Kyk noord!

It started with an old friend at work... "Long weekend coming up, family away, let's go... north!"

And so a trip was born within a couple of weeks. I spent hours pondering routes, checking and rechecking with Google Earth and everything else. The purpose was to cover a representative part of Limpopo and explore some routes with the purpose of finding some areas to come back to and investigate in more detail. Adventure was the goal, and adventure is what we got. I invited some friends and suddenly on Thursday morning the 24th Sep there were 9 people and 7 bikes starting a trip called Kyk noord! - 4 Dakars, 2 800GS' and a 1200GS.

Peter and Jean surprised us with his 'hoenderstellasie', specially concocted for the trip. A pic or two below... My phone/camera played up this weekend and a lot of photos just disappeared, so I hope the others can post some more.

Didn't get very far and Carl got his first puncture of many in Bronkies. First lesson learned: If someone asks whether they must take a compressor, don't tell them "No, we always have too many!" Turns out everyone promptly left theirs at home. So I rushed back home and started again.

The gravel road from Bronkies to Loskop was stunning as always and I caught up with the group just before breakfast in Groblersdal. From there we went along the Eliphants River where a lot of expected dirt roads were actually tarred. The temperature was rising and our allergy to asphalt started showing soon enough! But there were some interesting bits, enough to keep the attention.

We even felt seriously lost at one stage!




Our destination for the first night was Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve. It is more known as a 4x4 destination, bikes are not allowed and very little information was available. We arranged special access beforehand and as we approached the valleys and mountains we were surprised by some more tar, but lovely nonetheless. Eventually the road turned into GS heaven and after a quick refreshment stop we could enjoy a few lovely level 1 kays.

And then it changed. Jeep track, rocky and a road obviously more suited to quads and 4x4's... after a good hour or two we have travelled less than 10 km, with Sias and Corlia nearly dropping down the cliffs and now nursing a broken pannier. But we got to the top, only now we were running out of daylight and had to rush through the awesome reserve. Will have to come back and check it out in daylight...

Stayed in a lovely camp in the reserve and the first of three super evenings with Deon providing most of the entertainment, to the tune of "Ek's 'n dapper muis... biker..."

Day 2 saw us darting to Tzaneen and a little bit of the 2008 GS Challenge route. Stopped at the biker-friendly Sunland Baobab for a lekker breakfast. The whole day was intermittent drizzle, but some more lovely routes. We ran out of daylight again when we hit Venda and the Secret Forest and Secret Lake. Just had a quick look at the start of the forest and found a great viewpoint. Will definitely come back for this one...

Soon after, Carl was having flat wheel problems again. We split in order to secure our accommodation at Camp Africa on the slope of the Soutpansberg just outside of Louis Trichardt. As we went up the mountain on the muddy road, we realised we were not going to have it easy going back down for food in town as planned. The first group just arrived when the heavens opened up. Carl and his support bikes (we discovered Corlia is a great mechanic!) fortunately arrived later, having overcome the by now very slippery mountain without incident.

Camp Africa turned out to be our best evening, with hosts overlander Dave and Jacqui ("Hi, I'm Dave's current white wife...") able to feed us. I will not listen to Thunderstruck by AC/DC again without thinking of them - it's their camp anthem... yes, one of those evenings...

Carl continued working on his flat wheel project...




Day 3.

Sias doing some work on his pannier project...




Marnus felt left out so he just did some work with his tools as well...




Peter and Jean ready to travel...




We continued up the mountain, through Deon and my favourite area amongst the lush vegetation, finding a geocache in the process.




Eventually we reached the top, called Hanglip. I'm sure we could see Pretoria from there! Well Deon could anyway...






A quick stop on the way to Pontdrift. Again we were surprised with tar when I planned and expected gravel.




But Pontdrift was reached and photos were taken without problems from the police.




It was at this stage that my nicest surprise came about. The goal was to turn immediately East and follow the old Patrolliepad right next to the Botswana border. I expected it to be a simple gravel road, but we discovered the most beautiful winding road crossing many game farms. We got slightly nervous as we encountered fresh elephant droppings and some flattened fences.

A stop under the trees, as the temperature was climbing rapidly.






Next thing the hoenderstellasie collapsed. Some lenthy repairwork led to the odd game and some rest for others.








Again we ran out of sunlight and the most dangerous part of the trip where we were nearly taken out a couple of times by kudus and vlakvarke crossing the road. My headlight also decided to give up the ghost at this stage. But we eventuall reached our overnight stay, The Big Fig Inn close to Tom Burke.

Carl continued work on his Keep The Air In Project with some moral support from the sideline. I was just smiling at one stage when Peter, Marnus, Sias and I were sitting on the side while Dani and Corlia were actively involved with the now well known tyre. I think Carl fitted a variation of tubes about five times that evening, the last one after 12!

The next morning was the final day, another long one.




Breakfast in Ellisras, then a stunning road via Poer se Loop and on the gravel around Marakele National Park eventually going over Rankin's Pass.




I think I tested everyone's endurance by now, but the route was long yet worthwhile. An adventure of note, about 1,700km in four days.

I was tired but happy when I arrived at home around 8 that evening. Thank you ladies and gentlemen, it was an honour riding with you.

That looks like you had a very nice trip and the scenenary just can't be better.

1700 meestal op grond?

...en ons S'e was trots op ons 1436 op meestal teer?

Wow!! Geluk almal. Dit moes moewies gewees het!!

well done

beautiful scenery and a lesson or two in "packing technique” as well

thanks for sharing

Thanks for your trip report.
Looks like you had a great time.
Wonderful photos.

