A WHEDG-IT  is a unique device designed to secure items in the boot of your 4×4 or car.  We at SA Adventure received our WHEDG-IT’s a few weeks ago and have been trying them out in the off road and 4×4 training environments! We have used them to secure various items such as fridges, kettles, picnic boxes, flasks etc, they really work!

•WHEDG-IT is made from polyurethane, and is designed to prevent items/containers from sliding around or falling over while being transported
•The base of WHEDG-IT is made of a soft and ‘rubbery’ compound that resists sliding, while the ribs and vertical arms are made from a more rigid compound that prevents the item/container from falling over.
•WHEDG-IT is suitable for use in bakkies, trucks, trailers, boats and boots of cars
•WHEDG-IT works for items/containers of most sizes and shapes, and is designed to be as versatile as possible.
Interesting facts about polyurethane and WHEDG-IT

•WHEDG-IT is a simple solution for everyday problems experienced by millions of people
•WHEDG-IT is easy-to-use, inexpensive and durable
•WHEDG-It does not require assembly or installation.

The WHEDG-IT is available from the following retailers in Gauteng for all other regions please click here:
Vaal Gas Vereenining  016 422 3581
Infoteam Bakkielining Vereeniging  016 428 2660
Bobaas Canopies Vereeniging  016 422 4149
Barney’s Paint Blackheath  011 478 2686
Comet Caravans (Campworld) Boksburg  011 826 6243
Safari Centre 4×4 Boksburg  011 823 3138
Gas Tec Lynnwood Drive Pretoria  012 807 0721
Soon available at Chamberlain building and hardware specialists

Yesterday we had a photo shoot with Craig from My Land Rover has a Soul at the Hennops Off Road Trail. My Land Rover has a Soul is a coffee table, photographic book with beautiful images of Land Rovers and the special bond that their owners have with them. Material for the book is currently being shot by well known photographer Craig Dutton

My Land Rover has a Soul is a Coffee Table Book in progress. It is a photographic book shot by Craig Dutton about Land Rovers and their owners.

Not many other vehicles around the world have the same romantic attraction that a Land Rover has, be it and old Series 1 shorty or a brand spanking new Range Rover. If you drive a Land Rover you love, even for it’s “perceived” imperfections.

Craig will take the next 12 months to shoot this book, if you have a special bond with your Landy and would like to share it in my book, let him know by sending an e-mail to craig@craigdutton.com. Tell him what Landy you have, where it is and why you think it is special. If he can shoot it… he will.

My Land Rover has a Soul should be on the shelves by November 2011.

21st Aug 2010 Aus about face Today was billed as the longest day of the trip with a straight 470km stretch into the Namib Naukluft Park and a quick fuel and coffee stop in Helmeringhausen. Well that was the plan. How could it possibly go wrong? I have to take the responsibility for this one on the chin. I was lead bike for our little trio, with Dave Edmead and Nathan East bringing up the rear. Our GPS units are devilishly simple little pre-programmed devices and entirely reliable. Select the relevant day and destination and just follow the little pink route. Simple enough except after our brief stop after the first 162 km, it led us a merry dance. We weren’t the only ones to be misdirected, however, we (read I) were the only ones who didn’t twig that the route was gradually leading us away from or destination. To be fair all the roads look the same here. Dry, dusty with the same ever-changing, never changing landscape. It’s a bit mind numbing. I eventually twigged, but by then we had little option but to continue to route and into Aus, for fuel and a quick war party. The boys were great and took the news of a turn around stoically. There was simply no other way and no other route to take, so after a quick text message to the tour group to save any concerns, we turned around to retrace 100kms with the GPS units now reading a destination some 500km away. Further than when we left this morning! You simply can’t rush this kind of thing otherwise a poor situation turns worse. We stopped 100kms later for a breather and some water, and then pressed on to refuel at Betta an hour later. The up side was that the roads were clear of traffic and the afternoon light was fantastic. It’s that soft yellow light that I doubt any of the rest of the group had the time to appreciate, but this light was fading, fast. Clearly Sesirem, and the dunes, were no longer a reasonable detour (90kms or so) so we deleted this waypoint from the Garmens, and our total distance dropped measurably. However, it was still a big ask of two bikers who were new to off-road and with only a two day course in the Welsh countryside behind them. The destination distance slowed with our speed as the light dimmed and the computers turned to night mode. A beautiful, blood red sun played hide and seek from behind remote mountains and hills before bidding us a last farewell, leaving us in the abrupt darkness so typical of Africa. My GS1200 Adventure’s headlights were now on full beam at the front, sweeping the road for hidden dangers which were pointed out with either full hazard lights, (mainly soft sand), or left and right indicators for other hidden obstructions. Herds of Springbok blinked at us from the roadside as the ride turned into an impromptu game drive, and pair of jackals skittered away into the darkness as we slewed through the last of some heavy sand. Speeds dropped further with both Dave and Nathan doggedly following my lights in conditions we learned later some of the daylight riders failed to negotiate. The final kilometer into the camp was almost the most difficult as we were all dog-tired after a marathon 695kilometres and an eleven hour day. Nathan looked numb, but was smiling (I think) which, considering his tumble the day before, was outstanding. Dave just had a huge grin. He was more worried that the support vehicle was going to arrive to pick them up before he could complete the day. I’d ride with either of these lads anywhere.

