Namibia and Back My 4600km ride

[Mother]

Hi Folks
a few may wonder where I been .......lets just give the short version

Work got in the way of fun...........but we all know priorities are to put toast on the table

I had a few GS Adventures over the years but when i bought my 2010 Anniversary things slowed down for me on the adventure rides and only now and again I got to take my GS out on trips..........was riding my Harleys much more and couldnt really justify an upgrade

Then last year June i made the mistake of walking into Donfords in Town to look at the new 1250.........................that was it!!
I phoned my mate Roger at Bavaria Centurion(we have come a long wayover the years and I have bought all my Beemers from him.......certainly wasnt going to change that)
In no time Roger and I struck a deal
He sent a courier to collect my aircooled and a few weeks later we flew up to Jhb to collect my new baby

We rode it down to Cape Town all the back roads to De Aar and the dirt from Carnarvon to Sutherland I fell in love with this bike and its handling
Day and night difference from my Aircooled

I couldnt wait to do a decent trip and started immediately with plans on Namibia as those who know me know its my favourite place to ride

In Juice Hospitality Business Winter is off season so i was going to take advantage of this.......

Unfortunately as in life not all goes to plan .........My father in law passed suddenly in July

so the trip was posphoned

Finally the right time came up and August the 9th I got to set off for Namibia

Plan was up the west coast to Alexander Bay and head to Ai Ais via the Orange River

[ChrisL - DUSTRIDERS]

At last, he's alive!!!

[Mother]

At last, he's alive!!!

hahahahaha thanks to lock down no business and a lot of nostalgia and time on my hands


notice the WD stickers on my new bike . ..............been quiet on WD but not forgotten 


 

[ChrisL - DUSTRIDERS]

Stunning bike Chris!!

[Dorsland]

Yes! Nog ‘n Mother classic.

I’ve only been to Port Nolloth once and it had the worst tasting water I’ve drank anywhere. Including from an Owamboland livestock well.

Please tell me things have improved.

[Mother]

any way so the first day of my Namibian trip was Cape Town to Port Nolloth then Alexander Bay and camping next to the Orange River at the Brandkaros camp site

[Mother]

Yes! Nog ‘n Mother classic.

I’ve only been to Port Nolloth once and it had the worst tasting water I’ve drank anywhere. Including from an Owamboland livestock well.

Please tell me things have improved.

hahahah ...stick to bottled water

[Mother]

The next Day the plan was to to sleep in Ai |Ais Hot Spring but i wanted to take the gravel to Sanddrift and cross the Orange river on the pontoon

Any one who has ridden the road next to the Orange on the Namibian side knows this is breathtakingly beautiful with the contrast of harsh desert with lush green of the river as it makes its way to the ocean

The gravel road to Sandrift was in hectic condition with lots of loose sand and very bad corrugation .........It just made me more impressed with this new Beemer.....oh and of course knowing I still had some skills 

but truthfully  I think this 1250 makes up for many a lost skill with its superb acceleration and handling

after what felt like a long time i eventually got to the pont

[Mother]

the ride next to the Orange river has to be for me one of those most unforgettable experiences

[Dorsland]

Could you give a summary of your route sometime please  Mother. That route looks to be a nice loop if one cannot do 3 weeks in Nam (Westcoast, Oranjemund, cross over on pontoon, follow Orange River down to Onseepkans or so, back into RSA and then wind my way home to Graaff-Reinet.

[Dorsland]

Those Karoo 3s on your bike?

[Mother]

My friends Shaun and Charlene were planning a trip to Namibia from Pretoria .....they wanted to see the Fish River Canyon and Luderitz

We agreed to connect a few days riding together and meet up at the hot springs in the desert

[Mother]

Those Karoo 3s on your bike?

yes
unfortunately wasnt impressed with them also a lot of road noise......felt they lacked in the grip department...........have always been used to TKC

must give them this i didnt have one puncture

have changed them after the trip for more road oriented because of my daily commute

[Offshore]

 

[Mother]

Shaun and Charlene arrived in Ai Ais

[RobD]

 

[katana]

the ride next to the Orange river has to be for me one of those most unforgettable experiences

One of the most beautiful stretches of road ever.

[Mother]

so after Shaun and Charlene arrived we decided to hook up a bit and Shaun changed his plans to ride with me until Swakopmund and after this they would head for home through Botswana

We decided to take a rest day in Ai Ais

meaning we took the day to relax and take a short ride out to the Fish River Canyon about 60km away and also do lunch at the Canyon Road House which is always a nice visit

[Mother]

the ride next to the Orange river has to be for me one of those most unforgettable experiences

One of the most beautiful stretches of road ever.

absolutely

[Mother]

Canyon Roadhouse a short ride from Fish River Canyon is a must see oasis in the desert