Cederberg Solo ( Moedverloor/ Rooibos Heritage route )

[Miles]

Great report, I admire you doing it solo. 8)

 

[cloudgazer]

I perform my first fishtail of the week–end. Only a little one , mind you , nothing like the spectacular snakes performed by Cloud and his brother last week-end ,when, if not for their skill and fortitude, they would have bought a nice big farm each.

She exaggerates.
Skill and fortitude didn't keep us up - sheer luck did.
;D

Like an ***** i automatically slow down when hitting the soft stuff.
My poor brother - having absolutely no off-road experience was following a little too closely behind me.

After successfully bring our bikes to a halt, Rynet comes cruising past us with not a worry in the world.
Like she wasn't even aware she was on sand.
:thumleft:

 

[ADVENTURERIDER]

Baie nice report Rynet!

 

[Blackballl]

Hi , Rynet gr8 RR , the map that you got , did it have the whole of the Cederberg and al the back roads or did you have other outside intell on the roads to take . I want to go back, but this time plan it better as last time we went in blindly (no maps) from the Ceres side, got some good directions from Gerrit at Oasis that was not so well followed and we got a bit lost on the way to Esels Bank (I think that’s what it was called) and took a horrible sandy twisty road to the locals houses instead. After reading your RR I can see your name is fitting “Rynet” as I could have been called Val-net after that sand encounter.

 

[Riaanrw]

Very nice Ride Report. Keep it coming.    :thumleft:

 

[Zeff Cowboy]

Very nice report..... nice to see the girls ride.

 

[Andy660]

I am glad you enjoyed the Heritage Tea Route as much as I did , and your description of the route is very well written.

You are now inspiring me to go back again.

Glad my report was of help.

And Barry`s place really is a gem.

But I`m really enjoying yours.

 

[superten]

Great ride report! Many thanks for sharing.

 

[keithk]

Super R/report and pics , still have to do some of those routes. Thanks for sharing  :thumleft:

 

[Rynet]

Hi , Rynet gr8 RR , the map that you got , did it have the whole of the Cederberg and al the back roads or did you have other outside intell on the roads to take . I want to go back, but this time plan it better as last time we went in blindly (no maps) from the Ceres side, got some good directions from Gerrit at Oasis that was not so well followed and we got a bit lost on the way to Esels Bank (I think that’s what it was called) and took a horrible sandy twisty road to the locals houses instead. After reading your RR I can see your name is fitting “Rynet” as I could have been called Val-net after that sand encounter.

hehe Blackball if it makes you feel any better that looks like the exact same place I fell on the DS Fest this week -end hehe. :biggrin:

I bought the Slingsby's map ( 7th Edition ) at Cape Union Mart  for approximately R70 ( if I remember correctly). Its a nice big waterproof map and has a detailed map of the Cederberg on one side ,and on the other side it has town maps, and a big map of the whole area from Malmesbury to just before Nieuwoudtsville. It also has telephone numbers of the various placed to stay in the Cederberg which is great. It is also GPS compatible ( or see www.the maps.co.za)

I got some info from Andy XT660R's trip report and the rest I managed to figure out from that map that I had as I went along ,which added to my sense of adventure.

To get to Mertenhof Campsite / guesthouse take the Calvinia exit from Clanwilliam dam , the R364 ,over Pakhuis Pass then about 40 km later , at the Englishman's grave, take a right towards Biedouw Valley / Wupperthal and then another 15 /20km later you will find the De Hoek Pass. At the bottom of the pass after a few km's you will find Mertenhof  . If you were to pass Mertenhof then you will be on the Wupperthal / Eselbank road towards the Cederberg Oasis, which we did on the Red Route ( but in reverse , we actually passed Mertenhof ). The owner of Mertenhof is Barry and his wife ,and their telephone number is (027)482 2845. Remember if you camp to ask Barry to use the kitchen of the house on the camp -site. It has a fridge and kettle which is nice. They also sell braai wood.

To get to the Rooibos Heritage Route ( Moedverloor) from Mertenhof you double back up De Hoek Pass and then at the Englishman's grave you take a right towards Calvinia on the R364 and about 20/30km 's later you cross the Doring Rivier at the safe cement crossing then just a few km's later you come to the Moedverloor turn -off that was on one of my photos.

ps a friend did some GPS coordinates for me after the trip which I can look for if you need some more info.

Enjoy your trip and I am looking forward to reading your trip report  :thumleft:

 

[Rynet]

I am glad you enjoyed the Heritage Tea Route as much as I did , and your description of the route is very well written.

You are now inspiring me to go back again.

Glad my report was of help.

And Barry`s place really is a gem.

But I`m really enjoying yours.

Thanks Andy  ;D

and thanks for correcting me , you are right it is actually the Rooibos Heritage Road not the Rooibos Tea road , it must be all that Rooibos Tea I drink that went to my brain  :thumleft:

 

[GO GIRL]

What a super RR Rynet there is something very special about going solo... 8)

Thanks for sharing....

 

[Blackballl]

Thanks for the info , and can't wait for the next RR.
Cheers
BB AKA Valnet :laughing4:

 

[Andy660]

Rynet , you and GG shoul do a trip to gether or you and a couple of the other ladies , no men

 

[jgorgens]

Hi

Can you share GPS coordinates for this route?

Thanks!

 

[Bessie]

 

[capeklr]

:thumleft:
Really enjoyed your ride report.

 

[Rynet]

Hi

Can you share GPS coordinates for this route?

Thanks!

Just saw this sorry . This ride was done when I just started to ride off -road . I didn't have a GPS then , and still don't , sorry . Am old fashioned . I still follow a map. But you can pm me for more details.

Yes I remember fondly when I first started riding off -road , everything was still so wow and exciting and fresh , I was like a little girl in a toy store , my eyes big like saucers  :biggrin:

 

[DirtyHarry]

Very nice ride Rynet, thanks for posting. You have to learn to pick up your bike on your own. It is not that difficult. Only then you will be able to enjoy your solo rides to the fullest. I am talking from my own experience  :deal:
Check here, it works.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXHsgJzPIe4

 

[Gerard]

Daai eerste solo trip is spesiaal. Hoewel die trip nou al lank terug was, het ek geniet om dit te lees. Jy het 'n lang pad gekom van toe af. Welgedaan.