Celebrating Martial Law in Lesotho

[lilgman]

So this morning the Prime Minister of Lesotho declared martial law and the military has taken over the streets of the capital city. To celebrate, I went for a ride in the uninhabited grazing lands east of where we live. (Actually, I planned to go riding now matter what the politicians do, but it's a good excuse.)

The ride was mostly on single tracks or making my own tracks across grazing land for the first half. I had a little trouble getting across the first donga (canyon caused by erosion during the rainy season) because there was enough water running to turn the sand into quick sand. I buried my front wheel to the axle the one place tried to cross. Fortunately I went real slow down over the edge to see if the sand was "quick" or not, otherwise I would have buried the whole bike. (Been there and done that several times with an old DT175. It's a LOT lighter to lift out!) I finally got across further upstream and went over to the next drainage. There I found this pretty little canyon. That's what the pictures are of. (Sorry, I can't seem to get them rotated right. They're fine on my computer, but no matter how I change them, they want to lie on their sides!)







I found a porcupine quill and some tracks:



And my bike waited patiently at the top for me while I climbed down to check the canyon out.



Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

[Ina Ditch]

that is gorgeous country you have to ride in.

best of luck and stay safe.

[cheesy]

I’ve never been to Lesotho but I’ve seen a lot of South Africa. That is a pretty area. I thought scaring up a Durban license plate in a ditch was a cool find but it pales compared to that porcupine quill.

Keep the pics coming.

[paulsstag]

Love the pics, Lesotho is an undiscovered country. Your pics are great.
Been stuck in the Donga's a few times my self (Yamaha TT600) they look all innocent until you try to cross. I believe the word they use for a 'donga' in the US is an 'arroyo'

Paul

[david3921]

I had to look it up;

Donga - a narrow steep-sided ravine formed by water erosion but usually dry except in the rainy season.

[cheesy]

Originally Posted by paulsstag

Love the pics, Lesotho is an undiscovered country. Your pics are great.
Been stuck in the Donga's a few times my self (Yamaha TT600) they look all innocent until you try to cross. I believe the word they use for a 'donga' in the US is an 'arroyo'

Paul

I think wash and wadi are also used in the US but arroyo is most common.

[kirbo7106]

I love seeing pictures from around the world. Add a motorcycle to the pictures and it’s awesome! Keep the pictures coming and be safe out there!

Enjoy the Ride!

[culcune]

How far out in the wilderness is the riding in Lesotho? I mean, is it so far out you could you set up a business promoting moto-tourism?

[lilgman]

How far out in the wilderness is the riding in Lesotho? I mean, is it so far out you could you set up a business promoting moto-tourism?

It might be possible. It's a BEAUTIFUL country, and still exotic, remote, and primitive compared to South Africa. There are trails everywhere, and very few fences. Have you heard of the Roof of Africa race? It's here every year, and the biggest tourist event of the year. I don't know all the reasons, but somehow tourism hasn't really taken off that much. I think quite a bit of it is a lack of marketing. Also political instability and corruption. There's a tendency to take advantage of people who don't know the tribal language.

We live 20 minutes from the capital city, and there's lots to see here. If you are willing to drive a little further/more remote, the mountains are incredible! I like your idea!

[lilgman]

Well, the martial law in Lesotho didn't really take off. From what I hear the soldiers were back in their barracks in less than twenty-four hours. Currently prime minister seems to not have much power any more. He's announced that he will retire in July or maybe sooner. The lock down has also ended here pretty much, so today I ventured a little further from home--actually towards the capital city. Beautiful Fall day here, and I wore myself out on some terrain that is tougher than I'm used to!



I couldn't make it any further because of a rock ledge hiding in the grass. With 300 km on the engine it's definitely loosened up a LOT and the power/torque is feeling better.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by lilgman

Well, the martial law in Lesotho didn't really take off. From what I hear the soldiers were back in their barracks in less than twenty-four hours. Currently prime minister seems to not have much power any more. He's announced that he will retire in July or maybe sooner. The lock down has also ended here pretty much, so today I ventured a little further from home--actually towards the capital city. Beautiful Fall day here, and I wore myself out on some terrain that is tougher than I'm used to!

Attachment 21423

I couldn't make it any further because of a rock ledge hiding in the grass. With 300 km on the engine it's definitely loosened up a LOT and the power/torque is feeling better.

Interesting turn of events for the prime minister! Indicted for being in the conspiracy that murdered his ex-wife?!!

That looks almost like terrain you would see in northern Arizona state or in the state of New Mexico here in the US! Beautiful!!