jverster
Pack Dog
[size=10pt]King of the Mountains. Now that's what I was talking about ![/size]
King of the Mountains is an 8 man, 11 day, 4000km adventure from Stellenbosch to Burgersdorp then a clockwise loop through Lesotho, down to East London and back to Stellenbosch via the back roads through the Baviaans mountain range. We were going to ride lots pf passes, like plenty, more than twenty, more than I can recall.
From the pic below you'll notice someone came from Joburg. That was me on my trusted Orange. Not living in the Cape anymore I was really looking forward to some gravel and hills. Huge, huge I mean huge hills !!!
I needed to get to Burgersdorp to meet up with the rest of the group. Day 1's was pretty boring. All the way on the N1 until I turned of at Winburg. Then I headed for Zastron and Aliwal North. Zastron is neat little town and I had a beer and some lamb for lunch with some old friends.
I set off after lunch and crossed the Orange with my Orange (haha) at Aliwal North.
I was at the Jubillee Hotel in Burgersdorp by late afternoon. 650km down and ready for some Lesotho hills.
Some red wine and slap-chips was on the menu.
I brought some precautions cause I've seen that the first night on a such an epic trip can be slightly misjudged. I did'not want to lose my gyro on day 2.
Now waiting on the stoep at the Jubillee hotel I finally take out my trusted Canon and start having fun.
Finally the rest of the group arrived from Stellenbosch. Everyone was thirsty and had a few cold ones to cool down.
Fresh petrol amongst other thifns were on the menu. The local doctor also advertised his services.
There more guys trailered in through the night and arrived just after 02h00. That's 900km in one go from Stellies. THes guys still worked till lunch time that day.
The next morning at 05h00 everyone's lock and loaded. The Jubilee Hotel is decorated in the front: 2 x Adventures, 3 x GS 1200, 1 x KTM990, Dakar 650GS and a Honda XL650.
On the way to Lesotho we quickly pop-in at the Lodge next to the Orange river in Aliwal North. The All Blacks were playing France in the RWC2011. We had other plans on the agenda.
After the border crossing we stopped for our first braai. I call this contraption the "Mini Weber". It looks tiny but braais like a power tool.
Dessert is outdoor style from a box of Wilsons.
This 1200 is packed lean for an 11 day trip. Riddled with "Bones" accessories.
Arriving at Malealea, a few cold ones come out. We've on seen about 20km gravel so far. The anticipation is growing.
The walls are brightly painted at the peaceful rest camp. Malealea is a great spot to take Donkey rides from.
The campsite at Malealea is great. It features 2 bed bungalows with all facilities included. It all has a communal dining area.
The next morning we're up early packing. Lots of Red Soldiers packed for when it gets really dry.
Carl is showing of his custom battery extender.
We set off early and I stop capture the rolling farmlands of rural Lesotho. We're still heading north and soon we'll be seeing more basic lifestyles.
A local boy comes closer to see if I have a sweet for him. His brother , a sheep herder, stands and watches from the hill.
Finally we're seeing the rural highlands of Lesotho. If you look closely you'll see the gravel track that meanders down below. This is what I came so see and do. And we're only getting started.
Soon the jeep track becomes a single track. Then it crosses a seemingly simple stream. The Orange picks the wrong line and ends up in the mud. The rest of the guys cruise through our first obstacle. No problem.
Piet takes a break on a hill nearby. There's plenty to look at here.
Day 2 and it's a late lunch at highest waterfall in a Southern African country, Maletsunyane.
Gustav takes a cold one which Carl carried all the way from Burgersdorp.
Willem has a mussel starter and crackers.
The Lesotho dogs are waiting for left overs.
One of the dogs is taking care of the bikes.
Piet the braaier is on his post getting the wors done.
Auret is enjoying something smooth.
Returning from the waterfall was a short 10km ride. We never mix tack and scooters so the boys took it real slow. Like really slow back to our over night spot.
