Kwa Zulu loop: 2-5 April 2009

The day of departure finally dawned with it looking as if we would be getting wet at some time.

10 bikes and 13 people left from Centurion on Friday and at Bapsfontein it was time to put on the rain gear.

Our stop just outside Leandra


Arrived in Vryheid after some very bad roads due to roadworks near Amersfoort - single lane slippery dirt roads!!




...found a place to have some refreshments at the guest house before going out to dinner




Not many restaurants open on Good Friday in Vryheid so graced the Spur with our presence




After breakfast on Saturday had a brisk ride and stopped for a break just before Melmoth




It was starting to warm up and we then moved on to a hot and humid Richards Bay for lunch at the waterfront - Thai cuisine was the choice.


...look at the crabs....


a walk at the waters edge


say what?!!




After lunch some of the group took the quick route via the freeway to our stopover in Salt Rock. The rest of us took the back road.

Found this old bridge next to the current road


...and Chris managed to find a gravel road to the bridge...




The road bridge looking from the old bridge




Chris


S1000RR




We saw some local fishermen fishing with nets in the river. In this picture you can see them under the bridge on the bank of the river


Did I mention the gravel road to the bridge.....


No trip to Natal is complete without some sugar cane in the picture


That night we went to the Crayfish Inn in Ballito for dinner


A question answered??


Less than an hour after leaving on Sunday it was time to put on the rain gear again. Encountered quite a lot of thick mist that slowed us down to a safer pace




Stopped for some tea and scones in Wartburg and phoned the rest of the group that was still a bit behind us to say we would be waiting for them in Wartburg.




Just as we had found out from Marius in the backup vehicle that he had not seen us in Wartburg and was almost in Greytown and the rest of the group was ahead of him we decided it was time to push on.

As we were getting ready to leave I received a call from Sue Coetzee to say that Abe had an accident but was fine. Had apparently slipped on some stones in a turn and lost the front wheel. The bike hit a culvert and is a write-off. He was lucky to miss the culvert and apart from some scrapes on his shoulder, arm and leg is fine. Was checked out by a doctor when we arrived in Dundee.

The broken swingarm


The re-united group with the bike on the trailer. Standing with the group is a local farmer that assisted at the accident scene.


The group having a few relaxing moments at the Royal Country Inn in Dundee before the buffet dinner at the hotel. Johan & Trudi Maree and Peet & Christa Erasmus joined us for the evening.


Monday saw us leaving Dundee in the rain and stopped in Volksrust for coffee to warm up




As we entered Bethal for our lunch stop the rain started and only stopped again as we approached the Rietvlei Dam in Centurion - almost 200km in heavy rain from Bethal.

The rain while we were having lunch


Total distance covered was 1 635km.

Thanks to all who joined on this ride and let's see those pictures!!!!

Nice report Dave sorry about Abe hope he is not too bad

He is so bad he rode the 800GS yesterday afternoon after the accident and again today in the rain!!

A very lucky man indeed!!

Thanks Dave for another wonderful trip. Always something to remember when we travel with you - no trip is ever without great rides, great accommodation and great company (awesome people, great laughs, great friendships).

Abe, hope you're not to stiff and sore after the fall. You are truly blessed.

Thanks all... next long trip we'll see you again!

Some of Dorothy's pictures:

Chatting before leaving on Friday


Outside Leandra




Old bridge on way to Salt Rock


Dorothy's bike


On the old bridge


Relaxing in the pool at the hotel in Salt Rock after a hot days riding




At the Crayfish Inn Chris and Golda celebrated their wedding anniversary


the decor above our table - reminded us of the cargo nets used to hoist our bikes onto the ship in December!




Wartburg stop - you had to be there!!


Frame of Abe's bike




His helmet


At the Royal Country Inn in Dundee
Johan & Trudi


..comparing shoes...


Peet & Christa


Sue & Abe


The ladies in the bar - guess you had to be there too!!!


Dinner in Dundee


...with a specially arranged Wimpy burger for the Burgermeester!!

Glad all is back safely - thought about you all weekend espesically as it continued to pour down - seens you rode away from the rain. Pity about Abe's bike though - looking at his helmit - goes to show that wearing the right protective gear can do for you.

Dave and Dorothy, thank you for a wonderful weekend. The route was excellent with very little traffic, stunning accommadation and great company.
Abe is bruised and tired and yes definately blessed, God had His hand over Abe.
Thank you to you all for your support and patience along the way as we had a few incidences.

We are very greatful to our God to arrive home safely as a family.

Thanks for the report back & photos
Looked like you had a great time.
Really pleased Abe is OK. A bike can always be replaced.
Good to have you all back safely.

Especially for Abe, really pleased you are OK.

Thanks Dave for a great trip, well organised as usual. Thanks to all the participants for great company and laughs. We are looking forward to the next one.
Love you all, Chris & Golda

Thanks for the feedback and pics!
Sorry to hear about Abe's incident - glad you're okay Abe!

.. There are better ways to get to ride an 800GS!

Abe, Sue and family,

Sorry to hear about the accident, glad that you have been kept safe, and that you are back home.

Looking at the damage done to Abe's helmit and the visor it confirms that the only helmit one should be using is a full face helmit - an open face helmit, as worn by the HD fraternaty would not have given Abe any protection. Should be lesson to all.

Why is the fridge empty ?

Perhaps - it is at the end of the kuier and the fridge has been emptied?????

Wow! Lekker trip with lekker pictures!!!

Sorry to read about the accident , but glad Abe is OK. Yes, the bike can be replaced - we have a lot to be thankful for.

And Dave, good to see "you're keeping it real" with the RR on the gravel Remember... he's watching you

LeRoy Olivier wrote:Perhaps - it is at the end of the kuier and the fridge has been emptied?????

It was empty when we got there

Luckily we had our own stocks.

Abe says," Thanks for all the good will messages, hard at work again even removed and put a gearbox in a Golf today. Will put the photo's on the forum of the accident scene soon.

Marnus wrote: Yes, the bike can be replaced - we have a lot to be thankful for.

Mmmm.... Ek het so rumour gehoor dat jy BAIE dankbaar is. Sien ons reg.... het jy toe die nuwe fiets gekry

Baie baie geluk Marnus!!!! Mag jy die fiets baie geniet en baie mangat-vrye kilo's he!!!!

Glad Abe's OK.
Sad GS isn't.
Rather severe final drive failure...!

Richard H wrote:Glad Abe's OK.
Sad GS isn't.
Rather severe final drive failure...!

..actually it was traction failure that resulted in the eventual permanent final drive failure!

DaveS wrote:

Richard H wrote:Glad Abe's OK.
Sad GS isn't.
Rather severe final drive failure...!

..actually it was traction failure that resulted in the eventual permanent final drive failure!

Ironic how applicable "final drive" is in this context

This is the bend where Abe tried to avoid stones in the road. If the tar road had not been broken away he still would of had a chance to rectify his bike. He headed for the concrete culvert. The fresh soil marks near the culvert is where the bike catapulted hit the corner of concrete culvert and bounced to where it rests.

Jeezzz!!!! Glad he's okay!!