Bike Ride 62 - Groot-Marico to Home

The last day of our 3 day outing, and it turned out to be quite a long day with all the stops we made on the way home.

We woke up after a good night's rest, and I got myself and Trish a cup of coffee and tea from the kitchen. Had it with some rusks we had over from the previous morning.

I went to the store room and got out my bike, and parked it with all the others on the lawn. then we sat down to a scrumptious breakfast, which contained some venison livers. It was delicious. Then we went back to the room packed all our stuff and then made our way home. Slowly. We stopped for photos at  8 Places (7 for the BMW Challange) and 3 geocaches.

We first went back into Groot-Marico for the Town Photo (Photo 1), and then got some petrol. Then made our way to Swartruggens (Photo 2) for a town photo and geocache. I must say the toll road costing R75.00 is ludicrously expensive, and must be the worst toll road I have ever ridden on. It is bumpy as hell.

We stopped at the Selons river bridge for a quick smoke break and geocache, and the onward to Boshoek for another town photo. We also stopped at a "Welcome to" sign by Pokeng (Photo 3).  I found it funny when I thought of "Welcome to Pokeng (nothing)". There was a huge stadium to our right as we approached Boshoek from the south. I thought it might be a 2010 World-cup stadium, but I was later to learn that it was not as we saw the real 2010 stadium later on in Rustenburg.

Photo 1

Photo 3

Photo 2

We took our Boshoek town photo by the post office (Photo 4), and then also stopped at a small antique store just up the road to buy some small souvenir of our trip. Trish got a "Love is patience" tile, and I saw a small knife which I wanted to add to my small collection.

Then it was through Rustenburg on the  R104, and we stopped at Kroondal for our next photo (Photo 5). We also looked for a place to have a drink, but we saw non to inviting. Then by mistake we got onto the N4 and off again at Buffelspoort where we had something to eat and drink at the garage. There were lots of other GS riders stopping at the garage, and riding past. There must have been some weekend thing on the go nearby for them. We took a photo here as well, but it was not part of the BMW Challenge (Photo 6).

Photo 4

Photo 6

Photo 5

Then onward over the N4 to Marikana, where we took a town photo in front of a hardware store. Then carefully road further in to get to Wonderklip, but since there was a sand road going to Wonderklip and Wonderklip is a tar town challenge decided to turn around, as the dirt road looked a bit dodgy. But looking at the GPSr I saw it was only 3 or 4 km away and the route around would take us a lot longer. Also if we did not do the town now then we would not be back this way in a long long time. So we turned around again and rode there along the train tracks and past a big mine. We were also stopped at a train crossing before leaving Marikana by a passing train.

Must say we did not feel to safe riding through Wonderklip. There was some uneasiness for both Trish and I so we decided to rather turn around and take a photo at the hospital sign as we entered Wonderklip. After the photo we got back on the bike and looked forward to the tar road ahead. It took us at lease 4 km before we hit the first patch of tar. I dont think a RT will make it there in one piece. The dirt road is quite bumpy.

Photo 7

Photo 8

Once we hit the N4 is was plain sailing all the way to Tant Malies where we stopped for a smoke break, and decided to get some Dutch goodies from the Windmill on the other side.

Its lekker to e on a bike. There was a long queue of cars to get through the tunnel, and us with 2 other bikes just split laned past them all, and without the need to stop got through the tunnel no problem.

We drank a quick milkshake at the Windmill, and then bought our goodies inside, and then did the last leg of our journey home. We arrived home just after 5PM. A long day ... but a good day.

We did a total of  980 km in the 3 days, and a total of 13H30 hours moving time.

 

Bike Ride 60 - Home to Delareyville

Some one at the BMW Motorcycle club in PTA organised a trip to Groot-Marico to go and "sample" some mampoer. Since it has been almost a year since we last added some new towns to our visited list, I thought it was the right time to combine the two thoughts into a single long weekend outing.

I got a days leave from work, and on Friday the 4th July we headed just after 7H15, out towards the West Rand via the N3 South then via the M2 onto Main Reef road. We stopped for coffee and a small bite to eat at McDonalds just after 08H00.

Soon after that we got the open road, and did a quick stop doing a geocache at the Tarlton Race track, and then headed to Magaliesburg, and then using the R509 towards Derby and Koster.

The people in Koster are so behind the times they still have the old Transvaal numberplate on their trailers as can be seen in the photo :)

After Koster we headed south on the D826 and R30 into Ventersburg, where we stopped for a "Welcome to" photo, and town photo, a geocache, petrol, and lunch. We had lunch at Barcelos. The chicken burgers were very tasty but a bit small. Chips were outstanding.

Then we headed west ward on the N14, and got some photos in Coligny and soon afterwards at Gerdau. On the road between Gardau and Ottosdal we picked up another 4 geocaches where the last one was at the church where there were Voortrekker tracks in the cement at the memorial.

Then it was the last 50 odd km towards Delareyville where we would stay for the night.

After finding a place to stay, I went to the shops for milk and rusks for our coffee and tea. After putting the action camera, intercom and cell phones on charge we we went for dinner at the restaurant the B&B was part of. Dinner was very good, and reasonably priced. Dinner and the night's stay came to just over R700.00.

The B&B looked very good, but the shower did not have a soap dish, and the bed felt very cheap. There was also some hooting at 2AM in the morning close by. All in all we give this place a 6 out of 10.

Bike Ride 42 - Touring Mpumalanga - Day 1

On Saturday I attended JSinSA with was excellent, but did take away 1 extra day we could have had touring Mpumalanga. But that's the way the cookie crumbled this time around.

I got home Saturday night and we did the final packing for the next day. Not much to pack as the space is very limited on the bike.

We left Sunday morning early, stopped in Bapsfontein for some petrol, and took our first town photo in Bronkhorstspruit, at the "Welcome to" sign we saw. From there I thought I knew better then the GPSr and ignored it and rode further north. This was the wrong road to follow to get to Loskop dam via a sand road I had ridden before with some other bikers. We rode through Dennilton and after turning right to Loskop dam took our first smoke break. 20 minutes later we were at Loskop restaurant ordering breakfast. After the breakfast we stopped at the wall so Trish could have a look as it was the first time ever she was here.

Then it was off towards Middelburg, and on route we stopped for 2 geocaches. One we could not find (on a dirt road) but had much more luck with the second one right next to the tar road as one goes up the pass.
Then it was along go-around-trip to get to Stoffberg via Middleburg. This road from Loskop dam to middleburg was in excelent condition. From middleburg we pointed norht again and stopped for our first @BMWMotorradSA #AlphabetChallenge photo at Stoffberg. Then it was not to far to Roossenekal where we turned right and went towards Lydenburg which would be our first night stop.

On the way to Lydenburg we stopped on Steenkampsberg pass for a geocache. This really was a superb geocache location as one gets a good view of the country side. Somehow I missed that it was part of the BMW Club Alphabet Challenge and so we did not take any photos of us there. Oh well. I am sure we will come past this point again in the future. Then it was not to far to Lydenburg where we filled up with petrol again at the Shell garage. My trustee steed only drinks Shell (although later on this trip I was not able to do this all the time). Shell garage toilets were clean, but the soap dispenser did not work and there were no paper towels. As there was still some light left we did a 3rd geocache in town by an old munument, and then it was off to get some dinner.

After dinner at Spur we rode the 2 km out of town to Rooidraai Estate Guest lodge, where we had a lekker shower, before turning in. I found this place 5 stars good. They had DSTV, coffee and tea, with milk ready. this place was the smallest of the 3 days, but I think superb. Trish did not like it that much.

Totals:
Total Distance for the day: 413 km
Caches completed: 3 geocaches.

Bike Ride 41 - To Trichardt and back - Bike ride

Monday the 17th June was a public holiday and the kids had made plans with their uncle to go go-carting. This left Trish and myself free to do whatever we liked. And it ended up being a bike ride to Trichardt and back.

The BMW club we belong to have an alphabet challenge. The challenge is there to get you out riding and experience South Africa. The idea is to visit a specified amount of towns, passes, light houses, and harbours. All of them are outside of Gauteng. Ever since we became members of the club 4 months ago I wanted to go and do a few towns. The "right" day just never happened. But on Monday the 17th June 2013 that all changed.

We left home at 06H50, so we could be at the Bapsfontein garage before 07H30 incase there were any other club members that wanted to join us on the days outing. We got there and waited till 07H35 and then left for Delmas. The ride there was blooming cold. It dipped to -3 deg Celsius at times. At Delmas we stopped for some petrol, and a hot beverage at Winmpy, which thankfully was open. We also stopped at a Delmas sign to take a photo for our towns visited album (Not a BMW challenge town).

Once we were warmed up, we left Delmas at 08H45, and attemped a geocache close to a dam. Since it looked like we night have to drive through a farmers land we opted to leave it and headed towards Leandra.

We left Leandra at 9H35, and rode via Kinross to Trichardt where we took our second BMW town photo before stopping at Marne Guest house (and bar) [S26 29.387 E29 13.807] for some lunch. We waited over 30 minutes for our burgers to arrive, but boy was it worth it. They were HUGE. And all for R45.00 each. We tried to order the "Large" burgers but since it was a public holiday they did not have the bigger rolls. Good thing, as we would not have been able to finish the larger ones.

We left Trichardt at 11H40 and headed towards 2 geocaches in Secunda. The one was at some type of time capsule, but the entrance was closed, so we attempted another one by the air field. Luckily we found that one. We also saw 2 aeroplanes taking off and landing. Nice smoke break we had there. We also rode past "Graceland" which seems to be a casino and golf club just outside Secunda town.

We had meant to go to Charl Cilliers town, but somehow I got mixed up in the next waypoint and we missed it. We had a quick stop at Evander before heading back to Leandra.

At 13H20 we took our BMW photo in front of the NG kerk in Eendracht, and then headed off to Eloff via Devon and Delmas.


Just before Devon we stopped at the sign which said "Devon Correctional services". The stupid guard told us we were not allowed to take photos without getting permission of the supervisor. I said Ok I'll chat to the supervisor but there was no phone in the hut, and we would have to sign in ride to the offices get permission and then take the photo. All to much trouble. So in the end I said we would leave it. Strange thing though I have it all on video. She (the guard) did not even notice it on my helmet.

In Devon itself we got a nice photo (not a BMW club challenge) in front of the "Boere vereniging sall". Nice little building, and well looked after in this small town. We left Devon at 14H45 heading Delmas to take our last photo at Eloff.

BMW Photo 4

As we met up on the main road just before Delmas we had two people pass us on BMW bikes. One was on a 1200 and an the other on a orange 650 twin. I wondered at the time if they were perhaps club members.

At Eloff we found a big pumpkin and decided to take our photo there, and then a quick stop at the local (shitty) garage for a toilet break, As we left town we saw a huge numberplate against a fence and thought it would make for an interesting photo, so it was a quick stop before heading home.

We were home at 15H15, having ridden a total of 324km.

After today our stats are as follows:
1) Towns visited: 21
2) BMW Tar Towns visited: 4


 Lessons learnt:
1) We will try and take a BMW challenge photo at the local church of each town.
2) A break every 40 odd minutes of riding suits both of us well.
3) Easy riding and lots of stops is an easy and interesting way to experience the towns of South Africa.
4) We are not yet bike fit.

Note: The photos where Trish and I are in have been "photo shopped" to show us both in the same photo. Can you see who was added and who is in the original photo?

Bike Ride 38 - Pretoria BMW Club at ADA, S & GS Slow skills, 11 May 2013

The BMW club had a Slow Skill day out at ADA at Hartebeespoort dam. This was the first time I went, and I asked my son Jerome and his friend Don with. Later on I learnt that it was meant for BMW Paid up members only (I mis-read the email).
All in all, another great day, and I learnt lots. I also learnt I need to better my balancing big time.

Bike Ride 37 - BMW Club - Easy GS ride to Que Sera - 5 May 2013

We have joind the BMW Club in Pretoria, for various reasons. But one reason is to go out riding in a group once a month. And we are loving these outings. I have decided to create short videos of the rides and upload to youtube. Hopefully with time I will see how I have progressed and got better at the off road riding.

This video was of the outing on the 5th of May 2013. We rode from Centurion via the train track lines, and sand highway all the way to Que Sera. From there we opted for the train tracks home. All in all a lekker  outing.

Bike Ride 9 - To Dullstroom via Loskop dam by sand road, and back to Johannesburg via tar backroads, a good weekend outing

The weekend of the 21st and 22nd January 2012 was my first truly long distance ride. And it was an AWESOME weekend.

Background

I had joined up on the Think Bike forum, and browsing around saw that there was a trip planned from Bapsfontein, using mostly sand roads to Dullstroom via Loskop dam. This looked like lots of fun. So I signed up for the ride, and couldn't wait for the weekend to arrive. It would have been nice if Trish came along, but with hindsight it was maybe better, as I think some of the sand roads would have been to rough with two of us on the bike.

The originator of the ride was a guy with the nick name "iamgigglz", (each time I see his nick I think of a geocache we did close to Bapsfontein [Biggels will like it here]) and the idea was make a non technical ride from Bapsfontein, all the way to Dullstroom via Loskop dam, using as much sand road as possible. In the Garmin track log below, the purple sections are the sand roads we took, and the red ones are tar.

Que Sera to Bronkhorstspruit 

Sand road: 8 km

Tar road: 34 km

Photo taken by "Fox"

I arrived at Que Serra at about 7H30, and saw only one bunch of guys in the whole parking lot. It must be the guys leaving for Dullstroom, so I parked my bike close by and introduced myself. I got to hear a lot of names, but honestly couldn't remember many. Some guys asked me where the 69 of my forum name came from (my forum name is AntonD69). "It's the year I am born in" was my reply. They all laughed, as they thought otherwise.

After a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs, pap, and tea (or coffee) all for R55.00 we left for our first route stop in Bronkhorstspruit. This is also where I got my first proper taste of sand road. I was about the 3rd bike of 12 to go onto the sand road, but as I felt very uneasy on the dirt, lots of the bikes started to pass me. A few times the front tyre was sliding along the gravel and I panicked a few times. Luckily I did not drop the bike, and slowed down grammatically. At the end of the sand ride the others were patiently waiting for me. Shjoe ... I made it.

I was later to learn this is the way it is done. The mavericks (fast guys) go on ahead, having their speedy fun, but once one arrives at a intersection or tar road, where the group could possibly be split up, all wait till everyone has regrouped. Lots of times either Brendon or luv2ride was behind me making sure that even the slow ones make it all the way (thanks guys).

We all filled up with petrol, as the next fuel stop would only be Loskop dam. My tank made it all the way to Dullstroom, with still lots of fuel to spare.

Bronkhorstspruit to Loskop dam

Sand road: 73 km

Tar road: 37 km

taken by "iamgigglz"

After we all filled up with fuel, and met at the other end of town we set off for Loskop dam. We hit some more dirt road, which wasn't as bad as the 1st patch, and I was able to keep up (mostly) with the group. I decided to stay at the back, then there would be nothing for me to proof, nor the need to worry about anybody passing me. I saw some guys stand up on their foot pegs and ride at around 60 to 70 km per house over the sand. I initially thought it was their way to get above the dust, but at the smoke break stop after the 1st patch of sand road I was to learn from luv2ride that its a better way to get across the sand. He always stands on his pegs whenever he crosses sand. As the day progressed I slowly started to stand more and more. First I started at slow speeds and higher gears, but by the end of the day was pretty good. I just sat down on the seat when we got to corners. I still wasn't confident enough to stand and lean with them. 

As I felt a little more relaxed now riding on sand I was starting to enjoy the scenery a little more, but still had to concentrate a heck of  lot on the road. We entered some beautiful hills and valleys. Amazing greenery all the way around. Its such a pity that I could only take photos at our stops. At one point coming down a hill, we passed a small rural village, and from afar one could see two rusted tins standing in the middle of the road. WTH (or F)? AS I got closer and closer, I saw the tyre marks go past the right of the tins, and started to follow, and then saw a donga of about .5 metres deep and maybe a meter across where the tins where. So now I know what 'rural' traffic cones look like.

At Loskop we stopped for lunch at the Bospot Restaurant. I had a Cheese hamburger, which had a nice thick patty, and a sprite. Total cost I think was R56.00. I cleaned my visor with a tisshe, and then from Gryshond was able to use a slightly wet shamy which made it nice and clean. (Note to self: Get one for sand roads). We stopped over at the dam wall for some photos.

While at the dam wall I decided to go and attempt the cache 1.4 km away, but on arrival saw I had to climb a small hill. In full bike gear, a full stomach and the midday heat, I decided to rather leave it.

After returning to the others at the dam wall, and taking some more photos we left for Dullstroom.

Loskop dam to Dullstroom / Elandskloof

Sand road: 72 km

Tar road: 60 km

The first part of the ride down into the valley was on tar, but soon enough we turned off onto a dirt road, with a game fence on the one side. Beautiful greenery all the way around. It was on this stretch of road with a long open, compacted sand that I took the bike up to 100 kmph. Only for a short bit though then it was down to 70-80 again. At the end they were all waiting for me again, and we decided to go to a small pub which came highly recommended.

On entering the small village of Laersdrif, we passed a small grey stone church, and then onto a farm or something where the pub was to be. The last section was on gravel, where the front wheel was sliding a bit, and now with much more experience I didn't find it that bad.

The pub was closed but we were greeted by two dogs. The big one seemed very happy to see us. After a rest, and some cold water, we took the road again, which was to be the last sand section before we get to Dullstroom.

