The burger and chips barely touch sides. The large cuppa chino has a much more satisfying effect. I know this cuppa joe will manifest halfway between here and nowhere. I’m halfway down under, I might as well have a go now. The kind waitress offers to look after my gear taking up the entire space of the three-man bench opposite me. I also figured no one will be silly enough to rummage in the pockets of the crazy man who hath ridden the two-wheeled monster from a far to a near.
Much more relieved I gear up, pay my dues, send Babu a message (“ETA Home 17:30”) and set off through Beaufort West town center past the ruined church on the right on the outskirts heading to where the rozzers have always been since I remember. As I approach one eager officer steps out into the road left hand in the air waving with the right arm to pull over. I know it wasn’t speed so it must be a random check. I check my blind spot, activate the left indicator with the left thumb and start my “descent” over the yellow line, over the emergency lane onto the gravel. I let Guss roll as long has it takes for him to get to a stop. I always stop a hundred meters or so past the point from where the order was given for me to evacuate government property. I find this gives the said officer (in some cases, in most in fact) some much needed exercise, some time to think about the severity of the offence and if their actions are to be truthful, or not. I’ve also noticed that in most cases they don’t carry their diary with them. The initial distance without the diary thus equals a quarter mile round trip per foot. I’m normally quite calm and would spark up friendly polite conversation, maybe even throw in a compliment (the ego is another wonderful thing) and get politely personal, after all, would you really write up your mate…….?
In this instance, there is no offence. Staring me in the face is the possibility of a great inconvenience in way of removal of my gloves, digging out my licence and then rummaging in the over full top box for the uncut valid licence (tax) disc that was handed me before I left Secunda and, possibly explaining as to why it’s not on display. Aaargh…I just got kitted up!!
In my rear-view mirror, I notice the officer looking at what could only be the generous distance. She is a sharp one, one of our country’s finest!! It takes her all of two seconds to evaluate the potential quarter mile round trip before swiftly and without hesitation switching over to plan B.
She focuses her attention on the vehicle behind me and with the same left arm in the air, right arm waving from left to right, instructs the unsuspecting sod to pull over. This time, however, she showed a new move, one I’ve certainly not seen before. During her “wave off” of the car behind me, she had a quick turnaround action in my direction whilst cocking her left wrist up and down quickly three times in a row making her pointed index finger visible, it seemed to indicate that I could go. I wasn’t sure what this meant through the rear view mirror!! I turn my head 168 deg, my left foot flat on the ground, my right leg hanging over the seat. She does it again but this time with more persuasion as the car comes to a stop next to her. I get the message!!
A friendly appreciative message in way of a wave with my right hand is sent back as I speedily turn around to re-position myself on Guss ready to kick him in 1st gear for the off. Right indicator, blind spot check and away I go.
Back on black in fifth, I turn my thoughts to the road ahead. The call for adventure is strong!! I’m impressed with Guss’s N1 abilities however the gravel calls!! By now the temperature has risen significantly, still not a breeze in the air and the landscape is starting to show signs of drought as the karoo rocks become more visible through the fading grass.
I have a plan but am undecided. I’ve made up good time but my need to refuel (my body) could jeopardize the planned mission. For 110km’s I remain undecided and once again decide to go with the flow….
At the turn-off, I turn…
“Where did that come from? You’re supposed to go straight!!” There’s a railway line with a “STOP” sign. The road is raised where the railway line crosses the road. One can see either side of the line for miles especially from my elevated position. Immediately after the crossing, there is a right bend in the road before it sweeps again to the left over the small hill.
With a quick movement of my head to the left and right I check for potential moving obstacles approaching. Nothing!!! I drop a gear and floor Guss whilst I stay seated. To the left, there is a small group of local people sitting by the road on the other side of the railway line. As the front wheel touches the rise I stand up in readiness for take-off….Guss delivers and sends us a few inches off the ground over the railway lines. The on looking local crowd in two minds about the performance. Back on terrafirma, I quickly find fourth and lean into the right hander. Guss and I haven’t yet been in the bends together. It’s been pretty much straight all the way this far.
