sani pass

[neillp]

Hi Guys

 

Looking for some information please.

 

I will be in the drakensberg close to the end of may. Now one of my goals while im down there is to do the Sani pass.

 

Now on this subject i will be doing this alone as none of the people i know can take leave in that period.

 

The question i have is. would you recomend doing it alone, i have contacted the border post and they do not have a problem letting me go through alone ( well that was according to the lady at the border post which asked if my MTB was licensed )

 

And do you have any tips or info that i might find helpfull?

 

 

Question 2

 

what other places are there to ride. very eager

 

Thanks

[Guest agteros]

SA border post is 15km from the Sani pass hotel, still 25km to go after that

The big UP only starts after the border post, and the gradient gets progressively steeper the higher you go.

Take care of the taxis, etc using the route as well. Take a camera along, well worth the experience!

 

Will the SA border post let you through/back without a passport?

[29pgc10]

last time I was there I needed the passport

[EigerSA]

i was there in oct, you need a passport

[Sepia]

Howzit

Snap! I am planning to do the same thing at about the same time!

Have spoken to backpackers there and they say it is often done from them by single cyclists. You do need a passport. Gate opens at 0600 and it is 8kms uphill from there. Time for lunch and wizz down. Backpackers say it is 16kms to the border post.

 

R350 one way transport is avail with bike. The walk up could be great sp I am definitely going to give it a try - only if it does not rain.

We should hook up?

Cheers

 

Hi Guys

 

Looking for some information please.

 

I will be in the drakensberg close to the end of may. Now one of my goals while im down there is to do the Sani pass.

 

Now on this subject i will be doing this alone as none of the people i know can take leave in that period.

 

The question i have is. would you recomend doing it alone, i have contacted the border post and they do not have a problem letting me go through alone ( well that was according to the lady at the border post which asked if my MTB was licensed )

 

And do you have any tips or info that i might find helpfull?

 

 

Question 2

 

what other places are there to ride. very eager

 

Thanks

[cat-i]

not wise to go alone ... the top bit is rutted & rocky. the cars have right of way simply because the cant drive anywhere else .... in case you fall, it would be better to have a buddy with you, even only for sympathy.

 

this will be spectacular if you could arrange some snow for when you're there

[Grebel]

Take warm clothes with. The weather can change very quickly up the mountain. Don't underestimate that "hill". Take a camera and stop to take pictures. If you ride over a weekend there shuold be plenty of 4x4's going up and down to assist if things go pearshaped. Remember to give way to the cars and trucks. You won't be very popular if you cause a 4x4 to have to stop going up the switchbacks at the top. If I remember correctly the cars going up have right of way. Don't forget your passport! It is a hard ride but well worth the descent!! Have fun.

[Sepia]

Thanks for the tips and info guys.....

[Bat-ass]

Take a day to also ride the "Sani Spoor" trails. They are awsome, and are the other side of underbarg on the Drak Gardens road.

[Bin Laden]

Done it winter with the snow. Brilliant experience. Passport non negotiable. At the top go have lunch at the highest pub in Africa. Dont forget to tell the Lesotho Border control to stamp u in and out at the same time if u pan to leave after a meal. Saves time. Enjoy. Safe parking at the backpackers.

[neillp]

Hey Thanks for all the info, Can't wait. need to get some training in for this before i attempt it.

[Aurora]

Done it a few times, nice altitude training for the lungs and legs! Good fun, take a camera and a passport. Also warmers, weather changes very quickly and gets icy cold fast! Enjoy it, go chat to Sam Knox at Underburg Spar for more advice

[Grebel]

Hey Thanks for all the info, Can't wait. need to get some training in for this before i attempt it.

 

If you can ride a 40km race in around 3 hours you will be fine. Expect to walk the last 6-8km and don't forget that the altitude will klap you a bit. (Wait, you are from up there already... the altitude that is!) It's not as bad as people say. Remember that there is only one hill and that is going up!

[RexFuzzle]

I heard that with all the rain and stuff in Jan that the road has nearly completely washed away, some guys had to leave their 4x4 on the pass and hike out. My cousin said he just managed on his motorbike. Don't know if it is fixed yet though.

[jmaccelari]

I've done it solo a couple of times and once during the Sani Transfrontier. No problems. Take your passport - the Lesotho post let me through without looking at it, but the SA post did.

 

Depending on when you're going make sure you have some decent clothing. The second time I nearly died of cold on the descent during a rain storm at about 4degC...

[Sepia]

FYI