Cape West Coast, Augrabies, Verneukpan, Colesberg, Rhodes, Durban

[GStry]

Verneukpan  :biggrin:

 

[GStry]

Unfortunately, we were running late by the time we got to Verneukpan and had to keep moving.  Next time, would like to camp there for the night, believe its quite a place for star gazing  :thumleft:
We head south for Britstown, De Aar and Colesburg.
It was a great ride, whoop T doo's every 500metre's, which we had fun ramping over, sometimes getting both wheels airborne.  
It was a shame to see so many dilapidated farms,  Had us wondering if this could be the result of land claims?  :-\
The country side was dry and brown, probably a difficult place to make a living, no sign of spring at all but still beautiful scenery, so much space and emptiness.

 

[GStry]

Damn .. we missed each other by a week!
We were there the week before

You were there on the 16th Sept and we were there on the 17th. If I'm not mistaken you left on the 17th.  Don't know how we missed you.

 

[GStry]

So far want to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my RR and for their kind comments.  :thumleft:

 

[GStry]

:thumleft:

 

[GStry]

:thumleft:

 

[GStry]

We get to Britstown and stop at a fourway stop and by pure coincidence my wife pulls up at the opposite side.  They had left Augrabies much later than us and come down the highway, the plan was to meet in Colesburg.  We stop to chat and decide to spend the night in De Aar. As I pull away to get going again I feel my front rim bottom out...my front tyre is flat again!  :eek7:
We decide to load both bikes as its tar all the way to De Aar and once again the trailer has paid for itself.

We get to De Aar and decide to press on to Colesburg, its not to far and will give us a head start in the morning (we need to change the tyre) and it is still quite a way to Rhodes, the weathers changing, it will more than likely be cold in the mountains.

In the morning, there is a cold wind blowing from the south west, Shane and I change the tube and leave after a good breakfast.
The ride to Rhodes is fun, the further we go the greener it gets, the mountains are rugged and imposing with deep ravines and the farms appear to be more prosperous.  It gets colder as the sun sinks and by the time we reach Rhodes it is dark and we are chilled to the bone.

 

[GStry]

In the morning we take a walk through the town after breakfast, Rhodes is very quaint and not a bad place for a home in the country.  :thumleft:
Sadly it's our last day,  its been amazing. Both Shane and I are looking forward to Naudes Nek Pass though and all goes well until Shane gets a puncture in the front tyre. Once again, the trailer is there and we decide to load the bike as the tar is not far away.  Not much further on the car gets a flat  :eek7:  The road is terrible, very rocky and the going is very slow for the car, it took us four hours to do the 50 km to the tar where we load my bike and head home to Durban.

The bikes were great, both of us were very glad we fitted the WR footpegs as it made standing so much more comfortable.
We had no issues at all in the 2500km we covered, except both of us had cracks on the rear bash plate mounting bracket, a known problem.

Thank goodness I'm finished and thanks to everyone for reading.  :thumleft:  :thumleft:

 

[Sprocketbek]

Thanks for the great RR + pictures. I certainly know what a schlepp a bulky camera can be but it's worth the effort.

I can't wait for our ride to the bash! Not as extensive as your trip but we'll be visiting places I have yet to see. 

 

[GO GIRL]

Super ride, stunning pics and route... :biggrin: :biggrin:

Grt to see the Missus's going with.. :thumleft: :thumleft:

however there is no way that this gal wud be in the cage... :mwink: :mwink:

A grt trip and thanks for sharing, the flowers never fail to impress :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

 

[nemodakar]

Thanks for taking us along for the ride. :thumleft:
Stunning pics. :drif: :drif:

 

[Frannarossi]

Nice RR and pics.Thanks for sharing :thumleft:

 

[GStry]

Thanks everyone.  :thumleft:

 

[KomTryMy]

The Cottage at Brandkop in the Northen Cape is my wife's place on my farm.

 

[GStry]

Yes thanks, it was a nice quiet spot, we enjoyed our stay and we loved riding the West Coast.  :thumleft:
Say hi to Elizna she was very helpful and accommodating. 

 

[Baches]

Very nice  :thumleft:

 

[Gee eS]

Great RR! Thanks.

 

[nemodakar]

Im just envious.
Wish Klippies and I can do that when we are that age. You are so blessed.

 

[GStry]

Thanks everyone... :thumleft: