Sani Pass
Sani Borderpost - SA
We had to be at the Lesotho borderpost on top of Sani Pass before 17h00 closing time.
One of the tour operators told us at the SA borderpost that they had to recover 6 bikers from the pass the previous weekend. With that warning in mind we knew we were in for some fun. The first 5.5 km went well and then the fun started. Two of the friends both came down 3 times with only two of us in support.
The third fall
After the third fall we decided to leave the 2 bikes in the mountain (about 1km from the top) and do the recovery on Saturday morning. We arrived at the borderpost around 17h30 and luckily they let us through. After a good night's rest at Sani Pass Lodge and a good breakfast we walked down and without any further mishaps managed to drove to the top.
View from the top
and another .....
The initial plan was to go down the mountain but after a 30 second deliberation we decided to take the route through Lesotho via the Mokhotlong and Moteng passes to the Caledonspoort borderpost close to Fouriesburg and Clarens.
As we left Sani Top
In 4 hours we did the 40/50 km dirt road stretch from Sani Pass Lodge to the tar road (pothole road) unto Ox Bow Lodge (60 odd km's) close to Afri Ski resort.
Letseng diamond mine
Afri ski resort - +- 10k's from Ox Bow Lodge
Ox Bow Lodge in the distance
We arrived at Ox Bow Lodge at 13h00 and spend the afternoon together with the management team of the G4 Challange (old Camel Trophy) watching the two rugby semi-finals.
G4 Challange - Competitors
Real competitors
They were busy with national trials for the selection of the top two competitors that will represent SA later this year.
We left Ox Bow at 08h30 over the Moteng Pass (what a view!!) and arrived in Fouriesburg around 10h30. After petrol and drinks we left for Pta via Bethlehem, Reitz and Frankfort. From Frankfort we took a 80km dirt road to Oranjeville where we had lunch.
From there we took the way home via Deneysville and Vereniging to Pta. We arrived back home at 17H30.
I hope this will wet some appetites!!
Regards
Amadeus
14 October 2008 - 12:52pm
#1
Hi Amadeus
Nice report. Don't attach images the way you have, just put your cursor in the text box where you want the image, and then click the little green icon at the bottom left of the text box.
Full instructions are [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/how-do-i-add-pictures-my-articles here].
Website Administrator
[http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]
14 October 2008 - 1:14pm
#2
Incredible stuff!
Thanks so much for sharing with us :)
14 October 2008 - 2:02pm
#3
There is a nasty rumor going around that they are going to tar this pass.
14 October 2008 - 2:09pm
#4
Take that back you HEATHEN!
kidding Warren :) - but seriously?
14 October 2008 - 2:13pm
#5
Amadeus Geldenhuys
Warren went looking at the progress and what it will do for Lesotho tourism (unfortunately!!) the opportunities for adventurers conquering Sani will run out shortly
14 October 2008 - 2:19pm
#6
I'm afraid Warren is correct Alan. Read articles below.
http://vertical-endeavour.com/joomla/drakensberg/passes/sani-pass-upgrad...
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=180&art_id=vn2008072511...
I suppose there are some pro's and cons for doing this.
Maybe the club can plan a trip to Sani Pass and surrounds before this happens;)
“Its all about the motorbikes, always has been and always will be. “ Ewan McGregor 2007
0823335473
henkbekker@vodamail.co.za
14 October 2008 - 2:21pm
#7
Also some interesting info here
http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=23193.0
I've never driven the Sani Pass but have read and heard many stories about it and it's on my "things to do before you die" list.
Looks like I'll need to move it up the list.
14 October 2008 - 2:24pm
#8
SIGH....I hope I can have a go at this pass before the "tarring" happens.
Just wondering, how many members would be interrested in such a ride organised by the club where we can look at camping as well as a backup vehicle being part of the trip?
Johan de Jager
"It's all about the ride, nothing else"
14 October 2008 - 2:33pm
#9
I'd be interested - it looks INCREDIBLE - price dependant of course - I'm not CEO yet. :P
14 October 2008 - 2:39pm
#10
+1 Sounds like a good idea. Like Alan said, price dependant. Me too are not a CEO yet:(. Can a 650 go that far :? ?
“Its all about the motorbikes, always has been and always will be. “ Ewan McGregor 2007
0823335473
henkbekker@vodamail.co.za
14 October 2008 - 2:37pm
#11
A scooter can go that far if you can :)
14 October 2008 - 2:46pm
#12
Sorry Amadeus for highjacking your report:) . You got a bunch of us excited to do the Sani Pass now.
“Its all about the motorbikes, always has been and always will be. “ Ewan McGregor 2007
0823335473
henkbekker@vodamail.co.za
14 October 2008 - 2:53pm
#13
Amadeus Geldenhuys
I was hoping for this reaction. This was truly an humbling experience which had us exited as well as all the foreigners we ran into (Canadians, Germans and Americans) - Honey Badger the technology is killing me. I'm trying to incorporate the photos but with little success.
14 October 2008 - 3:07pm
#14
Strange. What is the problem exactly?
# are you in 'edit' mode on your post?
# do you see, below the text area where you are typing your post, the green '+' on a tiny image?
# when you click this do you get a pop-up window that has an 'upload' button on it?
# can you find the pictures on your harddrive using the 'browse' button?
# does the submit button work?
Give me more info and I can help you.
Website Administrator
[http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]
14 October 2008 - 4:06pm
#15
Amadeus Geldenhuys
I'm in EDIT mode and followed steps 1 - 7 When I click on INSERT (Screen 7) it takes me to a blank screen saying Properties : Change how image is displayed with a START Over button.
