RocknRolla

I have had good service from Dagleys in Honeydew. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Xea4YMozyufSXV4R9 they rebuilt a wheel for me, and I have had no issues. Good communication, and they stuck to the agreed upon timelines.

Condolences Andy. We had my dad around for another year after diagnosis. It was an emotional year, with the last couple of months being the worst. It's a terrible disease, and leaves lasting impressions for the people that witnessed what it does. Focus on the good times, and do not dwell on regrets. I think the fact that you can build a bike in his memory, is a great homage.

Congrats. Been hearing good things about the 1300.

The past long weekend was great. The wife and my middle son went to ride bikes at Hennops. We have a small issue that my middle son is riding my bicycle, and I only have one bicycle so it's either him or me riding. The tradition is to visit Ale house after the trek out to Hennops, for a Beer and Pizza. With me not riding bicycle, I was free to hop on my moto for a bit of a daytrip. The plan was that I would meet up at Ale House after the bicycle ride. I headed out west towards Pinehaven and eventaully the N14. This is the closest dirt road of any distance, and route options from my house, so it's been my go-to lately. The road was recently graded, which made for some snaky riding, with the occasional ninja-rock waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting front wheel. I had no route in mind, so I ended up following the dirt road for as long as I can. It crosses various tar roads, I have explored lefts and rights on this road before, and this time, I wanted to basically see where it ends up. The Graded section eventually stopped, and I had to negotiate some wash-outs and careful line choices. By this time, I was travelling south more than I was travelling west. I needed to head north at one stage,and then east again to make my way back to the meet-up point. I stopped to consult Google maps to get a bit of a bird-s eye view of where I was in the world. After the above photo, the road made a right-turn and I was heading in the correct Direction. The fields looking like typical winter highveld landscapes. At a familiar t-junction, I take another right, and I am now heading towards rustenburg. The road is looking familiar, the previous time I rode it in the opposite direction. Heading towards Rustenburg, the landscape becomes less Flat Highveld-like and more hilly, with some bosveld and trees becoming more pertinent. It's mostly wattle and bluegum. As I was cruising along I spotted something in the bushes. A moerse Koedoe to my right amongst the grazing cattle, I tried to stop as quickly as possible without too much of a racket. Dismounted and walked back to the opening in the trees/bushes but the Koedoe was long gone. I guess that's why these creatures become so big, and are as elusive as they are. The road down to the tar towards rustenburg is very entertaining, small ups and downs with some corners between the hills. I hit tar road and head east. Not long after, I see the Mogallywood Brewery sign, and head that way on the Dirt road. Before the entrance, I give the wife a quick call to see where they are on the route. They still have a bit of riding to do, so I stop in for a beer. Roeks and his Wife Lauren welcomes me like an old friend, and I enjoy a refreshing Draught. As my second beer arrives, I get a call from the wife, they are done riding (shortcuts taken) and are on their wat to Alehouse. I settle my bill and head out to join them. I thought I was closer than I was to Alehouse (time moves differently on a bike) I make my way there with a higher pace than normal. When I arrive my pizza is waiting, with a freshly poured Blonde. The family time was great, and we all head back home. Just shy of 300km, with some nice memories.

Congrats on the Bike Hairy! The western cape has some amazing dirt roads, where you can disappear for weeks and not see the same thing twice.

Sorry, been offline for a long while. I have the KML file below. You should be able to import this into basecamp. Alternatively there is surely an online converter. I have a bit of a craft brewery route int he back of my head. Basically following this route in reverse. Breweries to include: Brauhaus Africa Mogallywood Ale House (to have some pizza here as well) Gp NW 2-28 14_31_24.kml

Easter weekend bike trip loading: I’m showing my mate from CT some KZN roads and FS roads. Day 1 JHB woesrand to Fouriesburg Day 2 Fouriesburg to Underburg via not one straight road Day 3 Sani up-down to Winterton/Bergville Day 4 winterton/Bergville to the Woesrand. Accommodation all in B&Bs ( we are both closer to 50 than we are to 20) must say, there are some reasonably priced places out there) Will definitely port a ride report.

There is a Hippo that made it’s way back into the lake at Cradle Moon. Not sure if the owners are aware, they certainly made no-one aware of the fact that there is one on the premises. Photo by a school MTB group that was there this afternoon for a training session. If you are riding there, perhaps steer clear of riding too close to the dam for now.

@Spokey I love the fact that you have such a diverse taste in bikes. It’s clear you love them for the love of riding. People get so caught up in the marketing bs and brand names and loyalty, it’s great to read you perspective. @IceCreamMan I’m jelly of that 850 GSA, tubeless, cruise control and all the little extras on that bike, makes it almost perfect in my eyes. Enjoy, and please post photos.

“The parasitic mind. How infectious ideas are killing common sense” Gad Saad I am 60% into this book, and it’s a good one.

Are you keeping the Harley? I would say you have to consider what you will use the bike most for? Each machine has it’s pro’s and cons. I think the T7 is a great bike, possibly leaning more on the technical riding side. As ICM said, it may be lacking in the long distance touring department. The 850 GS’s has been upgraded with tubeless spoked wheels, rider modes, cruise control suspension settings etc. All in a slightly less bulky package than their 1200 and 1300 counterparts. The 1200’s are great machines, but I wouldn’t be able to live with one as my only bike. For me, commuting daily, with the odd trip thrown in, has me more comfortable on and 800adv. Owning the 800gs adv after putting 90 000kms on the standard 800GS, the following stood out: The added bulk of the adv, has the bike more planted offroad. This comes with the downside of added weight when things get technical. I am aware of this, and I am choosing my riding accordingly. I have had the wrong tool doing similar things to people on much lighter bikes, and although possible, it’s a lot harder work, and if things go wrong, expensive. The bigger bike for touring purposes is great, long range fuel tank (450 to 500kms on a tank mixed riding) is great, as well as panniers ( for the kitchen sink etc) I struggled with the added weight of the 1200GS adv. But I also know riders that are very capable on their big bikes, that does not necessarily have the stature. You said you were not in a hurry, so lots of time to read up on and do some comparisons. If you were in JHB I would gladly offered the 8gs for a weekend. If at all possible, try and get a bike to take on a meaningful test ride.

Not all GS riders wear crocs. But like ICM says, go ride a 12GS, and then buy one.

Baviaans is definately a bucket list for me. maybe 2024. In the meantime, I did a small trip yesterday, just to get out the house a bit. 350 odd km, with a stop for some beer and Currywurst at Brauhaus near Rustenburg. Got a beesting on the arm for my effort, little shite flew into my jacket sleeve, and crawled up to my tricep where he decided this is it.

Camelbak mule user here, I use the mule when I do moto trips, as it has a lot of packing space over & above the water. In winter I sometimes ride with the Mule for when the missus and I have to strip layers. It’s many years old, and is still in perfect condition, although a little faded.

Baviaans is on my list. As is Die Hel. On the note of B-day rides: some of my Hilton weekend is loaded on WDs .