Visiting SA from UK (June '09) had a few days between to do a bike trip up west coast of South Africa to sand dunes in Namibia.
Day 1 - Cape Town to Namib border approx 700km / 450 miles N7 motorway
Day 2 - Namib to Sousvlei approx 800km / 500 miles various dirt / gravel
Day 3 - rest / sightsee
DAy 4 - Seisreim Dunes - NAmib border approx 800km / 500 miles various gravel /B1 motorway
DAy 5 - Namib - Cape Town 700km / 450 miles N7 motorway
day2 route - thin blue line
- 1.namib map.JPG (57.63 KiB) Viewed 848 times
Given distances opted for GS800 rather than F650 Dakar which I had previously owned. Easy to ride bike (once figured out bmw switch gear!) and nice sounding exhaust. Hire bike had about 30k on clock and in good nick. Opted for top box and backpack. Brought out my own jacket, helmet and boots (to save a few pennies) although it was possible to hire these. From memory bike was around R800 (£80/$100)/day with unlimited mileage.
- 2. pick up bike.JPG (71 KiB) Viewed 848 times
First fuel stop at Citrusdal about 180km (110mile) from Cape Town. Nice mountain pass just before the town. Large fruit growing area in SA, so plenty of greenery around (would soon dissapear the further north I went).
- 2.citrusdal.JPG (34.71 KiB) Viewed 848 times
Bike under shade. Being middle of winter in SA temp was very pleasant (around 18C). Again - much hotter weather to come!
- 3. bike and lake.JPG (77.32 KiB) Viewed 848 times
New visitor centre spotted along the road. Building for the 2010 FIFA world cup?
- 4.new visitor info centre.JPG (39.66 KiB) Viewed 848 times
"Oh, yeah, they're gonna talk to you, and talk to you, and talk to you about individual freedom. But they see a free individual, it's gonna scare 'em."....Easy Rider
