3 Transvaal Dams: 24-27 Sep 2009 Incl Canopy Tour

I am planning a weekend away during the weekend 24-27 Sept, requiring 1 day sick leave for Friday 25.

The purpose is to inspect the water levels in the Hartbeespoort, Middle Letaba and Loskop Dams

The route is as follows

Day 1 Thursday 24, 500km: Pretoria to Hartbeespoort (breakfast) then via the old road to Pietersburg (sweeps between Warmbaths & Nylstroom) for lunch and then to Giyani where we overnight. Sweeps before Mooketsi.

Day 2 Friday 25, 187km: Visit Middle Letaba dam (as big as Hartbeespoort) then to Magoebaskloof where we do the Canopy Tour over the Letaba River and via Duivelskloof sleep over in Magoebas somewhere (to be decided). On this day we can also visit the Modjadji forest and posibly enjoy tea with the Rain Queen - yes, she does still exist!

Day 3 Saturday 26, 448km: Do the Magoebaskloof and George's Valley passes and via Tzaneen(breakfast) to Leydsdorp (drinks & lunch) and sleep-over at Aventura Loskop. Plenty sweeps

Day 4 Sunday 27, 180km: Inspect the damwall at Loskop and return home

I will speak to the boss to consider this an official club event and sponsor a back-up.

Some of these stop-overs you have never seen nor heard of. Limpopo is a dream if you know where to go.

Let me know what the interest is like

That is AWESOME country to ride in and visit, absolutely beautiful!!

tj wrote:. Visiting Leydsdorp, etc.

Just something to consider, there only dirt roads around Leydsdorp, the closest tar roads are the following (distance from Leydsdorp):

10.5 km to the R40 at Rubbervale
10.8 km to the R40 at Gravelotte
17.3 km to the R529 close to Ritakop
20.3 km to the R36 close to Ofcolaco, if you take this road, watch out for the "Moerse Draai" (S24 04.554 E30 26.612) – a few okes saw their arses on that turn in on the GS Challenge.

The MOERSE DRAAI........

So are the S'ers considering an adventure ride??

Roadbike friendly. What is the distance to be done on the dirt road.

Sharkie wrote:


Just something to consider, there only dirt roads around Leydsdorp, the closest tar roads are the following (distance from Leydsdorp):

10.5 km to the R40 at Rubbervale
10.8 km to the R40 at Gravelotte
17.3 km to the R529 close to Ritakop
20.3 km to the R36 close to Ofcolaco, if you take this road, watch out for the "Moerse Draai" (S24 04.554 E30 26.612) – a few okes saw their arses on that turn in on the GS Challenge.

Eish, LeRoy......

Should the dirt road be non-LT friendly (and for others) we will
- Park the bikes at a friendly/safe spot and cover the road on the trailer
- Decide to give Leydsdorp a miss (Very big pity)
- Park the bikes at a friendly/safe spot and pillion other daredevils.
- Move on to the next RV and wait for the Leydsdorpers to catch up.

Sometimes we need to improvise to get to places.

Why not?

Should the dirt road be non-LT friendly (and for others) we will
- Park the bikes at a friendly/safe spot and cover the road on the trailer
- Decide to give Leydsdorp a miss (Very big pity)
- Park the bikes at a friendly/safe spot and pillion other daredevils.
- Move on to the next RV and wait for the Leydsdorpers to catch up.

Sometimes we need to improvise to get to places.

Why not?

The road Corlia and I once took to Leydsdorp (if I recall) should be ridable with any bike, albeit very slow!

...maar ons ry mos altyd stadig!

natuurlik!

Ha - en die tjek is in die pos. If the road surface is relatively hard - no soft sandy patches it can be done with the LT - although i hate doing it to the bike.

Plan the route as if we are not part of the group - dont plan it around an individual bike/person - who knows if we will be attending the ride???????.

Jippee!!! The bosses approved the ride last night at their meeting to be an official club ride with backup support and all the bells & whistles.

Now I can start making the official bookings.

Start completing those sick leave forms for Friday 25 September 2009

Will keep you posted

(ps. GSers are always welcome to participate on the S'ers trips. Albeit only for the action.)

