jburger
Race Dog
We decided a while ago to do a lekker ride for Easter but deciding where to go was not that simple. Eventually we decided on a loop around Lesotho down to Wepener. From there Tele Bridge, Lundean's Nek, Rhodes, Himevile, Loteni and back home.
Day 1
Wanting to get away from the Easter rush, we took a lot of back roads (not a lot of pictures) via and Delmas and Devon with some dirt thrown in to help cope with the boring tar pieces.
It was Easter and some (TravelGravel included) believes it's the start of winter. Well turining off to Devon we ran into a thick mist and the temperatures plummeted. Grabbing some quick coffee and a breakfast toasted sandwich.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZfIytabb8-ko5zIo0YYURw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTO1_FpI0I/AAAAAAAAEvA/TndNe_Y2gv8/s800/img-20090410-075740-000002.jpg" /></a>
From here we made for the Free state and some lunch in Bethlehem. As we were leaving, a yellow 800GS turn in just in front of us.... so how many yellow 800GS' are the in Bethlehem that we know? It turned out to be DeonDJ. After a quick chat we all went our ways. (Deon, I hope you had a good trip too)
From Ladybrand I saw some dirt roads following the border and that's where we headed. Some nice Free State roads
TravelGravel having fun
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EghP_9kuq7tPgGWnksVU3w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTO3GiCghI/AAAAAAAAEvI/xa0V95MAsqQ/s800/img-20090410-143632-000006.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8Qx9trLwjkaO75Dy4E7qNQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTO5o9bAAI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/cROtsCvH8Eg/s800/img-20090410-150754-000010.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1QeJgdvKq85NrU7UUNqAng?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTO7nowmjI/AAAAAAAAEvY/17Sl9-1YEFk/s800/img-20090410-153517-000040.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jNPsbak1BInQfvcfnKX_zg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTPTDRQWxI/AAAAAAAAEvw/q8BcgfsLwQY/s800/img-20090410-152450-000024.JPG" /></a>
We didn't investigate but going through Hobhouse we saw this pink building
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MW_BmMC1JzlVyMLnKMTGfQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTO95FIi2I/AAAAAAAAEvg/eeefjV4DhBI/s800/img-20090410-155404-000041.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jBqtgKORFGGZY9calgRJeA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTPAEPPZeI/AAAAAAAAEvo/0JxTrEODe5k/s800/img-20090410-155742-000018.jpg" /></a>
The Lord Fraser (Ford Laser to some :biggrin
made us an irresistible offer of a room for R300 pn incl breakfast and we made for the bar and a cold one.
Day 2
From Wepener it was more Free State dirt highways, bypassing Zastron to Sterkspruit an Tele Bridge
Sunrise with Wepener in the background
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wKPl0FlctL1pmqd0_yJPXw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkY3bnhxI/AAAAAAAAEyA/dEUz8PGOwyw/s800/img-20090411-072918-000021.jpg" /></a>
The 3 steeds
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YfaEveSP4JgR7tsEBoCWAw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTka_dE-ZI/AAAAAAAAEyI/jzORTTuFQa0/s800/img-20090411-085948-000098.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DtmeY0AeKiK4a4gOkZ3TNg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkdPjUpuI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/20kmXTS2wx0/s800/img-20090411-092946-000027.jpg" /></a>
The Free State flats was nearing an end with the mountains on the horizon
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LTPHRvfjimbUtVLYkputgg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkejiJMRI/AAAAAAAAEyY/ITWnwQixC0s/s800/img-20090411-094707-000100.JPG" /></a>
Another steel bridge - Gariep River
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s5wWdoyaRY7-iArGW433yg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkgc6sEQI/AAAAAAAAEyg/GLAEKdplNm8/s800/img-20090411-100120-000029.JPG" /></a>
After Tele Bridge it was down the Tele valley
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1MhDlYgtRcCk_ZegP7biPA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkijfx8eI/AAAAAAAAEyo/tWHVY_NmWJU/s800/img-20090411-105826-000034.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0SXQ-dBS29kp1dCbsVCJpg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkk0Tq_mI/AAAAAAAAEy0/phPThEuMMuo/s800/img-20090411-110416-000036.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f29VNTxbL3pfOUxsXztkIQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTknSCgkXI/AAAAAAAAEy8/vbceMIGrKT8/s800/img-20090411-112426-000043.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mr4II-h9RL4u8W-Ket58Ow?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkrnS1pHI/AAAAAAAAEzM/BYnYsHQ9oU4/s800/img-20090411-113453-000108.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tR-AROECVL3u_Zgsyky4Sw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkuBcz1JI/AAAAAAAAEzU/y-9Ih46AkLw/s800/img-20090411-115932-000046.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ns7QniFq4YiZ2Rumw222iQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkwU2bTcI/AAAAAAAAEzc/oyqCQ3-f8OE/s800/img-20090411-115938-000047.jpg" /></a>
And then we found a lunch spot
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ltMmlfbmrz71kkwPD7YI8Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTky8dy9sI/AAAAAAAAEzk/nAzapiss21k/s800/img-20090411-121344-000032.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/z3gxvyXlL3dXnW3iP6k9PA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTk1xtWzkI/AAAAAAAAEzs/XuFomkiv9is/s800/img-20090411-121358-000033.JPG" /></a>
While having lunch we heard a bike approaching. It was nice meeting you Hondsekierie. Hope the rest of your trip is going well....
