Post by EcoRider on Jul 2, 2016 10:15:47 GMT 2
Two weeks ago I undertook another long trip - this time to Parys, northern Free State. This trip was quite different from all my previous long trips, because all previous trips were solo rides. This time my wife eventually decided to join, and I was a bit nervous. I realized that we would be facing cold weather during this trip - and should my wife not enjoy this trip, chances would be good that she would never be interested in joining rides again.
So believe it or not - I initially tried to convince my wife that we should undertake this trip by car..... "Too cold" I said, "next time when the weather is better, we can use the bike". But to my surprise she insisted "Nee, ons ry met die fiets, dis beter op brandstof. Moenie jou probeer uitdraai uit hierdie rit nie, jy wil al weer die naweek by die huis bly ".
So I caved in, and we left at 4 AM, the Thursday morning. It was cold, and I was worried. The fist part between Durban and Estcourt was VERY cold. But when we stropped at the Engen Pitstop near Estcourt for fuel, I was quite surprised. My wife was still smiling ! So I decided to treat her with a cup of coffee and nice breakfast - right there at the Pitstop...
Long story short, the weather got better along the road, and my wife never stopped smiling. I was keen to keep record of fuel consumption, because I never experienced a trip with two up + heavily loaded panniers and top box before. At the end, I was very surprized about fuel consumption. I obviously had to be mild on the throttle - because the wife was sitting right behind me.....remember, I simply had to behave - otherwise she would never join again. Anyway, as far as fuel consumpsion is concerned - this is the results:
1. Between Durban and the Engen Pitstop near Estcourt: 28.2 Km/liter @ 100 - 110 Km/h. It was cold, with a lot of trucks along the road.
2. Between Estcourt Pitstop and Caltex Pitstop near Harrismith : 26.7 Km/liter @ 120 Km/h.
3. Between Harrismith Pitstop and Frankfort : 24.1 Km/liter @ 130 Km/h.
4. Between Frankfort and Parys : 26.7 Km/liter @ 120 km/h.
Return trip:
1. Between Parys and Frankfort: 27 Km /liter @ 120Km/h.
2. Between Frankfort and Tugela Plaza near Ladismith : 24.6 km/Liter @ 130 km/h
3. Between Tugela Plaza and Durban: 27.1 km/Liter at 130 km/h.
Photos along the trip:
On the road to Frankfort, near Villiers.
The best experience during this trip.......as we got of the bike back home my butt was a bit sore - but my wife immediately asked me "So wanneer ry ons weer met die fiets Parys toe"..........still with a smile on her face.
So believe it or not - I initially tried to convince my wife that we should undertake this trip by car..... "Too cold" I said, "next time when the weather is better, we can use the bike". But to my surprise she insisted "Nee, ons ry met die fiets, dis beter op brandstof. Moenie jou probeer uitdraai uit hierdie rit nie, jy wil al weer die naweek by die huis bly ".
So I caved in, and we left at 4 AM, the Thursday morning. It was cold, and I was worried. The fist part between Durban and Estcourt was VERY cold. But when we stropped at the Engen Pitstop near Estcourt for fuel, I was quite surprised. My wife was still smiling ! So I decided to treat her with a cup of coffee and nice breakfast - right there at the Pitstop...
Long story short, the weather got better along the road, and my wife never stopped smiling. I was keen to keep record of fuel consumption, because I never experienced a trip with two up + heavily loaded panniers and top box before. At the end, I was very surprized about fuel consumption. I obviously had to be mild on the throttle - because the wife was sitting right behind me.....remember, I simply had to behave - otherwise she would never join again. Anyway, as far as fuel consumpsion is concerned - this is the results:
1. Between Durban and the Engen Pitstop near Estcourt: 28.2 Km/liter @ 100 - 110 Km/h. It was cold, with a lot of trucks along the road.
2. Between Estcourt Pitstop and Caltex Pitstop near Harrismith : 26.7 Km/liter @ 120 Km/h.
3. Between Harrismith Pitstop and Frankfort : 24.1 Km/liter @ 130 Km/h.
4. Between Frankfort and Parys : 26.7 Km/liter @ 120 km/h.
Return trip:
1. Between Parys and Frankfort: 27 Km /liter @ 120Km/h.
2. Between Frankfort and Tugela Plaza near Ladismith : 24.6 km/Liter @ 130 km/h
3. Between Tugela Plaza and Durban: 27.1 km/Liter at 130 km/h.
Photos along the trip:
On the road to Frankfort, near Villiers.
The best experience during this trip.......as we got of the bike back home my butt was a bit sore - but my wife immediately asked me "So wanneer ry ons weer met die fiets Parys toe"..........still with a smile on her face.