Vossie72
Puppy
I bought my XT660 still wondering if I'm really keen on riding dirt. I read a lot of great reports on here and I met some great people. (Like Mike and Tanya doing a round-the-world trip: https://earths-ends.com/ ).
I even did a few 2 hours trips around town. But no real riding.
So, on Easter Weekend I decided to bite the bullet and get on with it. I would meet up with my brother in Otjiwarongo. He'll have a bakkie which I saw as the best opportunity to get out of the ride if need be. If anything happens, I could just load the bike till I'm back on tar and then get back home.
So, Friday morning at 6:00 I get going from Windhoek to Otjiwarongo. We'll meet up there and head to Palmwag via Kamanjab. I decided on 06:00 to beat the rush. Seemed half of Windhoek had the same idea to beat the rush and I had some coffee in Okahandja (70km away) just after 07:00. But then the road opened up.
My route:
All went well, and we met up in Otjiwarongo and then head to Kamanjab via Outjo. All still on tar and the only thing to complain about was my backside.
After Kamanjab, we got onto the first dirt. Being new to dirt I took it easy but the bike was solid and the road good. So gradually I got my nerves to settle down and got the speed up to a comfortable 90km/hr. I actually forced myself to hold back knowing that I'm not used to this and if anything should happen it will be uncomfortable to come down at 100km/hr on a dirt road.
All went well until I didn't slow down enough before a sandy river crossing. The moment I hit sand I knew I was in trouble and had some nice tank-slap. I started looking for a soft spot to go down and was thinking about putting the bike down rather than being tossed over the handlebars.
Just before I gave up I remembered some guys that always told me to lean back, stand up, open up and look up.
I was already standing so that part was done. The moment I opened the throttle she straightened herself up and settled down. I was about halfway through the river and decided to ease on the throttle and just try to slow down enough to get myself together.
The moment I eased the power, the tankslap came back with a vengeance. I was now on the right hand side of the road, with no control whatsoever. This time I just yanked it open and she eased out and ran out the other side of the river like nothing happened. Back on hard ground I SLOWLY eased off and stopped. Got off. And stated walking up and down the road. I couldn't stand still cause I'm quite sure my legs would've caved.
But what a feeling. My brother turned around when he saw I'm not following anymore and we had a nice STRONG coffee right there. next to the road. And me feeling alive like you won't believe.
We carried on to Palmwag and while we averaged about 90 before we where now going at about 60. Obviously to allow me to appreciate the scenery. Nothing else.
Everything went smooth from here-on and we passed the Grootberg Pass on our way to Palmwag. Here's some pictures:
Grootberg Pass up ahead
Stopping to take some pics:
Some bike-porn on the pass:
End Day 1. (With an empty bladder and big smile)
Day two: Palmwag Concession
No bike are allowed in the concession area but to be honest, the roads will be horrendous to do on a bike. The area consists of a selection of boulders with the road being the part with a little less boulders.
But it is just an incredible part of the country.
Took a dip in Van Zyl's Gat:
Two Palms:
Taken from our camping spot. Not a bad view...
Sunday: Heading back home
I woke up knowing that I would have to take this part of the trip on my own. No back-up vehicle. No buddy. There will be enough traffic on the roads but still, no real chance to turn around.
I decided on this route to allow me as much as possible dirt with only the last part being tar.
Here's some pics taken along the way:
Resting under the tree:
On my way to Omaruru:
After 8 hours in the saddle I arrived safely back home at 17:00. (A bit long but what can you do)
Tired, dirty and sore from not being used to the standing. And smiling from ear tot ear.
I never imagined it to be this good.
I even did a few 2 hours trips around town. But no real riding.
So, on Easter Weekend I decided to bite the bullet and get on with it. I would meet up with my brother in Otjiwarongo. He'll have a bakkie which I saw as the best opportunity to get out of the ride if need be. If anything happens, I could just load the bike till I'm back on tar and then get back home.
So, Friday morning at 6:00 I get going from Windhoek to Otjiwarongo. We'll meet up there and head to Palmwag via Kamanjab. I decided on 06:00 to beat the rush. Seemed half of Windhoek had the same idea to beat the rush and I had some coffee in Okahandja (70km away) just after 07:00. But then the road opened up.
My route:
All went well, and we met up in Otjiwarongo and then head to Kamanjab via Outjo. All still on tar and the only thing to complain about was my backside.
After Kamanjab, we got onto the first dirt. Being new to dirt I took it easy but the bike was solid and the road good. So gradually I got my nerves to settle down and got the speed up to a comfortable 90km/hr. I actually forced myself to hold back knowing that I'm not used to this and if anything should happen it will be uncomfortable to come down at 100km/hr on a dirt road.
All went well until I didn't slow down enough before a sandy river crossing. The moment I hit sand I knew I was in trouble and had some nice tank-slap. I started looking for a soft spot to go down and was thinking about putting the bike down rather than being tossed over the handlebars.
Just before I gave up I remembered some guys that always told me to lean back, stand up, open up and look up.
I was already standing so that part was done. The moment I opened the throttle she straightened herself up and settled down. I was about halfway through the river and decided to ease on the throttle and just try to slow down enough to get myself together.
The moment I eased the power, the tankslap came back with a vengeance. I was now on the right hand side of the road, with no control whatsoever. This time I just yanked it open and she eased out and ran out the other side of the river like nothing happened. Back on hard ground I SLOWLY eased off and stopped. Got off. And stated walking up and down the road. I couldn't stand still cause I'm quite sure my legs would've caved.
But what a feeling. My brother turned around when he saw I'm not following anymore and we had a nice STRONG coffee right there. next to the road. And me feeling alive like you won't believe.
We carried on to Palmwag and while we averaged about 90 before we where now going at about 60. Obviously to allow me to appreciate the scenery. Nothing else.
Everything went smooth from here-on and we passed the Grootberg Pass on our way to Palmwag. Here's some pictures:
Grootberg Pass up ahead
Stopping to take some pics:
Some bike-porn on the pass:
End Day 1. (With an empty bladder and big smile)
Day two: Palmwag Concession
No bike are allowed in the concession area
but to be honest, the roads will be horrendous to do on a bike. The area consists of a selection of boulders with the road being the part with a little less boulders. But it is just an incredible part of the country.
Took a dip in Van Zyl's Gat:
Two Palms:
Taken from our camping spot. Not a bad view...
Sunday: Heading back home
I woke up knowing that I would have to take this part of the trip on my own. No back-up vehicle. No buddy. There will be enough traffic on the roads but still, no real chance to turn around.
I decided on this route to allow me as much as possible dirt with only the last part being tar.
Here's some pics taken along the way:
Resting under the tree:
On my way to Omaruru:
After 8 hours in the saddle I arrived safely back home at 17:00. (A bit long but what can you do)
Tired, dirty and sore from not being used to the standing. And smiling from ear tot ear.
I never imagined it to be this good.
