My Trip Down Memory Lane

DAY 1

I grew up in Natal (was born there) and lived and worked there until December 1994.

So I decided since it is about 15 years since I moved to Pretoria to go see my old towns and workplaces again.

I also thought that I was through Natal often on the normal tar roads that we know so want to see it from a different angle (I hope that his angle would not be too steep) and decided to look for some dirt roads that I can ride.

Started off yesterday 15th and immediately got scared after reading TJ’s post on the Touratech run where he would follow with his 4x4 and pick the guys up, told my GPS to avoid dirt and toll roads and take me to the Villiers 1 stop, what I did omit to say was to avoid highways – travelled all the way on the N3 at 08h00 to just before the Heidelberg toll and then turned off.

Eventually arrived at Villiers and then set the GPS for Memel, I had great school holidays on a farm on the Mullerspass road and my first night would be on that farm.

On the way I could not spot any but saw some horses



The sun was trying sooo hard to break through the clouds



At Memel this was waiting for me, I had no excuses anymore, if I wanted a bed for the night I had to get on the road



You could see that the road was wet but there was a dry line or two so I just stuck to that and prayed that there is no mud.

I was just starting to enjoy myself when I arrived at the farm entrance, was told before to go to the picnic spot where all the young children were entertained

The Picnic spot is beautiful






To get there was not so fun – there is no road just saw some grass that was flattened by a vehicle before me and followed it AND the ground was soaked but I made it





Last night we had some lamb chops on the braai with a HUGE bon fire – Will try and get that pic off my phone

Last night it was storming severely and this morning I heard that the rainfall further up Mullerspass was already over 200mm for this month .... but I saw one of the guys that farms down the pass last night and his bakkie was not so full of mud ....

DAY 2

This morning it is off to Newcastle, I ask about the road condition at Mullerspass but can only compare it with the amount of mud on the bakkie I saw last night.

Should I not rather take the tar road – it is only 20km longer I say to myself. Eventually I convince myself that I should take Mullerspass, that is the reason why I am doing the trip not so?

So I say my goodbyes and turn the bike towards Mullerspass, I immediately notice that it is very wet next to the road, get a few puddles in the road too but can get around it.

Then I came up to this one (Must be at the most 3 km from my departure and still 20 to go) It crosses over the complete road, I can not get around it. Turn around I say to myself you have enough petrol to do the now extra 23 km but as I say it, I sat down put my legs out to paddle through and kept the throttle steady, got through the big puddle like it was not there but my line included a rut of about 5 meters after the big puddle – the front wheel did not like that.

As I am falling I am thinking what if I am trapped under the bike there is no one here to help me and as the bike hit the ground I am kicking myself away from the bike, jumped up and thought “phew!! Am not trapped”




I remembered my training at Country Trax and decided which way would be the best to pick the bike up and the German way won. But only after I calmed myself down, took off my gloves, my helmet & tankbag. Big Thanks to Country Trax!!!

After that the road actually was not too bad





With all the rain the veld was so green





Got to what I assumed was the top of Mullerspass





As I started to enjoy it again I hit tar.

When I got in Newcastle I went to the house I grew up in an then stopped for breakfast



My next plan was Normandien Pass and Collings pas to Ladysmith. I was very tempted to take the tar road to Ladysmith but after some severe self motivation I moved off towards Normandien.

To my surprise there was more Tar than what I expected

The river flooded and the water in the picture is not the river but where it flooded to.





Eventually found some dirt again and a water crossing – again it looked very muddy but I got through that one no problem



Even had an audience waiting for the fall but they were disappointed



The Scenery was so nice



When I got to the Collings Pass turnoff I was scared, I saw that coming into Ladysmith I would be going through a rural settlement, again I thought about the rut that caught me and about all the taxis making ruts at that settlement and about the water that covers the ruts…… So I carried on straight another 20km hit the tar and then it was another 20 km to Ladysmith





Got to Ladysmith and had a drive around – all the familiar places and houses.

The Gluepot bar at the Royal Hotel in Ladysmith where many a night we solved the problems of the world



Staying over at the Royal Hotel tonight



Even got my own parking right outside my room – till the security guard chased me away “This parking is for the boss of the hotel”

Nice one Wahl!!

Watching this one with interest.

DaveS wrote:Nice one Wahl!!
Watching this one with interest.

Ditto!

(wie gee om vir net een persent as jy jouself so lekker kan bederf!?)

Jis! As ek eendag groot is wil ek ook so'n thread skryf.

Laat hy kom Wahl, dis uitstekend

Lekker!

Cool!

Lekker Wahl!!! Wag in spanning vir die res....

Day 3

Woke up this morning in Ladysmith and was looking forward to get to Royal Natal
National Park. The hotel there also has very good memories and in that Hotel me and my mates solved a lot of world problems.

In anticipation I was wondering when the GPS would turn me onto a gravel road and what the condition of that road would be.

It was not long and I had to turn right



Once I turned and looked at the GPS I was quite disappointed only 4 km to the tar!



About 700m before the tar I the road was lined with these trees



And that is why I wanted to do gravel on this trip, I have travelled the tar roads so many times and know what to expect next to them. The gravel opens up a complete new experience for me. So many places that I have not seen.

The tar took me just to cross over the N3 and then I took the Geluksburg turn off



This was 44 km of gravel – what I wanted not so?



After 20 odd km I got to Geluksburg, If I did not see the sign I would never know that I was there





The road was dry and good but I could see that some time ago it was very wet and I do not want to be on that road when it is wet, I think you would not be able to stand up straight on it.

Again I started to enjoy it but then hit tar again



About 20 km further I came across the Amphitheatre Backpackers and decided to stop for a drink.

What a nice place





Some of the accommodation



The main entertainment area



I think I will stay here tonight



After I booked in I off loaded my luggage and went to Royal National Park

The Amphitheatre



The hotel, could not believe it was not in operation anymore


I went to the local information centre and bought myself a beer, biltong and some nuts for lunch

Had a lovely picnic at the parks picnic spot



On my way I saw this turnoff and after lunch decided to explore the Woodstock mountain road



At first I was not very impresses with Woodstock dam it looked like a mud pool. The berg scenery was amazing however







Later on the dam views got more impressive





At this stage I had my destination on the GPS set as the backpackers and as I took the turnoff to Woodstock dam mountain road it wanted me to do a U turn.

Eventually it calculated a route and I was very happy to see at one stage I had to turn off on an unpaved road

This unpaved road turned out to be the service road next to the canal but the GPS can not be wrong can it? So I took it

Does this mean I am now a canal road rider?







6 km down the line the canal ended and so did the road



The funny thing is the GPS wanted me to carry on – This damn thing got me lost!!!!

I backtracked all the way, changed the GPS to take me to Bergville and rode there. I could not believe when I got to Bergville and put in the Backpackers again it wanted to take me back to the canals??

Anyway took the OTHER way and got back. But actually a very nice ride.

Tonight there is a party Whoopeee!!!!

Life is so tough when you are riding your bike ……..

Thanks Wahl for the trip report.
Always great seeing your day-by-day reports.
Glad you weren't hurt at all with the fall.
Be careful !!
Looking forward to more
Best regards
DeonP

Hey Wahl - excellent trip report! Pity you didn't take us with

Glad you made it through all those mud puddles. I think you've earned a beer from me for that "incident"!!!

Ride safely.

Nice one! What a beautiful country we have!

DAY 4

Left the Backpackers this morning after breakfast, it was a lovely day and there was not a cloud in the sky.

Went to Bergville to refuel and then on towards the central Berg.

Took the Cathedral Peak turnoff and went towards Cathedral Peak. It is sad to notice that development has now taken place right up to the border of the Park.





Once inside the protected area nature was beautiful

Uhhmm … you can win a prize if you can spot the bike



OK lets forget about the bike – Cathedral peak in the background



The hotel there is now totally over commercialised and I turned around and then found this little gem – It is called Didima. The ideal Place for a Winter Chill out run (Nudge Nudge Wink Wink)

The view from the reception area



The reception area



I was wondering if I was going to get any gravel today but as soon as I left for Giants Castle I got some

Note the few clouds now in the picture compared to about none in the previous pictures





Got back onto tar and stopped at the Nest. Nice place the Nest … passion can be explosive here …..





