Kermit and Friends – A weekend in Hell

[Trailrider]

A free weekend. That is what I was presented with. And it turned out to be a “Hell” of a weekend!

But first things first. Let me introduce myself - I am Kermit. I am 10 years old and this is the first time I'll be telling my story on my dad's blog.

Why Kermit you may ask? Well, I have an Afrikaans nickname: “Paddaman”. But since this story will be told in English I needed an English alternative and the direct translation - “Frogman” - just doesn't seem quite right. So Kermit it shall be.

Back to the weekend. My mom and brother (Asterix) were out of town on a karate camp. This meant that I could rule the roost for a change. As they say: when the cat's away...

It wasn't long before a bike trip was on the cards. This weekend some friends and I would be heading to Gamkaskloof, or “The Hell”, a place my dad has often spoken about. It would be myself and my friends Jon-Jon, Lucy and Beesblasie (the youngest in the group).

Plans were made, excitement was of the charts! Until we realized we had some logistical problems.

Bike trips cost money. Also, we were four friends, but with only two bikes between us. On top of that the other three live in Hermanus and the motorcycles would have to be transported the to a gravel road closer to the venue. We needed some help.

We needed someone who:

• would transport our bikes.
• transport our luggage.
• organise permissions.
• run block / smooth over “the fuzz” should we attract some unwanted attention.
• be chauffeurs / cooks / route guides / photographers / general help.
• do everything for free.
• pay for the whole trip!

That was a very tall order, but amazingly enough we found not only one, but three people willing to help!

Introducing:

The Gang – geared up and ready to go!

Kermit; Beesblasie; Lucy; Jon-Jon

The Help:

Dual; Trailrider; ROV-Rat


We had all the ingredients for a great trip!

 

[Trailrider]

We travel from different directions to our rendezvous point “Neverbetter”, a biker's pub in Calitzdorp. I was the first to arrive:

This is a new bike themed pub that my dad and I liked very much!

Even the bar stools are bikes! How cool is that?

Barman, Cream Soda float please!

Soon my friends arrived and we kept busy while The Help unloaded the bikes and got everything ready.

And soon enough we were on our way!

We tackle the gravel from Calitzdorp, past the Calitzdorp dam, direction Swartberg Pass.

Beesblasie enjoying the scenery:

It was HOT. Extremely hot! We thought we'd cool down as soon as we were moving but the air itself was so hot that we had to make a plan, so at the very first river crossing we stopped to drench our clothes.

That worked – for a while.

Some more scenery en route:

A Klein Karoo traffic jam:

Beesblasie and Chauffeur:

Lucy and Jon-Jon having the time of their lives:

ROV-Rat “running block”

We (my dad and I) were also enjoying the ride, sometimes riding at the back and sometimes in front, getting enough photos for my first Ride Report.

The rest of the group arriving. Swartberg Pass would be next!

 

[GRUNT]

Good on you young man!! looks as if you lot had a great time

 

[Trailrider]

Swartberg pass was built by Thomas Bain and it is spectacular! My dad definitely wasn't exaggerating when he told me about this!

Lucy:

How many 12 year old girls have a picture like this?

Travelling higher and higher:

The view at the top is simply breathtaking. You can see forever.

On top of the world:

The rest of the group catching up:

Exploring a bit while stretching our legs.

And finally:

 

[Camelman]

Very cool RR!!  :thumleft:

 

[TornadoF5]

Cute man  :thumleft:

 

[Trailrider]

By now it was late afternoon and we knew that people who were still in Gamkaskloof now would most likely be staying over, so hopefully we'd have no oncoming traffic. Our gamble paid off. As it turns out we had minimal traffic the whole trip and none on this section. Our routes (and the time we travelled on those routes) worked exactly as planned and the single vehicles we did see all gave us the thumbs-up and wished us well. I think the fact that the bikes run so quietly and the “controlled” and respectful way we travelled in (not being hooligans) made all the difference.

Some of the scenery on the road to “Hell”:

Some wildlife:

Our first water crossing on this trip:

Jon-Jon taking the CRF70 through:

Some of the people on my dad's forum says that you need a 21” front wheel to do this. Pffft!

Lucy:

Her front wheel is in the air coming out! Check closer:

Spunky girl this.

