Gallery : Mud Racing Tips !

Click the pic to view a fantastic gallery of mud busting quads, including this "QuadZilla" !!! This is how they roll Stateside ! YeeHaa !

The link, and picture courtesy of Quad Magazine

Ride Report – Belvedere Game Ranch

Belvedere Game Ranch is situated 190 km to the north from Richards Bay and about 30 km from Pongola. Follow the N2 north towards Mkuze and then 20 km past the Mkuze intersection you turn left onto the R69 gravel road. Follow this road for 22 km. At the split in the road after about 20 km, keep to your right and stay on the R69 for another 2 km’s. You will see the entrance to Belvedere on your right hand side. Drive through the gate and follow the road into the farm for about 1 km until you reach the farm house where Cobus and Karen Venter will receive you and give directions the lodge.

Belvedere is a game farm of +- 1900 hectares stocked with a variety of game including Kudu, Nyala, Impala, Worthog, Bushbuck, Zebra, Blouwildebees and Duiker. It is mainly a Game and Hunting Farm during the winter and they are exploring the option to utilize it during the rest of the year for quad and bike adventures. We were the first to ride here and give some feedback on the quality of the ride. There is not an official set of rules yet, but the idea is that riders will treat the environment with respect, stay on the many tracks available and not go cross country, no racing and watch out for game that might cross the road. This make for a true family getaway and relaxed riding.

The lodge is situated in the center of the farm surrounded buy lush bushveld and accommodation is in 4 comfortable rooms that includes a shower and toilet in each of the rooms. The showers in each room are fed with gas geysers that are very welcome after a hard days riding. Two of the rooms sleep 3 and the other two rooms sleep 2. There is also a separate room that formed part of the old camp that can sleep a further three people.

There is a separate central kitchen and dining area with gas fridge and freezer. There is no electricity in the camp, but all lights are fed from a central connection point that you fit to your vehicle. Everything that you will need in terms of crockery and cutlery are provided for and there is a well setup braai area where all the stories of the day are told around you camp fire. Prices for adults are currently R150 pppn and R80 pppn for children under 12. No additional cost for Quads and bikes.

The farms has a network of bush tracks of about 100km in total. We spent a total of about 7 hours on the bikes over the two days and covered a total distance of 105km. We probably only got to ride about 50% of the roads available. The best way to explore these roads is obviously with your GPS, but you very quickly get orientated in finding your way around and back to the camp. Cobus is planning to map out some of the tracks to make it a bit easier for those with a lack of direction or without a GPS.

You will find a variety of types of tracks to ride ie. grassy new tracks, rocky terrain, sandy river beds and some steep climbs. The dry riverbed is ideal terrain for the quads to explore, but it needs some clearing of bush in some areas to fully utilize it. Maybe it just needs a few utility quads and time to create a trail up the riverbed, but the two wheelers where not the correct gear for this job. This is something to discuss with Cobus on your arrival.

I also found a large rocky area next to one of the trails that I could not resist. I slowly climbed up this rock for about 40 meters with my GasGas for a photo opportunity. This will make a great area to do some technical stuff with bikes and quads. I looked at the vegetation in the area and I could not find much that could be damaged, but this is something else we need to check with Cobus before it is done.

Then there is the viewpoint that must be visited at sunset. We only had overcast afternoons and could not see the sun set, but I can just imagine that this is the perfect place to end off a days ride. From this vantage point you can look over the bush and dream of the new quad or bike that you are going to buy when you get back to civilization or how you will tell you boss on Monday why your weekend had to be extended with another day.

During the day we passed many Impala, Kudu, Nyala and Worthog that just added to the true bush experience. It was also great to take some snacks and drinks with to take a break every now and then and just relax off the bikes in the bush. What makes it special is that you never have to worry about other vehicles, quads or bikes that might meet you head on and truly makes for a relaxed ride.

Cobus and Karen Venter can be contacted on 0823163223, 034 4141166, Fax 034 4141345 or e-mail belvedere@telkomsa.net for bookings to enjoy this beautiful place.

Safe Riding

Werner

Umfilozi River ride to Hluhluwe game park boundry

After three previous failed attempts to navigate the 40 km river bed from Riverview to the border of the Umfilozi / Hluhluwe park, on Saturday Stewart and I tried again and managed to reach the park boundary fence, finaly.