Arriving at Sekokong the realities of Lesotho fuel supplies set in with a ever so slight panic. No fuel at the main stations en we're running low. The Adventures still had 100km in the tank but he smaller bikes would not make it to Roma without some help.
Thanks GOD for the Chinese !!
A local girl came up to me to ask for some help. I gave he a few bucks and took her picture. I sensed some happiness from her, he eyes were joyful. I felt sorry for her at first and later a realised she had already dealt with her problem. Then I felt sad. And later I felt kak.
After filling up in steps of 5l from the local Chinese shop (R12/l, and that's fair) we arrived at Tatchers in Semongkong along the Maletsunyane river.
As per usual Willem had arranged a 10/10 overnight spot for the manne.
We drank. sang and ate like kings. What a spot !
I know from previous trips that Piet Wyn only gets up early in the morning for "more off last night" or an "early good bye". Not anymore. Piet's up, making coffee at 05h00 and talking to the birds. I this what I must be looking forward too.
So now we're off the Katse dam. It's about 250km but the GPS auto router recons 10 hrs. So we think that's bullshit 'cause an avarage of 25km/h from Semonkong to Katse sounds ridiculous. It runs our to be sport on. It took us 11houts to get there. I must add we had some nice stops for shopping in Roma, a lunch on the :God forive me Pass" and plenty smoke breaks in between.
Here's what the day looked like.
Just outside Semonkong towards Roma.
Still on the way the way to Roma it just keeps on turning and turning.
A local village between Semonkong and Roma. Classic Lesotho !!
We have a tea break at about 11h00. Bart looks like he just went to heaven.
A famous landmark on the way: " Twin pramberge"
The entrance to Roma is carved from stone.
Leaving Roma towards Katse on the old back road we se that Lesotho is progressing. Classic mountain passes are all being tarred.
It's time for another road-side lunch break. Now I wonder what happened to the concept of packing light. This Adventure's pannier looks like a modern kitchen's pantry.
Now for the final stretch to Katse Dam.
King of the Mountains is an 8 man, 11 day, 4000km adventure from Stellenbosch to Burgersdorp then a clockwise loop through Lesotho, down to East London and back to Stellenbosch via the back roads through the Baviaans mountain range. We were going to ride lots pf passes, like plenty, more than twenty, more than I can recall.
From the pic below you'll notice someone came from Joburg. That was me on my trusted Orange. Not living in the Cape anymore I was really looking forward to some gravel and hills. Huge, huge I mean huge hills !!!
I needed to get to Burgersdorp to meet up with the rest of the group. Day 1's was pretty boring. All the way on the N1 until I turned of at Winburg. Then I headed for Zastron and Aliwal North. Zastron is neat little town and I had a beer and some lamb for lunch with some old friends.
I set off after lunch and crossed the Orange with my Orange (haha) at Aliwal North.
I was at the Jubillee Hotel in Burgersdorp by late afternoon. 650km down and ready for some Lesotho hills.
Some red wine and slap-chips was on the menu.
I brought some precautions cause I've seen that the first night on a such an epic trip can be slightly misjudged. I did'not want to lose my gyro on day 2.
Now waiting on the stoep at the Jubillee hotel I finally take out my trusted Canon and start having fun.
Finally the rest of the group arrived from Stellenbosch. Everyone was thirsty and had a few cold ones to cool down.
Fresh petrol amongst other thifns were on the menu. The local doctor also advertised his services.
There more guys trailered in through the night and arrived just after 02h00. That's 900km in one go from Stellies. THes guys still worked till lunch time that day.
The next morning at 05h00 everyone's lock and loaded. The Jubilee Hotel is decorated in the front: 2 x Adventures, 3 x GS 1200, 1 x KTM990, Dakar 650GS and a Honda XL650.
On the way to Lesotho we quickly pop-in at the Lodge next to the Orange river in Aliwal North. The All Blacks were playing France in the RWC2011. We had other plans on the agenda.