A chilly eight degrees enveloped us this morning as we left Franschhoek to head into the Cederberg. However, plan B snagged us in Wellington where large diversion signs claimed that our routed drive over Bainskloof was closed. Ross & Charlie went to scout to make sure and shot up the mountain route to find, road closed!

Our clever (new and shiny) little onboard Garmin computers were consulted with school-child glee to find an alternative route as large diversion signs were clearly too easy! Uber kind, Markus, had this sorted in a flash, routing the group via the R44/R46 over the equally spectacular Mitchell’s Pass near Tulbagh. This is the beauty of South Africa, we’re blessed with so many fantastic roads and routes it’s sometimes difficult to pick just one.

Dirt roads proper beckoned today and they weren’t to be cheated out of willing participants and certainly early on that was the case as we all chased to out lunch rendezvous. We al grabbed a splendid sandwich at the remote Oasis backpackers a short drive north from Op-die-Berg. Talk was easy and casual groups chatted away, however, I’d done this route recently with my pal Big Al Franck and recalled the road conditions ahead so I left early ­ with my camera. It’s worth mentioning here that this mornings chilly eight degrees had now become a very African 31 degrees. Thermal linings were being discarded faster than you can say duck down duvet.

The road became very technical and had been carefully chosen by tour leader John Griffiths from Motoadventures tour company. The intention was to give a very real taste of what was in store for us on the rest of the trip. Soft sand, loose gravel, water obstacles, more soft sand, then a tricky and technical steep descent full of washouts and loose gravel. Lovely stuff.

Everyone had a problem somewhere, but friendships are already being forged in this sandy cauldron and a helping hand was always a short dash away. I certainly wasn’t immune and have to thank Nathan East for an additional pair of hands just when needed after an inelegant slide put me down. Did I mention I loathe sand?

Tough days, while difficult at the time, have a way of reviving themselves and morphing in to something very different. As I type, as the tales in the bar are getting taller as the glasses drain. It’s a proportional thing. A plan B thing.

Check back tomorrow for more updates of the trip

For the next sixteen days, 25 motorcyclists will be traveling 5000 kilometres through three countries on an adventure of a lifetime with well-known biking celebrity Charley Boorman of Long Way Round and Long Way Down fame. Also along for the ride is British comedian Ross Noble, also an offroad motorcyclist of considerable skill.

Early spring weather played along with this distinguished cast by producing clear skies and a gentle breeze as twenty-five BMW GS1200s rolled out of the Cape Town’s waterfront, and off on the first leg of the trip to Cape Point via Chapman’s Peak Drive.

The Peninsula gradually unraveled as Charley and Ross led the pack, stopping here and there to chat to well-wishers as the rest of the party caught up. The large pack of motorcyclists gradually dispersed into smaller, more compact groups, most bristling with the latest onboard video and helmet cameras. There certainly won’t be a shortage of digital material from this trip with ostriches, a troop of baboons and penguins getting the star treatment in less than half an hour. Such is the variety of wildlife in this part of the world.

Cape Point was bustling with post World Cup tourists as the sights were quickly taken in and photographed. Then off again for a quick lunch in Rooi Els. Daylight dribbles through your fingers quickly in the early springtime here and you have to make the most of the moment but keep a weather eye on the time.

Offroad skills were tested briefly on a 25-kilometre stretch to our accommodation in Franschhoek. It was enough to whet appetites but not enough to cause too much concern.

We’ve managed three hundred kilometers under our belts today, with similar mileage tomorrow, although most of this will be more tricky and technical offroad sections into the Cederberg Mountains.

Check out blog for the daily updates!

Our next Adventure is planned for the 20th to the 23rd of August, dont miss out on the fun! Contact us here to comfirm your place!

IT DOES NOT MATTER, BUT WHATS IMPORTANT NOW IS…………