So I took collection of the bike on Wednesday morning already in Port Elizabeth, with big hopes of at least having a short ride on the farm that afternoon. However, only got back to Addo after dark so decided not to, also the battery was flat...Then ended up spending the next few days in Jozi (not my kind of place) before getting back on friday. Saturday again had me running around like a mad chicken before finally having Sunday free for a ride.
So I got my old man to join me on sunday for a short day trip. Him on his 1200gs LC and me on the 1200 Adventure. Being my first time riding this bike, he wanted to take all the main roads...but I am more excited to see how well it handles on the rough.
So we headed off at about 9am for Paterson to fuel up before going for a lekker breakie at Bushman Sands (very large breakfast if you sweet talk those ladies in the kitchen). At about 10;30 we looked on google maps and the gps and found two routes to Grahamstown. The suggested route we have done before a few times while I was in school in GTown, so we took the other one with all signs and gates saying NO Entry, or Beware of Dangerous Animals such as elephant, rhino and buffalo. However, it being a public road the gates are not allowed to be locked and after asking a few locals wandering past with fishing rods, it seemed safe to pass on bikes. So off we went. The roads were good, then worse, then gone all together, and then back again. At one point we got to a motorized gate with 3 numbers...1st one was off, 2nd one did not answer, and by now we were not keen on turning back, but luckily number 3 answered and before we new it we had a guy escort us through the "hunting grounds" to the other side of their property...only after making it very clear we are driving through at our own risk. We then got onto some better dirt tracks all the way into gtown.
Had a milkshake at the Wimpy and a quick photo at my high school before heading to Riebeeck East. Fantastic dirt road, bit boring because such good shape but the old man enjoyed that part the most. We decided to go over the mountain then back to Alicedale. Can see they had a bit of rain before, but the pass is in great shape, easy ride over with a few loose and bumpy patches here and there. Stopped a few times to take in the view and we could see the entire route we had just taken. Didnt take us long to get over and down before heading back to Addo. Got back home and put the bikes to sleep at 6pm.
Great days ride and cant wait for the next one.
So I got my old man to join me on sunday for a short day trip. Him on his 1200gs LC and me on the 1200 Adventure. Being my first time riding this bike, he wanted to take all the main roads...but I am more excited to see how well it handles on the rough.
So we headed off at about 9am for Paterson to fuel up before going for a lekker breakie at Bushman Sands (very large breakfast if you sweet talk those ladies in the kitchen). At about 10;30 we looked on google maps and the gps and found two routes to Grahamstown. The suggested route we have done before a few times while I was in school in GTown, so we took the other one with all signs and gates saying NO Entry, or Beware of Dangerous Animals such as elephant, rhino and buffalo. However, it being a public road the gates are not allowed to be locked and after asking a few locals wandering past with fishing rods, it seemed safe to pass on bikes. So off we went. The roads were good, then worse, then gone all together, and then back again. At one point we got to a motorized gate with 3 numbers...1st one was off, 2nd one did not answer, and by now we were not keen on turning back, but luckily number 3 answered and before we new it we had a guy escort us through the "hunting grounds" to the other side of their property...only after making it very clear we are driving through at our own risk. We then got onto some better dirt tracks all the way into gtown.
Had a milkshake at the Wimpy and a quick photo at my high school before heading to Riebeeck East. Fantastic dirt road, bit boring because such good shape but the old man enjoyed that part the most. We decided to go over the mountain then back to Alicedale. Can see they had a bit of rain before, but the pass is in great shape, easy ride over with a few loose and bumpy patches here and there. Stopped a few times to take in the view and we could see the entire route we had just taken. Didnt take us long to get over and down before heading back to Addo. Got back home and put the bikes to sleep at 6pm.
Great days ride and cant wait for the next one.
