Port Shepsone > Kokstad

Bukhulu/Wozani Berg gasoline

Distance >  186 km   TIME > 5 hours 26 mins

Stage 1 saw us depart from the Shelly beach SPAR after a very fitting send off from Helen from the SPAR group and of course a massive thank you to Mr. Ockie Pretorius from Wimpy shelly beach for providing us with a wonderful breakfast.

Vehicles and Bikes were loaded with 1000 liters of fuel sponsored by Bukhulu Fuels / Wozani Berg Gasoline. A HUGE thanks to Mr. Mike King and Mr. Tino Kankowski for this epic sponsorship that kept the wheels turning.

After a brief stretch on tar, escorted by the ever-professional WOLF Security, it was through the picturesque Oribi Gorge Valley, and then “trailer off” and the run started.

Dirt roads led us through the Lake Eland Reserve, emerging at the N2 and then it was onwards to the south of Harding and on to the “Gun drift” road, finally emerging at Brooks Neck, on the N2 between Kokstad and Mount Ayliff.

This marked the end of Stage 1 and we arrived at our accommodation venue, Stoneybrook Lodge for the evening, hosted by Shane and Annette Wicks. Accomodation was great and a fine meal was served.

Kokstad > Rhodes

Isuzu South Africa

Distance > 304 km TIME > 9 hours 47 mins

Stage 2 started with a bit of a hiccup. The famed old Landrover, named Jaeger, decided not to start and quad rider Johnny Grove’s trailer needed repairs. A decision was quickly taken to secure Leon’s Land Cruiser as backup for Jaeger and Johnny managed to get the trailer repaired.

 These kinds of issues did not plague our two support vehicles supplied by Isuzu SA. “Ruby” a MU-x assigned to our media team and the mighty “Suzy” a 3lt X-Rider, assigned to Annerie from the HeroBurn foundation, both vehicles ready for the events action and the work that lay ahead.

The event started and after a couple of 100m, the Can Am Commander of Vaatjie and Andries snapped a drive belt. This was expertly repaired and replaced, and the convoy moved on. Stage 2 was always going to be a picturesque day, although long. The route took us via Colonanek pass, Katkop and then on to the famed “Naude’s Nek pass”, some 2500m asl.

After finding our camera crew stranded with a flat tyre and getting them on the go again, we all descended into the town of Rhodes.

Mention must be made of one team member, Zuanru Coetzee who made a slight wrong turn and then brought a Toyota Double Cab AND a 6 m double axel trailer down Naude’s Nek in the dark. Well done, Zappa!!!

All arrived safely at our stop over destination, Rubicon, in the town of Rhodes, where are hostess, Elizma Den Heyer, provided us with a scrumptious three course meal and it was off to bed.

SPAR BURN AWARENESS DAY

Elliott School

The team travelled to the town of Elliott in support of Annerie of the HeroBurn foundation. 280 school kids waited in anticipation as the team assembled and rode their trusty steeds into the school assisted by the two Isuzu vehicles very kindly supplied by Isuzu SA as support vehicles.

Annerie gave a talk on burn awareness and prevention and questions were asked and correct answers from the kids were rewarded with goodies supplied by Isuzu SA. Kids were treated to a “Stop, Drop and Roll” exercise by the entire BurnRun team and it was hard to distinguish who had more fun doing this. The team or the kids watching.

The Team was treated to a wonderful lunch from the school and then it was off to East cape Fuels to collect 200 liters of sponsored Diesel.

The rest of the day was spent attending to team needs, vehicle needs, and trailer needs after which it was back to Rhodes to prepare for stage 3.

Rhodes > Maselspoort, Bloemfontein

FirequipSA

Distance > 390km Time > 8 hours 07 mins

A bright and sunny morning (although crisp) greeted the team as they departed the town of Rhodes for Bloemfontein.

Some 28 kms outside of the town, the team encountered a steep and technical descent, known as Lundean’s Neck pass. The views where stunning and the road technical, however the team took this in their stride.

A regroup point was established at the intersection of the Telle River Bridge Border Crossing between RSA and Lesotho. Burn Prevention and Burn Awareness pamphlets were handed out. Thanks to Mr. Dave Martin and FirequipSA for their sponsorship that made this education happen.

From here it was “trailer on” to the town of Zastron and the crossing of the Gariep river into the Orange Free State.
The route took us on to the town of Zastron, where we bid farewell to Jason on “Modderbok – BMWR1200 GS A” and “Ruby” one of our Isuzu’s who had to go to Bloemfontein to undertake tyre repairs and bike repairs. (watch this space for Modderbok).

Immediately outside ZASTRON it was “trailer off” and dirt roads to Dewetsdorp and then on to Maseslpoort, our end destination.

Believe this or not? BurnRunner Jason Killian, piloted “Modderbok” to Bloemfontein, had the BMW repaired and then rejoined the convoy before the end of the stage, some 600kms later.

All safely arrived at the Maselspoort resort and conference center, where a lovely buffet dinner was enjoyed, a quick fines session endured and then it was free time to retire to bed or sit and socialise a little. As always, thanks to “Team Opperman” of Vaatjie, Rudolf, Andries and Zuanru, for providing much entertainment and light relief.

Maselspoort, Bloemfontein > Vanderbijlpark

Silver Snow

Distance > 408km Time > 8 hours 54 mins

The growing feeling that the end was in sight. Thanks to Silver Snow energy drinks, we managed to sustain energy levels to finish this epic trip.

Unfortunately, air filter issues and starting issues started to plague the Suzuki LTR 450 of Johnny Grove, and it was decided to trailer the quad and call it a day.

The route saw the BurnRunners ride out of Maselspoort, following stage leader, Wayne Frazer (WR250) and take the dirt road to the town of Winburg where it was “trailer on” for a 100km run on the N1 to just east of Kroonstad, where it was trailer off for the next leg to the finish. (thank you to Wayne for leading the team throughout the entire event)

Route took us through farmlands and scenery ranged from wide open vistas, to Lions lounging next to farm fences, yes you heard me, Lions!

The day ran smoothly until Chris Goodchild, on a Yamaha Raptor 700, bent a suspension link arm in a deep rut and had to be trailered on. The rest of the team however, forged ahead.

As each KM drew closer, the team understood that the trip was drawing to a close and the mission of Burn awareness and education had been met. The route took the team via “Koppies” and finally came to an end just outside Sasolburg where it was once again “trailer on” and the stage had effectively come to an end.

A marvelous dinner was enjoyed by the team at “Bar with no Name”, and from there, much celebrating took place late into the night.