GRyPH
Race Dog
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2008
- Messages
- 1,512
- Reaction score
- 1
- Bike
- Honda CRF-1000L Africa Twin
It was a great Saturday morning, just a few clouds in the sky, and in all a perfect day for riding.
I grabbed all my gear and headed off. The plan was to go through the Montagu pass near George then off to Oudshoorn via the road less travelled.
Everyone that has done this route will agree that its a great ride. From Oudshoorn I headed in the direction of the Cango Caves, and the plan was to take the gravel route from there leading to Calitzdorp. I heard of a “port festival ‘ held there and I thought it a stop worth checking out.
But on my way to the gravel road I got sidetracked when I saw the “Swartberg pass” leading towards Prins-Albert. I decided to ride to the top, turn around and then after continue to Calitzdorp. A decision I was later to regret.
The pass itself was a great ride, and the view from the top is great
“The view from the top”
On the way down I came across about 20 odd DS riders on their way to Prins-Albert, and I wondered if there were any dawgs in the group.
This was turning out to be a great day. However! And here it turns nasty. On my way down from the pass I came to this sign
And realized that I was coming to the corner a little to fast. Without getting to technical, small adjustments were made and the turn became no problem.
Until, that is, I saw the headlights of a Passat coming from the opposite side! There was no way of getting out of the way of the car and the result is not a happy one.
Needless to say a head-on collision was made and even more needless to say is that the day turned fowl real fast!
Lucky for me neither I nor the Passat was travelling fast as the turn itself doesn’t allow it but the impact was still hard enough to send me rolling over the bonnet and windscreen of the car.
I was also wearing full ATGATT and thus escaped any major injury (left with just a few small scrapes and bruises.
“Sceneof accident”
After the accident 4 riders also came past again and I could not mistake the paw print on the back of the helmet of the guy that stopped to ask if I needed help. . I didn’t catch your name and its a pity we had to ...uhm ...” meet” under such circumstances. Thanks again for asking if help was needed.
It was great to see the amount of people that was willing to stop and ask if we needed any help. From riders to cagers alike.
I am now awaiting the quote to see what my damage will be to fix the AT. I am HOPING that it will not be too much!
One thing is for certain. I will never deviate from the plan again.
I grabbed all my gear and headed off. The plan was to go through the Montagu pass near George then off to Oudshoorn via the road less travelled.
Everyone that has done this route will agree that its a great ride. From Oudshoorn I headed in the direction of the Cango Caves, and the plan was to take the gravel route from there leading to Calitzdorp. I heard of a “port festival ‘ held there and I thought it a stop worth checking out.
But on my way to the gravel road I got sidetracked when I saw the “Swartberg pass” leading towards Prins-Albert. I decided to ride to the top, turn around and then after continue to Calitzdorp. A decision I was later to regret.
The pass itself was a great ride, and the view from the top is great
“The view from the top”
On the way down I came across about 20 odd DS riders on their way to Prins-Albert, and I wondered if there were any dawgs in the group.
This was turning out to be a great day. However! And here it turns nasty. On my way down from the pass I came to this sign
And realized that I was coming to the corner a little to fast. Without getting to technical, small adjustments were made and the turn became no problem.
Until, that is, I saw the headlights of a Passat coming from the opposite side! There was no way of getting out of the way of the car and the result is not a happy one.
Needless to say a head-on collision was made and even more needless to say is that the day turned fowl real fast!
Lucky for me neither I nor the Passat was travelling fast as the turn itself doesn’t allow it but the impact was still hard enough to send me rolling over the bonnet and windscreen of the car.
I was also wearing full ATGATT and thus escaped any major injury (left with just a few small scrapes and bruises.
“Sceneof accident”
After the accident 4 riders also came past again and I could not mistake the paw print on the back of the helmet of the guy that stopped to ask if I needed help. . I didn’t catch your name and its a pity we had to ...uhm ...” meet” under such circumstances. Thanks again for asking if help was needed.
It was great to see the amount of people that was willing to stop and ask if we needed any help. From riders to cagers alike.
I am now awaiting the quote to see what my damage will be to fix the AT. I am HOPING that it will not be too much!
One thing is for certain. I will never deviate from the plan again.
