wiskey throttle
Pack Dog
6am getting up and walking outside staring at the mountain in the dark of night still, a decision was made…it’s time to ride
Kitted up with layers cause my empty cup of coffee was still steaming on the table, and started the bike with no real idea where I was heading today. Damn it was a cold misty morning at the foot of the Overberg. Stopped at my usual stop in Buffeljags for a cup of coffee and to start with planning the next section of the ride. Riding directly into the rising sun till I could take it no more and turned off at Tradow Pass, what a lovely pass when you are the only idiot screaming your up to Barrydale.
At Barrydale I stopped at the first garage to fill up and ask about road conditions heading into the nature reserves after our hectic rain. Road just to the West of Barrydale was closed so next option is the road to Warmwaterberg further South on the R62. Got back on and on the road. Stopped at Ronnie’s for a quick smoke and chat then did the 300m onward ride to the turn of…finally some dirt to play in. Cruised along the road through some standing water in places and some light patches of clay, till I ran into a gate at the start of some or other Nature reserve.
This oke came walking up to me and asked me what I was doing here and where I was going, apparently where ever the road leads was not the right choice. He started explaining (don’t think English is his first language) that I will need an escort through because of wild animals running around, so I had to pick a town to where I was going. After some thought I told him I am heading to Towsriver, he buggered of then came back and said I cannot go because the road has flooded. So I decided well then we go to Montagu, once again his answer was no the road was flooded. Screw him then, I’m turning around and looking for the next road.
Back to the tar, turned left toward Ladysmith and rode till I came to the next turnoff – Plathuis pad, I’ve heard that this road is good so I went down there hoping not to get to another closed road. All went well, lots of water on the road but nothing major. Coming to an T-junction after a long ride between the mountains decided that I’ve never seen the Anysberg so let’s give that one a go. After some more road signs painted on the back of a stop signs eventually headed to what I think might be the Anysberg. Beautiful road and not so much water anymore. After another long ride through nowhere in specific found the Ouberg Pass that signalled I am almost done for now. Was moerse hungry by now cause it’s about 1h and forgot to have breakfast again.
As I neared Montagu the only thing on my head was fooood. Stopped at the Wimpy for a fast Breakfast and got back on the road. Heading out of town I suddenly realised its Wacky Wine this weekend and the roads are flooded with FT’s from all over. Shortly after the pass headed on the R60 for home. About 15odd kays and to many cars on the road I spotted the Bonnievale dirt road and ducked for some quiet time.
Exiting the dirt onto the tar at Bonnievale went left toward Swellendam cause Bonnievale really doesn’t have anything good to do at past 3 the afternoon on a Sunday. Lovely piece of road between the farms with no one to bother you. Got the last dirt stretch entering Swellendam.
350km in total from home to home. Was a lekker ride, bit chilly in the morning but warmed up nicely.
Kitted up with layers cause my empty cup of coffee was still steaming on the table, and started the bike with no real idea where I was heading today. Damn it was a cold misty morning at the foot of the Overberg. Stopped at my usual stop in Buffeljags for a cup of coffee and to start with planning the next section of the ride. Riding directly into the rising sun till I could take it no more and turned off at Tradow Pass, what a lovely pass when you are the only idiot screaming your up to Barrydale.
At Barrydale I stopped at the first garage to fill up and ask about road conditions heading into the nature reserves after our hectic rain. Road just to the West of Barrydale was closed so next option is the road to Warmwaterberg further South on the R62. Got back on and on the road. Stopped at Ronnie’s for a quick smoke and chat then did the 300m onward ride to the turn of…finally some dirt to play in. Cruised along the road through some standing water in places and some light patches of clay, till I ran into a gate at the start of some or other Nature reserve.
This oke came walking up to me and asked me what I was doing here and where I was going, apparently where ever the road leads was not the right choice. He started explaining (don’t think English is his first language) that I will need an escort through because of wild animals running around, so I had to pick a town to where I was going. After some thought I told him I am heading to Towsriver, he buggered of then came back and said I cannot go because the road has flooded. So I decided well then we go to Montagu, once again his answer was no the road was flooded. Screw him then, I’m turning around and looking for the next road.
Back to the tar, turned left toward Ladysmith and rode till I came to the next turnoff – Plathuis pad, I’ve heard that this road is good so I went down there hoping not to get to another closed road. All went well, lots of water on the road but nothing major. Coming to an T-junction after a long ride between the mountains decided that I’ve never seen the Anysberg so let’s give that one a go. After some more road signs painted on the back of a stop signs eventually headed to what I think might be the Anysberg. Beautiful road and not so much water anymore. After another long ride through nowhere in specific found the Ouberg Pass that signalled I am almost done for now. Was moerse hungry by now cause it’s about 1h and forgot to have breakfast again.
As I neared Montagu the only thing on my head was fooood. Stopped at the Wimpy for a fast Breakfast and got back on the road. Heading out of town I suddenly realised its Wacky Wine this weekend and the roads are flooded with FT’s from all over. Shortly after the pass headed on the R60 for home. About 15odd kays and to many cars on the road I spotted the Bonnievale dirt road and ducked for some quiet time.
Exiting the dirt onto the tar at Bonnievale went left toward Swellendam cause Bonnievale really doesn’t have anything good to do at past 3 the afternoon on a Sunday. Lovely piece of road between the farms with no one to bother you. Got the last dirt stretch entering Swellendam.
350km in total from home to home. Was a lekker ride, bit chilly in the morning but warmed up nicely.
eepwall:
