Dullstroom gravel travel

So last week we did a recce, trying to see if it would work reversing the route and doing some unknown bits. Well, 4 rainstorms later we had a great ride, but only arrived home after 7, so decided to keep the route the same as last year.

Here are some pics of the recce in random order... including a rain/coffee stop in Tonteldoos and a couple of geocaches:

This morning we had 18 bikes at the start. 4 or 5 only travelled with us to Loskop. There was more mud than I expected, guess the rain of the week was more than I thought. But overall our ride was dry, actually a perfect day for riding.

Unfortunately we had 3 bikes down within the first off-road stretch, not too serious though despite the blood involved. Our resident doctor had to nurse his own face and our resident electrician came to the rescue when Max's 1150 Adventure had battery problems after his fall.

Route worked fantastic, I think I enjoyed it more than most! Brunch at Dunkeld was just what we needed, arrived just after the S's.

On the way back I thought I was going to be alone, but was joined by 7 other die-hards who didn't have enough, so we took some of the route we recce'd last week. Our new German friend Jens followed me through a surprise muddy bit. I nearly lost it but was lucky and somehow stayed upright, his 800GS not so fortunate - down for the first time. It was the only other incident for the day and overall no lasting injuries to anyone!

Sias and Corlia did a sterling job as sweepers - it's really hard work on such a long day, thank you guys!


Herewith what the cell phone camera saw, starting with Max steadying the mothership:

Baie mooi, Drix

and Well Done. Dit was ook lekker om saam julle te kuier.

Thanks Drix!
But it was only half as good as always - 'cause I only did the first half..
Pity we missed the Dunkeld part too.

Fortunately there is a ride at least every month!

Well done!!

Drix, I'm sorry I couldn't make it... again - at least I did the 1st recce with you

It's really a pretty trip!

Hey Marnus, roete het lankal verander. Het nou 3 robots, 2 river crossings, 'n skaatsbaan...

Maar jou bult/on-ramp is nog daar!

Well done Drix. Ek seker jy gaan meer sulke trips voortaan organiseer. Ek voel soos Marnus ... die recce gedoen maar nie die amptelike trip.

Thanks Drix for a great trip! The group rode very well so sweeping wasn't all that bad. Corlia took some cellphone action shots. Next time we'll take a camera for better quality.

From a pillion's viewpoint...


Ze Jerman!


My naamgenoot


Allun


Marius


Dani


And just to show we don't discriminate...

Wow looks like there was lots of water ....

Wahl wrote:Wow looks like there was lots of water ....

Not really, they just make the best pics and it is where we often stop to take pics!

You know us, we focus on the 1% drama, the rest is just sailing and continuous enjoyment. As you know, how do you explain it to someone who wasn't there...?