Post by Dani on Feb 17, 2008 18:22:49 GMT 2
You may look at the pictures only, but I have to share with you how it all came together, how the first day or two panned out and a few comments here and there.
Given that our usual December holiday plans didn't work out and our love for motorcycling of late, Marius suggested the Extreme Rider Journey.
Camping it would be, riding as far as we get - it can't be that difficult to find a place to pitch a tent for two? But then the teenagers decided this can be fun! That asked for a bit more planning - it will be peak season after all.
After several happy hours of studying maps, working on GPS waypoints, sending E-mails and making bookings in all directions, we were ready to go. (Oh and of course new riding gear for us - the kids have to wear our old gear
).
Realising that the longest trip Daniela Junior and Mia have done as pillions was on a breakfast run to Jasmyn at Hartebeespoort Dam a few months before, we didn't put any pressure on them to also go for Extreme Award. That in mind, we decided to go to Pontdrift first, without them, and then pick them up on our way west.
Wise decision: On Day 1, 13km north of Vivo, on our way to Pontdrift, at 14h15, my chain snapped. Several telephone calls and lots of discussions followed - it was a Sunday afternoon and the only help came from Bavarian's BMW-on-call guy, Kobus. Marius towed me and my chainless F650 with his 1200 for approximately 30kms back to the lodge (thanks for the tips Pauli!), where we were supposed to sleep after the visit to Pontdrift. Kobus arrived at 20h00 with a new chain and by 21h00 my bike had a new chain and Kobus enjoyed dinner with us, specially prepared by Elizabeth of Zulani Lodge.
Day 2 started at Zulani Safari Lodge, between Vivo and Dendron, 8kms of dirt road to get to the main road.
Then 100 kms to Pontdrift, the most northern point of SA.
To stay within the 18day planned trip (with bookings made till Christmas Day), we headed back to Pretoria, brunched at The Ranch outside Pietersburg, then a quick visit to Bavarian in Pretoria to replace my 650's broken chain guard and to check the chain tension, we picked up the girls at home, fuelled up at Petroport on the R28 and then another 200kms to Ventersdorp, where we had a great braai and wine with family.
800kms for Day 2 - it wasn't planned that way . . .
Back on track... except for the visit to Piet Speed @ Speed Bike in Klerksdorp - yep, there was a problem with my 650's cooling system - got away there at 17h00 - then to Vryburg ... oh, you don't want to hear all the other details - but just imagine this: one wrong turn in Schweizer Reneke - dirt road, in the dark, with pillions, expanded panniers . . . ah well, we arrived in Vryburg at 20h30. Thanks to Ounooi at The Kliphuisie who kept our dinner warm!
From there on, it was plain sailing - one happy kilometer after the other!
Great to have pillions who smiled almost always . . (well loaded ipod's did the trick)
Worth the while to take the detour from Kakamas to Augrabies.
We left the teenagers in Springbok to have a good morning's rest while we took the road via Steinkopf and Port Nolloth to AlexBay
Point 2.
Remember warm clothes - a noticeable drop in temperature a few kms before Port Nolloth
Via Garies - Die Koperketel had a good breakfast -
Then VanRhynsdorp & Clanwilliam to Lamberts Bay
It was REALLY hot with no picnic/rest areas - but this jacaranda was on the right spot, who like to sit on a bench after all?
The only bad weather we encountered was between Lamberts bay, Elandsbaai and Velddrift - rain and thick mist - very bad when you have to wear glasses.
Captain's Cabin in Saldanha was one of the few places open on Sunday 16 December. Their waffles were great.
Along this route, we had the opportunity to show the kids the resorts of Blouwaterbaai, Leentjiesklip and Langebaan where we used to windsurf years ago.
The ride through the West Coast National Park and its many tortoises - is a must.
Being December holiday time, we could visit many friends on our way: an overnight with the De Ridders in Jakkalsfontein
Coffee with the Du Plessis' in Bloubergstrand
and champagne with the Spiese at Red Hill
A thunderstorm over Cape Agulhas made us overnight in Bredasdorp, 40kms from Cape Agulhas.
Daniela junior and Mia in Bredasdorp, one of the 24 times we had to fuel up during the trip of 7000kms.
The 3rd point - Cape Agulhas, the most southern point in South Africa.
From there it was on to Mossel Bay where Louis and Tersia joined us on their bike for the scenic stretch to George.
We spent a few days in the area with family in George and our oldest daughter in Nature's Valley.
School friend Danie invited us on a 4x4 Dune route in Vleesbaai - another day to remember!
The Old road between George and Knysna is another must.
Traveling through the Transkei has its challenges, but the winding routes and passes make it all worth it. We overnight in Port St Johns. (have your pillion ever hold on to huge pizzas for 8kms on the back of the bike? Well, it can be done - we were too happy to find a microwave in the self catering unit to warm it!)
Entering Natal after lunch at the Wild Coast Sun.
We spent a day with my friend Susa and her family in Munster
before we took on the long day's ride to Ghost Mountain Inn in Mkuze.
Amongst other things, we spent Christmas Day with a safari trip on the Jozini dam and were in awe with the elephants bathing all around the boat.
Being a very hot day, the kids spent the next day in and around the pool while we visited the most eastern point, the border post at Kosi Bay.
Potholes and other obstacles along the route . . .
The 4th and final point - Kosi bay.
Indeed a trip to remember.
A family holiday with a difference.
Given that our usual December holiday plans didn't work out and our love for motorcycling of late, Marius suggested the Extreme Rider Journey.
Camping it would be, riding as far as we get - it can't be that difficult to find a place to pitch a tent for two? But then the teenagers decided this can be fun! That asked for a bit more planning - it will be peak season after all.
After several happy hours of studying maps, working on GPS waypoints, sending E-mails and making bookings in all directions, we were ready to go. (Oh and of course new riding gear for us - the kids have to wear our old gear
).Realising that the longest trip Daniela Junior and Mia have done as pillions was on a breakfast run to Jasmyn at Hartebeespoort Dam a few months before, we didn't put any pressure on them to also go for Extreme Award. That in mind, we decided to go to Pontdrift first, without them, and then pick them up on our way west.
Wise decision: On Day 1, 13km north of Vivo, on our way to Pontdrift, at 14h15, my chain snapped. Several telephone calls and lots of discussions followed - it was a Sunday afternoon and the only help came from Bavarian's BMW-on-call guy, Kobus. Marius towed me and my chainless F650 with his 1200 for approximately 30kms back to the lodge (thanks for the tips Pauli!), where we were supposed to sleep after the visit to Pontdrift. Kobus arrived at 20h00 with a new chain and by 21h00 my bike had a new chain and Kobus enjoyed dinner with us, specially prepared by Elizabeth of Zulani Lodge.
Day 2 started at Zulani Safari Lodge, between Vivo and Dendron, 8kms of dirt road to get to the main road.
Then 100 kms to Pontdrift, the most northern point of SA.
To stay within the 18day planned trip (with bookings made till Christmas Day), we headed back to Pretoria, brunched at The Ranch outside Pietersburg, then a quick visit to Bavarian in Pretoria to replace my 650's broken chain guard and to check the chain tension, we picked up the girls at home, fuelled up at Petroport on the R28 and then another 200kms to Ventersdorp, where we had a great braai and wine with family.
800kms for Day 2 - it wasn't planned that way . . .
Back on track... except for the visit to Piet Speed @ Speed Bike in Klerksdorp - yep, there was a problem with my 650's cooling system - got away there at 17h00 - then to Vryburg ... oh, you don't want to hear all the other details - but just imagine this: one wrong turn in Schweizer Reneke - dirt road, in the dark, with pillions, expanded panniers . . . ah well, we arrived in Vryburg at 20h30. Thanks to Ounooi at The Kliphuisie who kept our dinner warm!
From there on, it was plain sailing - one happy kilometer after the other!
Great to have pillions who smiled almost always . . (well loaded ipod's did the trick)
Worth the while to take the detour from Kakamas to Augrabies.
We left the teenagers in Springbok to have a good morning's rest while we took the road via Steinkopf and Port Nolloth to AlexBay
Point 2.
Remember warm clothes - a noticeable drop in temperature a few kms before Port Nolloth
Via Garies - Die Koperketel had a good breakfast -
Then VanRhynsdorp & Clanwilliam to Lamberts Bay
It was REALLY hot with no picnic/rest areas - but this jacaranda was on the right spot, who like to sit on a bench after all?
The only bad weather we encountered was between Lamberts bay, Elandsbaai and Velddrift - rain and thick mist - very bad when you have to wear glasses.
Captain's Cabin in Saldanha was one of the few places open on Sunday 16 December. Their waffles were great.
Along this route, we had the opportunity to show the kids the resorts of Blouwaterbaai, Leentjiesklip and Langebaan where we used to windsurf years ago.
The ride through the West Coast National Park and its many tortoises - is a must.
Being December holiday time, we could visit many friends on our way: an overnight with the De Ridders in Jakkalsfontein
Coffee with the Du Plessis' in Bloubergstrand
and champagne with the Spiese at Red Hill
A thunderstorm over Cape Agulhas made us overnight in Bredasdorp, 40kms from Cape Agulhas.
Daniela junior and Mia in Bredasdorp, one of the 24 times we had to fuel up during the trip of 7000kms.
The 3rd point - Cape Agulhas, the most southern point in South Africa.
From there it was on to Mossel Bay where Louis and Tersia joined us on their bike for the scenic stretch to George.
We spent a few days in the area with family in George and our oldest daughter in Nature's Valley.
School friend Danie invited us on a 4x4 Dune route in Vleesbaai - another day to remember!
The Old road between George and Knysna is another must.
Traveling through the Transkei has its challenges, but the winding routes and passes make it all worth it. We overnight in Port St Johns. (have your pillion ever hold on to huge pizzas for 8kms on the back of the bike? Well, it can be done - we were too happy to find a microwave in the self catering unit to warm it!)
Entering Natal after lunch at the Wild Coast Sun.
We spent a day with my friend Susa and her family in Munster
before we took on the long day's ride to Ghost Mountain Inn in Mkuze.
Amongst other things, we spent Christmas Day with a safari trip on the Jozini dam and were in awe with the elephants bathing all around the boat.
Being a very hot day, the kids spent the next day in and around the pool while we visited the most eastern point, the border post at Kosi Bay.
Potholes and other obstacles along the route . . .
The 4th and final point - Kosi bay.
Indeed a trip to remember.
A family holiday with a difference.
, Dave Swart, Dorothy Prinsloo, Dirk du Toit and Andre Botha. We are not family but strong bonds had been casted during these days. Your photos did stir my memory in a pleasant way and maybe a tear or 2 as well. 