Soweto GS ride

Well thanx Marnus for a very enjoyable GS ride today with all sorts of terrain types for us to enjoy: open dirt freeway sections, 2 tracks, single track, hidden tracks in grass, deep sand (for the unlucky ones to find), gravel, rocky patches (some with sizeable rocks to knock you around), river crossing, water holes, and of course mud, and really soft mud (which someone could not resist). Oh yes there was also the black stuff. The tracks included nice stretches of mini mounds and ditches for a gentle roller caster ride of up and down.

I left the starting point long before everyone got together to head out to Krugersdorp N14 garage below the ridge, considering I was riding my TTR250 and did not want to slow down the group. This is what I arrived to see, the locals preparing their various groups rides.


My clean bike before being introduced to muddy water


After the rest of the GS crowd arrived we made our way towards our off-road starting point


and here is Dani deflating her tyre, the ritual GS riders enjoy doing before starting the off-road journey


Our first of many water crossings, with soft mud. First note the tail of the bike on the left side of photo. That is where the group went to cross the stream with least mud. Our sweep decided to take a short cut, or was it to show us that soft mud really does exists... We have to wait for his answer.



Anyway here is Pieter demonstrating how to get out of the mud.



Our next stream crossing, not much further. Here Marnus and Pieter were on hand to give directions to safely cross the water. Daleen crossing the water.



Our third stream crossing (going to the dam in the distance), and many more water crossings to come still. Rider at the back is half way through this crossing. Again Pieter on hand to point the best route through. By this point I was starting to suffer heavily from heat stroke. It was a very humid hot day, almost no cloud, slow riding with plenty stops before and after water crossings. Just kept drinking water.


On the dam wall, and I was very happy that the group to a long break so I could cool off a bit, where air cool that is. The first pic is not one of our members, one of the many locals that we saw on our way, showing us how off-road riding is really done. Helicopter can be seen in 2nd pic, that flew over us.




Plenty more water holes we crossed, and we eventually arrived at Lebo's Backpackers for breakfast (well for the GS crowd it actually means breakfast for lunch). As can be seen, a very well kept area. Food well prepared and presented. The music centre supplied by Lebo for his guests.








Here is our fearless leader enjoying his meal


And finally the most important photo taken of the day. Lebo standing in front of his establishment.

Beautiful pictures HGL. It looks seems you enjoyed!!!

We waitde and wiated and waited till 11...
and then went home realising you bunch are enjoying the ride too much.

Ai ai ek het al weer 'n nice trip gemis. Marnus die GS trip lyk so lekker.

Looks like you guys had a great ride, so sorry I missed it

But luckily I had the opportunity to do much of this route in December.


We also did this part on Jules's Parys dome ride in December, it is really a lekker ride!!!



This photo is where LeonDude broke his leg. Did you guys go down and then up the lekker steep part just before the dam wall? That steep down and up was soooo much fun, apart from the broken leg of course

I hope I will be ready and back on the bike in time for the March ride!!!!

Some more pics of a different ride on the same route:





And this is where poor Leon broke his leg:



That is me standing at the top in the blue shirt. Leon fell right there.

DAMM, I want to ride sooooo badly.

We missed you Knopkop. Hope your injury is soon a distant memory!

Nope - there are a couple of truckloads of soil dumped on this side of the duct. It seems as if Rand Uranium is trying to block the road off (not that it stops the dirt bikes at all). They've also put up some signs restricting access to certain areas, but we kept well clear of those anyway.

Marnus, it looks like you guys had such an awesome ride. I am really miffed that I missed out.

Well done to all who joined in the fun, it sure looked like you guys had a ball!!!

Except for the drama before we started, it was a perfect ride. Even the hail on the highway was extraordinary!!!