Driving on gravel roads might be treacherous for some but there is plenty of fun to be had on it. Robin Classen lists five things he liked about the Ford Ranger #gravelog.
For many people living in the city, driving on gravel roads is somewhat unheard of.
Stones shooting everywhere and an uncomfortable ride is not everyone's cup of tea. Try telling that to Ford and its streamlined range of Ranger bakkies.
More fun than you might think
Ford's #gravelog experience put the Ranger XLT, Wildtrak, and Raptor bakkies to the ultimate test by driving from the Mother City to Johannesburg - all on gravel roads.
The thing about driving on tar is that everything goes according to plan because you are in control of what happens behind the wheel - well, most of the time. It is a totally different kettle of fish when terrains are changed.
Here are five cool things about driving on some of the country's gravel roads:
1. Expect the unexpected
The heading is a familiar term used in travel dialogues because you never really know what is waiting for you around the next corner. Here, that notion is very much literal. Throw a rear-wheel-drive configuration, mud, and hairpin bends into one cauldron and what you end up with is pure unadulterated fun.
Image: Wheels24/Robin Classen
A bend might look easy to negotiate but that is not always the case because these gravel roads have a way of tricking the eye, making it easy to let the rear-end loose at times.
2. Feeling like Colin McCrae
One thing about dirt and gravel roads is how quick it is to go sideways. A gentle blip of the accelerator around a bend flips the rear tyres into traction-less territory.
Image: Wheels24/Robin Classen
At times you feel as if you're something of a Colin McCrae wanna-be but the caution is that it is very easy to overdo it and possibly spin out. Thankfully none of it happened on the trip.
3. The beautiful sights of SA
Perhaps the greatest advantage of taking the scenic route is what you see on the way. Yes it would have been quicker to take the highway but soaking in the countryside's greenery that is often hidden from our eyes, is something you can't take back.
Image: Wheels24/Robin Classen
Driving through towns you've never heard of and simply interacting with locals makes you realise how blessed and fortunate you are to have what you do. Some towns haven't experienced rain in more than 10 years - let that sink in.
4. Meeting new people
Besides spending the entirety of the trip with your partner next to you, stopping at various places like guesthouses and local landmarks enabled everyone to say 'Hi' and introduce themselves to the local folk.
Image: Wheels24/Robin Classen
These people are so humble and friendly, always willing to answer any lingering questions the group had.
5. Making bakkies change colour
On day 1 these bakkies were as clean as a whistle but come the fourth day, all of them were covered in the same natural guise of brown hardened mud, a shadow of its former self.
Image: Wheels24/Robin Classen
The dirt was likened to a badge of honour but those that won't be happy chappies are the car wash guys at Ford's Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria, where the bakkies would be returned to.