Thanks Drix.. for organising a GREAT weekend, loaded with surprises and fun!
Your report is just as good as your ability to find GSheaven - many of them - oh and 'The Downs' turned out to be The UPS in the end!
Thanks to everyone for making this another trip to remember!

oh I must remember to change my profile: "My 800GS - now with MUCH more character!!"

Some more photos:


DAY 1
Stopped for some refreshments to calm the nerves for the road (if one can call it that) ahead:


Like sweets to kids!:



Then the road ahead :




Celebrating national braai day:


DAY 2
Prepping the bikes for day two:


It rained most of the day so only this one photo. I know some of the others took photos of day two.

DAY 3
Again prepping for the day ahead


On route


Drix checking if the road ahead is ridable. Don't think so!



Just to show we do enjoy tar as well! (Carl):


Our action photographer, Carl, in action at the border post:


DAY 4
Looking for a breakfast spot. We still need to learn how to park like civilised people!


Some action shots...

Dani in action:


Deon Dapper Muis:


Marnus is extreme, here he is riding standing upright, with one hand, not looking at the road and with his eyes closed! Now that's impressive!


Drix taking it easy...


Thanks again to everyone for a wonderfull trip! Especially Drix for organising everything!

Certainly looks like a lot of fun and adventure was had by all - looks like you criss-crossed my Thursday route before I met up with the others.

tj wrote:1700 meestal op grond?

...en ons S'e was trots op ons 1436 op meestal teer?

Wow!! Geluk almal. Dit moes moewies gewees het!!

Dit was 'n epic tog, nog steeds moeg. Maar 'n lekker moeg.

We all seem to have messed up day 3's track recording (Marnus?) but I see it looks more like 1,800km. Dunno about distance, but we spent way more than half of each day's time on gravel.

This was indeed a very memorable trip!! Thanks to everyone that took part in making this very special and especially to Drix for organising a very eventfull trip!

Yes thank you Drix - I must say that it was AWESOME! The last day I nearly died from exhaustion - even to the point that I did not really look forward to take the bike to work on Monday!!! But then I just think how Jamie's butt must hurt and then I feel much better!

I will post some of my pictures shortly.

PS. Drix, yes - I have day 3's track. Will e-mail it tonight.

Ok - here are some more pictures.

Sias & Corlia - hardcore bikers!


Peter & Jean with the infamous hoenderstellasie-luggage solution


Deon in the back, Corlia & Dani. Little did we know what rocky road lay ahead! Good thing we had a beer to take the edge off...


Get started, up on the pegs, pick a line, keep momentum and let the bike do the work... so much easier said than done!


Always when you see the paparazzi gather somewhere... expect a difficult section! You can tell Carl is a pro


One of my favorite pictures of this trip. Dani and I stopped on top of the mountain in Lekgalameetse nature reserve as the sun was setting


The next day we hit the plantation roads. These tar sections were built for a "K"!


Peter & Jean had to visit a doctor to remove a bug from his ear. This is the rest of us. This was really a pretty road!


At some place the road was under construction and so was the bridge, so we found another way across


At the lookout point over the secret lake or something. Sias taking it all in...


Deon & Carl decided to do some 2x2 on a 4x4 track close by.


The evening at Camp Africa it was raining, so we decided to pitch our tents inside the tent where the meals were served!


Because of the slippery muddy road, we couldn't go into town for dinner, so our hosts offered to cook pork chops and mieliepap. Dani provided the hors d'ouvres.


Departing from Camp Africa the next morning. At some point the previous day I kind of broke my right side foot peg, but wire & pliers kept it together nicely!


As soon as we got started, we stopped for a geocache... twice It makes you spend more time at the pretty places!


My other favorite picture - there were quite a few grasshoppers & butterflies this side of the mountain.


On the Hangklip, which also doubles as a secret military base and a communications high-site.


On the way to Pont Drift border post, some of the guys had to inspect the fence. Fortunately it wasn't electrified!


As Drix said, the patrol road hugging the Limpopo river was probably the best road of the trip. Too bad we ran out of daylight before we ran out of road!


Our camp at the Fig Inn close to Tom Burke. I sort of liked the idea that we did not follow a set agenda with specific departure times, etc
The following morning we had trouble getting fuel and I was forced to fill up with "Super". So now I can get rid of the catalytic converter without feeling guilty


The dirt road on the way back. At some stage there were these bumps to prevent water erosion, and they make quite nice ramps - except if you have a pillion!!


Nearly in Rooiberg. Every stop was dictated by the shade that was available at that point. Deon, we are still looking for that Kudu!


Thank you to everyone that made this a very memorable trip! Even though I was dead tired when I got home, it was worth every moment of it. Good thing we didn't get to do all the roads that were planned - It is the ideal excuse to just go back and do it all again!

Gee, nice pics Marnus and Sias! It was such a hectic trip I've already forgotten half the pretty places we've been!!

Ek's n' Dappper Bikerrr ky hoe Stap ek op die Berg..... Niks waarvoor ek Skrik nie ..... Se nou daar is Klipppe ..... Weeeoooaaag nou Ja ..... Buiten Klipppe ????



Best angle to take this Shot



Nightfall and still a way to Go>>>



Breakfast at the tree





Blessed are all those souls



Poisoned or just had Enough?



Hoe Rooier hoe Mooier !



Lush green grass a welcome additive to an Innerspringless camping Mattress



Thanx Drix and all you nice people for a Rememberable trip!

Dankie koek-koek!!!

Day 1 - 389km (+ an extra 100km+ for me!!):




Day 2 - 306km:




Day 3 - 401km:




Day 4 - 595km (and the day with most gravel):

Ek wou se dag 5 het bietjie rof/lank gevoel!

Ja, dag 6 was ook rof...

Ja ek het eintlk bedoel dag 4 , maar dag 5 was rof nietemin

Courtesy of Carl... tx pro! Friggin awesome!