Spokey

Very lekker, gosh, must be 10 years at least since I was at Brauhaus! Tis a fine stop over.

Compliments of the Season to you All! My Baviaans Birthday Bash was a motorcycling highlight of my biking trips and definitely a bucket list adventure on a bike. I have travelled the route in both directions in my bakkie and it is an absolute doddle compared to the bike. I elected to take the old KLR 650 as it is tough and repairable with chewing gum, fencing wire and duct tape and if all fails a hammer often does the trick! ( kidding…..) The day was hot and airless, the 66kms of the Reserve really took it out of me. I was tired at the end and managed to have a close inspection of the terrain with a small “off” on a right hand uphill corner. A stupid prang that resulted in bent bars, a busted mirror and a bruised leg……though the ego was bruised more. I was angry too as I had successfully crossed all the water obstacles and had just 5 mins before the crash told myself to be careful and concentrate! Anyways, made it to Patensie for a good rest before the return to Hoekwil via Antoniesburg Pass and Steytlerville. In all, 890 kms round trip with about 85% dirt….

Die Hel is great too. I have done a day ride in and out from Hoekwil on the KLR. Was thinking of heading there later this month. I am truly lucky to live where there are beautiful loops of 4 hours to the whole day. Swartburg Pass return via De Rust, Prince Alfreds Pass via Kamanasie valley, Rooiburg Pass etc. Many splendid connecting roads too, north and south of the Outeniquas and Swartbug mountains. Will take a look at WD’s!

Tis one of my favourite places in the world. We will travel back from Patensie via the Antoniesburg Pass to Steytlerville.

My 60th is approaching rapidly and I decided to forgo a big party at home. I am doing what I want to do and the Missus is backing it all the way…….. So, on a bike theme, we are going to camp in Baviaans, my adult kids and my brother are coming from Joburg. They will all drive the various vehicles while I go on a bike. My Birthday….My choice ha ha. I am fortunate to have a choice of several dirt bikes, KTM 1190, KTM 690 Rally, KLR 650 and new Yammy T7. I am taking my KLR650….. My reasons…….despite the 690 being lighter I think my KLR is a good choice. Centre stand in case of punctures. Easy to sort if dumped in the water at Smitskraal and easy to get my boots on the ground. And above all, I promised that bike a Baviaans adventure…..true bikers will get that!

The Wee bike has been collected in Debben and begun the long journey to Hoekwil via Josie. I hope the poor little thing is not terrified of the big smoke! Little bike after all. i am going to build an elevated display stand above my DT125 and RS 125 for the little machine to chill while I have custody of her!

This is somewhere over Turkey. We set up the below camera in order to see a company colleague who we were passing. They turned to a different route and we passed this fellow, around 8000 feet below us. We cruise at M.88 so typical TAS of 510 kts at FL450. Ground Speed in this instance was over 560Kts. 20231203_192959_59940580280472.mp4

Recently flew from Newark in New York to Kuwait. Just two pilots at the flight time was around 11 hours. We were 12 hours 50 from Kuwait to Newark due to the headwinds. 13 hours plus and we are supposed to use 3 crew. It screws us all up as we only have 3 pilots so the poor bastard off duty has to come out and then it extends all of our duties. I do not have a good relationship with FDP, Flight Duty Periods. You can operate with in the regulations and be more tired than just getting the job done in the first place. Anyways…….this is sunrise east of the UK after take off at 1900local from New York.

Yeah, I will perhaps look for a Honda SS 50 as well. The two little bikes and a few of my others may end up heading to UK at some point. However that is a future plan, will see…….

Looks really cool, but after watching this video I will stick with my KTM 690 R Rally. I enjoyed his talking of the thrill of the 690’s power…..smile on the dial each time I ride it! BM 13000 is new to me!

Late model, 1980 apparently. I believe they were made up until 1983 and even featured disc brakes.

I just had to……should be delivered next week. It is the smallest addition to my collection.

Wonderful. I do hope I can still be tearing it up around the country side at a similar age……if I make it that long anyways!

Perhaps of interest. Back to Paris from Marseilles. Dodged a little weather for a 1700 landing into Le Bourget. This is I believe, my favourite Bizz Airport. Always a thrill if doing a parallel approach with a “Heavy” going into Charles de Gaulle next door! The controllers are relaxed and in my opinion very good. It is busy airspace. The Museum at the airport is well worth a visit with some examples of crazy weird French jet designs from the ‘50s. I did not manage a visit this time but can perhaps dig out some pics if peeps are interested.

And more reliable than the Lancia……perhaps faster too…….though not as important I guess.

Katoom 1190. I am a big fan, I am same height as you. Effortless power, great handling and an absolute hoot. I have had my 2013 model for just 4 years but 60 000 kms and several other bikes to ride. I have had no issues at all. Been all over SA. Ridden all weather too. I confess I have just bought a new Yam T7 to steer away from rider aids and keep it simple as I am now shortly hitting the next decade after the50’s……lighter smaller bike. However I am keeping the 1190 and will ride it as long as I can.

I like the 1100 and 1150. Would like one in my garage…….to use as well, not just as a garage Queen.

Flew last week from Ibiza to the Mid East. Over Crete the turbulence was a bit crap, fine for an ex freight dog but with the lunch service in full swing we climbed to non standard FL470 from 450. Still bumping along we tried FL490 knowing that we would be unlikely to maintain our M.88 at that level. Was very impressed to see the aeroplane settle at M.87 at Cruise thrust. Not a bad ground speed too considering the roughly 10kt drop in TAS at that altitude.

Hi There. I also have a UK passport. I leave and enter UK on the SA one and the rest is on the UK apart from UAE. My UAE resident visa is in the SA one for various reasons. US crew visas are in the UK one. Traveling as crew is easy around Europe. Some countries will require visas on entry, like Turkey, although in this case only for stays of longer than 5 days. Our company has a full time employee to assist with travel documents. Post Brexit travel as a passenger if entering “Euroland” it is a lot more tedious, especially France. However the majority of our crew change outs are through Dubai which is super easy with a Res Visa.

Wow, this is pretty. I really like Switzerland. We were due to have 4 days in Geneva middle of the month but we ended up dropping the boss off and heading to Nice. We had planned to stay in Montreaux. Anyways, I like Nice too, though on this occasion we stayed in Juan les Pins in Antibes.

This topic seems to have slowed up a bit. I have been busy recently after bringing our aerie out of Biggen from the 36 month check.Top pic is over Paris followed by Final into Le Bourget. Following is Final into Nice 04L then out of Nice passing Monaco. Then a bit of the Alps poking through on the descent to Geneva followed by a HUD shot over Turkey and finally a fine dusty desert view over Iraq late afternoon.

This little bike must be a hoot. My old CB400F from 1975 has less power and is a gas to ride…………………..this is big fun!

Well some are still for older dudes!

Awesome, Tankwa, on my bucket list. Enjoy!

This looks like the way forward to mitigate the weak exhaust mount of the T7 whilst adding a gorgeous sounding end can for not terribly ridiculous money