Just by the Police station we turned back onto the sand road, and drove past farms and small rural villages. It amazes me that one can ride for 5 to 10 minutes, with no settlements in sight, and then a huge house is found, with no clear means of income. I would have thought one would see sheep, or cattle.

We entered a small pass, and rapidly, within 2.5 km, climbed from 1700 m asl to about 1900 m asl. Most of the way up the pass I rode in 1st and 2nd gear, and lots of times I stood up as well. Just when it got a little to technical, I opted to sit down. 

At a T-junction we regrouped, and on this stretch was another geocache, but as we got to it, I opted to rather leave it, as I did not want to keep the group up, and it was nearing 17H00, and we still had to get meat and drinks for the evening.

Once in Dullstroom, some people filled up their bikes, I phoned Trish to say we had arrived, and then drew some money at the ATM, and bought a lekker T-Bone steak, a piece of wors, and 6 rolls, as well as 2 beers, and some milk for tea. All in all it came to just over R100.00.

Once we all had our stuff, we set of for the last stop of the day; Elandskloof.

Elandskloof

The last bit of road to Elandskloof was quite bumpy after all the rain and tyre tracks made in soft mud (which were mostly dry by now). A normal sedan would make it if it rode slowly.

After sorting every thing out at reception we rode the last 4 km down to the chalets and

Lovely little place. I had to pay R125.00 towards my share of the chalet, which was more then reasonable and slept 6 people. I stayed with Brendon and his family, and luv2ride. 

Before dinner we had a quick dip in the indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi.We had quite some trouble getting the fire to start as we had no fire-lighters, but my small pointy knife which I always carry with me, saved the day when I split up some small logs, Bear Grylls style.

The T-Bone, pap made by Speedy Vee, and buttered roll, with some rooster koekies went down well. I don't remember much after my head hit the pillow.

I awoke the next morning, and got up just after 7  and decided to go and take some early morning photos. Some people were up already, and others were still sound asleep.

The morning went quite quick. Speedy Vee made us breakfast with only 4 eggs, but with the bacon and left of boerewors from last night, it fed us chalet dwellers, and about another 4 campers. 

Once we were all packed, we took one final group photo of us all with our bikes by the water's edge, and then set of for a final visit to Dullstroom, where we had breakfast "pudding" at Harrie's Pancakes. I joined the group after completing a geocache. I am glad that I got it, as I needed a "green block" for today.

Elandskloof all the way home.

Tar road: 280 km (took 5H30m including the stops)

After breakfast "pudding", we split up as a group. Some riders wanted the fast way home, over the N4 toll road. It was iamgigglz, bikerMom, The pink Duck and me who opted for the more scenic route home, by using tar road, but avoiding the toll road and sand roads.

A pretty uneventful trip from Dullstroom to Belfast. We got onto the N4 for a few kilometres, and then back onto the R104 to Middleburg.

Somewhere on this road we had a bakkie in front of us, and all of a sudden he left the road, and rode next to the mielie fields. "He must be a farmer going into the fields" I thought. I had not even completed the thought and he was motioning to us to slow down. With this the pot holes started and it got so bad that we also left to "tar" road and joined the bakkie next to the mielie fields. This happened to us another 3 or 4 times till we got to Witbank.

In Witbank I wanted to do an earth cache. It was about the burning coal fields which is the longest burning fire in South Africa. It was also the chance to show group members what "earch caching" was all about. But alas, it was visually a very boring earth cache. I took some photos, and read out aloud the basics of the earth cache, but I think it was all lost on them. Pity. 

From Witbank the plan was to take the N12 home via Benoni, but the GPSr took us home via the N4. This was very confusing to me, as I did not recognise the road, and I had travelled the N12 many times. Three off ramps later I realised what was going on and we took the rural road toward Kendal and Ogies, and got onto the N12. We stopped one last time at the Delmas off ramp. My bum was getting seriously numb / sore by now. My water was still ice cold though, and lekker to drink after the hot ride.

Once at the R21 crossing, I waved the rest of my group goodbye and rode the last little bit in rain home. At least I wasn't soaked when I got home. With hindsight I should have invited the rest of the group over to wait for the rain to pass.

Home

Once home, Trish took all my dirty bike gear and washed it with NikWax, and I added it to the dry rack so it would be ready for Monday morning's ride to work. I also degreased and cleaned my chain, as well as the rest of the bike, and after it was dry, added special wax to the chain again.

I didn't make the Sunday night movie, and was in bed just after 8PM.