Imana Wild Ride

[BlackBikes]

A few of us are keen to ride the route of the IWR next year, we'd prefer to ride it informally instead of doing one of the tours. Does anybody have any advice for me? Also is it recommended to choose a time when tides are low eg. spring tide?

 

Any advice would be appreciated

 

Thanks

[Velouria]

Contact Craig at Cape Cycle Tours. We did a similar thing in April and had a fantastic time.

[JXV]

The nicest way to do it imo. Did it like this with some friends about 8 years back.

The route is not all beach riding but choose a time of year when weather is stable and ideally you want spring low tides between about 7am and 11 am.

Because it will not be an organised event you are unlikely to find ferries at all the river crossings so you will have to swim some of them. The Bashee being the scariest iirc. Time the crossing to coincide with the tide change or incoming tide. Take a length of nylon washing line for towing ur bike and some drysacks to keep essentials dry (e.g. phones, gps cameras). I would advise to use an old hardtail if you have one, fit biggish tires (2.3 or wider) and then check that the bike floats. Strip and rebuild the whole bike with marine grease beforehand, then again when you get home to clean all the salt out.

Advisable to have a driver that can transport your stuff between your overnight venues.

Enjoy

[deanbean]

This would be one of the best trips you could undertake, Ive done the Imana a few times, and the route is spectacular. Take camera's with.

The rivers will depend on the season, it's best to do the trip in the dry season, winter, as then most of the rivers are fordable. The Bashee is scary, but I've swum it a few times. Get hold of The Haven Hotel and let them know what time you'll be there, and they will organize that the ferry (canoe) operator is there. All the rivers between The Kei and Coffee Bay are fordable, but the rivers between Coffee Bay and Umngazi are big, and ferries will be required, The Mntata, Mtakagie, Mngazana, and Mngazi rivers are all too big and dangerous, read Zambezi Sharks, to cross without ferries.

 

Check the tides when you are planning your trip, and work out that you get 1/2 way at low tide, springs are better, but not absolutely essential.

Another thing to watch out for is your time, this will be a slow trip, I was reasonably fit, and finished each day in about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. You will be doing a lot of walking on day 1 and 2, and will have to push/carry your bike up the mothers, they're that steep.

Make sure that you get permits for the game reserves, Dwesa/Cwebe at the Haven, and Hluleka between Coffee Bay and Mngazi.

https://amatolianmountaindog.wordpress.com/, I wrote about 2 Wild Rides here.

Get hold of Wil6, I know he also was wanting to trip the ride

[Wil6]

This would be one of the best trips you could undertake, Ive done the Imana a few times, and the route is spectacular. Take camera's with.

The rivers will depend on the season, it's best to do the trip in the dry season, winter, as then most of the rivers are fordable. The Bashee is scary, but I've swum it a few times. Get hold of The Haven Hotel and let them know what time you'll be there, and they will organize that the ferry (canoe) operator is there. All the rivers between The Kei and Coffee Bay are fordable, but the rivers between Coffee Bay and Umngazi are big, and ferries will be required, The Mntata, Mtakagie, Mngazana, and Mngazi rivers are all too big and dangerous, read Zambezi Sharks, to cross without ferries.

 

Check the tides when you are planning your trip, and work out that you get 1/2 way at low tide, springs are better, but not absolutely essential.

Another thing to watch out for is your time, this will be a slow trip, I was reasonably fit, and finished each day in about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. You will be doing a lot of walking on day 1 and 2, and will have to push/carry your bike up the mothers, they're that steep.

Make sure that you get permits for the game reserves, Dwesa/Cwebe at the Haven, and Hluleka between Coffee Bay and Mngazi.

https://amatolianmou....wordpress.com/, I wrote about 2 Wild Rides here.

Get hold of Wil6, I know he also was wanting to trip the ride

Hehe, ja we are definitely doing this next year. With the tides and weekends available the rest of the year, I could not find a suitable weekend

[BlackBikes]

Thanks for the great feedback guys.

 

Deanbean-those river crossing a that are too big to cross, are there permanent ferries stationed there it do I have to try and book with the local operator?

[BlackBikes]

Thanks for the great feedback guys.

 

Deanbean-those river crossing a that are too big to cross, are there permanent ferries stationed there it do I have to try and book with the local operator?

[deanbean]

I'm not sure, best to get hold of the Ocean View Hotel in Coffee Bay about the Mntata River, and Umngazi river bungalows about the Mngazana and Mngazi Rivers. I'll find out from a buddy about the Mtakakie River, he has a house there.

[WIPEOUT 1000]

If you can get an entry I would recommend doing the actual event. It is by far the best MTB race I've ever done. It is mountain biking the way it should be.

 

No GPS is allowed and there is no fixed route/directions other that "keep the sea on the right and try and stay within a km of the coast." You're free to follow your instincts and get lost like you cannot believe, but the reward is experiencing and seeing places that even your fellow participants may have missed.

 

Finally, there is no back-up, i.e. the sweeper is only there to call the helicopter in the event of a serious injury, other than that your "alone on your own, racing the tide"

 

[BlackBikes]

I would love to wipeout, but I know the tickets are like hens teeth, us guys figure it would be easier this way. Luckily our wives are more than happy to drive between the overnight stops

 

Deanbean thanks for the help

[JXV]

Awesome trip to do with a bunch of mates. If you can organise before hand with ferries for the crossings it helps. After you cross the Bashee and get to the bar in The Haven you will see all the pics of the giant Zambezis that were caught there

[deanbean]

Awesome trip to do with a bunch of mates. If you can organise before hand with ferries for the crossings it helps. After you cross the Bashee and get to the bar in The Haven you will see all the pics of the giant Zambezis that were caught there

and I swam across a few days after sighting of a big un :wacko: Wondered why I had shivers up my spine...

[BlackBikes]

Ill definitely be booking ferries then

[deanbean]

Messaged my buddy, will reply here when I get a reply. May see him Sat.

[deanbean]

Stii waiting for him to reply to me. Didn't see him today.