Joyride
Race Dog
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2007
- Messages
- 682
- Reaction score
- 5
- Location
- Cape Town, Western Province
- Bike
- KTM 950 SE
It was time. The weather forecast promised it would be hot with thundershowers but what the hell, we planned this trip and we’re gonna ride. So we gathered on a good Friday morning to left at 10 as decided.
We were like sheep just after the gate opened, mauling for some time, losing each other at the turnoffs but at the end everyone found the road out of town and we rode, 8 bikes (2 followed later on) and the back up vehicle. At first the well known roads that took us to Wellington, over Bainskloof pass, past Calabash and to the Tolhuis in Michell's Pass pass, just outside Ceres for a lekka brunch.
Then on via Ceres, Gydo pass and a right turn at Op-die-Berg and eventually, the less known gravel road towards Cederberg Oasis, our first overnight stop. The roads were good and we all arrived at the Cederberg Oasis in high spirits. Did I mentioned it was hot-az-hel?
Gydo pass is always something special.
We got a good, no a very nice, camping spot and set up camp for the night.
The swimming pool was irresistibly attractive and soon we found ourselves cooling down.
The day ended after a nice braai, good company, excellent conversation, lots of chirps and Eisbein treating us to playing the guitar and gooiing a few songs.
Another hard day in Africa
Gerrit and Chantal were really good hosts and after a wholesome breakfast on Saturday morning we split into two groups. 4 Bikes and the back up vehicle would ride via Eselbank, Wupperthal, Uitspankraal (crossing the Doring river) towards Die Bos and the rest would turn back and ride via Katbakkies pass to meet us again at Gannaga Lodge.
Soon after we left and started the journey towards Eselbank it was no secret that this was going to be a hot day. The scenery, the feeling of solitude and the excitement of an entire day of riding over mostly unknown territory totally made up for the uncomfortable temperature that constantly reminded us of the promises earlier the week about temperatures of up to 44 degrees Celsius.
The waterfall at Eselbank brought a little relief in the form of could river water that some splashed over themselves and others even took a swim in.
The road towards Wupperthal was a blast and we arrive close to mid day. Did I mention it was Hot-az-hel?
We took in as much water and cold drinks as possible before we left for Uitspankraal, where we crossed the Doringrivier.
Video of the river crossing
<a href="https://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gannaga.mp4"><img src="https://img208.imageshack.us/img208/601/gannaga.mp4.th.jpg"/></a>
A few kilometres after the river crossing the roads got smooth and we picked up speed as it became late afternoon and we could see thick blue clouds and lightning in the direction of Gannaga pass where we were heading.
Not much shade in the Tankwa Karoo
The other group eagerly awaited us at Gannaga Lodge when we arrived just before sunset and the usual camaraderie just continued.
I must emphasize that here again, our hosts Johan and Robert just rounded off a perfect day of great fun and relaxation with friends.
We were advised by the locals not to take the Ouberg pass back on Sunday as we intended, so we decided to go back via Gannaga pass again towards Ceres. We encountered some fresh wash-a-ways on the road towards the R355. It must have been the result of the previous day’s thunderstorms and exactly the reason why we decided not to do the intended route back after some well informed advice.
At the Katbakkies turn off three bikes and the back up vehicle split from the rest of the group, who did Katbakkies the previous day, and want to proceed to Ceres.
Koue Bokkeveld through the eye of a Karoo
We had lots of fun and our last stop was for refreshments at Calabash before we all proceeded home.
Did I mention the people, riding, camaraderie, chirping, fun and laughter……oh!!.…and the temperature, was HOT-AZ-HEL?
The HOT people
The HOT bikes
We were like sheep just after the gate opened, mauling for some time, losing each other at the turnoffs but at the end everyone found the road out of town and we rode, 8 bikes (2 followed later on) and the back up vehicle. At first the well known roads that took us to Wellington, over Bainskloof pass, past Calabash and to the Tolhuis in Michell's Pass pass, just outside Ceres for a lekka brunch.
Then on via Ceres, Gydo pass and a right turn at Op-die-Berg and eventually, the less known gravel road towards Cederberg Oasis, our first overnight stop. The roads were good and we all arrived at the Cederberg Oasis in high spirits. Did I mentioned it was hot-az-hel?
Gydo pass is always something special.
We got a good, no a very nice, camping spot and set up camp for the night.
The swimming pool was irresistibly attractive and soon we found ourselves cooling down.
The day ended after a nice braai, good company, excellent conversation, lots of chirps and Eisbein treating us to playing the guitar and gooiing a few songs.
Another hard day in Africa
Gerrit and Chantal were really good hosts and after a wholesome breakfast on Saturday morning we split into two groups. 4 Bikes and the back up vehicle would ride via Eselbank, Wupperthal, Uitspankraal (crossing the Doring river) towards Die Bos and the rest would turn back and ride via Katbakkies pass to meet us again at Gannaga Lodge.
Soon after we left and started the journey towards Eselbank it was no secret that this was going to be a hot day. The scenery, the feeling of solitude and the excitement of an entire day of riding over mostly unknown territory totally made up for the uncomfortable temperature that constantly reminded us of the promises earlier the week about temperatures of up to 44 degrees Celsius.
The waterfall at Eselbank brought a little relief in the form of could river water that some splashed over themselves and others even took a swim in.
The road towards Wupperthal was a blast and we arrive close to mid day. Did I mention it was Hot-az-hel?
We took in as much water and cold drinks as possible before we left for Uitspankraal, where we crossed the Doringrivier.
Video of the river crossing
<a href="https://img208.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gannaga.mp4"><img src="https://img208.imageshack.us/img208/601/gannaga.mp4.th.jpg"/></a>
A few kilometres after the river crossing the roads got smooth and we picked up speed as it became late afternoon and we could see thick blue clouds and lightning in the direction of Gannaga pass where we were heading.
Not much shade in the Tankwa Karoo
The other group eagerly awaited us at Gannaga Lodge when we arrived just before sunset and the usual camaraderie just continued.
I must emphasize that here again, our hosts Johan and Robert just rounded off a perfect day of great fun and relaxation with friends.
We were advised by the locals not to take the Ouberg pass back on Sunday as we intended, so we decided to go back via Gannaga pass again towards Ceres. We encountered some fresh wash-a-ways on the road towards the R355. It must have been the result of the previous day’s thunderstorms and exactly the reason why we decided not to do the intended route back after some well informed advice.
At the Katbakkies turn off three bikes and the back up vehicle split from the rest of the group, who did Katbakkies the previous day, and want to proceed to Ceres.
Koue Bokkeveld through the eye of a Karoo
We had lots of fun and our last stop was for refreshments at Calabash before we all proceeded home.
Did I mention the people, riding, camaraderie, chirping, fun and laughter……oh!!.…and the temperature, was HOT-AZ-HEL?
The HOT people
The HOT bikes