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1CPT9HexKHevjVBUt5i_Pw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeOKiC-9Q1I/AAAAAAAAEtw/JRcQA5PXPAc/s800/img-20090411-125235-000118.JPG" /></a>
The view from the top of Lundean's Nek
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qJaA9OiPrjbsCmwToaMWIw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTk3_g4woI/AAAAAAAAEz0/J0J4tJ0EXak/s800/img-20090411-130056-000050.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3j3oe7jzN9-ELUy8STKKmw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTk5y-kBqI/AAAAAAAAEz8/rp95R6_Uzxw/s800/img-20090411-131726-000046.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QMvLcW-Ry6hd0p84ktLJgA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTqtqgPGZI/AAAAAAAAE0E/dNkGfR3gAak/s800/img-20090411-125858-000048.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GnKxZypxpZF_AetrNoXlcw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTrQXZFf_I/AAAAAAAAE0M/Va1sj9FBXf0/s800/img-20090411-134226-000053.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vjTZuCRf-4Fth56TKTECWQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTrSaXmhcI/AAAAAAAAE0U/mkWIK4l791s/s800/img-20090411-135844-000057.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KFuSwqDosJLZQP72F4DIHQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTrUlTqNgI/AAAAAAAAE0c/VsIWTsOnwag/s800/img-20090411-141226-000058.jpg" /></a>
Got to Rhodes and found a cold one and a place to stay for the evening...
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oYoLiAl_KCI0H06LSwtG9Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTrW_JuEjI/AAAAAAAAE0o/UtVc_tAd80U/s800/img-20090411-171244-000053.JPG" /></a>
The perfect end to a perfect day. Having a few with Dave at Walkerbouts.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XsMTWQ58OTkvG4nEuG9gEQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTrYI4swTI/AAAAAAAAE0w/1In8Iz0AnXw/s800/img-20090411-180744-000059.JPG" /></a>
Day 1
Wanting to get away from the Easter rush, we took a lot of back roads (not a lot of pictures) via and Delmas and Devon with some dirt thrown in to help cope with the boring tar pieces.
It was Easter and some (TravelGravel included) believes it's the start of winter. Well turining off to Devon we ran into a thick mist and the temperatures plummeted. Grabbing some quick coffee and a breakfast toasted sandwich.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZfIytabb8-ko5zIo0YYURw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTO1_FpI0I/AAAAAAAAEvA/TndNe_Y2gv8/s800/img-20090410-075740-000002.jpg" /></a>
From here we made for the Free state and some lunch in Bethlehem. As we were leaving, a yellow 800GS turn in just in front of us.... so how many yellow 800GS' are the in Bethlehem that we know? It turned out to be DeonDJ. After a quick chat we all went our ways. (Deon, I hope you had a good trip too)
From Ladybrand I saw some dirt roads following the border and that's where we headed. Some nice Free State roads
TravelGravel having fun
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EghP_9kuq7tPgGWnksVU3w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTO3GiCghI/AAAAAAAAEvI/xa0V95MAsqQ/s800/img-20090410-143632-000006.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8Qx9trLwjkaO75Dy4E7qNQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTO5o9bAAI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/cROtsCvH8Eg/s800/img-20090410-150754-000010.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1QeJgdvKq85NrU7UUNqAng?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTO7nowmjI/AAAAAAAAEvY/17Sl9-1YEFk/s800/img-20090410-153517-000040.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jNPsbak1BInQfvcfnKX_zg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTPTDRQWxI/AAAAAAAAEvw/q8BcgfsLwQY/s800/img-20090410-152450-000024.JPG" /></a>
We didn't investigate but going through Hobhouse we saw this pink building
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MW_BmMC1JzlVyMLnKMTGfQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTO95FIi2I/AAAAAAAAEvg/eeefjV4DhBI/s800/img-20090410-155404-000041.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jBqtgKORFGGZY9calgRJeA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTPAEPPZeI/AAAAAAAAEvo/0JxTrEODe5k/s800/img-20090410-155742-000018.jpg" /></a>
The Lord Fraser (Ford Laser to some :biggrin
made us an irresistible offer of a room for R300 pn incl breakfast and we made for the bar and a cold one. Day 2
From Wepener it was more Free State dirt highways, bypassing Zastron to Sterkspruit an Tele Bridge
Sunrise with Wepener in the background
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wKPl0FlctL1pmqd0_yJPXw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkY3bnhxI/AAAAAAAAEyA/dEUz8PGOwyw/s800/img-20090411-072918-000021.jpg" /></a>
