KAROO AND BAVIAANS TRIP, AUGUST 2019

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We enjoyed a couple of minutes in the kloof and proceeded to our planned route.  We got to a gate where we entered, just to find another locked out where we we suppose the exit.  It meant we had to turn around and found another route toward Merweville. 

 

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Turned around at the locked gate.  The route in was however worth the evert.  :thumleft:

 

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Back on the big road toward Merweville, here somewhere I lost my camera.  A story that will be told a tad later in the rr. 

Once trhough Merweville it was Rommelkop Pass towards Sutherland. 

 

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Over Rammelkop Pass towards Sutherland.

 

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Lieflike paaie en roetes. 'n Ware avontuur.  :thumleft:

 

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Day 4  Sutherland to Montagu

Todays route is from Sutherland, a short stint on tar then down Komsberg Pass, through the Moordenaars Karoo to Laingsburg, then the R323 towards and through Anysberg Nature Reserve, then over the other Ouberg Pass  :biggrin: down to Montagu. 

As we left this morning my bike battery was flat.  I have been struggling with the battery since I got the bike, and in hindsight, I should have replaced the battery before we left on this trip.  atch:  Both bikes were loaded and now needed to be unloaded to get to the side panels of to jump start my bike.  Another 10 minutes later and we were on the road towards Komsberg Pass.

The map for the day
Road to Komsberg and down Komsberg

 

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From here through the Moordenaarskaroo to Laingsburg. 

I think we missed the 1st turn off through Moordenaars.  As I could recall from a previous trip the turn off were closer to Komsberg Pass.  In any case, we found the 2nd turn off and it also indicated the Moordenaars, so at least we were still going in the right direction. 

 

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More towards Laingsburg

 

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In Laingsburg we refueled, got something to eat and we were on our way to Anysberg Nature Reserve

 

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Anysberg is beautiful as always.  The road / track is a breeze with most driffies been paved. 

 

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At Anysberg campsite we stopped for a much needed drink and a rest.  It was boiling hot and we were unfit.  The few days behind us started to tell. 
Then it was on the road again towards Ouberg Pass.

 

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More

 

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Once out of Anysberg it was over the Ouberg Pass to Montagu where we stayed over in the Caravan Park.

 

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Dit was vrek lekker gewees.  Dankie Outjie.  :thumleft:

 

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Day 5.  Montagu to Kuduskloof (Veltie)

Our original plan was to go down to Struisbaai, but the weather forecast predicted much needed rain.  The rain was indeed confirmed from people in Struisbaai.  We decided to make today a tipe of rest day and only ride to Kuduskloof and take a break.  I think it was something like 150km ride for the day, and all tar.  :eek7:

The route for the day was an easy relaxed one from Montagu to Barrydale for a brekkie, then past Ronnie's *** shop to Ladismith and the a short hop to Kuduskloof. 

Map for the day
Leaving Montagu
Brekkie at Country Pumpkin.

 

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Ronnie's *** Shop on the right and on to Kuduskloof. 

We arrived at Kuduskloof safe and sound.  We had a relaxed day.  We cleaned and repack our gear and enjoyed the company of Eugene and Debbie and later that night we had their famous burgers washed down with some cold refreshments in liquid form.    :drif:  :thumleft: 

 

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Day 6  Koedoeskloof to Uitspan in the Baviaans.

Today would be a long day with beautiful scenery.  The planned route would be from Koedoeskloof via Calitzdorp, then the Coetzeespoort Pass /  Kruisrivier route / Huis se Hoogte Pass, over my favorite mountain Swartberg down to Prince Albert for a brekkie.  From there to Klaarstroom onto the R407 towards Willowmore for some proviant and then down to the start of the Baviaans at Uitspan, another favorite of us. 

We left a tad later than expected from Koedoekloof.  It was raining and we waited a bit for the rain to settle in a calm drizzling.  We left with our raincoats on heading towards Calitzdorp. 

Route for the day
Riding a a light drizzle.
We stopped briefly on Huisrivier Pass and proceeded on to Calitzdorp and then towards Swartberg

 

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Towards Coetzeespoort Pass /  Kruisrivier route / Huis se Hoogte Pass

 

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Starting at the bottom of Swartberg Pass it was raining a bit and we had some mist.  The higher we climbed we encountered heavy mist.  The last couple of meters were almost like riding in the dark with no lights.  We guessed where the road surface were and kept as closes as possible to the right.    At the top you had mist to the south, the north was clear skies, no mist and no rain. 
Off came the rain suits and we proceeded down the pass.

 

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All the way down.  :biggrin: