We've been to Lesotho!!!!!

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Ou Ryperd

Race Dog
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KTM 890 Adventure R
Missionary Ventures & CMA Off-Road presents: Lesotho November 2006

Missionary Ventures had been going to Lesotho for a number of years, ministering to the people of Lesotho. They?ve had two missions before where they distributed Sotho Bibles to the shepherds around Sani Top.

This year they?ve invited the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) to assist them to reach more shepherds. CMA Off-Road accepted the invitation, and the planning started in all earnest. Finally the date arrived for us to depart for Lesotho and this is our story.

The Missionary Ventures group left earlier and was waiting for us on top of Sani. Our back-up 4x4 vehicle & trailer with all the luggage (yes, we were planning on camping?more on that later) two KTM Enduro bikes and extra jerry cans for fuel left Thursday, 2 November at 09:00 from Centurion, while the group of bikes left about 12:00 destination Harrismith for late lunch. The ride down to Harrismith was uneventful and the weather was fantastic ? thank you LORD! After lunch we were ready, but the weather turned for the worse and we had to put our rain suits on. The rest of the route to Himeville was done in rain, mist and wind but there were no mishaps ? again, thank you LORD!!

By this time Stephen (the driver of the 4x4) and Dave were getting worried as we the bikers were late, but they used their free time productively and sourced us accommodation in a B&B. We arrived at around 19:00 but we had no time for a hot shower or even a cup of coffee. We had a booking at the Himeville Arms at 19:15 for spareribs ? the BEST spareribs in South Africa. When in the region go have some, you won?t be disappointed. After this great meal, we returned to our B&B for a hot shower and to reflect on the day. Andy took the most flack as he was not willing to push his KLR over 120km/h on the clock, Henk was greeted and he won the prize (no actual price) for the person travelling the longest distance. He came all the way from Cape Town on his KLR.

We wanted to wait for Leonard, Rene, Lester, Michael and Desiree who only left after 17:00, but tiredness got the better of us.

Friday morning we filled all the bikes & jerry cans with fuel and headed for Sani pass. We were nine bikes en-route with Stephen?s KTM still on the trailer. For some of the group this would be the first experience on dirt. A quick breakdown of who?s who and rides what:
Andy ? KLR 650
Henk ? KLR 650
Des ? KTM 950
Francois ? BMW 1200 GS
Japie ? BMW 1150 GS
Herman ? BMW 1200 GS
Dave ? KTM 200
Stephen ? KTM 200
Leonard ? Suzuki 250
Lester ? Suzuki 125
Michael, Rene and Desiree had no bikes and drove up with Stephen.

The first stretch of Sani was nice hard dirt, good to go!! The boys on the Enduro?s were truly enjoying themselves while we on the biker bikes just cruised along at a steady speed. But it was not long before Sani took its? first casualty. Japie came around the corner, saw Stephen franticly waving his arms to keep right but he took the wrong line and down he went. Francois saw this and decided that it looks cool to fall and joined his mate on the ground. No serious damage to riders or bikes and we were soon on our way again. The good thing about the fall was that everyone was more cautious.

At the South African border post some of the riders realized that their passports were in the 4 x 4, so we all waited for Stephen to arrive. We used the time to take in the beauty of the mountains, and to reflect on the trip so far. All together, and going through the border patrol was easy. And so was Sani, well up to now.

From the SA border post to the Lesotho border post the road is not in such a good condition as before the SA post. Plus the gradient increased making traction over loose rocks and / or mud difficult. The scenery made up for the poor road conditions, and we all enjoyed the trip up. The last few km?s was truly amazing, sharp hairpin turns littered with loose rocks and ruts climbing all the way, steeper and steeper.
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When on top, we were greeted with the most amazing view down Sani, and could spot Stephen with the 4 x 4 in the distance, snaking his way up slowly but securely. The wind was howling and it was cold. But the feeling of achievement left all with a warm heart.

Through the Lesotho border patrol with no hassles we were greeted by the people from Missionary Ventures and they escorted us to our camp. Apparently they?ve changed the layout on top of Sani with the backpackers now staying in the village and the Sani Top Chalets now situated at the Highest Pub in Africa.