Beesblasie and dad:

Some more scenery:

This is the life!

Come along dad!

I love water crossings just as much as my dad!

And there it was:

This is a very steep pass, but the road is a normal gravel road and in the end it's an easy (and spectacular!) ride.

The gates of Hell:

We booked a house at Boplaas, the farm right at the end of Gamkaskloof. And what a spot!

After a long hot day's ride the pool was an invigorating treat!

As night fell we got a fire going and the whole group (including the help!) chatted and laughed and had a simply great time.

That night we slept like logs...

 

[Oom Foe-rie]

Lekker man .............................  :thumleft:

 

[Trailrider]

The next morning we were up bright and early. We wanted to hit the road as early as possible.

One last goodbye – pity we couldn't stay another day.

There are several houses in Gamkaskloof and most are marked with the names of the people that once lived there. My dad told me about the proud history of Gamkaskloof and how sad it is that everybody moved out in the end.

The pass out of Gamkaskloof - we didn't get a photo yesterday as we were looking straight into the sun. Today we got our shot.

The group fizzled out a bit, giving each of us some quality time with our dads. There are several little passes on this road and whenever we'd ride down one my dad would switch off the engine and we ride down in the fresh air, wind in our hair. We'd chat, stop, take photo's etc., just spending time together.

Beesblasie and his dad catching up:

We stopped at a swimming spot and could not resist the temptation to get in!

Buds!

Swartberg Pass on the way back:

Re-entering the Klein Karoo:

And all to soon we had to say our goodbyes. My dad and I would be heading to Oudtshoorn while the rest of the group would be heading back to Calitzdorp.

A last pic of the gang:

And off they went.

It was still early and we decided to go surprise my mom and brother at their karate camp.

This has been a very hot weekend and they have been practicing the whole time.

They're getting ready to participate in trails for the National Karate team in Orlando, Gauteng.

The camp finished today at noon so we invited them to have lunch with us at the Kango Wildlife Ranch.

Of course we had a look at all the animals - this is one of the only places where you can do a cage dive amongst crocs.

Rickety bridge over the croc pool:

These suckers are BIG! Bigger than my dad!

It was hot, but the cage dive would have to wait till next time...

After lunch my dad looked like this...

...so we finally headed home.

What a weekend! Thanks Jon-Jon, Lucy and Beesblasie. We should do this again. Bavaanskloof next time?

And thanks to the dads – you were great help. We couldn't do it without you.

I love you dad.

Story by Kermit, translated by The Help.

 

[laurika]

This is a wonderful ride report, how lucky you are Kermit, to do this at such a young age...as for Lucy...great choice in riding buddy there!! your pics are great...baviaans next?

 

[johang]

Hi Kermit

This is sweet, great report!!

 

[letsgofishing]

Really great RR Paddaman - you write really well!  :thumleft:

This pic is MAGIC!!!

"These suckers are BIG! Bigger than my dad!"
:imaposer:

 

[Wolfmother]

Cool report Kermit! Most people here is also 10 years old on the inside!

 

[punisher]

hey kermit    brilliant report dude
you and your young friends must have had a blast ... and appretiate your parents for empowering you guys to do this stuff .... truely  a wonderfull oppertunity  for you's

ohhh  and i am only 10 yrs old .... but my body is 45 yrs old    :thumleft:

 

[Tusk]

Awesome :ricky:  Looks like it was fantastic for all.

The little plastics must have been abit nervous on the tar though...if it were me , mister speedcop would have nailed me for sure >

 

[Walkaway]

Very well done on a great report.
I really enjoyed it. :thumleft:

 

[RobCrouch]

Lekker adventure...
Although I do have reservations taking kids on public roads on unlicensed bikes.  :

 

[laurika]

Lekker adventure...
Although I do have reservations taking kids on public roads on unlicensed bikes.  :

busted by the BIG DOG... :bom:

 

[RobCrouch]

Lekker adventure...
Although I do have reservations taking kids on public roads on unlicensed bikes.  :

busted by the BIG DOG... :bom:

Mate of mine is still paying for his sons escapade on the plastic... psychologically, physically and financially. :-\
That is why I brought it up...

 

[GRyPH]

Lekker RR   :thumleft: :thumleft:
:ricky: :ricky: :ricky: