Spokey

Camping at River Goose. The sites by the river are sand as it might rain tonight I elected to be back on the grass!

Pure old school. I use Tracks 4 Africa Map Book and the app on my iPad to get an overview. Then I plan the route on good old Google Maps and write the distances down on a piece of paper. Sometimes I carry that in my tiny tank bag, other times like today I do want a GPSwhere I generally know the route I will just head out. I am at River Goose Camping near Bonnievale on the Breede River. Cell reception is good so I have use the T4A app to plan tomorrow s trek together with my Slingsby Maps. So, Touws River first then Tankwa Padstal and then to Sutherland on The Forgotten Highway! I do want a GPS, am thinking of a Zumo XT2 or a Montana 760. Must be easy to use and interchangeable between bikes. In the meantime I just make do with maps.

All a bit messy at home as I plan a quick 2 to 3 night dash on the 1190R. Fitted a new Mitas Enduro Xt tyre plus new chain and sprockets today at 27788 kms. Not much kays for a 2015 bike. Anyways……….tomorrow to River Goose Camping near Bonnivale. I plan to take the dirt roads to Groot Brak and then cross the R328 at Brandwacht before heading parallel to the mountains and more or less straight to the R62 for lunch in Barrydale. Tradouws Pass next to Swellendam and then the dirt Swellendam road to River Goose via a few meandering tracks. Day two the intention is to head to Tankwa Padstal and then scoot across to the R356 and to Sutherland via the Amandelnek pass. Day 3 will be to Hoekwil on a route yet to be decided.

Fantastic! But seriously, that KTM does stand out!

Definitely going to err on the side of caution. These minor mishaps are a good wake up call at times. Buggar , punctured lungs and passing away, that is terrible. I recently bought a high end ADV jacket which has chest protection built in. Sadly very hot for our summers, but as the weather cools I think it will be great. I find it difficult to get the level of protection I would like with the required comfort. Biggest problem for me is the ADV trousers, always too hot!! I use MX pants and boots but feel I need to add knee braces……it goes on!

Am out back at work, left two weeks ago to do my annual Simulator recurrent training in Dubai. Just prior to leaving I took a short trip around Klein Karoo area. Crossing the river just east of Calitzdorp my bike decided on a little lay down without telling me! Rookie error, too much throttle after crossing the drift and spun out on the algae, washing out the front. Fortunately not very fast but a rude shock all the same. My old bones do not bounce as well as they used to! Struggled to lift the bike against the admittedly shallow rise of the drift and had to turn it parallel to the road. Anyways the protective gear on the bike and on me did as required and apart from being soaked ( I rolled into the water!) we were soon on the way. The rest of the ride was without mishap but did leave me a little more cautious and aware of being over 60 and traveling alone.

This is really beautiful IMHO, but the price is high. Though 10 000 to 11 000 USD buys an original RS90 from ‘70’s out here in SA. Still a lot of Randellas!

I took the little TLS out for the first proper run since I became the custodian. I was well aware of the reputation these bike have but honestly I think it is a gem. 1998 model with the factory fitted stearing damper. I trundled over Outeniqua Pass and into Waboomskraal Valley. The bike was awesome in 4th gear over the pass…….pulling hard out of the corners with strong engine braking. I try to ride the Pass with no brakes, just using throttle and engine braking, after all it is no race track ( I am told). She definitely has become one of my favourites. Much easier than the Ducati 1098 and deceptively quick. The sound track is rolling thunder!

I have been up to Namibia twice in the last two years. Just the south and central up to Windhoek. The dirt roads in this region are awesome for bikes, particularly the south. I was traveling in my Hilux with the Missus, camping, doing my tax tours. I fly to work from Windhoek and she drives home. Long trip for her but she enjoys the solo drive over 3 days. I would love to return on my bike. Would take my Yamaha T7. I look forward to traveling north and then across to Bots to travel to work from Gabs……but it is a long way!

Gosh…..a Rocket would be an interesting addition to my collection……however, Katoom 950/990, old Africa Twin or Triumph Thruxton 900 have my attention right now.

So……my smallest and largest bikes are per chance Yamaha. A dinky FS50 from last century boasting 5 HP and no torque as it is perhaps less than thrilling! The next is a 2005 MT01 of 1670cc but a less than impressive 90 HP but torque figures that do impress……Tis a very lazy engine and a delight to ride.

We blasted out of Kuwait the other morning 15 mins ahead of our 0200 departure. 33R is closed for no apparent reason and that being the closest runway to the GA ramp it was a long taxi to33L. Bumpy as……. Anyways, max fuel on board and just 1500lbs below our 114800 MTW the performance was awesome. This aerie always makes me smile even when heavy. Rock solid and stable. We climbed out to FL430 over Iraq after being told 300is our final due traffic. I had to say no to the controller, we would not make our destination. Long story short we were vectored to climb. Over Turkey we took a non standard FL 450. Over Scotland we went to FL470 for the Atlantic crossing. Smooth flight throughout but stonking headwinds of over 100kts (185kph). We climbed at 275/M.83 and cruised at M.85 versus the normal 300/M.85 and M.88. We had over 20 hours of darkness since the sun had set in Kuwait with it finally rising just prior to New York city. Anyways, my longest flight ever in the Global 7500. 15 hours 10 flight time with legal dispensation for 2 crew. It was tough but certainly not impossible!

Thanks Man, heal up well. I had surgery in 2006 for a well busted up left AC joint. Made the mistake of getting back to riding too soon, motorcycles and MTB, was a drama for years…….now I put the pain down to age Ha Ha (61) Anyways, I am in US on a work trip and have not been home for months……..I have to collect my Yamaha MT01 and the TLS when I return home in 10 days……am like a young kid at Christmas! Jeeze and a Giant Stance that I have not ridden!!

Congrats on the new bike. That is a fine one for the country lanes of The Mud Patch!

I have not seen these around much since my freight days, so was a treat to see this beast in Kuwait a few days ago.