 03, 2008, 01:51:32 pm »

Some more before we arrive at our overnight cottage.

blazes · « **Reply #9 on:** March 03, 2008, 01:59:43 pm »

The last strech before Malgat decides to tell us. I did not THINK i would need to FILL up.

Lourens ツ · « **Reply #10 on:** March 03, 2008, 04:26:42 pm »

Wow, that look like an awesome ride!

blazes, could I ask you to post the GPS route for me please, or PM if you want. I'd like to see where you guys went.

blazes · « **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2008, 05:10:41 pm »

Quote from: blazes on March 03, 2008, 01:59:43 pm

The last strech before Malgat decides to tell us. I did not THINK i would need to FILL up.

And at last a place to dry out our wet-wet-wet clothes. The cottage and a warm bed. Malgat took the double bed

He warned us that he snores like a chain - saw.

blazes · « **Reply #12 on:** March 03, 2008, 05:20:58 pm »

The view from our front door and a glorius day with NO rain awaits us. I was up before the sun rose and decided to see if i could take a pic or two before we left the comfort of the cottage.

blazes · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2008, 05:31:05 pm »

We did some last minute adjustments to the bikes and set off to Bella Bella for breakfast where we were met by two of my friend's who rode up from Pretoria to have breakfast and ride some gravel home. Had to look for some mild roads as it was Martin's first ride on the 1150GS he bought in the forum. I asked where are his glove? Gloves he replied are only if you are going to fall.

blazes · « **Reply #14 on:** March 03, 2008, 06:18:40 pm »

Well now it was on our way back home and for a drink to the hotel.

And Malgat marking His territory for the last time before we all part our ways and live to ride another day

JourneyMan · « **Reply #15 on:** March 03, 2008, 08:02:05 pm »

Bliksem! Some lekker riding there!

Familiar scenery here and there. The route through Rankins is a very enjoyable stretch.

Welsh · « **Reply #16 on:** March 03, 2008, 08:08:21 pm »

Quote from: JourneyMan on March 03, 2008, 08:02:05 pm

Bliksem! Some lekker riding there!

Familiar scenery here and there. The route through Rankins is a very enjoyable stretch.

Yep

LeonDude · « **Reply #17 on:** March 03, 2008, 08:16:31 pm »

Nice photies, and looks like you had an awesome weekend. Very nice.

Welsh · « **Reply #18 on:** March 03, 2008, 08:23:25 pm »

Love the report, its one of my favourite areas. Plus, two up on an 1150 with an AT and a 640, no issues......no brand bashing from armchair riders, none of the we did 210 km/hr one handed over the rocks, this post is as the forum was

its not about the Bikes

Brand fairies NOTE PLEASE!!!!!!

Off into the corner

OK OK

blazes · « **Reply #19 on:** March 04, 2008, 06:07:40 am »

Quote from: JourneyMan on March 03, 2008, 08:02:05 pm

Bliksem! Some lekker riding there!

Familiar scenery here and there. The route through Rankins is a very enjoyable stretch.

Yep it is JM. Just a pity the heavens opened up as we were going through. Visibillity less than 3meter

Need to go soon before the winter sets in