2.3 Bar for life!

[Rooi Wolf]

Well before the bikes and riders were ready for our forage to the Baviaans, and even before the morning shot of OBS to keep the Karoo cold at bay, we had to have a group session to help Willem get over his trust issues though.

We had to be there for moral support, seeing that his religion / mantra of 2.3 Bar (for life!) started showing cracks in its mold. The possibility of an unseen parallel universe started surfacing, and other options were all of a sudden pondered upon. Because in this tranquil part of the world, on that very Knersvlakte that we traversed like hooligans, a Tokkelosh lurked. That puncture devil snapped from some hidden lair, and bit Willem's back tyre.

The first puncture of the trip, but not the last.

Me, the other 2.3 Bar (for life!) disciple, had to wait untill Baviaans itself, before I have forsaken my mantra and opened up to the wisdom.

But back on the Knersvlakte, a kind farmer offered to transport Willem's bike back to Nieuwoudtville. On the back of his old Hilux. With only an old ski rope to tie it on with. A big lesson in Willem's life to let go.. To trust strangers  (and old ski rope..!) 

 

[subie]

Ah ! Nou onthou ek julle van die 2014 Verneukpan bash  :thumleft:

 

[Casting from Turd]

Lekker trip

 

[Morokai]

It still rings in my ears : "Ag nee man, ons gan nie te ver ry nie, los die tools! As iets gebeur, dan kom haal ons die bakkie". Famous last words.
Maybe all these workings was a master plan of the universe to teach some vital life lessons!

But alas, I know now, 2.3 bar se gat! And more hope for humanity has been restored in my mind.

Maar ek moet bieg! It is very difficult to leave one's beloved on the back of a strangers bakkie, with the key in the ignition, quick directions to the spot for delivery and an old ski rope ( frayed strands all round ). I cannot begin to explain the relieve I felt while sitting on Albert's grasperk , Tafel in hand, and seeing the Hilux turn a gravel corner with my bike still safely tied on the back. I thank you kindly Boeta, for the help you gave in a tight spot and for restoring trust which I lost while living in the city.

Offloaded the injured from the Hilux, greeted our friendly helper and it was time again for some spanner swaai! In hindsight, a new tyre for this trip would've been a wise choice

 

[Pleco]

Learnt the deflate on the gravel the hard way with 4x4 riding.

Pump your tyres that hard on a loaded bike, hit a sharp stone and the tyre has nowhere to go.

And then you still get guys riding up a rocky 4x4 track insisting that they pump the tyres harder so the sidewalls don't get damaged.  eepwall:

I see Smidtskraal was lekker full  :biggrin:

 

[Rooi Wolf]

I see Smidtskraal was lekker full  :biggrin:

Ja Smidtskraal was lekker full. It could've been a bit fuller though , by all accounts. Not that I minded..!

 

[Rooi Wolf]

So Monday rolls in, fresh and crisp.

6 of us set off nice and early to get some miles behind us, wanting to reach Prince Albert that night. We saluted our comrade Wikus in Nieuwoudtville, who turned back to Cape Town, and with a sip of OBS for dutch courage, we were off.  

Calvinia, Middelpos and Sutherland all shot passed in a blitz of dirt highways...

 

[Rooi Wolf]

Merweville was a definite highlight for me on the day.

A beautiful pass to descend as an approach from Sutherland, and some real friendly kids in town. We had a quick stop to rendezvous and wait for all to catch up, when quickly we became the center of attention for a brief while.  

 

[Pilchie]

  :sip:

 

[Kickstarter]

I caught wind of an epic trip in the planning, and needless to say I was frothing at the bit to put in some kilos on my recently acquired DR650. The outcome was a trip which most of us spend our days dreaming of. At times it felt as if we were living the epitome of what these machines were intended for. We rode them hard and fast, but without much interest in getting anywhere quickly. We stopped regularly for kakpraat and to breathe our surroundings in. At night we shared our greatest moments of joy and equally frequent handlebar clenching moments of "oh shiiiit". It was an experience which brings to the surface a feeling we all crave, the intense focus dissolves the self and the comradery cements it in our memories. We all ride for different reasons, but when we ride together we are unified, brothers united in sweat, blood and petroleum. These are the moments I flick back to in my mind when life gets tough and I need a reminder of just how beautiful it all can be. Dankie ouens.

 

[Kobus Myburgh]

:thumleft:

Lekerrrrrr!

 

[Kamanya]

Great story telling along with some fine eye for detail!

 

[Rokie]

Great story telling along with some fine eye for detail!

+1

 

[Rooi Wolf]

Does anyone know the name of the pass on the Sutherland Merweville road?
As one exits Sutherland, direction Matjiesfontein, the Merweville roads spilts off just before Verlatenkloof Pass..

 

[Rooi Wolf]

We met up with De Wet Monday afternoon in Prince Albert, whom left Pringle Bay same time as we did Nieuwoudtville. We sorted a place to sleep, and pollished Riaan's Whiskey and Hanepoot that he's brought all along, over a couple of skaaptjoppies.

Tuesday morning brought with it Swartbergpas for breakfast. Sir Thomas Bain, you deserve every accolade that has ever been bestowed upon you. What a road. What a piece of mountain.

By the time we reached the Southern side of Swartberge, we were in very high spirits. The boys were warmed up. The engines were thumping away sweetly and the scenery was magnificent. We hugged the dirt on the way to De Rust, on some of the most enjoyable roads I have been on. The 2-ups and 3-ups that came out of that section, were memorable.

Through Meiringspoort and onto more dust towards Willowmore, where we pit stopped and filled up with some cold ones for the evening in the kloof.

 

[Rooi Wolf]

Made it to Makkedaat Grotte for a cosy night, again with lots of Hanepoot, and off course kakpraat..

 

[pietas]

Lekker trippie. Dankie

 

[Prototype]

"Ag nee man, ons gan nie te ver ry nie, los die tools! As iets gebeur, dan kom haal ons die bakkie"

wahaha! so leer mens seker...  :lol8:

 

[Klein Torkar]

mooi man mooi

 

[Rooi Wolf]

Does anyone know the name of the pass on the Sutherland Merweville road?
As one exits Sutherland, direction Matjiesfontein, the Merweville roads spilts off just before Verlatenkloof Pass..

Allemanshoek Pas, en gaan my Rammelkop Pas ook op dieselfde pad. Volgens Basecamp.

Pragtig hoe die Roggeveld berge net oopmaak al die pad Moordenaars Karoo toe.