Home – Haenertsburg – Louis Trichardt – Ellisras – Nelspruit: 1227km

We’ve started calling this trip “Limpopo V2” — a reboot of our 2023 adventure, which famously ended in a crash before we could finish the route. This time, we’re going back to complete the journey properly. Much of the original route makes a comeback, but we’ve added a few new sections and fresh overnight spots to keep things interesting.

Route Map

Heading for Haenertsburg

Our first day takes us to the misty mountains of Haenertsburg, where we’ll settle in for the night. From there, we ride onward to Louis Trichardt for a three-day stopover at the same farm we stayed at during the 2023 trip. It’s still one of my favourite spots — quiet, scenic, and just close enough to town for supplies. We’ll spend our time unwinding, hiking, and exploring the trails around the property.

Back to Louis Trichardt

The idea is to slow things down here before the longer legs of the journey—three days of fresh air, dirt tracks, and no rush. The route there is pretty straightforward, but it should be very scenic as we traverse Modjadjiskloof.

Ellisras: A Strategic Stop

After Louis Trichardt, we head to Ellisras for a one-night layover. The town brings back memories for me — army camp days and later a radar installation just outside of town — but this stop is mostly about breaking up distance. Backroad travel always adds extra kilometres, and anything close to 400 km in a day usually earns a planned breather. It may stretch the trip slightly, but it makes the ride far more enjoyable.

Nelspruit for 2 Nights

From Ellisras, we point Putin towards Nelspruit for a two-night stay on a wildlife farm. This stretch is where last year’s accident happened, so returning feels a bit like closing a loop. After our stay there, we’ll make our way back home.

Trip Overview

  • Total distance: 1,227 km
  • Average per day: 245 km
  • Longest day: 339 km
  • Shortest day: 163 km

Prep Work on “Putin”

Before we set off, Putin still needs a bit of attention. I’m swapping all inner tubes for ultra-heavy-duty 4 mm versions, rethinking weight distribution, and fabricating a foot-operated backup clutch. That last one became a priority after a clutch cable snapped earlier this year, and I discovered that not a single replacement was available anywhere — everything was on backorder worldwide. After eventually sourcing one from Ukraine, I decided the backup system was still worth building.

The design is simple: if the cable snaps at the lever (or the lever itself breaks), I can hook up the pedal system and keep going. If the cable disintegrates entirely, anything strong enough to connect the actuator to the foot lever will do in a pinch.

Foot Clutch

I’ve used these heavy-duty tubes before — pricey, yes, but tough as nails. They’re surprisingly easy to fit despite the thickness, and the risk of pinching is minimal.