The first treat came in the form of a very clean 1986 2.2 DC pulling into the parking area. The driver Mauritz Viljoen has been a Forum Member since October 2007 though he’s been so busy reading he’s not yet taken the opportunity to introduce us to his Toy. I was real pleased to see this vehicle as it is (was) the Identical specification to Dadz; the first one I’ve seen to date. Amazingly Mauritz’s Toy still has its original 4Y with over 440,000 on the clock and she looks and sounds great. (see peekchaz). Let’s hope we can persuade Mauritz to play a more active part in the Forum in future, though he’s on the right track - his Lux is already sporting a Forum Sticker on its rear.
Having done this Trail twice before I anticipated no surprises from this “softer route,” however I was pleasantly proven wrong. The first shock came in the form of a R50 additional cost to facilitate a key deposit for the now gated approach; refundable on completion of the Trail. Sadly this recent inclusion is the result of some of our “lesser brethren” taking the p*ss. :x
Once through the gate we were treat to a weather beaten Red Route which didn’t disappoint. The recent heavy rains had accentuated the dongger strewn steep muddy climbs and descents adding a grade or two to the more challenging obstacles; expect Grade 3-4 by Kaap Standards.
The benefits of Dadz new Mikem suspension were immediately evident; Dadz tip-toed through the worst the Trail had to offer making light work of the donggers and allowing a lekker ICV crawl up the steep stuff with just an occasional tickle of the noise-pedal to give her pointing in the right direction. :shifty:
The biggest surprise of the day was the re-shaping of the approach at Boomslang. Previously vehicles could turn and park up at the end of the long slippery descent through the trees, in preparation for the steep climb out. Now however the approach has been fenced off and the only way out is by making a three point turn immediately at the bottom of the steep descent and engage 1st Low to gain the maximum traction required to attack the slippery ascent out – a nice addition which calls for a good degree of technical vehicle craft. (conveys beware!)
The final climb to the viewpoint was badly eroded and very slippery but Dadz made light work through the loose stuff on the left hand side with just the odd fishtailing requiring some throttle to carry her through.
Our Trail companions; Peter the proud owner of a 1990 SFA DC sporting a Frod V6 power plant and his great buddy in a Jeep had some fun adhering to the advice and running up the Blue Route. Though a little lonely at the viewpoint we were treat to those awesome views over False Bay to the left and Stellenbosch to the right. Later the Jeep joined us at the top via the escape route and Peter chose the serenity and equally beautiful lower viewpoint by the dam turn off.
All in all a great day and the right answers I was looking for as to my latest investment; Mikem Offroad Suspension with extended Safari shocks = A Good Investment for any SFA
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