RAT Weekend in Barberton, Mpumalanga, 20 -22nd April

[DaveB]

Fast Bikes (Polokwane) & Africa Trail Adventure Tours are organising this event. There's the road bike option for old codgers like me (I'll be on my Tiger 1050) or, alternatively, the adventure course option in to Swaziland for the off-road tearaways on their 800 XCs- I don't think they'll be any Tiger 1200s around by then, but who knows?

I understand that there are still multiple roadworks in the Tzaneen/Magoebaskloof area so Rob + crew from Fast Bikes are trying out this location in Mpumalanga instead. I believe that the roads out of Barberton to Badplaas & Nelspruit (that one is a cracker) have been fully resurfaced.

All those SA RATs on the dealer email lists should have already received an invite. It says there's only accommodation for 25 bikes, so if you want to go on this run book quickly. I've already booked and paid for my accommodation !

DaveB.

 

[DaveM]

What type of cost are we looking at here and what you get for it

 

[Gromit]

We're not going but it's such a beautiful area - very wet too! Enjoy the ride.

 

[DaveB]

Gromit: I are riding with my topdoos en tanksakkie. Geen waterproofs!

I'll be wall-to-wall sunshine in late April , struesbob.

What's on offer (I quote):

"A weekend of fun and adventure in the picturesque mountains of Mpumalanga Province. Barberton awaits you.

Road weekend:
Come join us for a ride through the Lowveld Meander. Experience the pristine & twisty roads that the Lowveld has to offer. Barberton, Sabie, Graskop (God's Window), Hazeyview 22, Long Tom Pass, Nelspruit....

Stop for photos (you see, they even think of me ), take a deep breath of fresh mountain air.

A riding experience that will be remembered for a long time to come. You will be back for more & more....

Bring your partner and come and enjoy this weekend with friends and meet new Triumph enthusiasts.

A weekend to relax and be part of something special....

Our weekend offer includes:

Luxury accommodation for 2 nights
Friday night dinner at the lodge
Saturday- breakfast & dinner (spit braai)
Sunday breakfast
Planned route map with GPS coordinates
All this for just R800 per person per night

Weekend activities:
Amazing riding and an experience of a lifetime
Lots of stops and photo opportunities
Lunch at the famous Woodman's Pub in Sabie (at own cost)
Sunday morning ride to Kaapschehoop or 'Go your own way'.

Adventure weekend:

Come join us for a ride through some of the best kept secrets and roads, deep in the heart of the Swaziland mountain range. Stop for photos, catch a fish and take a deep breath of fresh mountain air.

As above, plus/except
Drinks & refreshments on the Saturday ride (water, cold drinks or beer)
Also includes a backup vehicle with bike trailer
Medical staff for emergencies
Planned route map with GPS coordinates
All this for just R875 per person per night

Weekend activities:
Amazing riding, the experience of a lifetime
Lots of stops and photo opportunities
Little bit of fishing (bass), at Shiyalongubo Dam
Lunch at Msoli (Pilgrim style)
Sunday morning run to Kaapschehoop or 'Go yor own way'."

 

[Gromit]

DaveM - it's a really special weekend away - the scenery is breath-taking and when the roads are in a good state, even more beautiful.

DaveB - watch the speed traps in that area. The centre lines have rumble strips on them and the police sit around a corner and listen for guys crossing the solid white line - they don't even see you do it, just hear it - and they nab you. FS got done like that last time we were in that area = R500 fine!

 

[DaveB]

On a previous mid-winter trip in the area-

Near Kaapmuiden, I managed to get a pic of a lonely road and a thorn (acacia) tree. I was trying to get an 'oh that can only be in Africa' setting.


There are banana plantations (I think they cover the fruit in plastic to protect against frost).


Kaapschehoop is unreal. It's like stepping back in to the nineteenth century.


Horses roam freely about the hilltop village.

 

[CarlS]

Beautiful country. Thanks for the pics.

 

[DaveM]

Wow that is a stunning place

 

[DaveB]

Here's some more.

Outside Nelspruit. Not too busy for a Saturday morning....


Barberton is quite an attractive town and has an interesting history.


My Sprint ST next to a sugar cane field, between Kaapmuiden & Barberton.


Photos during the summer.
Long Tom Pass






Further North is Blydepoort & The Blyde River Canyon with the Three Rondavels.


But you'll only want to go there if you can handle roads like this .


and this, on the fabulously named Robber's Pass (near Pilgrim's Rest)


Or, or, we could all stay at home that weekend .

 

[Gromit]

Nice pics Dave - my sister's farm is on the Barberton road, between Nelspruit & Kaapmuiden. Very beautiful area. There's a particularly stunning ride on an unmarked, but tarred road in the area on the Malelaan road - I'll ask my sister for the directions again and tell you on 21 March - the views from this road are just amazing.

 

[DaveB]

That sounds great, thanks!

Re your earlier comment re traffic cops & rumble strips- are you referring to the N4 highway?

 

[Gromit]

Do me a favour DaveB - I don't know which way is N, S, E or W - how would I know which N?? I'll ask FS

 

[DaveB]

Jislaaik, and you're going to give me directions of how to find a lekker tar road, which "isn't on the map"

I'll sommer end up by Maputo or in the Kruger !

 

[Gromit]

Ha ha = that's why I'll get the info from someone with a decent sense of direction

 

[DaveB]

So are any of the Jozi or Pta okes en meisies going on this trip?

I assume we'll have an organised run leaving Trad Triumph some time on Friday morning.

 

[DaveB]

We've been sent more info this week.

On Saturday we'll have the chance to test ride the Tiger 1200 on decent roads (as opposed to the urban roads around the dealer's premises). Should be good....

 

[avion]

Definitely great roads out that way, I did a trip through a Nature reserve out Barberton way, twisty little road but fun nonetheless. Not a fan of Nelspruit, but every road out of there is fast 'n fun.

Hope the rain stays away for your weekend DaveB.

have fun.

...

 

[DaveB]

Howzit G. Thanks for the message.

At the moment it looks as though I'll be rding down there on my own on Friday. I'll turn off the N12 just past Middelburg to the South. The road from Carolina to Badplaas is a swooping open mountain pass- a high speed belter .

On Saturday I hope to give White River a good gander; long term planning- it's on my top ten list of possible retirement destinations! I'm not looking for much- decent sized town, nice scenery, good roads and nearby fly fishing. There are lots of places in Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape & Western Cape that can provide my modest needs !

Ps. I think I know the nature reserve- the one near Karpmuiden?

PPs. The weather forecast looks OK for the weekend....

 

[avion]

It's possible the same one yes, Rupert took us out that way last year.

...

 

[DaveB]

It's called the Crocodile River Mountain Conservancy, often referred to simply as Krokodilpoort.


If I get a chance I'll ride through it; it's very quiet & scenic.