The early morning start in Richards Bay saw us set a crisp pace to the traditional Bird Park for a quick breakfast before heading down the short hill to the river bed. The usual route to the Bird Park was great with a slight chill in the air after the two days rain we had earlier in the week. The rain had also settled the dust and at that point my thoughts were that by now the river must have shown an increase in water level, after all it was two days of rain. This was not to be as the roads were dry as we approached the last 2 km before the river.
The bed was even drier than the two weeks earlier. By now we were somewhat the wiser with navigating around the hidden mud patches. The trick is to only ride on areas where there is evidence of cattle tracks. The cows have a way off avoiding the mud and their tracks were easy to follow. Sure enough as we approached the areas were we previously got stuck, the sand was void if any cattle tracks, confirming our thoughts.


The ride was relatively easy going with the CanAm reminding me of its unmistakable sound and power. Some how I think its time for an upgrade.... maybe later..

Reaching the 30 km mark we spotted a small lake on the GPS and ventured out of the river bed to explore. The Mbukwini lake was impressive with various bird life gathered around it. Moving on, we re-entered the river bed and continued until we reached the boundary fence.


The boundary fence is marked with wooden poles and electrified wires spanning bank to bank. The local kids were acutely aware of the potential of the fence and not prepared to even dare touch one of the wires, not even with a stick....

By now it was well after one in the afternoon and we still had to make our way towards Hluhluwe. At this point we had covered 95km and the Kodiak needed a refuel.

From the River bed, we plotted a GPS course parallel to the reserve fence, heading for the Hluhluwe dam 40 km north of us. This route took us over the hills laying east of the reserve. We climbed about 300 meters in a short distance and paused for a break at the top. The view from up there is great. One cant help but note how dry the area is.

In the distance behind is the Hluhluwe reserve.

Moving on down towards the Nyalazi area, the road /track becomes less evident and clearly impassable by vehicles. Sections of the road have been washed away with some deep ruts on the sides. These conditions continue for about 15 km. The first 2 to 3 km are fun but after a while these become an effort to negotiate and I began to wonder if this was a good idea at all. Stewart had recently fitted a steering damper to the CanAm and now it was paying off.

The Nyalazi river is bone dry and dropping into the basin was easy.

Getting up the far side bank required the 4x4 selection. Although the bank was not so steep the gravel made traction a challenge.

Approaching the Hluhluwe dam from the south gave us a preview of the eastern section of the water. Levels were sadly, very low.

The dam stretches north west behind the hills.
The route takes you past the Hluhluwe river below. Again the views made the trip worthwhile.

A short stop at the dam wall for a refreshment before heading east towards the N2 and Eastern Shores. From here on the route is uneventful and we moved on towards Bushlands.

We spent the night at Bush Babies, enjoying a log fire and the company of Shelley, Tan, Megs who traveled up by car earlier in the day, and Pim and Thandi. Sunday morning we were up early and headed for Morrisons where we refueled and headed for Farnies Island.

Arriving at the reserve we were greeted with a notice that Charters and Farnies were closed due to the drought. We were denied entry to the area and we headed on towards Mtubatuba.

A short lunch at Bird Park with the girls and we were on our way home, arriving back in Alton at 15h00. Total distance covered 289km. In the summer this ride could become very hot so its best to plan it for a cool day.
We recommend that 4x4's should be used as although most of the route is passable with 4x2, there were a number of short sections where the 4x2's will need assistance. This together with the time limits to cover 180km to Hluhluwe before dark may become a problem. Try to get into the river bed by no later than 10h30. This should get you to the boundary fence by 12h30. Leave plenty of time to cover the section from the river bed heading northwards to the dam as the going becomes slow. We carried 12lt of spare fuel as there were no fuel points until arriving at our destination in Bushlands.

ZBA Racing Ride Report : Survivor-Style Enduro in Eshowe

Click the pic to visit the ZBA ride report for this unique event...it really sounds like they had LOADSAFUN !!!

Event notice : Affordable Bikes Party and Offroad outride - 6 Sept 08

Umfolozi mud fun!!!!!

A short visit from Stewart on Friday afternoon at the house brought on what was to be a very challenging weekend!!!!!
Pathfinder, Stewart, Megan our 9-year-old daughter and Myself Shelley, rode from Alton via the Bird Park , then on to the White Umfolozi River through to Hluhluwe.
Packed very hastily with and all the camping equipment that would be needed for an overnight trip. Met Stewart, Left Alton at 8.00 am with a strong North Easter.