Our friends from Missionary Ventures arranged that we can sleep on the ground in the backpacker rooms at R50 per person per night. Sleeping indoors beats sleeping in a tent, so all bar Henk opted for the indoors option. Henk wanted to experience the full Monty so he pitched his tend behind one of the local rondavels.

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After the formalities of greetings, why we were there, what?s expected from whom and a quick breakfast we departed. The idea: two 4x4?s will travel along the main road carrying the Sotho Bibles, water and snacks while the bikes would split up into two groups as well. The Enduro?s would go the straightest route over the mountains to find shepherds while the bigger bikes would go out ahead of the 4x4?s to do the same along the road. The one 4x4 and the Enduro group would go 15km out from camp and work their way back, while the 2nd 4x4 plus the bigger bikes would go out for 30km and work the 15km back to where group one started. We were handed a piece of paper with English and Sotho explanations for the shepherds of what we expect from them ? they must please go to the main road and wait for the 4x4 from which he will receive a Bible and be ministered too.

The road was in excellent condition and we made fast progress. We met our first shepherd at the 15km mark, and him being our fist almost everyone hanged around waiting for the 2nd 4x4 to arrive.

Stephen & Dave was nowhere to be found, but that?s a story on its own. The 1st 4x4 continued towards the 30km mark while we waited with the shepherd. He could speak broken English and could read Sotho. He was keen to ride on the back of a bike and Lester obliged by taking him down the road on the back of his 125. It was great fun, and we?re sure the shepherd enjoyed it as well.

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With the arrival of the 4x4 the big bikes left to find the other 4x4 and to start our 15km loop while the rest turned around for their 15km loop.

In the meantime Stephen and Dave decided that their 200 two-stroke KTM?s looked like mountain goats, and they scouted the mountains, looking for the steepest and highest one ? well, they found one and off they went. But it was worth it as they found a shepherd down the valley. He couldn?t speak English nor read, so Stephen & Dave had to use their broken Sotho and sign language to get him to go to the road. He understood them and beat them going to the road. While waiting a friend of the shepherd showed up, and the last two Bibles in the 4x4 was handed over to them.

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We all headed back to camp, our hearts filled with joy and amazement. The shepherds were so hungry for the Word of God. They had fewer belongings on their names than what we had on our body?s money wise, and yet they were happy. Back in the camp we all shared our experiences. Stories were told about shepherds giving their hearts to Jesus, one that started to read his Bible immediately while riding his horse and how humble we felt. Battle scars were shown as the mountains took revenge on us, but still no serious damage to riders of bikes, only to the egos. That evening we slept in a room filled with the snoring of happy men.

Saturday morning we headed to the lookout point to be greeted by yet another amazing view. The Enduro?s showed their stuff by jumping and climbing rocks, steep inclines and ruts.

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We turned back to camp for breakfast and then we were off for the 2nd leg. There was no more ?roads? that we could follow, but the GPS showed a 4x4 track going left off of the main road. If a 4x4 can ride there, so can we! We were greeted with a narrow track going through water, mud, rocks, and did I mention the rocks?

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What an awesome road!!

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We?ve met shepherds amongst the valleys and on the slopes of the hills.

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Another successful day!

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Sunday morning was spent packing and getting ready for the ride back home. Our friends from Missionary Ventures stayed longer as they had a church service at 10:00, but we had to leave earlier if we wanted to be back in time for Bikers Church. The ride down Sani was hair-raising, but still fun. Back in Himeville we inflated the tyres to normal pressure and off we went. This time we split the group for easier travels. All arrived home safe. We were tired, but satisfied.

Being part of the team that went was a tremendous humbling experience. To work with fellow Christians spreading the love of Jesus was amazing and I believe that the seeds for greater things were planted this weekend. We?ve distributed 60 Sotho Bibles to the shepherds of Sani Top and touched even more through the workings of the Holy Spirit.

Mission Accomplished!!
 
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