Do I have to remove the original attached images first?
14 October 2008 - 4:14pm
#16
I'd love to go, its on my list and not ticked yet.
14 October 2008 - 4:38pm
#17
Ok, Amadeus
I think I see where you're pinned. I logged in as you and inserted one of the images. You have already uploaded 4 images - so I clicked on one of them in the image window, and the next screen is screen 7 in the instructions. It is more bare because the details are hidden in the 'advanced options' line. '''All you need to do is click the insert button'''.
Perhaps you can't see the button because you need to scroll down in your window. Don't click 'start over', click '''insert'''.
Hope this helps. You don't need to remove the attachments, but once your pictures are up it is a good idea in order to keep your post good and clean and fresh.
Website Administrator
[http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]
14 October 2008 - 5:08pm
#18
Amadeus, 'n lekker report and the photos are wonderful. We did the Sani about 3 years ago, but on quads.At R500-00 ea it was the cheaper option, considering the light rain at the time (therefore no Photo's)it was the right choice, certainly cheaper than dropping the bike and my wife.
You need to come to C T so we can go for a ride or two.
Ignore opinions, heed facts.
Feet on the pegs, always.
14 October 2008 - 6:28pm
#19
Amadeus Geldenhuys
Cheesy - Thank you for the invite. If I stay in good health CPT and surroundings is definitely on my tick list.
I'm originally from Velddrift (way back) and would love to join you and other members on a weekend trip to where ever you go in the areas around CPT
14 October 2008 - 6:48pm
#20
Amadeus
Your name that appears at the top of your comment box is actually your 'signature'. You are supposed to type your comment '''above''' it. Then you won't have your name appearing as the title to all your comments.
Don't worry, another long-time member of the club discovered this interesting little fact today also ;-)
Website Administrator
[http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]
14 October 2008 - 10:03pm
#21
It's been on my list for a long time. So I am in..!! Just let me know.
15 October 2008 - 9:17am
#22
Doing the Sani pass was on my 'To Do' list when I owned a regular Nissan Sani 4x2(though it had a diff-lock). Never got around to it, so am c-a-p-i-t-a-l l-e-t-t-e-r-s KEEN to do in on my
Dakar!
A few 650's could maybe use the Shosholza Mail train (they takes bikes AND passengers, and it's reasonable) to break the back of the distance, and then ride to Sani Pass from one of it's stops?. Or else break up the distance from CT into many 'bite-size' chunks, to make it manageable.
Yup, I'm dead keen!
http://www.themanorcottage.co.za
15 October 2008 - 9:31am
#23
With the possibility of doing e.g Sani Pass one day possibly as a train/bike combo, esp. for those on 650's, I am taking the liberty of posting Shosholza Mails e-mail / contact details:
Hijack ON:
e-mail: Nonkululeko.Maqubela@transnet.net
phone: luggage department (motorbike transport) +27 11 773 7499
Hijack OFF
http://www.themanorcottage.co.za
15 October 2008 - 10:50am
#24
Why not do an Iron Butt to Sani? I know there was a forum discussion about it earlier in the year.
“Its all about the motorbikes, always has been and always will be. “ Ewan McGregor 2007
0823335473
henkbekker@vodamail.co.za
15 October 2008 - 11:03am
#25
Hi Henk,
There was / is - I'm still working on the Charity and media involvement angles and it's just moving very slowly - Great idea though - someone able to work up a decent route?
15 October 2008 - 11:16am
#26
Honey Badger - Charles Oertel is busy working on my problem (stupidity!?)with the photo uploads. Thank you for your patience and help with this first time user.
I did a a route plan on VEZA 1) If you take N1 from CPT to Himeville via Bethlehem the distance is appr 1600km's 2) If you take N2 via EL and Kokstad to Himeville the distance is also appr 1600km's 3) Add the 30 odd km's from Himeville to Sani borderpost (bottom)
You can fillup in Himeville and go all the way through Lesotho to Caledonspoort (Fouriesburg) with one tank petrol
Amadeus Geldenhuys
15 October 2008 - 11:43am
#27
Sounds great thanks, I'll add this to the list of proposed routes, but wouldn't particularly suggest it on the time trial side for the Iron Butt as the off-road cannot be done at the speeds required - it would be unsafe and irresponsible from my side to do that. Added on this there is the problem of border control stops regarding time etc.
Thanks Again :)
Alan
15 October 2008 - 11:44am
#28
In Addendum,
I don't want to not have time to stop for photos, or to just enjoy the beauty of it :)
This is a memory making trip, not a record maker / breaker - I know I prefer it that way.
15 October 2008 - 3:34pm
#29
Alan, while you are in the vinicity pop in to the Katse dam and go to the Fouriesburg border post. The road ia/was amazing and the views even better.
Ignore opinions, heed facts.
Feet on the pegs, always.
15 October 2008 - 3:42pm
#30
Thanks Cheesy - will make a point of it :)
Liability
Motorsport is inherently dangerous. As per paragraph 9 of the club constitution, the club shall not be held liable for any loss, injury or death of any member or guest, howsoever arising.
The BMW Motorcycle Club Cape cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for any actions or decisions you make as a result of the information posted on this site. Although this site is enabled and used by the BMW Motorcycle Club Cape, posts are made by members, non-members, advertisers and guests and none of it is vetted by the club before posting. This is the internet and Africa - you are responsible for yourself.
