EC - Bastervoet [neerslaan] pad! Do not give up your dreams!!

[SwannieBraai]

Janes Barnard & Pieter Labuschagne from Hoopstad who were part of our Lesotho trip in 2008 organized this awesome trip to the beautiful EC!

We were 15 men in total consisting of 3 wilddogs,  the rest still to join!

The partakers and their rides:

Janes Barnard from Hoopstad – KTM 950

Pieter Labuschagne from Hoopstad – KTM 950

Oom Mike Kapp ( 70) from Hoopstad – Honda Varadero

Anton Kapp from Hoopstad – KTM 990

Edward Graham from Hoopstad – KTM 990

Adrian Storm from GP – KTM 990

Vicus Grobler from GP- KTM 950

Anton Dreyer from GP -1200GS

Hugo vd Westhuizen from GP – 1200GSA

Hendre Wasserman from GP – Aka Rietrot – KTM 990

Hennie and Herman from Brandfort – 1200GS each

Renier Van Tonder from Hennenman – 1200GSA

Willem & Biela (16) from Ventersburg -  1200GSA

Day 1

We all met up from our different venues at the Shell 1-stop outside Bloem at 9h00 on Thursday morn, 29 Jan. The plan was to do gravel all the way to Lundeans  neck where we will sleepover at a friend of Janes, Chris Isted.

We all were hungry and had a nice breakfast at Steers, got to know each other a bit better, checked out each other’s scoots and then set off.

However due to the lekke rain pouring down we hit the tar to Dewetsdorp where we hoped it would be  dryer to take the gravel.

We rode in the rain all the way to Dewetsdorp, and then it changed from there. Had a quick tyre check session  and then hit the gravel with engines roaring. The KaTaMs leading with Janes and Pieter riding next to each other at rather high speeds with the rest of the pack following hard.

First stop is where? Do you recognize it you old bash-dogs out there?

Caledon flowing strong after good rains . . .  hmmm reliving the bash . .  boy it was great!

Stop at Zastron to get some goodies for the evening braai, then off via Sterkspruit to Lundeans.

Beautiful scenery from start to finish!

[

Arrived at Chris & Catherine Isted’s farm, an exceptionally scenic and beautiful place, surrounded by the breathtaking mountains and nature

They have this awesome cottage , restored and decorated with love, taste and care!

Renier taking a low posture!

Biela wat lekker “laagle!

View from above!

Hugo doing it right after a full day’s riding !

Lekker saamkuier die hele aand deur! We had a nice braai with tjops, steak, wors,pap and other goodies, sat around and just enjoyed the calmness and good fellowship of each other. Most went to bed early, tired but fullfilled after a long day of awseome rding and scenery.

Chris, the farmowner, he can be reached on 045 9749900 to book accommodation.

Thanks Chris & Catherine for a wonderful stay, we appreciate your kindness and hospitality.
Thanks Janes, puik gereel!

Day 2 will follow . . . . .

 

[edgy]

Great report so far! Dis n paar groot manne daai,wat somer n groot fiets klein laat lyk! ;D

 

[LeonDude]

Nice Willem. I agree with edgy's comment!

 

[KnopKop]

Anton Kapp from Hoopstad – KTM 990

Genade Willem, hoe groot is die ou? Hy laat daai 990 lyk soos 'n pit-bike !!!!!

Baie nice report sover, kan nie wag vir die res nie!!!

:thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft: :thumleft:

 

[Bakkie]

15 manne, jusso as julle weer gaan ry laat my weet ek sal reserwe wees!

 

[milkybar]

Lekker Willem........  :thumleft:
Om te dink as ek nie die sandmonster se hand geskud het die vorige Sondag nie, was ek en HabaHaba dalk saam op die trip.... 
Die Hoopstadters is GROOT boerseun.... genoeg mieliepap en steaks.
Dit lyk awesome.....onthou julle hoe dit gelyk het November toe ons Lundean's gaan ry het.....nie so groen nie.
Moet nou nie dat ons te lank wag vir die res nie asb Willem!

 

[Malibu]

Ooooh!  Lekker RR and stunning pics...  :thumleft:

Waiting for the rest...  :biggrin:

 

[Plore]

Nice. Ons wag in spanning vir die res

 

[edgy]

If you doing the Bastervoetpad between the Rhodes gravel road and the Ugie tar road....its brilliant!

 

[SwannieBraai]

If you doing the Bastervoetpad between the Rhodes gravel road and the Ugie tar road....its brilliant!

We did it, was excellent, will report later on it. leke leke

 

[rubiblue]

Very  nice rr so far, cool pics.

 

[SwannieBraai]

Day 2

We all had a great night’s rest (except for those who has not learned to adapt to the snorers yet). Hendre said that not even earlplugs help, they only filter out the 125cc sounds but not the 990 beats, ha ha.

