Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Ride Tales, Trip Reports and Stories > Ride Tales
Lesotho 2011 Lesotho 2011
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Ride Tales Post your ride reports for a weekend ride or around the world. Please make the first words of the title WHERE the ride is. Please do NOT just post a link to your site. For a link, see Get a Link.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



 
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #4  
Old 19 Dec 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 235
Lesotho 2011
Down, down, down….!
They say running downhill is much harder than uphill, during my time in the army we used to run up a hill in the Pentlands, Scotland affectionately known as ‘COs Hill’. Getting up it was a bitch and yet the return was worse, the strain on the knees, constant fear of a busted ankle whilst slipping and using your face as a brake should a trip occur. Time constraints were in force the morning we awoke in the Backpackers accommodation so an early start was necessary. The border opens at 6am and we needed to be away soonest in the hope of making Cape Town the next evening.


Making our way to the ‘start line’ at the top of the pass we noticed the cold biting due to the altitude, something I hadn’t noticed the day before. The KLR was giving off some rubbing noises which we found was the plastic chain guard against the chain itself, this was due to the sub frame bolt and it’s temporary fix making the chassis twist ever so slightly, a cable tie soon put that right. A white pickup driver informed us that the official who stamps the passport was still in bed after working a late shift and may only be available after 6am, so we had time to take a few pictures and chat to the local truck drivers. I wasn’t worried about the severity of the pass for if a truck can do it, I’m damn sure an enduro bike shall have no problems. After being bored for ½ hour I decided to check out the ‘Customs’ building, lo and behold it was occupied and I had my exit stamp in a flash..! Informing Al, who did the same and we were off.
The view at the top of the Sani Pass, especially in the early morning is a sight to behold, the sheer distance that can be seen is breath taking, ever decreasing shades of terrain in the distance reminded me of stage backdrops at the theatre showing the perfect view. The weather was dry and calm and perfect riding conditions in the knowledge that once we progressed down it would warm up and warm up it did!


I took the lead for Al had been on the pass before and riding the heavier BMW he took it steady with the extra weight. The famous switchbacks start almost immediately and rider positioning is all important, weight back, look up, don’t ride the brakes and use the engine gearing. The KLR is an enduro dual purpose bike and its gearing shows this. Attempting to use 1st gear to slow the bike downhill was a little too fast for me on the tight switchbacks so I applied slight braking to help, switching between front and rear so as not to overheat the callipers. This time I would have preferred a smaller bike, WR450 perhaps? The further down I went the more awesome the view became and a couple of stops were required to take it all in which wasn’t easy due to the sharp decline and the loose rocks that made the track. Occasionally looking back to see Al concentrating on the BMW, I could sense he was enjoying the challenge the extra weight gave him. The concentration required warmed me up to where I had a sweat under my helmet, I was thankful for having a flip-up helmet. I hate full face lids and only wear them at speed but this was slipping forward and annoying ‘look up Geoff, look up’. My shoulders tightening, neck straining looking up and forward, the previous days trek making my wrists ache. We hadn’t had breakfast yet, normally I’m a grumpy bastard when I haven’t eaten but at this moment, I couldn’t have been further away from caring as THIS WAS BRILLIANT..! It was like teenage sex, short, sharp, exciting and intense, banging a chick yet looking out the window at an ever better chick and after a couple of Km’s/ minutes it was over WAAAY too quickly! The track begins to level and more resembles a green laning exercise, the hard part done, time for the post coital cigarette at the SA border crossing and the slog back to Cape Town.
So there for me was the Sani Pass and Lesotho, one of the shortest yet most spectacular rides I’ve ever done in my life. I’m not a writer and never proclaimed to be, I’m a Yorkshire man and now my knuckles are beginning to hurt from typing. Yet for me it was an intense paced rollercoaster few days of disappointment and elation, failure and success, exhaustion and friendship, my riding ability tested more than ever and the companionship of a truly good friend and fellow rider with his unwavering ‘Maak ‘n Plan’ mentality. I owe my eternal gratitude to Al and one day in the future it will be my pleasure to return the compliment.
Daft yet extremely happy Yorkshire man..!!

Looking back, I would have loved to have turned around and headed back up, which was the original plan (I hate being pushed for time!) but it was not to be, did I truly ‘do’ the Sani Pass? To some, a resounding ‘no’ will holler but the pass isn’t going away for a long time and rumours of it being tarred soon sound pretty unreasonable as they have been spoken about for years. During our mad dash, we’d gained higher altitudes of 3,200m in Lesotho and done much harder technical riding further north of the country, The Sani was a ‘tick in the box’ and if I didn’t do it right, well………….. let’s put it this way, it’ll not be tarred by next year!!
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: P1000452 (1024x766).jpg Views: 185 Size: 90.1 KB ID: 5835  

Click image for larger version Name: P1000475 (800x370).jpg Views: 182 Size: 38.0 KB ID: 5836  

Click image for larger version Name: P1000487 (800x600).jpg Views: 183 Size: 84.1 KB ID: 5837  

Click image for larger version Name: P1000466 (800x474).jpg Views: 151 Size: 42.5 KB ID: 5838  

__________________
Geoffshing

'Security is a product of one's own imagination, it does not exist in nature as a rule, life is either a daring adventure or nothing.'
Reply With Quote
 

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Antwerp to Cape Town and back:start dec 2011 Titbird Travellers Seeking Travellers 6 3 Dec 2011 10:36
East Africa - Dec 2011 ultimatejourney sub-Saharan Africa 0 14 Nov 2011 06:39
Dec, 2011 - Shipment Buenos Aires to Europe (Switzerland) bonum_iter Trip Transport 0 9 Nov 2011 13:00

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:06.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top