Author Topic: "Die GROOT Trek" to RB (Read 9994 times)

jaenswart · « **on:** February 23, 2011, 06:48:19 AM »

So when are you leaving guys and what route are you taking?:

Jaen: Leaving 3 am, Gonna run up to Piet Retief and then past Paul Pietersburg

Prego · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2011, 08:39:58 AM »

The route I would travel would be Standerton, Volkrust,Utrecht, Vryheid on to RB.

I think the road you have chosen has road works starting in Leandra.

My2cents

RusticRainman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2011, 09:05:47 AM »

According to my knowledge is that the road from Leandra to Bethal is completed................ You do not need to go through the town of Leandra nor Kinross.

jaenswart · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2011, 09:56:13 AM »

Gosh, maybe I should just go via Harrismith Durban N3

Prego · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:23:14 AM »

Quote from: jaenswart on February 23, 2011, 09:56:13 AM

Gosh, maybe I should just go via Harrismith Durban N3

Then it will be "Die Groot Trek" but then you can visit the King Fisher or even Demon Tackle and buy another GAZILLION lures.........

jaenswart · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:26:05 AM »

Quote from: Prego on February 23, 2011, 10:23:14 AM

Then it will be "Die Groot Trek" but then you can visit the King Fisher or even Demon Tackle and buy another GAZILLION lures.........

I don't buy lures...they come to me looking for a home

Prego · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:31:46 AM »

Quote from: jaenswart on February 23, 2011, 10:26:05 AM

I don't buy lures...they come to me looking for a home

I can just picture them sitting on the shelf giving you the puppy eyed look,lol :sml:

Gerhard · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:35:55 AM »

Quote from: jaenswart on February 23, 2011, 09:56:13 AM

Gosh, maybe I should just go via Harrismith Durban N3

If I was taking a boat down to RB I would be using the N3.

I traveled some of the roads mentioned last year and it was not worth the stress with all the potholes. Dont want to see how they look like now after all the rain.

N3 for easy relaxed driving to Durbs then N2 to RB... Would get my vote.

jaenswart · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:42:18 AM »

Quote from: Gerhard on February 23, 2011, 10:35:55 AM

If I was taking a boat down to RB I would be using the N3.

I traveled some of the roads mentioned last year and it was not worth the stress with all the potholes. Dont want to see how they look like now after all the rain.

N3 for easy relaxed driving to Durbs then N2 to RB... Would get my vote.

Not pulling a boat but my wife and baby is travelling with me, so I reckon I must reconsider, sounds as if those other roads are helish

REEFMAN · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2011, 05:46:23 PM »

The way to go is this: I've travelled it 6 times in the last 3 months...

N3 to just before Wilge Plaza, take the Cornelia offramp. Follow the signs carefully. Proceed to Newcastle. From Newcastle to Utrecht, Vryheid (R34), Louwsburg, then take r66 up to Pongola then N2 down to RBay. The road has deteriorated recently, but it's still the best of a really bad bunch of roads. Some bad stretches, but generally good going. N2 is fab. Plan on 7-7.5hrs to get to Hluhluwe.

Another alternative is the same route to Vryheid, then hang a right down past Ulundi into Melmoth - Empangeni. But I don't know the condition of this stretch. Need someone to test it out?!

nico · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2011, 05:49:31 PM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on February 23, 2011, 05:46:23 PM

Another alternative is the same route to Vryheid, then hang a right down past Ulundi into Melmoth - Empangeni. But I don't know the condition of this stretch. Need someone to test it out?!

My RB mates all take the Melmoth - Ulundi when going to the rand. My dad drove it in December coming from the E-Transvaal and said it was fine.

PH · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2011, 05:57:49 PM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on February 23, 2011, 05:46:23 PM

The way to go is this: I've travelled it 6 times in the last 3 months...

N3 to just before Wilge Plaza, take the Cornelia offramp. Follow the signs carefully. Proceed to Newcastle. From Newcastle to Utrecht, Vryheid (R34), Louwsburg, then take r66 up to Pongola then N2 down to RBay. The road has deteriorated recently, but it's still the best of a really bad bunch of roads. Some bad stretches, but generally good going. N2 is fab. Plan on 7-7.5hrs to get to Hluhluwe.

Another alternative is the same route to Vryheid, then hang a right down past Ulundi into Melmoth - Empangeni. But I don't know the condition of this stretch. Need someone to test it out?!

I used to travel the road between Ulundi/Melmoth/Eshowe frequently. Very scenic and good surface
. Only problem on the winding road is getting stuck behind a sugar cane truck or logging truck or
bus or bakkie. Speed limit 80km/h - 100km/h frequently on long stretches.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2011, 06:47:36 PM »

Good to know that route is good! Gonna work out the distances on each way... it should be a lot shorter...

REEFMAN · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2011, 06:52:17 PM »

Melmoth route is 150km shorter!!

REEFMAN · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2011, 06:55:29 PM »

Has anyone done the R618 From Vryheid to Hlobane --> Nongoma --> Mtubatuba?

jaenswart · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2011, 07:03:41 PM »

Quote from: REEFMAN on February 23, 2011, 06:52:17 PM

Melmoth route is 150km shorter!!

yes it is but google maps predicts it will take 10 hours to travel, where as a prediction of (correction)9 hours N3 Durban and N2 RB

cyclone 123 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2011, 07:40:59 PM »

Reefman
The road from vryheid hlobane nongoma mtuba is not in a good state .The piece between hlobane and nongoma is at some places very bad.If you travel from joburg or pretoria try the border at mahamba (piet retief) and come out at golela the road is in a good state.

REEFMAN · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2011, 09:13:53 PM »

Thanks for the info!

Jaen... this route takes me 8 hours to Sodwana. S'pose it depends on how you drive...

Capt. Hook · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:11:33 PM »

Quote from: Gerhard on February 23, 2011, 10:35:55 AM

If I was taking a boat down to RB I would be using the N3.

I traveled some of the roads mentioned last year and it was not worth the stress with all the potholes. Dont want to see how they look like now after all the rain.

N3 for easy relaxed driving to Durbs then N2 to RB... Would get my vote.

100% agreed

Capt. Hook · « **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2011, 10:19:51 PM »

Talking about Jaen and lures.....

Just imagin this, the tackle shop owner see Jean's car pulling into the parking lot, immediatly he rubs his hands together and his eyes get the gleam to them, he lets all the staff know that he will handle this and quickly some good bait is set up on the counter.
Jean then comes into the store, everyone is going about their jobs and the store owner greets Jaen himself and shakes Jaens hand with his right hand (at the same time his left hand is rubbing his wallet warm for the new cash soon to be coming)

He trhen instruct his shop assistant to pack the new lures away, just loud enough for Jaen to hear. Jaen immediatly looks to see them..........

I will now go to the end of the story.....

Jaen walks out the store with bags full of lures and an empty wallet, as his car leaves the parking lot the store owner smiles and feels how fat his wallet has become.

The Question is: Were those lures designed to catch fish, or to catch anglers like Jaen?