Today we are going down to Rhodes for a brekkie in the hotel and then up to Tiffendell and then we take a “shortcut” to Naudes neck top, past TenAhead, a route that we would discover is not so easy for the big GSA’s, anyway here goes the pics to tell the story itself . . .

The Emoes making their funny sounds . . .

From Chris’s farm the road goes up and down in the most awesome places imaginable, with huge and steep cliffs and “uitspoelings” in the rocks. A very enjoyable road down to Rhodes.

So BTW all the pics taken from me doing pillion while Biela is enjoying himself with the GSA, compliments from Nokia N95.

We had a lekke brekkie here, Piet was our man that tied up with the kitchen personel to rganize some more toast, well done Piet, anders was ons nie so lekker vol nie!!

Then off through the beautiful surroundings to Tiffendell . . .

Up we go!! Not that obvious perhaps but Adrian Storm on his 990 actually popped a wheelie from bottom to top, me thought he was going to flip the thing – experience and respect!

Some concrete for the winter months . . .

Breaking and entering!

Pasop hie kommie honne!

From Tiffendell just a few km you turn in through a gate for the shortcut to Naudesneck top.
What a lekker technical route, rocks galore!

Only one puncture for the whole 4 day trip!

The road got better a bit better. Me on the back of Adrian’s 990 while Biela was gunning the GSA ahead. That was a scary ride for me, who of you have pillioned with an experienced off roader on a 990 before on a rather rocky road??
Not the same as holding the  handles I tell you, this is “broekpiepie” stuff dogs!!

Lekker watercrossings here and there . .

Finally on top,  time for a “familypic” just Hennie & Herman not here, they are allready ahead of us, joined from Rhodes.

This is my last pic of the day, my phone went dead with the fall! When I came down Naudes neck, I was sweeper and was a bit behind so decided to gun it a bit, found out the hard way I was too fast downhill. My ABS was off and when I stepped on the back brake almost to the turn, the back gave way to the right and slid off the incline . . . what else for the GSA to do but to highside me, the  bike flipped and slid into the rocks on right, me about 2m in front of the bike I managed to stand up again after my breath returned. While I was lying there I could here the thunder of the Katooms’ zorses as they all went down the hill on the other side . . me forgotten all alone here, sniff sniff . . . by God’s grace I was fine, left shoulder bruized, nerfaf op my duim want ek het nie gloves aangehad nie ( iets geleer), but no major breakages except the ribbetjies I only felt the  next day, lekke seer.
The GSA’s left spot gone, although I had the conversion on, must have been a rock that took it out. Screen scratched and bent, cyl head cover protector off and cover scratched etc etc, luckily only cosmetics about R17000 worth of damage not included the scratched and dented topbox and pannier. Thinking of leaving the boxes taht way, gives kinda character I think. Insurance will cover . Once again thanks be to my heavenlyDad who protected my life! Got scoot up with much effort, got on and met the others at the intersection a few k’s later.

Then we rode on on nice and winding roads toward Woodcliffe guesthouse where we will stay for the evening.
On the way encountered a padskraper, boy was that not nice, the road filled with marbles the size of golf balls, eish that was a sweaty ride for me, dunno about the others.

Hendre took these pics. Here we are on Woodcliffe, some of the men going for a relaxing swim, the others enjoying some  cold beers, me hurting and stiff, went for a shower then crashed on my bed while Biela was straightening some things on the GSA.

We had the most hearty welcome from Phyll and her mom, the owner of Woodcliffe estate. Go have a look at https://www.woodcliffecavetrails.co.za/. Our hostesses treated us with eats and drinks, Phyll even offered to bandage me if I needed it. She manages the farm all alone, planting vegetables, herding  cattle and a lot of other things too she is involved with. Not even mentioning the great guesthouse and – farm she runs. She and her mom made the loveliest oxtail bredie you can imagine. A full 5 course meal with yummy veggies, just what a hungry ADV rider needs, topped off with Malvapoeding en roomys! Hie ha, thx Phyll, we ate like kings and then were off to these pozies for a lekke cuddle . . . .

See you tomorrow for Day 3 . . . .snore snore . . . .

 

[LouisXander]

Oh dis waar julle was, lekke memories van daai paaie, lekke man

 

[Hentie bm]

Baie nice  :thumleft: kom ons wag vir die res!!!! :bueller:

 

[SwannieBraai]

Few late arrivals to get the taste buds going for Day 3 & 4 . . .

Here is the one of Adrian Storm doing the wheelie uphill near Tiffendell!! RESPECT!!

. . . Ill be back . .

 

[Iron Shark]

Nice RR mate!!!  :thumleft:

 

[SwannieBraai]

Day 3


Saturday we were up early, all except me went to the valley up west to check out some beautiful scnerey,  they called it the “Affodille Toer”, afterwards I was so glad I missed it, seem they had all kind of encounters there . . . .ha ha

Then we were on our way for the “Bastervoetpad” that lay ahead. Me, Oom Mike & Anton Kapp took the “highway” to Maclear and then Elliot, while the bunch took the backroads through the plantations up to Ugie and then via Bastervoetpad to the Mountain Shadow Hotel where we would meet later.