First stop was the bird park for a late breakfast, Megan went to explore the parrots and unwind…
Our objective was to ride up the river till the game reserve and ride along the fence until we reached Hluhluwe…
Stewart was in and out of the water riding the riverbank, and as free as a bird until “yes you guessed it”….. you guessed it, he hit that clay like mud!!! Soft clay like mud "beware"

Pathfinder trying to winch Can-Amm backward's
What now!!!!

With loads of pulling and pushing winch’s becoming hot. Some help from the local’s we wondered if we would ever get Stewart’s quad out of the mud????


Will try anything now......
After two and a half hour’s and a lot of help from the local’s we heaved him out. Now time was not on our side anymore so had to cut trip shorter. Negotiated path up the mountain side, ran through a settlement and headed for Morison’s. Met up with Nicholas the Petrol and Bottle Store Owner. Fuelled up only to find that the Can-Amm 800 and the Kodiak 400 were running at 10 liters per 100km,s.

Pathfinder and Stewart discuss the day's event's

Last leg for the day was off to Bush Baby’s lodge.. arrived just as the sun was setting, tired dusty and hungry. Pim and Thandie were there to welcome us. We booked into a log cabin. The ablution’s are clean and well kept. An overnight stay will cost R140 per person and there is a welcoming pub with excellent views overlooking the pool area. Enjoyed a log fire and the presence of Pim and Thandie.

Packed quads and discussed a

new route home. This time took the Eastern Shores route to Monzi. Very picturesque, not as much shade as the forest route has to offer “ a hot ride in the summer month’s”. Rode 6 km’s along the tar road in order to get to Cane Cuttters which was the venue for a brunch. Megan by now, was fed up with the dust, heat and exhausted wanted to get home.

Last stop was just before the pylons for a cold refreshing drink then off to Alton in time to load the quads and head for home.

In total we covered 250 km’s , Kymco averaged 6litres per 100 km’s Kodiac 400, 10 litres and the Can-Amm 12 litres/100km.



Cya Shelley

Ride Report : Umfolozi River Ride - Sat 9 August

Team

Pathfinder on his Yamaha 400, Stewart on his Can-Am 800, Allister on his Can -Am Limited Edition 800 and myself on my Kymco 300, all rode from Stewart's workshop in Alton to the Bird Park at Eteza on Saturday.

Getting ready

Short stop before the forest section

20 km point in the forest - check quads for branches that often lodge in the CV joints

Lapa stop for a refreshment

Had breakfast at the 'Bird Park' and made our way down to the White Umfolozi riverbed for some action.

The river as we all know, is really dry while some areas seem to have a little more water. There are ‘pay loaders’ digging up sections of the river bed which makes some areas nonnegotiable, an alternate route must to be sought up on the river banks. Crossing the trenches is misleading as they are deeper than expected...

Kymco after a swim....

Clearing water from the exhaust..

First obstacle was a muddy patch of water, deeper than what it looked. The bigger quads sailed through effortlessly, ...thinking I was on par with them, got a little stuck and before I knew it the seat and rear part of my quad was covered with muddy water. Within seconds I was pulled out and the engine was started with much water out of the exhaust. Oh dear! would she ever be the same again?.......... yes as you see, after draining the CVT, we all rode on.

Its all plain sailing until you hit a patch of black clay like mud which lies below a thin layer of river sand and then you bog down…. as you can see. Much pulling and winching eventually got Pathfinder out and then myself, Much fun was had and laughter afterwards, as I tried to clean, not only my quad, but myself.

Lets try a push and some gas..... = no way's..!

Ouch!!!! ...going nowhere...

Bogged to the chassis

After much pushing and pulling, time for a rest and a laugh

On route back - crossing the same trench of water

Later we left the bird park at 17.30 cold, wet and tired, but needless to say, what an enjoyable day. Yet again I watched as the Can-Am's and the Kodiac refuel, whilst I completed the route on a tank of fuel which was 170 Km's …..very impressive used low range once and completed the route with the "big boyz".

Learnings
Beware of sections of the river bed which have soft mud underlying a thin crust of sand.
Worth another trip on the next weekend. Next time we will try and make it to the 40km river point.

Cya, Shelley