Author Topic: Kaokoland...makes you thirsty...for more! (Read 20147 times)

Just Blip It! · « **Reply #80 on:** April 30, 2019, 09:22:35 pm »

Keep it coming guys. Enjoying the preview to our trip in July.

dirt rat · « **Reply #81 on:** May 01, 2019, 04:46:00 am »

Hardy and Oubones thanks for the kind words.
Fact is that I was apprehensive before the trip as I normally avoid large groups and fixed routes on bike rides.
I like to keep routes and timing flexible and and seldom ride with more than two friends.
Kaokoland is more complex as without proper timing and detailed gps routes you can get yourself in a whole heap of trouble.
I need not have worried .We were never rushed and as long as you follow your gps we were allowed to ride as we liked.
Besides we had a great group of riders as we all got along well.
Met some really top class people which I hope to plan some future trips with.
Also as Hardy said it would -Kaokoland humbles you and you are likely to return home a better rider.

Amsterdam · « **Reply #82 on:** May 01, 2019, 08:35:06 am »

Quote from: dirt rat on April 30, 2019, 06:25:23 pm

As the only Bmw rider in the group I had to be a bit different.
Firstly my bike was not trailered to Windhoek. A roundabout route via Victoria West - Onseepkans - Fishriver Canyon-Solitaire and Khomas Hochland took me to Windhoek.
Secondly I was running Tubliss and could run tyre pressures of 1.5 bar.
The bike performed flawlessly as did the Tubliss.
The rider possibly less so. By day ten of the ride I was toast and opted the cop out route.
Moral of the story maybe trailering the bike up is not a bad idea.
Also never use 80w90 gear oil as a conditioner for you hair.
Total distance covered was about 6400km.
TIP OF A LIFETIME.

This is why I read ride reports, there is always something new to learn. But please do explain why/how come you tried this in the first place?

dirt rat · « **Reply #83 on:** May 01, 2019, 09:27:00 am »

Somehow the small container of oil ended up in my toiletry bag - it is in a very similar container as my shampoo.
O yes the oil was for the bikes chain.
Washes out after two days and about sixteen shampoos.

Vis Arend · « **Reply #84 on:** May 01, 2019, 09:58:38 am »

Quote from: dirt rat on May 01, 2019, 09:27:00 am

Somehow the small container of oil ended up in my toiletry bag - it is in a very similar container as my shampoo.
O yes the oil was for the bikes chain.
Washes out after two days and about sixteen shampoos.

A beeeeeeeeeeeg oops, must have smelled horrible.

dirt rat · « **Reply #85 on:** May 01, 2019, 10:15:55 am »

For sure.Smelled as if the engine was overheating and burning oil.

P.K. · « **Reply #86 on:** May 01, 2019, 02:29:11 pm »

Quote from: Hardy de Kock on April 30, 2019, 08:35:48 pm

Quote from: dirt rat on April 30, 2019, 06:25:23 pm
As the only Bmw rider in the group I had to be a bit different.
Firstly my bike was not trailered to Windhoek. A roundabout route via Victoria West - Onseepkans - Fishriver Canyon-Solitaire and Khomas Hochland took me to Windhoek.
Secondly I was running Tubliss and could run tyre pressures of 1.5 bar.
The bike performed flawlessly as did the Tubliss.
The rider possibly less so. By day ten of the ride I was toast and opted the cop out route.
Moral of the story maybe trailering the bike up is not a bad idea.
Also never use 80w90 gear oil as a conditioner for you hair.
Total distance covered was about 6400km.
TIP OF A LIFETIME.

The mystery man someone called him
This guy personifies adventure rider for me. No nonsense personality, loves his wife and he loves his life.
Craig Botha it was an honour meeting and riding with you

DITTO.....