21” vs 19” has been a long debate. On the 1200’s I’ve been used to 19” and it has served me well in all sorts. Guss has felt solid on the road all the way thus far but my apprehensiveness is about to be confirmed or dismissed. I hope I made the right decision I think to myself as I drop Guss into the left sweeping bend.
Guss delivers with a solid line out the other side. My apprehension is fading and I let Guss go into the next bend and again perfect except for my weight distribution. I need to lean more with Guss when it gets low. Next bend we drift toward the center line. I counter steer to correct as I would on Tyson, Guss doesn’t like this and very gently lets me know with a minutest of bar movement. I can see far into the corner and it’s safe, I hold my line and let Guss drift into the oncoming side. We straighten up and move back into position. The next bend, dip, lean, throttle, lean some more, counter steer and up Guss comes. Perfect!! The road continues for 40km’s with “short-ish” straights but mostly bendy sections!! I’m super impressed with this 21” front wheel and how Guss behaves. Can a 650 dirt bike be so versatile, so good? Again, my blind faith in the brand is re-affirmed!!
As I approach the town a large sign on the left reads, “Home of AVOOVA”. A speed sign shows “80” shortly followed by another, “60”. I love it here!! The locals, as usual, entertaining themselves by the roadside. There’s a shop by the petrol station. The combination of this, the potential lucrative tourist begging and just general hanging around draws the crowd. They’re always there, it’s a welcome familiar sight. They probably feel trapped there. Ironic!! What I would give to have my base there to travel rom of course!!
Past the “The Showroom” I think of the IKFF (Indie Karoo Film Festival) I missed last year. I still wanted to produce a short movie for this year. It’s been cancelled due to the founder, Johnny Breedt, being away in Amerca. Phew, I have more time!
I carry on straight past the Hotel, to the where the road makes a sharp right bend followed by an immediate left. On the left is Dennehof Guest House. My favourite lodgings in SA thus far!! Ria and Lindsay are stunning people!! Lindsay an adventure riding veteran of Africa, Europe and America.
Bugger I missed it!! Quick “U” turn and I arrive!! I pull into the driveway down the short ramp. There are cars, the gate is open but it’s dead quiet. I ride onto the lawn and stop right in front of house’s front entrance by the stoep. The front door is open but there’s no movement.
I kick out the side stand, gently rest Guss on the gravel until he’s secure and disembark. Gloves off, helmet off. As I walk onto the stoep I hear a voice behind me. Hey!! I look around and see Dirk next to the dam where he’s standing by the round klip braai he built himself tong in hand.
Dirk (Maverick) is an old mate from the UK and the reason for my Bavarian obsession. Dirk and his family returned home just three years ago and now resides in the lovely town of Prince Albert at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains.
It’s great to see them again!! I explain where I’ve come from and despite it being nearly 15:00, I’m planning to ride over the old Swartberg Pass, past Die Hel which I will do again on another trip, down into Calitzdorp and via the maize of gravel roads find my way onto the R62 heading for Montagu and then home to Gordon’s bay.
Attentively Dirk listens to the entire route of my planned adventure. As I finish my last sentence Dirk smiles and responds, “jy weet die pas is toe?”, “na Die Hel toe? Ja ek weet”, “nee die hele pas, jy kan glad nie oor die berg nie. Enigste manier is Meiringspoort, De Rust, Oudtshoorn om.”
Everything for a reason I think to myself……..
It was great to see the Maverick family again. Before I leave I ask for a pic. Dirk sits on Guss and says, “I could get used to this”. I respect that!
Dirk an I
Before I leave I send Babu a message “ETA Home 19:00”
As I leave Prince Albert think about all the great times ahead. I think about my next visit. As the town fades away my focus turns to the task ahead. Round two of the bends!! I had a wonderful time all the way back to the spoor. Upon approach of the spoor, I follow the same procedure as earlier. The same people are still camped by the roadside. As Guss is about to send us skyward I look left and notice a train approaching. It’s 300m out and the maneuver is safe, however, mid-air I get a vision of a picture of Guss with a blurry train that speeds past in the background. My mind takes charge and denies the heart permission. “Look at the time and now you still wanna diddle daddle with creative pictures!!
We are going home and we are going home NOW!!”
Like a stubborn drill sergeant, my mind sends orders……
“Heart!! Shut up and pump!!”
“Right Wrist!! Turn and stay there!!”
“Eyes!! Look straight ahead!!”
“Ass!! You’ve been nothing but a stinking pain all day!! Not squeak from you!!”
Once again Guss gives a sterling performance. At Laingsburg, I ride through town and elect for a refuel at Shell. Although the reserve light isn’t showing I know if I fill up now it’ll be the last fuel stop of the day. I only remove my gloves to access plastic and operate the card machine. Before my fellow travelers could finish stretching legs arms high in the air, I set off again.
Approaching the Hex River Valley I noticed a snow capped mountain. Temperatures remain constant. There’s no wind, that must be the reason. Down Hex pass. Brilliant!!! Past De Doorns down into the Valley. People by the side of the road sometimes dangerously eager to flog any hand-picked produce. Predominantly oranges this time of year. Through the Hex and I spot the orange orchards. Security guards armed with batons are visible. I wonder why…?
In awe of the road, the scenery, the adventures ahead and whilst daydreaming about all kinds of modifications I miss my turn onto the road that’ll take me to the R43 towards Theewarterskloof, then R45 onto R321 into Grabouw over the mountain and then home.
I decide not to correct my course and push past Worcester. The road is busy and there is a real sense of urgency as cars race one other to get there first, wherever that is. Cars and minibusses overtake one another from the left, from right weaving past the trucks now in low gear. Some older cars sit in the fast lane having completely missed the first rule in the K53. It’s a mess!! Occasionally the whole lot gets stuck behind themselves only for Guss and I to pick the safest straightest line through out in front into the clearing.
Eventually, the Hugenote tunnel is near. I’m over it and need to get off the N1. I veer left and hop onto Du Toitskloof pass (R101). Ahhh bliss. Around a few bends as we start climbing. It doesn’t take long to catch up to the first string of cars snaking through the bends behind the slowest vehicle in front. Guss and I make swift work in passing these obstacles. As we’re progressing there is an inorganic burn like the smell in the air. I smelt it on the N1 approaching the tunnel as well. It comes and goes. I look down at Guss as best I can. I don’t see anything suspicious. We push on as we pass string after string of vehicles. I notice the smell less so on the ascends.
At the top of the pass, a wonderful sunset awaits and for a second completely blinds one as you come out of the shadow. Around the bend and in the distance Paarl is visible. The sun too high to really make out detail in the distance, you just know it’s beautiful!!
Suddenly to my left a rider joins me!! WTF!! “Keep left pass right!!!”, I think to myself. I look again, it’s my shadow. Fantastic!! What a sight!! For a few bends, my shadow stays with me on the mountain cut out. I had to stop and take a picture. There are other people at the lookout point. They’re all enjoying the sunset whilst I’m sitting on Guss admiring my shadow. Glove off, phone out…click, click, click click. Perfect!!!
Late afternoon riding companion
The sunset from Du Toiskloof Pass
From here on end Du Toitskloof descends into Paarl. I make my way past some of the previously passed vehicles which passed me again whilst I said hello to my shadow. In front of the cars there is a truck. The inorganic burning smell becomes more prevalent. “What the hell?” Smells a bit of rubber too. “Can’t be Guss!?” I pull in behind the right rear of the truck. The road is steep and I can hear the brakes squeal. Suddenly I realise…….”Brake Dust you idiot!! Guss is fine!!”
At Paarl I hop onto the N1 again and take the off ramp for the R44 to Stellenbosch. By now I’ve developed that sense of urgency the motorists had on the N1 before the Hugenot Tunnel.
I hastily make my way past Stellenbosch, past Donford Motorrad, past Root44, over the hill into Somerset West. I stay on the R44 and follow the road to Beach Road, Strand. What a pleasure!! For once not in a cage on this road. By now the temperature as dipped with the sun. The streetlights are on and so are all the vehicle lights.
I overtake most cars riding down Beach Road. Suddenly in my rear-view mirror, I see a recently overtaken car flashing his lights repeatedly nonstop. I may have annoyed him but wouldn’t know why. I give him an opportunity to cool down and move in front of another vehicle putting the rages driver one vehicle behind me. I have the option to repeat this process but am intrigued as the flashers annoyance. The vehicle behind me turn off and I slow down allowing the still flashing vehicle to approach me. I move over to the right and he pulls into my left still winding down his window.
It’s a man and a woman. She can be seen tapping him gently on the shoulder trying to persuade him to behave and calm down. He’s obviously done this before. I feel sorry for her but then again we all have free choices in life.
If the man wasn’t strapped with his seatbelt he would probably a have fallen out of his car by the time he starts addressing me. Sitting on Guss he’s about boot height. I use my boots for keeping my angles in one piece and have no intention to multi purpose them now. Almost 2k km’s and not so much as a finger given or received and now this!!
The very unpolite man asks me if my bright are on. With a swift move of the left thumb, I flick the switch to “on” whilst simultaneously responding with a firm “No!! They’re not!!” Be now we are holding up traffic somewhat. The woman has increased her efforts to calm him down whilst Guss and I hold firm.
“We’ll, your light is shining in my rear-view mirror and blinding me and everybody else!!!” he utters even firmer as before, now appearing slightly embarrassed since he’s learnt that Guss’s bright was actually off. “At least I know you saw me!” I politely responded. I check my rear-view mirror and notice the hold up behind us. Like I said before, I respect other people’s time and move off to allow everyone to proceed at their previously desired speed.
At the roundabout in my left mirror, I see the irate person approach rapidly. I move over to the right once more to allow him access. Maybe this time he wants to get to know me a bit better. I let go of the left bar and put my hand on my left leg whilst moving forward controlling the forward motion with the throttle and engine braking.
“I’m sorry!! I understand” the man calmly sends a message across the tar whilst holding out his fisted right-hand, thumb pointing upwards. The woman next to him slouched down to get a better look at Guss and I with the biggest smile on a person I’ve seen all day.
“No problem” I firmly holler back at him whilst grabbing the left bar ready to complete the last leg of my trip. He takes the first exit and I take the second. I can’t help but think if I would’ve had the same response had my registration started with the letters “CEY”…
I turn right onto Faure Marine Drive and head down past the Pick and Pay, over the roundabout (circle) past Harbour Island and swing right at the BP Garage onto Beach Road. The street is jolly. The merry go round is all that’s left from the Winter Wonder Land. A carry on past all the small restaurants and shops, over the hill toward the old harbour. By now it’s proper dark.
At the old harbour I turn in. There is a restaurant there called “Thirsty Oyster”.
I ride around the parked cars. It’s very busy!! There is live music on Sunday’s. I go to park in front of the restaurant. I see another couple about to leave. They ride two up on a black KTM 990. They’re properly dressed for the cold. Mee too, but them too!!
As I get of Guss I see Babu appearing from the restaurant door with a massive smile!!. I couldn’t get my gloves and lid of quick enough!! “Helloo my baby” I hear her say in that familiar voice as she walks towards me. I hurriedly remove what I need to receive and give a proper hello.
I haven’t seen her in a week. It’s fantastic too with her again!! Prior to my trip to Johannesburg started on Friday, I was away on business for a week also. She looks at Guss and remarks on his stature. On the pictures without the aftermarket tank he looks like a two stroke. She’s glad I’m safely home and so am I!!
Our attention turns to the couple on the KTM. The man has abandoned his immediate plan to leave and has started looking around Guss. He is foreign and is leaving the next day with his quiet wife to ride through Africa heading for Europe. I ask for a picture and he gives me a piece of paper and tells me their website will be up and running in two days. I would love to follow their journey!!
We wave goodbye and wish them good luck as they leave.
On their way to Europe
We go into the restaurant where my in law and a dear friend from Louis Trichardt (who part owns www.villa-grande.com) is sitting at the table by the window. She arrived today and is staying the night. It’s great to be in time to see her too!!
Sunday Dinner
It’s now 18:39, time for Sunday dinner with the missus.
Oh, I lost the piece of paper the man gave me :BangHead:
Good job Guss!!
