VERNEUKPAN and Beyond the next draai (NEW "REALITY" PHOTOS!!!!)

[®©errie]

Husky Boy and Jonny Quest did a trip earlier this year to Verneukpan  http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=49843.0
without a pic next to the bell.

Something had to be done, and was decided to go take a picture of the bell and go beyond.

Milkman, Jahloepa and myself kindly donated some professional assistance in finding the bell.

We got ourselves a 8 day trip!!!

[®©errie]

Day 1 (Knysna to Merweville area) 435km

Saturday 30 October 2010 I woke up @ 4am. (Forgot to set my camera's date)
I couldn’t sleep. Too exited about the trip. I had a couple of hours of packing for the trip. We were busy moving house and everything was all over the place.

Here is a couple of pics as we went along

Milkman is putting some slime in the DRZ tyres in Knysna


Quick stop @ Jahloepa’s spot for a vinnige cup




After 20km in the grootbos, Milkman found this problem on his newly build pannier rack






Coffee and Scones @ the shop in The Vlugt

 





Quick stop @ Oudtshoorn







Swartberg Nature Reserve







Top of Swartberg Pass




We pushed the bikes a bit so we can watch the rugby at Merweville before 5. When we arrived, we found the town totally desolated. We could not find the Hotel so we knocked on some doors of folks that had rugby flags in their gardens. Maybe the kind folk will let 5 strange guys full of dust in their home to sit on the carpet and watch the rugby. We were out of luck. We ended up at Springbok Lodge, what a lovely place and bike friendly too. Unfortunately they could only show us the delayed broadcast. “Ouens het julle gekom om te bike te ry of om rugby te kyk” was thrown into the air. Apparently nearly everyone from town was invited to a 500 guest wedding outside Merweville. This explains why the town was so quiet. Since the Lodge was not part of our sleepover plans we pressed on towards Sutherland.





The wedding reception must be nearby




As I was driving I was thinking about the movie “Wedding Crashers” and got a grin on my face. Next thing I know there were cars in next to the road and a bride and groom too. The photographers stopped JQ on his GS and took a pic with the bride next to it. I didn’t want to be in the picture so I moved on to the side of the road, and while watching the photo session in progress, I kicked out my XT’s side stand onto thick sand and the next thing I knew my bike was on top of me. I could not move!!! Of all the people the groom came to my rescue and gave me a hand and lifted the bike. We demanded a picture with the couple as I paid with a fall.









We decided to setup camp





Nifty Kitchen

[forex618]

awesome pics 

[Pote]

fokkit maar dit lyk lekker, ek wil nog baie graag sommer so gaan tent opslaan in die middel van nêrens  en daai antie in die wit rok lyk ook sommer baie 

[DUSTRIDERS]

Kan n lekke ene raak.
Gooi die res!

[mountainboy]

really nice variety of bikes 

how did the XR400 do on a multi day trip like?

[edgy]

Very nice - also enjoy that camp wherever vibe!

[Fiellie]

Lekker !!! 

[®©errie]

Day 2 (Merweville to Verneukpan) 374km

Got up early Sunday morning, en enjoyed some really nice coffee. After breakfast we packed up and ready to go. MM struggled to get his DRZ running, but eventually did. The previous evening he lost his balance and put down the drz gently. We figured it must be crud in carb that got loose or something. (If it was only that!!!!!!)






Rammelkop Pass












We fill up in Sutherland, but the DRZ would not fire up, and if it does it backfires like crazy




It is 2 hours later and time for a drink and some solids. We were all adding our opinions to get the DRZ running again




The kind Oom from the service station gave us the go ahead to use his workshop and some tools as he went off to church. We were appreciative, as the sun was not kidding around.
After another 2 hours the local bike mecchie came to have a peek



……….and he found this


MM made a decision to leave the bike there. JQ bought his GS 2 weeks ago, and now he will find out how a pillion feels on Northern Cape roads. Verneukpan was still a couple of hours away.

We simply could not resist this next to the road








Outside Williston


It got dark very quickly and we were on a sandy road still a long way from Verneukpan. Fatigue moved in and we stopped about every 20km. We were doing not more than 60kmph.

Eventually we got to the farmers house @ 11:45pm but he was not there. We were exhausted!!!








Decided to set up camp at the locked gate of Verneukpan

[forex618]

so what was that in the engine? earthworms?

[®©errie]

so what was that in the engine? earthworms?

The Magneto picked up the coil and shredded it to bits.  Kinda looked like worms  

[Battlestar]

Nice one 

Word of advise for your mate with the 1150. Those std top boxes hate going off road and often break clean off  Throw a cargo net over it next time to give it a little more support

[SandMan]

Love the Cheetah boots....subscribed!

[®©errie]

Day 3 (Verneukpan to Augrabies) 229km

Slept like a dead rock!!! Anyway could not believe the vast open space of this place, pure awesomeness.




HB filling up for some playing on the pan


Got the key from one of the farm workers (We just had to take that picture)






Verneukpan also brings out the urge to cut some hair, this happened in a very playfull manner, I must add.










Kenhardt Service Station









Miggies are really annoying during this time of year


Super Campsite

[Walkaway]

Wow Looks like you guys had an awesome trip.

[®©errie]

Day 4 (Augrabies to Riemvasmaak) 116km

We wanted to get riding early before the miggies start to attack!!!
























At this stage the temperature was 42deg Celsius and we got seriously dehydrated



Riemvasmaak Hot Springs








This was pure bliss






Jahloepa and Husky Boy went back to the settlement to get us some cooldrinks and chicken

[westfrogger]

First-class report 

[Baches]

Nice foto's . Lekker area waar julle gery het.

[Sprocketbek]

Excellent RR, really enjoying it. 
We went up Rammelkop on the Wednesday following.
Saw the DRZ in the garage at Sutherland when we filled up on Thursday morning.
I asked the attendant "Wat's verkeerd met daai bike?"
He answered: "Niks".   

But our trips have something else in common.........the RR should still appear this weekend.

[®©errie]

Excellent RR, really enjoying it. 
We went up Rammelkop on the Wednesday following.
Saw the DRZ in the garage at Sutherland when we filled up on Thursday morning.
I asked the attendant "Wat's verkeerd met daai bike?"
He answered: "Niks".   

But our trips have something else in common.........the RR should still appear this weekend.

Maybe the attendand knew something that we don't, I think MM retreived it allready. Would be nice to read your report on this area. Still need to finish this one, but won't be this weekend. I need to setup internet at home first.