- Joined
- Dec 15, 2008
- Messages
- 6,720
- Reaction score
- 773
- Location
- Port Elizabeth
- Bike
- BMW R1200GS Adventure
So what happens when you’ve been planning a trip for weeks, all the details, down to your fuel stops and then discover the day before your departure that the area you’re going is inundated with hooligans on machines from the dark side?
Simple – You go to Hell!
Sakkie and I had been planning a trip over 17 – 23rd April around Elliot, covering some of the greatest passes in the country – Joubert Pass, Lundean’s Neck Pass, Naude’s neck, Otto Du Plessis pass, etc, etc. Since he had to abort his previous trip to the area due to rain, it was decided the appropriate direction.
And then, on the same weekend, and in the same area, Rally Raid happened!
Departure was set and organised for 1pm on Friday. At 1pm on Thursday, after a quick change in plan, we decided to head in the opposite direction, to “Die Hell”. This lack of planning was to bite us in the backside repeatedly over the next few days.
Day 1:
Friday afternoon would see us heading out to Uniondale for the first night.
So with Sakkie on his XT600, me on a 2002 Dakar and joined by a non dog Francois on a 2004 Dakar, we met at Sunridge Park to fill up and head out.
First stop was the obligatory Van Staden’s bridge stop for a quick photo.
Next stop was Kareedow butchery for something to nibble and some meat for supper.
Sakkie's bike got thirsty, but we were in a hurry.
So onward to Uniondale.
After setting up camp at Uniondale, chef Sakkie got to work.
Warming up the other end.
We all hit the sack early. Tomorrow will be a long day.
Saturday would take us down Prince Alfred’s pass to Knysna, then via 7 passes to George, Montagu Pass and Swartberg Pass to “Die Hel”
Simple – You go to Hell!
Sakkie and I had been planning a trip over 17 – 23rd April around Elliot, covering some of the greatest passes in the country – Joubert Pass, Lundean’s Neck Pass, Naude’s neck, Otto Du Plessis pass, etc, etc. Since he had to abort his previous trip to the area due to rain, it was decided the appropriate direction.
And then, on the same weekend, and in the same area, Rally Raid happened!
Departure was set and organised for 1pm on Friday. At 1pm on Thursday, after a quick change in plan, we decided to head in the opposite direction, to “Die Hell”. This lack of planning was to bite us in the backside repeatedly over the next few days.
Day 1:
Friday afternoon would see us heading out to Uniondale for the first night.
So with Sakkie on his XT600, me on a 2002 Dakar and joined by a non dog Francois on a 2004 Dakar, we met at Sunridge Park to fill up and head out.
First stop was the obligatory Van Staden’s bridge stop for a quick photo.
Next stop was Kareedow butchery for something to nibble and some meat for supper.
Sakkie's bike got thirsty, but we were in a hurry.
So onward to Uniondale.
After setting up camp at Uniondale, chef Sakkie got to work.
Warming up the other end.
We all hit the sack early. Tomorrow will be a long day.
Saturday would take us down Prince Alfred’s pass to Knysna, then via 7 passes to George, Montagu Pass and Swartberg Pass to “Die Hel”
