A query about how to 'read' a ride report such as this has come up. The easy answer is to choose a starting point (say SA/Namibia 2011 - Day 1. The Cape Peninsula [2011 - September]). To do this go to Blog Archive (below the picture of the three handsome guys on the right side of this page).
In order to progress forward in time the 'NEXT' blog is found by simply clicking on 'Newer Post' at the foot of the page you have read. An on-line diary such as this always displays the newest posting at the top.
Here is an overview of the whole motorcycle ride.
In order to progress forward in time the 'NEXT' blog is found by simply clicking on 'Newer Post' at the foot of the page you have read. An on-line diary such as this always displays the newest posting at the top.
Here is an overview of the whole motorcycle ride.
Key to Markers:
Blue = Vanrhynsdorp - Springbok - Grunau - Luderitz.
Yellow = Luderitz - Grunau - Springbok - Calvinia - Karoo National Park - Calitzdorp - Stellenbosch - Cape Town.
Magenta = Cape Town - Swellendam - Jeffreys Bay - East London - Port St Johns - Durban - Bethal - Midrand.
Orange = Earlier solo ride in 2010. Calvinia - Kathu - Midrand - Zastron - Aberdeen - Calitzdorp - Moorreesburg.
Green = Two bike ride in 2010. Dundee - Durban - Umtentweni - Underberg - Winterton - Clarens.
Below is a map of Day 26.
View 26th Sept: Midrand to Assen to Midrand. in a larger map
Days 24 and 25 were spent with family in Randburg and Midrand. The motorbike did not get a lot of use during this time. On Saturday 24th Meriel took me to Braamfontein in the morning and to Sandton City in the afternoon. Both places impressed me very much for different reasons.
Braamfontein is being reclaimed (if that is the correct word). Sandton City is a testament to wealth, enterprise, business, imagination and entrepreneurship.
In Braamfontein we went to a market in a reclaimed, revamped, refurbished building. It was excellent. The whole area appears to be undergoing positive change. Also Braamfontein is very 'arty' with galleries, coffee bars and even a piazza with a huge TV screen - the rugby was on.
In Braamfontein we went to a market in a reclaimed, revamped, refurbished building. It was excellent. The whole area appears to be undergoing positive change. Also Braamfontein is very 'arty' with galleries, coffee bars and even a piazza with a huge TV screen - the rugby was on.
'Reclaimed' building in Braamfontein.
In the picture above the market is just visible at the mezzanine level.
Inauguration of a new market in Braamfontein. Busy. Brilliant.
The Milner Park Hotel is also being revamped and is receiving a lot of care and attention. This building, on De Beer Street is one of the original buildings of Johannesburg.
Milner Park Hotel
View from a new penthouse apartment on Juta Street, Braamfontein.
A 'piazza' in Braamfontein.
'Interesting' art in one of the galleries in the area.
Sandton City is phenomenal. The buildings are impressive. Every other car seems to be a Maserati, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bentley or Rolls-Royce. Obviously there is a lot of money in this part of Johannesburg.
We visited the Joburg Art Fair at the Sandton Convention Centre www.joburgartfair.co.za . It was an amazing experience. Sorry no pics.
The following day we went north to Pretoria - to the Voortrekker Monument. It was very interesting.
The following day we went north to Pretoria - to the Voortrekker Monument. It was very interesting.
Camera on car. 10-sec timer!
Voortrekker Monument
The history and courage of the Boer nation is recorded here. The Great Trek, Zulu Wars and the Boer Wars are chronicled here. The great leaders of the Afrikaner nation are celebrated in frescos and pictures. Men like Louis Tregardt, Hans van Rensburg, Hendrik Potgieter, Gerrit Maritz, Piet Retief and Piet Uys.
View of Pretoria from the monument.
The old Pretoria - Johannesburg Road.
Day 26: On the 26th September, Chris (family) took me for a ride-out. He has a Honda XR650L, modified slightly with a 22 litre Acerbis tank and headlight from a XR650R. Also MX style fatbars and risers and a tail tidy
Coffee stop at Hartbeespoort.
"Okay let's go ......"
We were really enjoying being out in the sunshine on the motorbikes. Chris suggested that we ride through Brits and beyond as we had most of the day at our disposal.
We stayed on the R511 through the bustling town and were soon once again in fertile countryside. At one place we got the wonderful scent of citrus - lemon groves I think. We also crossed a railway line just north of Bethanie and again at Beestekraal near the Roodelkopjes Dam. Chris said that with an off-road or dual-purpose motorcycle it is possible to ride the railways. There are service roads running alongside the tracks and it is possible to get maps of such railway roads. Sounds like a lot of fun to me.
Near Assen, about 75 km before Thabazimbi, we spotted Die Bosveld Lapa and decided it was a good place to pull in for a snack.
This is my kind of place for lunch! Forget The Ritz.
Die Bosveld Lapa (obviously).
A snack on the stoep at Die Bosveld Lapa. (That 10-sec timer again!)
We turned around here and headed back to Midrand taking a slightly different route around the Dam. It had been a brilliant day's riding. 'Thanks Chris.'
Distance Today: 263 km. 164 miles.
Trip Total: 7 003 km. 4 352 miles.
Day 27: This was another special day which included seeing, and being allowed to hold, the latest member of the family - Imogen. Imo is my niece's baby.
Imo is so cute.
Chris, Em and Imo.
Day 28: Now it is the time to meet up with Mike once more and to ride the motorcycles to MotoBerlin in Boksburg. Click HERE.
Back 'home' at MotoBerlin in Boksburg.
I had taken delivery of the bike in Cape Town on the 1st September. The odometer at MotoBerlin Cape Town reading was 13 007 km.
Odometer at MotoBerlin in Boksburg.
The odometer reading at MotoBerlin in Boksburg: 20 733 km.
7 726 km recorded on the motorbike.
7 726 km recorded on the motorbike.
My Garmin 76Cx recorded 7 494 km. The speedometer/odometer was therefor only approximately 3% in error.
Garmin at MotoBerlin in Boksburg.
The Yamaha Tenere performed excellently throughout. It never missed a beat.
Here are the Fuel Statistics (based on the motorbike's odometer):
361 litres fuel.
R3639.00.
7 726 km.
4 801 miles.
4 801 miles.
21.39 km/lt.
4.68ltr/100km.
60.42 mpg.
Albert at MotoBerlin kindly gave me a holdall which he had surplus to requirement. I wondered how I was going to get my stuff on the plane!
'Thanks for the bag Albert.'
Mike at the airport.
John at the airport.
Boarding the plane for Birmingham via Dubai - our version of the Long Way Round!
The SA/Namibia adventure is over.
7 494 km
4 657 miles.
7 494 km
4 657 miles.
View SA/Namibia 2011 in a larger map
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