Bloed en OMO · « **Reply #87 on:** May 02, 2019, 07:52:45 am »

Quote from: P.K. on May 01, 2019, 02:29:11 pm

Quote from: Hardy de Kock on April 30, 2019, 08:35:48 pm
Quote from: dirt rat on April 30, 2019, 06:25:23 pm
As the only Bmw rider in the group I had to be a bit different.
Firstly my bike was not trailered to Windhoek. A roundabout route via Victoria West - Onseepkans - Fishriver Canyon-Solitaire and Khomas Hochland took me to Windhoek.
Secondly I was running Tubliss and could run tyre pressures of 1.5 bar.
The bike performed flawlessly as did the Tubliss.
The rider possibly less so. By day ten of the ride I was toast and opted the cop out route.
Moral of the story maybe trailering the bike up is not a bad idea.
Also never use 80w90 gear oil as a conditioner for you hair.
Total distance covered was about 6400km.
TIP OF A LIFETIME.

The mystery man someone called him
This guy personifies adventure rider for me. No nonsense personality, loves his wife and he loves his life.
Craig Botha it was an honour meeting and riding with you

DITTO.....

Well summed up Hardy.

Day 1 to Spitzkoppe was my first "dirt ride". Lucky for me Dirt Rat took it easy and regularly stopped for a smoke break under a sparsely shaded tree with all the casualness of a Gunston advert - whilst the others raced ahead - and was available to share valuable advice on how to deal with gravel and sand (albeit at that stage just a fraction of what was to lie ahead). Thanks Craig.

chopperpilot · « **Reply #88 on:** May 02, 2019, 08:19:34 am »

Day 3: Night stop at Opuwa Country Lodge

Day 3's 235 km gravel highway stretch from Palmwag to the "metropolis" of Opuwa, ended at the stunning Opuwa Country Lodge.

The Opuwa Country Lodge. is situated just north of town on a koppie, resulting in amazing sunset views!

Although we camped, we had access to the main building, bar and swimming pool area.

Our first stop was at the bar and pool area for some well deserved liquid refreshments, after which we departed to the campsite to set up camp.

Some then returned for sundowners, a swim and a photo session of Kaokoland's best sunset views!

The campsite was great, with paved camping areas, Mopanie trees and hot water ablutions.

The braai we had for supper by Specialised Adventures, was outstanding as usual!

Pilchie · « **Reply #89 on:** May 02, 2019, 08:48:51 am »

Enjoying the trip - huge chuckle at the Hair Conditioner

chopperpilot · « **Reply #90 on:** May 02, 2019, 09:04:16 am »

Quote from: Pilchie on May 02, 2019, 08:48:51 am

Enjoying the trip - huge chuckle at the Hair Conditioner

Wondered how he transformed from a weathered Clint Eastwood...too a young Elvis Presley overnight!

chopperpilot · « **Reply #91 on:** May 02, 2019, 09:08:36 am »

Day 3: Opuwa - Campsite

Pic 1: Diesel: "Ek is nou moeg Cruiser gery!"

Pic 2: Snorer's Corner.

Pic 3: Duncan, Bertie and Craig packing up camp.

chopperpilot · « **Reply #92 on:** May 02, 2019, 09:11:12 am »

Day 3: Opuwa - Bike Prep

Pic 1: Hennie Roos servicing the chain and air filter on his XR 650 L, while Brian Harmse wrestles the XR off the ground!

Pic 2: Hennie Dekker, Oubones, sorting out the KLR.

Pic 3: Hennie Oubones and Lance Aylward on night shift with the KLR.

Pic 4: Duncan "My 690 is most reliable on Hardy's Cruiser!" Cackett, with Bertie and Henk advising on filtration improvement!

Pic 5: The 690's air filter. No wonder the bike is so slow!

chopperpilot · « **Reply #93 on:** May 02, 2019, 09:16:24 am »

Day 3, actually 4: Opuwa - Rise and Shine

Pic 1: Samantha prepping breakfast.

Pic 2: Diesel taking Hardy for a walk, with Chantal having a chuckle!

Pic 3: Riders having breakfast. Hennie Roos, Craig Botha, Henk Goedhart, Bertie Rietveld and Ian "I will not wheelie in camp baas Hardy!" Timoney.

Pic 4: Jannie van der Merwe, doing the dishes, and in front Abel van der Merwe, yes they are bothers! Then Peter King, from Nomad Bags fame, Hennie Roos and Craig Botha.

Xpat · « **Reply #94 on:** May 02, 2019, 10:21:57 am »

Quote from: chopperpilot on April 30, 2019, 09:54:39 am

Day 2: Night stop at Palmwag...Continued

...