This is the pics that came from their lenses . . .

Skep some asem!!

Hei Anton, jy kan nie nou terugloop nie ou! Of het jy gaan teerpad soek? Ha ha

Specially for the KATOOM fanatics out there! Enjoy!!!

Janes, jy ook, wa ga jy broer? Recce bietjie?

Moedskep meeting! Praat met mekaar manne!

Our fearless leader!

Back from Bastervoet(neerslaan)pad at the Mountain Shadow hotel for a cold one and a brunch of lekke steak & chips!

After lunch we were off to Elliot to refill and then took dirt through the Otto du Plessis pass, one of the most scenic routes we rode so far. The KTM’s race through the twisties while some of us lurked behind to breathe in the beauty and actually see the surroundings,  what a lovely trip!

Here I swapped with Hendre for a while to feel the Katoom . . .  wrong choice!!!!!!!

I thought the GS was king (on gravel) untill I rode that beast, man that thing stick to gravel like velcro. What an absolute pleasure, I can understand the KTM generation much better now: Guys you ride excellent bikes! I almost rode like you people once on that 990! It takes corners like nothing, I really take my hat off and drom my own point of view want to state that the KTM is in my opinion the king of gravel by far compared to the GS!!1 If you want to ride nice gravel (not the Bastervoet) type and actually want to see nature at a slow and relaxed pace then the GS is the main man otherwise all you adrenalin and testosterone junkies . . . .  dont get a life . . .  get a KATOOM!!!!!

We met up with the Valentinos here, a friend and his 4yo son joined for a quick kuier . . . now if there is a real ADV rider to be , that young dude for sure is! He sits there on his PW50, fully geared and ready, kort kort se hy: “ kom Pappa laat ons nou ry!” ha ha,  thats inspiration man!.

His dad’s scoot . .

“Damn, hierdie PW is te lig vir ‘n ordentlike doughnut, maar wag tot my 990 kom!”

Then we were off to Lady Grey district for our last overnight . . once more an enjoyable trip to the utmost!

At Lammergeier private game reserve, farm of Chris Isted’s brother . .

Huge house, sleeps 16 people, nice bedrooms, all nice, leke ou donkie wat hulle stook vir warm water, hmmmm so great!

Then time to chill, have a chilled one and enjoy the company and funny sayings of tired but fullfilled ADV bikers and boy did we laugh! Daai lang Anton Dreyer met sy droe humorsin en snaakse bygeluide, daai Renier het op ‘n kol so erg gelaag dat hy amper uitgepass het . . . chuckle chuckle . . . toe braai ons ‘n lekke tjop,steak, wors en kuier ‘n hond uit ‘n bos uit!

Daasy, da links, die “funnyman” Anton. . . mind you die ou heel regs met die coke is nie verniet ‘n prokerower nie ( sorry Hugo) hy is net so “funny as hell”, gesoute segoed, seker aangeleer? Na, so gebore!

Josef was ook hier . .

Lekker gekuier, lekker gechow en toe ga slaap ons ( die wat kon, die wat gesnork het) . . .

Day 4 will follow . . . . .  . 

 

[SwannieBraai]

Day 4

We rose at 5 , packed and were ready to leave at 6am.

Here is Lammergeier’s details:

We then took the path towards Joubertspass to Lady Grey about 28km of absolute bliss.

The pass is became very slippery due to loose” gravel klippies” that makes it a nail bite experience. At one stage the uphill is long and steep and then when we came around at this corner . .

. . . there ahead of us lay a very steep downhill, slippery slope, loose gravel allover. It was 1st gear downhill, the front wanna give way many times but Biela kept our beast sturdy and well balanced, well done my seun, jys ‘n yster! I was so hanging on that I didnt even take pictures at the time, no time, no chance! Lady Grey laying silently in the valley below!

Better roads later on . . .

Coming into Lady Grey!

Last fill up before Bloem

Last stop before Bloem, at the Caledonriver

The last pic before we headed off for Bloem, came into Bloem at around 10am, 3 days later. We were tired, sorebut some of the most happy men on the globe. We had an awesome trip with no serious pains. We kuiere lekker, learned, enjoyed each other’s company, drank in the lovely God created nature and were just happy allover.  We said our goodbyes and each headed off in his home’s direction . . . . untill the next one!!! We are waiting and planning . . . . .

EC is great! We will be back!! . .  .

 

[Carnivore]

Thanks for the report and the great pictures. Man, those mountains are something else!!  :thumleft:

 

[JonW]

Very enjoyable report Willem.

That part of the Eastern Cape has to be my most favorite part of SA.

I went over Otto du Plessis pass about a year ago, beautiful, but covered in mist so i could not really see much.

I have vowed to return some time.