60 going on 35

[unishaun]

May every year, I look to head out and do something for myself for my birthday. Be it hiking trip, a multi day cycle or a ADV ride, I'm just not big on traditional birthday celebrations and I enjoy getting away the the hustle and bustle. This year however, my Dad turned 60 (today actually, and I turned 35 last week), and I thought it would be nice to include him on a trip, 60 is one of those milestones after all. The weapons of choice were a XT660R and a XR650L, and the idea was to do no more than 350km per day where possible, and take it easy.

So Sunday the 14th May, with bikes packed we hit the road towards Calitzdorp for our first nights stop. From Cape Town, we rode the tar to Montagu, just of out town hitting the dirt going north making our way to Anysberg Nature Reserve. This was a good start to get my Dad ready for the days to come. The dirt from Montagu to to the gate of Anysberg was scenic, but non-technical. There was a bit of moisture about, with plenty of clouds in the distance, this made things a little slower as my Dad was still finding his feet in the dirt. He rides road bikes almost exclusively. Turning east into Anysberg, the roads got a little more spicy, with more twee spore, roads with a few rocky sections, and after the campsite we hit sand. This is where my Dad bought his first piece of land for the trip . From there to the gate exiting Anysberg, it was pretty easy going, as was the case from the dirt section from the gate to Ladismith. The last stretch there was a fine drizzle in the air, meaning the tar pass into Calitzdorp was ridden cautiously. We finally made it to town where we joined @dw1 and visited for the evening.

TBC. There will be more pics, I see however that we did not take many on day 1

 

[Black_Hawk]

These are the kind of trips that memories are made of. Looking forward to see the rest of your adventure.

 

[Fuzzy Muzzy]

Lekker man.. sorry I kept messaging you and bugging you during your trip looks like a good one was had, looking forward to the ride report

 

[Bliknêrs]

You are a good son!

 

[NoRush]

I like the idea, this creates a lovely memory to look back to. Even if it does not focus on your "own day" but together with a loved one.
Have long since lost the "my birthday "

 

[AfriqueDS]

Was a lovely visit. We enjoyed seeing you and the old man again. Pity we did not go with on that day trip but I've become a fair weather rider. It was just to wet and drizzly. We've had 80mm since you left here. Everything is overflowing.

 

[Crossed-up]

So lekker that you can share this with your dad.

 

[unishaun]

Was a lovely visit. We enjoyed seeing you and the old man again. Pity we did not go with on that day trip but I've become a fair weather rider. It was just to wet and drizzly. We've had 80mm since you left here. Everything is overflowing. View attachment 835892

It's always good seeing you and Irma.

It's understandable, you live in the area and can ride those stunning roads whenever the mood takes. Unfortunately we could not plan leave around the weather

 

[BullSmit]

You guys with sons are surely blessed.

I would have loved to have a son to share these type of adventures with.

I just use @Groenie 's sons to fill that void.

 

[unishaun]

Leading up to the trip and while planning the routes, I had all sorts of idea. I wanted to head a far Pietermaritzburg to visit my Quest buddy, Danie, as well as seeing some of the other Quest crowd in EL. I realized thought the distances would be too far and too big a push for me, never mind my Dad who is not as riding fit. You will see how the route plays out as the RR progresses, I did however plan a very rough route on basecamp, but the idea as to hit certain POI's, and how we got to them was not set in stone.

This meant that day 2 was started with a bit of apprehension. This was because the idea was to ride into, and possibly out of Die Hel from Calitzdorp. Two things were a cause of this apprehension. One, there had been plenty of unseasonal rain in the Klein Karoo (Calitzdorp dam was overflowing and many of the low level bridges were flooded), and our ability to do the distance on fairly technical terrain. Well, we could not plan for weather, and I was super keen to take my Dad into Die Hel, my thought was then to ride on tar Oudshoorn, then up up Swartberg and Make our way down Gamkaskloof and see. If needs be, we turn around. And two, the distances for the day may be too much to enjoy the riding.

I am glad we went, the pass into Die Hel was damp, but nothing hectic, the sun was out and as always, the views were stunning. Half way down, we met a guy in a Jeep. We got chatting and asked about the water crossings further down. Apparently the day before the water level at the bigger of the water crossings was over half way up the door, but had dropped back to normal in the morning. We trundled forward, I think my Dad felt a little more at ease after hearing this from some one who had just come through. I waiting for my Dad at the crossings to give some guidance if needed and possibly pick up a bike. The ride through Anysberg the day before may have made him a bit nervy, and water crossings can be a bit daunting. He made it through just fine, other then have whiter knuckles then he had before. The bottom of the pass has seen lots of water, as can be seen by a lot of washed out sections a lots of rocks. The XT's bash plate got put to the test and did it job thankfully. We booked into the Safari Camp (there was no way we would have managed to make it out again in the same day), had a few cold ones and got a braai pack. I must say, those were some of the best lamb chops I have ever had.

TBC.

 

[unishaun]

Day 3 started off slowly. Deep in the valley, the sun is slow to rise and so were we. At about 9, we made our way out the valley, stopping more regularly to enjoy the views, but also to warm the hands. The riding itself was pretty much uneventful with no spills, but the views were great. Once out of Die Hel and back on Swartberg pass, we made our way back to Oudshoorn for warm coffee and breakfast at Smitswinkel. They have a sweet collection of older Enduro bikes, and a couple of road going 50's.
From here, along the R62, we made our way to Willowmore. I had a dirt route planned, but thought it wise not to frighten my Dad more then he already may have been. In Willowmore, we filled up, bought some meat for a braai that evening and grabbed a coffee at the appropriately named Kapoet. I managed to find and book us accommodation about 20km from the entrance of Baviaans, after which we hit the road again.
The ride heading into Baviaans from the West was stunning, the rock formation are just something else, which was a good thing, as it forced me to take it slow and enjoy the views. More of which we were lucky to have at our accommodation of the night, the braai area overlooked the farm below and mountains in the distance. Arriving a little earlier also gave me a chance to give the bikes a once over, check oils and straighten hand guards etc.

Tomorrow we would hit Baviaans, somewhere I have wanted to ride for a rather long time.

TBC

 

[unishaun]

Day 4 was the day we went through Baviaans. I was a little worried about the water levels at the water crossings due to all the recent rains, but there was one way to find out. I did not let on about the river main crossing to my Dad for two reason, one I had only ever seen pics and videos of it which never do thing justice, and secondly I knew he would worry and stress about it. Either way, we would both have to find out for ourselves.
We hit our first snag when we got to the gate, and realised that we were just shy of cash, forgetting how much of our physical cash we used for fuel etc. Thankfully the very trusting and life saving Susana at the gate paid our shortfall out of her own pocket and let me eft the difference. Our next excitement was one of the many rocky climbs, were my Dad took it a littler too slow, stalled and dropped the bike. He was fine, but tired, and I think a few days in the saddle were starting to show. I still did not mention anything about the main river crossing yet. When we did finally happen upon it, both our eyes widened just a bit. It was a lot longer and deeper than anticipated, but look doable. I told him to hold back while I checked it out on the XR, and across I went, having to dab once or twice, but ultimately managed my way across uneventfully. Having had a ton of fun, I rode back to give my Dad a lay of the land, or this case, river. I said he had two options, walk across and I ride the bikes, or ride/paddle the bike through. Given his energy levels, he opted for the former. For me this was great, as it meant I had to ride the route twice more. Other than getting wet socks, we were through in one piece.
Oh, I almost forgot, I cannot remember if it was before or after the river crossing, but I got stared down by a Buffalo. While coming up on the plateau, not long after the information board with maps, park information and details about the flora and fauna, a rather intimidating Buffalo ran into the road about 10m from me, stopped briefly while starring me down, and then running off into the thick brush. My Dad of course saw nothing and still question whether I actually saw saw it or not. Thankfully the particular buffalo was in a good mood and decided we could part ways, because I don't know what I would have done had he decided otherwise.
The rest of our ride through the kloof was uneventful, so we could at least enjoy where we were. Our next stop was Patensie, which was a pleasant surprise. The small town was bustling, and it is clear there is some money there, with the scale of some of those farms and houses. From here we made our to Joubertina for some good rest.

 

[Fuzzy Muzzy]

Epic

 

[the ruffian]

You probably encountered that buffalo past the top of Holgat Pass, on the Bergplaas plateau. Lots of them up there, with several riders I know having seen them. Recently had 6 cantering alongside us in the open veld.

Also good to hear that the Smitskraal crossing has returned to character with recent rain.

And very chuffed to read about you out there with your dad (- this coming from one who is close to 70) …

 

[EssBee]

@unishaun so it was you guys who I spoke to in the carpark outside Checkers at Paddagat in George! Remember?

 

[Welsh]

You guys with sons are surely blessed.

I would have loved to have a son to share these type of adventures with.

I just use @Groenie 's sons to fill that void.

You are a brave man, I know Groenie and his sons.

 

[unishaun]

@unishaun so it was you guys who I spoke to in the carpark outside Checkers at Paddagat in George! Remember?

I do yes, we stopped there to check out a 450l across the parking lot and to resupply on our way through to seweweekspoort.

 

[RobCrouch]

May every year, I look to head out and do something for myself for my birthday. Be it hiking trip, a multi day cycle or a ADV ride, I'm just not big on traditional birthday celebrations and I enjoy getting away the the hustle and bustle. This year however, my Dad turned 60 (today actually, and I turned 35 last week), and I thought it would be nice to include him on a trip, 60 is one of those milestones after all. The weapons of choice were a XT660R and a XR650L, and the idea was to do no more than 350km per day where possible, and take it easy.

So Sunday the 14th May, with bikes packed we hit the road towards Calitzdorp for our first nights stop. From Cape Town, we rode the tar to Montagu, just of out town hitting the dirt going north making our way to Anysberg Nature Reserve. This was a good start to get my Dad ready for the days to come. The dirt from Montagu to to the gate of Anysberg was scenic, but non-technical. There was a bit of moisture about, with plenty of clouds in the distance, this made things a little slower as my Dad was still finding his feet in the dirt. He rides road bikes almost exclusively. Turning east into Anysberg, the roads got a little more spicy, with more twee spore, roads with a few rocky sections, and after the campsite we hit sand. This is where my Dad bought his first piece of land for the trip . From there to the gate exiting Anysberg, it was pretty easy going, as was the case from the dirt section from the gate to Ladismith. The last stretch there was a fine drizzle in the air, meaning the tar pass into Calitzdorp was ridden cautiously. We finally made it to town where we joined @dw1 and visited for the evening.

TBC. There will be more pics, I see however that we did not take many on day 1

Looks like you guys had a jol!

 

[dirt rat]

Good to see the 660r I sold to you being put to good use.
I am sure your dad will remember this trip for a long time to come.

 

[unishaun]

Good to see the 660r I sold to you being put to good use.
I am sure your dad will remember this trip for a long time to come.

It was definitely out of his comfort zone, but I know he loved and enjoyed it immensely.