Gromit
Pack Dog
We set off to try out the famous caves that everyone has been talking about. We left early Saturday morning on this route:
All packed and ready for the ride, hit the road at about 6am.
First stop on the Elandsrivier road
Some stunning views on the road to Patensie
Breakfast at Tolbos in Patensie. Very friendly people and an amazingly tasty meal
From there we hit the Baviaans road. Our first stop after about 40 minutes of heavy climbing
The roads on the climb into Baviaans are pretty bad. There is allot of exposed rock on the surface inducing many rear shock "bottom-outs" (but then again I am not a small person and we were 2 up).
Some stunning views at the top of the climb
After a hectic decent into the valley we encountered the dreaded water crossings just before Smitskraal.
Drying out after the swim
Some more stunning views
We were pretty much in the middle of the kloof when we cam across an interesting sign. We went t have a look but it was closed already (for those that want to know their operating hours are from 8am to 2pm
)
Some interesting rock formations
We finally arrived at our destination the makkedaat Caves
We stayed at the Dassiebak cave
Beds
Kitchen
The toilet and shower
and the amazing view from the stoep
When we arrived at the caves I realized I had picked up a puncture in the front. I honestly at that moment had visions of being taken back to PE on the back of a farm bakkie. I chatted to the Mrs Terblanche, the owner of the caves, she mentioned a farmer Nico Smit just 2km up the road who could help me. What a friendly place, not only did he have spare tubes he gave me a frosty to enjoy while he changed it on a tire machine he has in his workshop. Payment? forget it, he just wants me to bring him a replacement tube!! So guess where I am going soon
After getting back to the caves we had a great evening. We had bought a braai pack from the farm that consisted of some of the best lamb chops I hav ever tasted! We were in bed by 8:30 after staring at the stars for about an hour. With a clear night and no city lights this is the perfect location for star gazing.
We woke up early, had breakfast and headed on the rest of the route towards Steytlerville
The roads on this portion of the route were in very good condition and allowed for some speed (about 110km/h on the KLR 2 up)
A word of caution, be very careful and be on the look out for wildlife. We were almost taken out by a Koedoe cow on the Saturday near the water crossing. Sadly on the Sunday while on the road joining the R332 and the R329 we hit a small duiker. Luckily I managed to avoid hitting it with the front wheel but it connected my bash plate with force almost sending us over the bars. We where fortunate to stay on the bike and avoid the fall but the duiker had to be put out of its misery I honestly felt like crap, my wife was in tears sp the rest of that road was done at a snails pace.
We later came across this little critter that due to our experience was lifted off the road and put into the bush to avoid any other mishaps
A long dusty road to the R329
We then crossed the Groot River bridge that made for a refreshing change to the dry and dusty road we had been traveling
We passed Steytlerville in a flash, just stopped over for a drink and fuel and headed for the R75, this was another long dusty road that allowed for a little speed
Last stop before the dreaded tar of the R75. i recon it must have been at least 35 degres!
What an awesome weekend!!
We learnt a few lessons on the way (like take spare tubes) but all being said and done we had a great time and will be going back soon to indulge in the hospitality and friendliness of the Baviaans.
To anyone heading in that direction, you HAVE TO stay at the caves!!!
All packed and ready for the ride, hit the road at about 6am.
First stop on the Elandsrivier road
Some stunning views on the road to Patensie
Breakfast at Tolbos in Patensie. Very friendly people and an amazingly tasty meal
From there we hit the Baviaans road. Our first stop after about 40 minutes of heavy climbing
The roads on the climb into Baviaans are pretty bad. There is allot of exposed rock on the surface inducing many rear shock "bottom-outs" (but then again I am not a small person and we were 2 up).
Some stunning views at the top of the climb
After a hectic decent into the valley we encountered the dreaded water crossings just before Smitskraal.
Drying out after the swim
Some more stunning views
We were pretty much in the middle of the kloof when we cam across an interesting sign. We went t have a look but it was closed already (for those that want to know their operating hours are from 8am to 2pm
)
Some interesting rock formations
We finally arrived at our destination the makkedaat Caves
We stayed at the Dassiebak cave
Beds
Kitchen
The toilet and shower
and the amazing view from the stoep
When we arrived at the caves I realized I had picked up a puncture in the front. I honestly at that moment had visions of being taken back to PE on the back of a farm bakkie. I chatted to the Mrs Terblanche, the owner of the caves, she mentioned a farmer Nico Smit just 2km up the road who could help me. What a friendly place, not only did he have spare tubes he gave me a frosty to enjoy while he changed it on a tire machine he has in his workshop. Payment? forget it, he just wants me to bring him a replacement tube!! So guess where I am going soon
After getting back to the caves we had a great evening. We had bought a braai pack from the farm that consisted of some of the best lamb chops I hav ever tasted! We were in bed by 8:30 after staring at the stars for about an hour. With a clear night and no city lights this is the perfect location for star gazing.
We woke up early, had breakfast and headed on the rest of the route towards Steytlerville
The roads on this portion of the route were in very good condition and allowed for some speed (about 110km/h on the KLR 2 up)
A word of caution, be very careful and be on the look out for wildlife. We were almost taken out by a Koedoe cow on the Saturday near the water crossing. Sadly on the Sunday while on the road joining the R332 and the R329 we hit a small duiker. Luckily I managed to avoid hitting it with the front wheel but it connected my bash plate with force almost sending us over the bars. We where fortunate to stay on the bike and avoid the fall but the duiker had to be put out of its misery
I honestly felt like crap, my wife was in tears sp the rest of that road was done at a snails pace.We later came across this little critter that due to our experience was lifted off the road and put into the bush to avoid any other mishaps
A long dusty road to the R329
We then crossed the Groot River bridge that made for a refreshing change to the dry and dusty road we had been traveling
We passed Steytlerville in a flash, just stopped over for a drink and fuel and headed for the R75, this was another long dusty road that allowed for a little speed
Last stop before the dreaded tar of the R75. i recon it must have been at least 35 degres!
What an awesome weekend!!
We learnt a few lessons on the way (like take spare tubes) but all being said and done we had a great time and will be going back soon to indulge in the hospitality and friendliness of the Baviaans.
To anyone heading in that direction, you HAVE TO stay at the caves!!!