Giants Castle – I think Note the clouds



I Planned to stay over at Giants Castle or somewhere there but it was still so early so I decided to push on for Underberg / Himeville

Near Estcourt I passed the back of Wagondrift dam at Moor Park



The gravel road was up and down and a few twisties – tried to show that on my GPS on this picture



Not too sure what river it is that feeds Wagondrift Dam





Nearly a mountain pass here



Where I was



Where I am going to



Water break time



Stopped in Mooi River for lunch and phoned the Sani Back Packers Lodge. They said they had a room for me for the night and according to my calculations it would take me 2 hours with breaks to get there

Well …. Remember those clouds?

From Notingham road the sun disappeared and from Midmar dam I rode in the thickest mist – at some stages I could not see more that 3 lines in front of me.

I was too scared to stop – what if someone drives into me and if I pull off again I can not see what is approaching.

I was too scared to turn around as I could not see what approach from the rear or from the front.

My visor was getting wet from the mist and I had to wipe it off all the time.

It was terrible, so I did not take any pictures in the afternoon

Eventually reached the Backpackers lodge

My Room



The outside shower – Note the mist in the background


Lets hope the weather is better tomorrow

Awesome report Wahl!!!

That area is one of my all time favourite places to ride!!

Absolutely stunning! Thanks for sharing!

Day 5

This morning I was greeted with sunshine but still heavy clouds

This is what you were supposed to see in the pic with the shower



Sani Pass is somewhere up there



Hey … My trip reports must have a flower in somewhere



Stuck to the tar today, I wanted to go to Kokstad then Port Edward and on to Pietermaritzburg so it was a long push.

Had beautiful scenery from Underberg to Kokstad, the dams are full and the fields are green.

Just after Kokstad I turned off the N2 and Oh Oh …. What is that….





Yep … Mist, all the way to Port Edward. Not as thick as yesterday but enough to keep you on your toes and not to stop concentrating for a moment.

When the mist lifted a little I took a break to put on my Rain Jacket – It was cold too!!





After Port Edward I stopped at Pistols Saloon in Ramsgate for lunch



Had a visit from the saloon’s donkey to check that everything is OK



And the goat





With the mist it got too late to carry on to Pietermaritzburg so I booked in for the night at the Mantis & Moon backpackers near Hiberdene

My room



My Shower and toilet

Keep it coming!! Love Pistols - some interesting people frequent that place.

Day 6 & 7

Left the backpackers lodge yesterday morning with the roads still very damp.

Got a route to go to Inanda dam and set my GPS to that. However after a few turns I ended up here. Does it look familiar to anybody??



Set the route again and as I pulled off I reached my destination.

I eventually ended up at Inanda dam – what a nice road to get down there and back up





After Inanda dam I went towards Pietermaritzburg on the old road past Drummond and Cato Ridge





I stopped in Howick to visit a friend and decided to go back to the Amphitheatre Backpackers

The weather in Natal is really not good at the moment, riding through Estcourt at 3 pm it was nearly dark.

Arrived back at the backpackers and got a room this time with my own garage



Late afternoon sun breaking through the clouds



This guy decided to go fly a kite




I decided to call it a day, it is no fun riding around in the bad weather so came home today.

Wahl wrote:Day 6 & 7

Left the backpackers lodge yesterday morning with the roads still very damp.

Got a route to go to Inanda dam and set my GPS to that. However after a few turns I ended up here. Does it look familiar to anybody??

Think you backtracked to the start of the route.

Great trip Wahl, keep then comming.

Lekker lekker, wil sommer op die bike spring en jou kom join!

Nice one Wahl!

Nice Wahl!!! My internet is af, so ek skryf nou op Sias se naam...
Jy maak mens omtrent lus vir 'n lekker bike-trippie!!! Nes Dave gese het.. daai PISTOLS ia 'n lekker plek en definitief 'n MOET-STOP as mens in daai rigting gaan! Geniet die res van jou trippie!!! Van Corlia