The Two River's Odyssey

[Bundy]

I certainly wouldnt say I'm an expert on the Anatomy of a trike, but I do know it's a hell of a lot easier to strip one than to build one

Welcome on board James, you knew about this trip some time ago and I fully expected you to join. It's not just Bundy and Batteleur's Adventure anymore...so I have renamed the thread. This will officially be called the Two Rivers Odyssey.
At the time this crazy idea was formed in my small brain you only had one plane....now you have two...so, which one will you be taking? The Cobra is net so bietjie vinniger? You may be in Alexander bay by the time DBP reaches Douglas!

Your help in planning will be much appreciated, and your experience will be a very good asset to have with us.

Leg 1 as posted above FABA to Parys is pretty straight forward, lots of alternate's.
Have a look at Leg 2. Find some alternate destinations on route and try get in contact with their owners. We need a list for each "leg" of where we can overnight (camp) and wherever possible put the trikes in a hanger. Let's each take a leg and plan for that section.... e mail me and Stef the details, or post them here and I'll put it all on file for us. The more landing options we have the better as the weather may (and will almost definately) hamper our progress.

Here is Leg 3: Hoopstad... down the river to a PVT strip called Farm Romance. Tell me what you think? 93 miles.

Here is the elevation profile...

[jtresfon]

Awesome awesome awesome! Nothing beats taking your flying machine to hitherto un-visited & unexplored places. Last year 3 of us did a similar outing and here is the link to the trip report: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=16012 which contains a lot of info on the Orange River to Alexander Bay stretch. Taking a month... now that's just doing it right!

Rgds
Jean.

[Bundy]

Thanks Jean...I'm certainly going to get in touch with you and pick your brain a bit. The challenges are quite plentiful but with enough info and options it can and will be done. Will appreciate your input here as we plan along...your experience flying this area will be extremelly valuable to us. There are sections as we fly below the border where dirt track will be made into landing grounds....the challenge is not really for the planes but more for the ground support vehicle to reach us with fuel/supplies/water etc etc etc.

Please give your input Sir!

[Bateleur]

Lekker James! Welcome onboard. Kalahari skaap ribbetjies all the way!!

[Bundy]

Amazing to slowly work through each leg.....every time I scan it using Google I find more and more little strips along the way....

For Leg 4 below, I'd like to follow the Vaal. Take off from Farm Romance and meander down towards Barkley West. If conditions allow, we will change direction with the river and head for Delportshoop (runway at Ulco). If not, we take a b line from Barkley West straight for Schmidsdrift. We can either land there or carry on SW to Douglas and the Confluence....our last view of the river I've caught many a Yellow in over the years. Distance on the longer route about 86 miles...

[Bundy]

Had such a lekker chat with a pilot from Springs who has clocked more cross country time than I could ever hope to achieve. So nice to get an experienced perspective on this trip and I will definately be chatting to him again over a few beers. Many contacts that he can give us for this trip. I am hoping to do undertake it all in May next year. That seems by all accounts to be the best "weather window". He kept telling me that "you will never be the same again after this"

Cross country flying has eluded me for most of my short flying career....Short of cash, short of time...and yes a healthy dose of "self doubt". The time has come for me to put that all behind and go. I will be spending the next 6-8 months "training" myself to handle turbulence better, push myself out of the "fair weather always" comfort zone, and better prepare myself for this amazing trip.I am hoping that we can undertake it all in May next year. That seems by all accounts to be the best "weather window".

The legs I post here are really just a rough guide to the route we will be following. the length of each leg and the distance covered each day will depend on all sorts of factors....
We will now be crossing over the first real bit of nasty terrain around Prieska. How we handle this stretch will depend on the day and current conditions.

[Asterix]

Ithink you have done an important step: Setting dates!

Geel Kerneels will probably be sold by then - but no worries, I set the Cobra one notch back and she cruises 55.

[Bundy]

Next Leg takes us down the river through what I'm told is one of the most tranquil and beautiful stretches of the river from East of Maryland through Groblershoop and up to Upington.

James...there is a town called Grootdrink about halfway up this leg....we will HAVE to stop there!

"Leg 6" Approx 105 NM

[Bundy]

The hop over to Augrabies is only 63 miles, will prob plan our legs before this so that we can overnight at Augrabies.

This is where it all starts to get very interesting. Airfields and runways become very scarce. Farms and dirt tracks along the river's course will have to do and I can imagine we will be making runways out of many of the maze of dirt tracks and roads between the isolated farms. The only designated runway I can find along this stretch from Augrabies to Pella is at Onseepkans. This is where the route must be carefully coordinated with the ground vehicle. We will have limited supplies on board the trikes...good for a night or two on our own if needed. This stretch to Pella (No runway) is 97 NM. Also will need to be carefull not to stray north of the "centreline"

[Asterix]

What me worry? I got 80 litres in the tank. Bugger the groundcrew. We'll fly late morning, then DLP can climb, catch a thermal and mags of - glide, seek thermal, climb, glide, seek thermal, etc etc.. Whats the problem?

( Bundy - 97 nm is not a stretch.....Its like ML to Nylstroom..or Potties to Kokoriba.. )

[Bundy]

What me worry? I got 80 litres in the tank. Bugger the groundcrew. We'll fly late morning, then DLP can climb, catch a thermal and mags of - glide, seek thermal, climb, glide, seek thermal, etc etc.. Whats the problem?

( Bundy - 97 nm is not a stretch.....Its like ML to Nylstroom..or Potties to Kokoriba.. )

Chom by the time we get back from this one....I will also be saying that. You are forgetting who the rookie is
I am really going to learn so much on this trip, I'm really glad I'll have DLP on my wing (or at least in the distance ). Lots of training to be done in the next few months. LOTS!

I am looking to modify a std 25L fuel can for my back seat so that I can tap fuel directly into the tank in flight. 50L in the tank and an extra 25L in reserve gets me pretty close to your capacity.

[pietmeyer]

Bundy

I have contacts for you to use the runway at Ulco. It is a private strip that belongs to Afrisam. The runway is just outside of town so if needed I can get some transportation for you to town and if you need to stay over, there is Borrelskop accomodation. Old place but the beer is cold and the steaks huge

Enjoy the trip
Piet
082 774 7541

[Bundy]

Thanks Piet, I will definately give you a ring in the coming months as I get down to the finer details.

I have finished our 1st draft intended route for the rest of the trip which my wingman Asterix and I will scrutinise over the next few months, he of course must give his insight too. Unfortunately....it seems that Stef is unable to join us on this one. I am still hopeful that this can be changed.

I have calculated the total distance at 1772 NM....add a few diversions etc etc and I'm sure we will have clocked close to 2000 when we land on 03 FABA.

Hier gat ons James.... .... Cant wait

[HansH]

Have you thought about Alex-Fish River Canyon area-Keetmans-Upington routing. The canyon is stunning. Think there are customs/immigration at Alex and Oranjemund. The boffins should know.

[Asterix]

Bundy, looks like route - wise my inputs needs to be minimal! Good on you. I promise you I am in all the way!

I know this safari has been your dream since I met you - I am gonna feel honored to be your "wingman". Don't worry about the speed differentials - I'll set the wing so that we can cruise together. (you will actually have an advantage on some of the landings and take-offs, with that blue Aquilla..maybe I must keep Geel Kerneels - at least untill after this trip.. )