A Bucketlist Trip

[Gerard]

The turn-off to the loop says "Willowrivier" Its a beautiful meander through a couple of poorte.

Most of it looks like in the first pic. The second pic shows the constant view of the mountains. Really worth doing. Pity the Cockscomb was under cloud.

 

[Gerard]

Our digs for the night, self catering cottages at the Royal hotel. We ate in the dining room and all I can say is 'superb"

 

[Gerard]

Next morning we head for Grootrivier poort. We excited. Duks had done it a few weeks ago and says its rough. Of course every road has two directions and each is a totally different ride.

GRP from Patensie to Steytlerville is 'down' and vice versa is 'up'. It refers to the rough part, from the radio towers, coming from direction Patensie, down Antonies pass to Hadley's drift.

We were going up. Its the more difficult way to do it. No particular reason for doing it this way, but determined by logistics.

First you ride along the mountain towards the poort.

 

[Gerard]

This pic is taken from the way we had come. I was in front, doing about 60km/h. That's my speed on these roads because of the animals.

In that hollow a Kudu cow jumps from nowhere from the right across my path, literally over the front of the bike. I could see the tics on its ass. I shat myself.

I commute and get nearly taken out on a daily basis. It does not shake me anymore and I smile and wave. This time one second made the difference. Later on I would have another incident with a kudu, but this one crossed far away in front of me, at least 5m :biggrin:

So we stop and I have a smoke waiting for the shakes to go away. :lol8:

 

[Gerard]

Still on our way to GRP. Just another view. The problem with this ride is you can stop and take pics all the time, there is just so much awesomeness. I have the music on in my helmet and am in the zone. I don't always focus on taking pics.

 

[Gerard]

Still on the Steytlerville side going down the little pass to the drift. It has not been maintained for a while and is also getting rough. Just lots of lekker.(On the other side you can see Antonies pass climbing out).

Duks coming down the pass.

 

[katana]

Looking lekker  :thumleft:

 

[Gerard]

Down at the drift its time for coffee. Its dry and the river is low.

 

[Gerard]

From the drift you climb in steps for 17km to the radio towers on the Elandsriver road. First is Antonie pass, a couple of kilometers of seriously rough climb and then there are another 4 or 5 rough climbs. The rest is just twee spoor. most of the climbs are about 50 - 100m in length.

Sorry, no pics as promised. The problem is you know its going to be rough, you see the climb approaching and you zone in, hit the climb and gun it. No hesitation. Its all rough rock and stone. There is no line to pick and you cant use first gear, you loose momentum and it spins out. So its second gear at speed and you use the clutch. Its a rush and there is no stopping for pics. When you over the climb its 'phew !' and ride on. I was not going to stop and walk back for pics.

The rough parts are red route and not for the novice. I would also not use a big bike. 650 class is where you will enjoy it. We did and doing it on the KLR was just fun, but still a workout.

When we got to the towers I remarked how doable a KLR is and Crab remarked that its like a Basotho ponie... it just goes anywhere. Very apt description.

 

[Gerard]

A breather at the towers, reliving the ride up.

 

[Gerard]

A view from the top

 

[Gerard]

Brekfis at Tolbos and then its on to Baviaans.

 

[Gerard]

Baviaans condition is fair. Like when you ask a farmer what is the road like, on the KLR its just a gravel ride. For bigger bikes you will work a bit here and there. I will take a novice through that has done a bit of gravel riding and knows you must look where you want to go.

My standard pic at the top of Combrinks, and then Crab and Duks coming up.

 

[Gerard]

Again, one can stop and take pics all the time. I have in the past and this time doing Baviaans was just a road to get to Doringkloof and the Side Entry.

I always find this view from Holgat pass pretty and thought I'd share.

 

[Gerard]

Now I don't think many of you have seen this view before, and maybe you don't even recognize it. A very dry Smitskraal. So for those who always worry about the water, now is the time to do it :lol8: But what fun would be in that.

 

[Gerard]

And just for laughs, when the newbies usually shit themselves, February 2012. The last time it really rained in Baviaans

 

[Gerard]

Somewhere along the way is a lookout point.

 

[Gerard]

We get to Doringkloof and its time to chill after a great days riding. So far the trip is everything I wanted from it. The next day on the Side Entry would be the cherry on top.

Just because we ride rough does not mean we are uncivilized.

 

[Gerard]

Sunday morning bright and early. View from the stoep over the campsite. Those mountains in the background is where we cross today.

 

[Wolzac]

G I met you at the2016 A Bash and I could sense that you are a True Biker. How? It is the way you stare at your Bike at every given Opportunity! Awesome. :ricky: