Riding rough in Limpopo

Annie n I trailered the 2 bikes from Gordon's Bay to limpopo.

What a trip up- towing the bikes through the karoo to Jozi, by way of the R355 (tankwa karoo), Calvinia and Vosburg.  It felt so odd to be doping this on 4 wheels, not 2 wheels.

Arriving in Magoebaskloof on the R71, some 45 mins out of Polokwane.

Beautiful place worthy of a 5 day stay just to ride the roads and fish in the dams.

We've done most driving this last week in the Jeep- to Maputo and through the Kruger Park.

But what little riding we've done so far has been amazing.

And the reactions in small towns and on the roads have been awsome.

Everyone drools at the thought or riding commando with tents, spider chaira, panniers and gear.

We've captured some lekker footage on both bike cams and some super stills.

What a place to ride.

We very soon fell into ‘holiday’ groove.

When asked the time I could say it was still June.

Well, the truth is that the BMW’s never ran up more than 500km’s a piece on this trip.

While Anne was moving the trailer from locations, I was off on my GSA, exploring roads in Limpopo.

Certainly, next trip we’ll ride up, not trailer up the bikes.

But once in the KNP, Annie’s first visit ever, it was hard to leave.

We camped in Phalaborwa, in Lantana Lodge which proved very convenient for us.

at 06H00 we entered the park gates by Jeep and exited at 17H30.

We did a day ride on the bikes through some of the most awesome game parks and back roads.

And often we found that not consulting the locals, caused us to have to turn back down a gravel road after 10kms  when confronted by an elephant proof gate and an armed warden.

We even stayed two nights in the park.

Many happy hours of viewing and days later we have to start the trek home.

One last relaxing evening around the campfire before loading the bikes this evening and getting off tomorrow to an early start.

So what was to be a week of transiting the gravel roads ended up in one full day of that and six days of game viewing.

As far as the Soccer World Cup event, we managed to follow almost every match on either TV or radio. Shit, we really enjoyed the radio commentary. Good knowledgeable professionals with the most amusing figures of speech you can dream up.

They made each game come alive and had us in stitches.

Their knowledge of players and teams was excellent and a big hats-off to SABC for their commentator team and panels of experts.

I must add that in Limpopo, perforce my bike driving, I met quite a few traffic cops, all very friendly, not one fine issued.

The service we received in Limpopo Province and in Phalaborwa made us proud to be South African.

Everywhere, the locals were friendly, helpful and courteous.

The Sanparks officer to a person were excellent and we had 110% service there too.

At the border, we breezed through both ways in no time, no delays, no problems.

I guess the only irritations were the other South Africans who do not know etiquette or manners.

Why do boere vroue and fat boere not know how to queue at a border??

Whether it is in Thailand or Komatipoort or OTI airport, they push in front without shame and refuse to apologise.

I’m Afrikaans myself so it is irritating to a degree and very embarrassing when your own people are such boors in front of foreign people who they think they are above in life.

16 days never went by so fast.

Monday back in the saddle and off to work!