Rush
Pack Dog
Day 1 –
At 06:30, all four of us (the Rehann (Triumph Explorer 1200), McSack (Yamaha XT1200Z), Brian (BMW 1150GS) and myself (XT1200Z)) met at the BP just off the N12 Tom Jones off-ramp, Benoni. After the meet and greet, coffee and a smoke, we all set off on the N12 to Belfast. After a short stop at the Middleburg Ultracity, we arrived in Belfast at around 09:00. We filled up at the Total garage and set off through town on got onto the R33 to Stoffburg. About 14km out of Belfast we turned right on to the dirt and set off in the direction of Dullstroon. The dirt started with a small patch of sand and a rock incline. About 8km into the dirt, we were me by two large “puddles” that covered the entire width of the road and were about 20m in length. The mud around these puddles was at least ankle deep and very sticky; we decided to walk the bikes around the obstacles where we could – one rotation of the tyres and they were clogged. 30mins later and four old farts puffing and panting, we continued on our journey. The remained of the road was without incident, but presented a welcome challenge; we arrived in Dullstroom at around 10:30 / 11:00 and settled down at Charlie C’s for refreshment and brunch – a welcome rest.
We continued our journey and just 5km outside of Dullstroom (along the Lydenburg road), we turned right onto the dirt. We travelled for some 35km through stone, sand, clay, steep rocky declines, technical inclines, through the trees and uphill twistys to finally meet back with the Lydenburg road – it was now 14:00 and after our goodbyes, the Rehann and Brian set off back to Jhb and McSack and myself continued towards Lydenburg. About 7km down the R540, we turned left onto the dirt and the same road conditions continued for some 20km until be met up with the R577. From here, we travelled to Lydenburg and then did Long Tom down to Sabie.
After off-loading the luggage and settling in at Sabie Cottage, we sampled the local wares; it was pizza night as the golf club – beer and pizza it is!
It had been a long day and the aches were starting to set in – a good night’s rest was required.
At 06:30, all four of us (the Rehann (Triumph Explorer 1200), McSack (Yamaha XT1200Z), Brian (BMW 1150GS) and myself (XT1200Z)) met at the BP just off the N12 Tom Jones off-ramp, Benoni. After the meet and greet, coffee and a smoke, we all set off on the N12 to Belfast. After a short stop at the Middleburg Ultracity, we arrived in Belfast at around 09:00. We filled up at the Total garage and set off through town on got onto the R33 to Stoffburg. About 14km out of Belfast we turned right on to the dirt and set off in the direction of Dullstroon. The dirt started with a small patch of sand and a rock incline. About 8km into the dirt, we were me by two large “puddles” that covered the entire width of the road and were about 20m in length. The mud around these puddles was at least ankle deep and very sticky; we decided to walk the bikes around the obstacles where we could – one rotation of the tyres and they were clogged. 30mins later and four old farts puffing and panting, we continued on our journey. The remained of the road was without incident, but presented a welcome challenge; we arrived in Dullstroom at around 10:30 / 11:00 and settled down at Charlie C’s for refreshment and brunch – a welcome rest.
We continued our journey and just 5km outside of Dullstroom (along the Lydenburg road), we turned right onto the dirt. We travelled for some 35km through stone, sand, clay, steep rocky declines, technical inclines, through the trees and uphill twistys to finally meet back with the Lydenburg road – it was now 14:00 and after our goodbyes, the Rehann and Brian set off back to Jhb and McSack and myself continued towards Lydenburg. About 7km down the R540, we turned left onto the dirt and the same road conditions continued for some 20km until be met up with the R577. From here, we travelled to Lydenburg and then did Long Tom down to Sabie.
After off-loading the luggage and settling in at Sabie Cottage, we sampled the local wares; it was pizza night as the golf club – beer and pizza it is!
It had been a long day and the aches were starting to set in – a good night’s rest was required.
