Day 4 - 1/1/09
I've done some crazy shit in my life, some hairy skydiving jumps with a couple of near bounces, canoeing flooded rivers in a K1, free climbing, bombing down Prins Alfreds Pass on a MTB at over 70km/h, but whatever may be said about yesterdays ride, it was one hell of an adventure and one of the best I ever had.
It was clear that no-one had been through that pass in years and I doubt anyone had done it since, in any case with a motorbike, and I would safely say I'm probably the only WD to have done it. The uniqueness of the ride makes it something to treasure, and I do.
I woke up having slept like a dead man, and just lay there letting it all come back to me. The prevailing emotion for a while to come would be the pleasure of being alive.
My brain sent a message to my body to move and get up, and nothing happened. Those that have done ultra-sports events will know the feeling. After a while I wrestled myself out of bed. I was SORE and stiff. My hands were the worst. They were bruised and swollen with some nasty blisters, a couple of which had torn open.
I had a plan for the day, but was in no rush. The route I was going to do had a few cut outs, if I ran out of time. But I will NOT change the route :imaposer: I was heading for somewhere near Calitzdorp.
The bike had worked hard and earned some TLC. After servicing it I got packed and eventually got away in mid-morning. A brekkie at the Wimpy in Sedgefield and then over Outiniqua pass to the Karoo.
Most of the day would be easy gravel on roads I had not done before, or done a very long time ago. I was at peace with myself and enjoying the world around me.
After the turn-off to Oudtshoorn I randomly took gravelroads, heading for the Robbinson pass road. At Ruiterbos I headed west for Herbertsdale and then up Cloetes pass.
When I did my National Service I cruised the mountains around Oudtshoorn a lot, but never really paid attention as to where I rode. I had a bivvy and sleeping bag and just slept when it got dark. I could not remeber having done the pass before and loved it. I've done it many times since then.
I stopped at the bridge over the Gouritz to enjoy the beauty. There were two families camping out on the rocks next to the river with Webers and braaipanne. One of the husbands walked over to chat with me and I was invited for lunch. This is what makes trips memorable... the interruptions. I spent a pleasant hour or so with them and got on my way again.
I was cruising along when I saw the board, Dwarsrivier, Biker friendly pub, hooked a u-turn and pulled in. Here I met Martin and Jenny. They had just started getting there B&B going and were entusiastic bikers as well. I battled to eventually get away from there.
I got lost finding the turn-off to Van Wyksdorp, but eventually managed to get myself there, looking for Rooiberg pass. There was no petrol and I got a bit concerned. The bike had just gone on reserve, giving me about 100km and it was 70km odd to Calitzdorp.
Rooiberg pass is undoubtedly one of the most beautifull I had ever done. It was again late afternoon and I was enjoying it, stopping often to admire the scenery.
I had as yet not decided where I would camp the night, so I decided to get a move on to Calitzdorp, for food and petrol, and to sort myself out.
