- Joined
- May 21, 2009
- Messages
- 1,213
- Reaction score
- 45
- Bike
- Suzuki DR650
Baptism of fire
OUR three day trip into the Karoo took a bit more planning than usual as we were introducing Stephen who is new to the game and had only ridden 100km offroad after buying a XR 650l.
Calle, Stephen and I met at 6.30am in Franschhoek on Friday with the first night objective to sleep at Koedoeskloof, Ladismith.
Before 7am we headed over Franschhoek Pass, cruised through Villiersdorp, turned off onto the gravel and headed for the Eilandia Pad and Robertson.
And all went well. Stephen was already getting the feel of gravel and the confidence on his XR.
Breakfast in Montagu and fill up at the Caltex garage and the next test, up and over Oubergpass.
Again all was going well the day was heating up but over the Touws River side Calle's front punctured.
By the time we had changed the tube we were all in a real sweat. Boy was it going to get even hotter.
And it did.
While Stephen was by now really enjoying the adventure Calle had another flat just outside Rouxpos on the way to Seweweekspoort.
By now early afternoon and the temperature later verified by a BMW rider was 47 degrees C.
In spite of us carrying water we soon ran out and while Stephen was sent to source water, we sweated it out and found the problem. A tiny bump on the rim micro centimetres from the valve hole.
We duct taped the rim with nogal three layers and while Stephen arrived back with many litres of water thanks to a tiny farm school teacher we rehydrated and got the bike back on the track.
On our way again and not 10 km on we hit a thunderstorm and rode into Seweekspoort in rain.
Yet another test for Stephen but he came through with flying colours.
In Ladismith a quick shopping spree for supper and a great rest at Koedoeskloof along with other wilddogs.
Fortunately it had cooled and we all got a great nights sleep.
Saturday dawned far cooler and we headed for Laingsburg with no more problems and breakfast at the Shell garage.
Another refill and we headed into the Moordenaars Karoo and along the way encountered plenty of small buck.
Stephen was ecstatic and Calle really happy as now his puncture problems were over.
In Sutherland we filled up and lunched at the hotel.
The final push on Saturday was up the gravel to Ouberg Pass and another excellent night at Skuuwerberg.
Sunday was the big test for Stephen as we headed down Ouberg Pass into the Tankwa Karoo but again he came through with flying colours.
Around noon we pulled into Tankwa Padstal refreshed ourselves and headed for Ceres – a quick refuel and great lunch and home.
My eye in the sky recorded 1 240km of great riding and we now have another dedicated offroader.
Also it was the first time in the Karoo we had spotted so many animals.
Thanks to Calle and Stephen I had a great time.
https://youtu.be/wE2q8zU6XMQ?list=UUddbgpFNxEM2KkxPs0dCLkQ
OUR three day trip into the Karoo took a bit more planning than usual as we were introducing Stephen who is new to the game and had only ridden 100km offroad after buying a XR 650l.
Calle, Stephen and I met at 6.30am in Franschhoek on Friday with the first night objective to sleep at Koedoeskloof, Ladismith.
Before 7am we headed over Franschhoek Pass, cruised through Villiersdorp, turned off onto the gravel and headed for the Eilandia Pad and Robertson.
And all went well. Stephen was already getting the feel of gravel and the confidence on his XR.
Breakfast in Montagu and fill up at the Caltex garage and the next test, up and over Oubergpass.
Again all was going well the day was heating up but over the Touws River side Calle's front punctured.
By the time we had changed the tube we were all in a real sweat. Boy was it going to get even hotter.
And it did.
While Stephen was by now really enjoying the adventure Calle had another flat just outside Rouxpos on the way to Seweweekspoort.
By now early afternoon and the temperature later verified by a BMW rider was 47 degrees C.
In spite of us carrying water we soon ran out and while Stephen was sent to source water, we sweated it out and found the problem. A tiny bump on the rim micro centimetres from the valve hole.
We duct taped the rim with nogal three layers and while Stephen arrived back with many litres of water thanks to a tiny farm school teacher we rehydrated and got the bike back on the track.
On our way again and not 10 km on we hit a thunderstorm and rode into Seweekspoort in rain.
Yet another test for Stephen but he came through with flying colours.
In Ladismith a quick shopping spree for supper and a great rest at Koedoeskloof along with other wilddogs.
Fortunately it had cooled and we all got a great nights sleep.
Saturday dawned far cooler and we headed for Laingsburg with no more problems and breakfast at the Shell garage.
Another refill and we headed into the Moordenaars Karoo and along the way encountered plenty of small buck.
Stephen was ecstatic and Calle really happy as now his puncture problems were over.
In Sutherland we filled up and lunched at the hotel.
The final push on Saturday was up the gravel to Ouberg Pass and another excellent night at Skuuwerberg.
Sunday was the big test for Stephen as we headed down Ouberg Pass into the Tankwa Karoo but again he came through with flying colours.
Around noon we pulled into Tankwa Padstal refreshed ourselves and headed for Ceres – a quick refuel and great lunch and home.
My eye in the sky recorded 1 240km of great riding and we now have another dedicated offroader.
Also it was the first time in the Karoo we had spotted so many animals.
Thanks to Calle and Stephen I had a great time.
https://youtu.be/wE2q8zU6XMQ?list=UUddbgpFNxEM2KkxPs0dCLkQ
