Capie and Vaalie taken for a ride by dodgy Russian

[Dacquiri]

Many thanks for an inspirational ride report Xpat. I definitely need to get up that way.

I see you had troubles with your side stand and was wondering what the specific problem was and how you eventually solved it?

I find the 500’s side stand a real pain in the ass as my bike almost always wants to topple over when slightly loaded. I will see if I can find the 500 adventurising thread you referred to see what mods were done if explained there too. I also find that a good sheepskin on the saddle helps immensely!

[sidetrack]

Hmm where is Xpat, last active July 2nd. Off on another adventure I wonder ?

[BiG DoM]

Hmm where is Xpat, last active July 2nd. Off on another adventure I wonder ?

Sabbatical can include Wild Dogs - in fact it probably should! 

[BlueBull2007]

Fantastic report Martin

Huge respect to you Bertie for hanging in as long as you did, sitting the hole way, especially in that fesh fesh!

A couple of questions:

On crossing the borders did you register and pay import permits etc on the bikes (on the back of your pickup) as well?

What struck me about your report is all the control that seems to be coming in on these very remote routes - that its impossible to ride west of the C43 etc. Is there anyone actually controlling this or were you simply respecting the signs? It seems like no-one is there to do the controlling. Who are the people who manage the Palmwag conservacy for example?

A couple more comments:

I recon you missed the elephants probably by mere meters. Probably just off the track up on the shoulder out of sight... Maybe the lions as well. One lives in hope but regrettably man has a history of expansion and with it destruction, fences etc.

Speaking of which I heard a rumour that the Dakar was considering running in 2020 in Namibia, Angola and perhaps South Africa. If that was the case, can you imagine the tracks left behind by 180 racing vehicles? Fesh fesh would become a major major issue and a lot of this landscape would be shredded. Something that does not sit well with me, even as a crazy Dakar fan.

That Robbies pass looks like quite a challenge. Once again, very well done.

[Xpat]

Thanks Neil.

Here the answers:

- we did not pay permuts for the bikes neither in botswana, nor in namibia. They were nudging us to pay on nam border, but we said we will be riding strictly off the roads and they let us go.

- Palwag conservancy to the west of c43 and south of Huanib river: there are gates on tge palmwag side approaches and they will not let you in. There is a tent with guard also on the northern side on the entry from huanib, but you may not even see it abd it is easy to sneak in. You will then have to exit through those palmwag gates where they will make you pay and deal with you MaxThePanda did it. Imo not worth it - especially as valley of desilation is better, but your call.

[BlueBull2007]

Tx Martin.

[scubafriqe]

FFS Martin...STOP IT!!!

Never mind wasting my whole Monday morning...you already have me pondering buying a lighter bike, taking 3 weeks leave that I do not have and cashing in my meagre pension to finance it all.

So really please please STOP IT...you are about to derail my sh%t here

Don't know you for a bar of soap, but your profile and comments make me think we're in the same boat. Buy a lighter bike add a bigger tank, drive up and do a tour - 2 weeks, 2 days up 2 days down and 7 diding days 3 rest days.

Are you in?