Arrangemenst are falling into place:

Day 1: We will depart Atterbury Shell on 24 Sept at 6h30 for 07h00 and enjoy breakfast at Hartbeespoortdam, park on the damwall for pics and then drive via the old road to Pietersburg where a light lunch can be had. Then the last 155km to Giyani to Mopani Guesthouse. We can arrange our own dinner/braai at the place. There is also a pool to be used. Giyani has a very hot climate and you may well be using that pool. Pse confirm your accom by calling them on 015-8122978 or mopaniguest@telkomsa.net. Mention BMW Bike Club. Rates are R350 per single, R450 for doublebedroom and R450 for twinbedroom. Rating ***. Will enjoy coffee and beskuit before we leave the next morning.

Day 2; Will depart early and visit the Middle Letaba Dam, similar in size to Hartebeespoort. See the wall from above and downstream. Then proceed to Heanertsburg where we will enjoy a brunch. A stroll through town and the amazing cemetery?!? Yes its true! Do the canopy tour and ride Magoebas and George's Valley passes. If time allows we can visit the Modjadji palm forest, but this is some distance away - also a good ride!
We will stay over at Thaba Metsi's tented camp where there are two beds per tent c/w bedding at R100pppn. Self catering at the conference centre is to our disposal. The canopy tour costs R390+R100 for accom pp and I request an advance deposit from each participant to confirm the Canopy Tour and accom.

Day 3. We depart via Tzaneen where we will have breakfast and hopefully pay visit to Leydsdorp, if the road conditions allow. We will stay over somewhere near Loskopdam to visit the damwal the next morning on our way home. Arrive home after lunch on 27 Sept. Accommodation still to be confirmed. Watch this space!

Some notes:
1. The Spring Festival is on at that time in Magoebas/Heanertsburg and lots of people will be there. We need to act promply to secure our bookings.
2. There is some cycle race on at Loskop area and the same apply as in '1' above.
3. For the members who could not do the Stormsriver Canopy Tours this is an ideal opportunity to do it. It is an awesome experience, and this time at a very affordable expense.
4. All roads travelled will be including lots of sweeps, passes and straits. Begging to be ridden!
5. GS guys are welcome to partake.

Pse let me know who is interested.

I am in, Never tested the Off road feature on the LT . Would prefer not to.

What happened to the official proform that has always been used for trip planning - was more informative than these bland emials.

Tend to fully agree with Frik - off-road and LT's dont mix.

LeRoy Olivier wrote:What happened to the official proform that has always been used for trip planning - was more informative than these bland emials.

.

What 'proform', what emails ? Sample please Sir

did you not download the information doc with regards to the Katse Dam trip.

No. Sample please Sir

Will send you the doc on you personal email.

This Saturday we will be visiting the Windpompfees in Naboomspruit. (never miss out on a pomp ) Will also investigate the 3rd night accom at Marula Lodge near Groblersdal, and then sleep over at Forever Resort, Loskop.

Already 3 bikes committed. Any other interest?

Hi TJ, I'm also interested.
I looked on the Forever Resorts webpage and I see the pricing for accommodation is quite high, it being school holidays and all. I don't know if you booked accommodation yet? On the same webpage there are alternatives:

http://www.foreversa.co.za/index.php?page=specials

Do you have more details regarding the planning?

GS Kaiki

We already booked at Forever Loskopdam. The place where we will stay over during Sept is full. You are welcome to book at another place close by or get someone to share for Sat night.

TJ will give more details later on what time we are leaving ect.

More info on the Windpompfees at http://www.naboomwindpompfees.co.za/

We can leave at 10h30 Saturday from Atterbury Shell. The show opens at 12 noon and there is nothing else to do in that town before opening

Nothing to do??
Lovely dirt roads in the area.. and white 'kalk' roads towards Crecy...
ahhh the S's...

Enjoy your weekend!

Will probably join you on the 3Dams trip!

Welcome back GSlady.

We missed you... and your whit!

There is some very nice sand/etc in the Klein Letaba River at Giyani. Our annual 4x4 playground. You GS'ers can give it a go while we're there.