After the border crossing we stopped for our first braai. I call this contraption the "Mini Weber". It looks tiny but braais like a power tool.
Dessert is outdoor style from a box of Wilsons.
This 1200 is packed lean for an 11 day trip. Riddled with "Bones" accessories.
Arriving at Malealea, a few cold ones come out. We've on seen about 20km gravel so far. The anticipation is growing.
The walls are brightly painted at the peaceful rest camp. Malealea is a great spot to take Donkey rides from.
The campsite at Malealea is great. It features 2 bed bungalows with all facilities included. It all has a communal dining area.
The next morning we're up early packing. Lots of Red Soldiers packed for when it gets really dry.
Carl is showing of his custom battery extender.
We set off early and I stop capture the rolling farmlands of rural Lesotho. We're still heading north and soon we'll be seeing more basic lifestyles.
A local boy comes closer to see if I have a sweet for him. His brother , a sheep herder, stands and watches from the hill.
Finally we're seeing the rural highlands of Lesotho. If you look closely you'll see the gravel track that meanders down below. This is what I came so see and do. And we're only getting started.
Soon the jeep track becomes a single track. Then it crosses a seemingly simple stream. The Orange picks the wrong line and ends up in the mud. The rest of the guys cruise through our first obstacle. No problem.
Piet takes a break on a hill nearby. There's plenty to look at here.
Day 2 and it's a late lunch at highest waterfall in a Southern African country, Maletsunyane.
Gustav takes a cold one which Carl carried all the way from Burgersdorp.
Willem has a mussel starter and crackers.
The Lesotho dogs are waiting for left overs.
One of the dogs is taking care of the bikes.
Piet the braaier is on his post getting the wors done.
Auret is enjoying something smooth.
Returning from the waterfall was a short 10km ride. We never mix tack and scooters so the boys took it real slow. Like really slow back to our over night spot.
Arriving at Sekokong the realities of Lesotho fuel supplies set in with a ever so slight panic. No fuel at the main stations en we're running low. The Adventures still had 100km in the tank but he smaller bikes would not make it to Roma without some help.
Thanks GOD for the Chinese !!
A local girl came up to me to ask for some help. I gave he a few bucks and took her picture. I sensed some happiness from her, he eyes were joyful. I felt sorry for her at first and later a realised she had already dealt with her problem. Then I felt sad. And later I felt kak.
After filling up in steps of 5l from the local Chinese shop (R12/l, and that's fair) we arrived at Tatchers in Semongkong along the Maletsunyane river.
As per usual Willem had arranged a 10/10 overnight spot for the manne.
We drank. sang and ate like kings. What a spot !
I know from previous trips that Piet Wyn only gets up early in the morning for "more off last night" or an "early good bye". Not anymore. Piet's up, making coffee at 05h00 and talking to the birds. I this what I must be looking forward too.
So now we're off the Katse dam. It's about 250km but the GPS auto router recons 10 hrs. So we think that's bullshit 'cause an avarage of 25km/h from Semonkong to Katse sounds ridiculous. It runs our to be sport on. It took us 11houts to get there. I must add we had some nice stops for shopping in Roma, a lunch on the :God forive me Pass" and plenty smoke breaks in between.
Here's what the day looked like.
Just outside Semonkong towards Roma.
Still on the way the way to Roma it just keeps on turning and turning.
A local village between Semonkong and Roma. Classic Lesotho !!
We have a tea break at about 11h00. Bart looks like he just went to heaven.
A famous landmark on the way: " Twin pramberge"
The entrance to Roma is carved from stone.
Leaving Roma towards Katse on the old back road we se that Lesotho is progressing. Classic mountain passes are all being tarred.
It's time for another road-side lunch break. Now I wonder what happened to the concept of packing light. This Adventure's pannier looks like a modern kitchen's pantry.
Now for the final stretch to Katse Dam.