Both rear mousses however failed at the end of the 276k Twyfelfontein to Brandberg stretch, on the second last day!

The bikes were ridden the last few kilometers to camp, where Hardy and Kobus fitted a tube, in order for me to complete the last day. Thank you gents!

The mousses failed within 5 km of each other. The mousse on my 500 did not appeared to be lubed at all. A miracle that it lasted that long, including a 3 day trip before Kaokoland!

Bertie's 500 had new tyres and mousses fitted before Kaokoland, and he stood by when they were fitted and lubed. We are awaiting feedback on the rear mousse failure.

...

Henk, how comes Bertie's mousse failed on return near Brandberg? I thought Bertie made himself out of commission at Onjuva/Marble and his bike was packed away at the back of a bakkie. Did Bertie allow somebody to ride his pride? Or worse, was he riding his bike with double spiral fracture (wouldn't be the first time...)??

ktmmer · « **Reply #95 on:** May 02, 2019, 10:30:36 am »

Quote from: dirt rat on May 01, 2019, 09:27:00 am

Somehow the small container of oil ended up in my toiletry bag - it is in a very similar container as my shampoo.
O yes the oil was for the bikes chain.
Washes out after two days and about sixteen shampoos.

Your helmet must have slipped on effortlessly in those few days ?

chopperpilot · « **Reply #96 on:** May 02, 2019, 10:39:15 am »

Quote from: Xpat on May 02, 2019, 10:21:57 am

Quote from: chopperpilot on April 30, 2019, 09:54:39 am
Day 2: Night stop at Palmwag...Continued

...

Both rear mousses however failed at the end of the 276k Twyfelfontein to Brandberg stretch, on the second last day!

The bikes were ridden the last few kilometers to camp, where Hardy and Kobus fitted a tube, in order for me to complete the last day. Thank you gents!

The mousses failed within 5 km of each other. The mousse on my 500 did not appeared to be lubed at all. A miracle that it lasted that long, including a 3 day trip before Kaokoland!

Bertie's 500 had new tyres and mousses fitted before Kaokoland, and he stood by when they were fitted and lubed. We are awaiting feedback on the rear mousse failure.

...

Henk, how comes Bertie's mousse failed on return near Brandberg? I thought Bertie made himself out of commission at Onjuva/Marble and his bike was packed away at the back of a bakkie. Did Bertie allow somebody to ride his pride? Or worse, was he riding his bike with double spiral fracture (wouldn't be the first time...)??

Martin

Bertie was still Cruiser bound.

For Day 10 Hardy had asked Bertie's permission for Duncan to ride the 500, as Duncan's 690's radiator fan had seized.

Hardy didn't want Duncan to miss out on the spectacular Dorros and Messum sections.

We rode in a group of 4, together with Brian (690) and Hennie (XRL)

chopperpilot · « **Reply #97 on:** May 02, 2019, 01:16:45 pm »

Day 4: Opuwo to Epupa Falls, via Swartbooisdrift - 224 km

We are slowly making our way to the terrain we came here to ride.

As it's day 4, we have found our rhythm on the bikes, and are looking for adventure.

Day 4 entailed a reasonably straight gravel highway section from Opuwo to Swartbooisdrif, followed by a twisty good gravel road along the Kunene river.

Just before reaching Swartbooisdrift we visited the Dorslandtrekker Memorial, for a break stop.

We initially followed a Jeep track, from close to Swartbooisdrift, but ended up facing a deep and muddy Kunene contributory. We opted for the less technical challenging gravel road, instead of the jeep track, which must have been the patrol road during the SWA/Angola conflict.

The pics from the other riders, assisting biker travelers through the river, confirmed that an excellent decision was made.

The Kunene section stretched for 80km along the banks of the Kunene river, crossed many a dry and wet contributory, with many steep climbs and descends, as well as gravel twisties.

Bertie was riding next to me, and we were having heaps of fun!

I'll let the pics continue the story....

Pic 1: The steeds of Abel, Hardy and Kobus. (Lance's pic.)

Pic 2: Another Lance pic.

Pic 3: Resting....

Pic 4: More resting....

Pic 5: Hennie Oubones