The 3 steeds
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YfaEveSP4JgR7tsEBoCWAw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTka_dE-ZI/AAAAAAAAEyI/jzORTTuFQa0/s800/img-20090411-085948-000098.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/DtmeY0AeKiK4a4gOkZ3TNg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkdPjUpuI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/20kmXTS2wx0/s800/img-20090411-092946-000027.jpg" /></a>
The Free State flats was nearing an end with the mountains on the horizon
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LTPHRvfjimbUtVLYkputgg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkejiJMRI/AAAAAAAAEyY/ITWnwQixC0s/s800/img-20090411-094707-000100.JPG" /></a>
Another steel bridge - Gariep River
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s5wWdoyaRY7-iArGW433yg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkgc6sEQI/AAAAAAAAEyg/GLAEKdplNm8/s800/img-20090411-100120-000029.JPG" /></a>
After Tele Bridge it was down the Tele valley
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1MhDlYgtRcCk_ZegP7biPA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkijfx8eI/AAAAAAAAEyo/tWHVY_NmWJU/s800/img-20090411-105826-000034.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0SXQ-dBS29kp1dCbsVCJpg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkk0Tq_mI/AAAAAAAAEy0/phPThEuMMuo/s800/img-20090411-110416-000036.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/f29VNTxbL3pfOUxsXztkIQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTknSCgkXI/AAAAAAAAEy8/vbceMIGrKT8/s800/img-20090411-112426-000043.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mr4II-h9RL4u8W-Ket58Ow?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkrnS1pHI/AAAAAAAAEzM/BYnYsHQ9oU4/s800/img-20090411-113453-000108.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/tR-AROECVL3u_Zgsyky4Sw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkuBcz1JI/AAAAAAAAEzU/y-9Ih46AkLw/s800/img-20090411-115932-000046.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ns7QniFq4YiZ2Rumw222iQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTkwU2bTcI/AAAAAAAAEzc/oyqCQ3-f8OE/s800/img-20090411-115938-000047.jpg" /></a>
And then we found a lunch spot
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ltMmlfbmrz71kkwPD7YI8Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTky8dy9sI/AAAAAAAAEzk/nAzapiss21k/s800/img-20090411-121344-000032.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/z3gxvyXlL3dXnW3iP6k9PA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTk1xtWzkI/AAAAAAAAEzs/XuFomkiv9is/s800/img-20090411-121358-000033.JPG" /></a>
While having lunch we heard a bike approaching. It was nice meeting you Hondsekierie. Hope the rest of your trip is going well....
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1CPT9HexKHevjVBUt5i_Pw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeOKiC-9Q1I/AAAAAAAAEtw/JRcQA5PXPAc/s800/img-20090411-125235-000118.JPG" /></a>
The view from the top of Lundean's Nek
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qJaA9OiPrjbsCmwToaMWIw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTk3_g4woI/AAAAAAAAEz0/J0J4tJ0EXak/s800/img-20090411-130056-000050.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3j3oe7jzN9-ELUy8STKKmw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTk5y-kBqI/AAAAAAAAEz8/rp95R6_Uzxw/s800/img-20090411-131726-000046.JPG" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QMvLcW-Ry6hd0p84ktLJgA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTqtqgPGZI/AAAAAAAAE0E/dNkGfR3gAak/s800/img-20090411-125858-000048.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GnKxZypxpZF_AetrNoXlcw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTrQXZFf_I/AAAAAAAAE0M/Va1sj9FBXf0/s800/img-20090411-134226-000053.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vjTZuCRf-4Fth56TKTECWQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTrSaXmhcI/AAAAAAAAE0U/mkWIK4l791s/s800/img-20090411-135844-000057.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KFuSwqDosJLZQP72F4DIHQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTrUlTqNgI/AAAAAAAAE0c/VsIWTsOnwag/s800/img-20090411-141226-000058.jpg" /></a>
Got to Rhodes and found a cold one and a place to stay for the evening...
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oYoLiAl_KCI0H06LSwtG9Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTrW_JuEjI/AAAAAAAAE0o/UtVc_tAd80U/s800/img-20090411-171244-000053.JPG" /></a>
The perfect end to a perfect day. Having a few with Dave at Walkerbouts.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XsMTWQ58OTkvG4nEuG9gEQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_4Cb511wocj0/SeTrYI4swTI/AAAAAAAAE0w/1In8Iz0AnXw/s800/img-20090411-180744-000059.JPG" /></a>
