Frog
Race Dog
My plan was to ride to from Barrydale in the Western Cape to Seweweekspoort, Swartberg Pass, Die Hel, Baviaanspoort, Naude's nek , Sani Pass.
Day one was biking heaven along route 62 and exploring Seweweekspoort. Found a gem of a road from Calitzdorp to Kraaldorn, Kruisrivier, Matjiesrivier coming out just below the start of the Swartberg Pass. Then it was off to Die Hel. Reletively easy going until the last few kilometers where the road drops sharply down to the valley and you are forced to make hairpin turns at walking pace. The Hel is aptly named, as I soon realized that my image of a nice sunny camp site to relax on and take in the beauty turned out to be dark, shaded, sandy and dusty. I opted for the option of staying in a run down caravan. The whole experience I found to be claustrophobic and depressing.
Day two started bright and early. Started the trek back out of Die Hel only to find that I only had 1st and 2nd gear. Kicking up from 2nd just went into a neutral gear. So from the bottom of Die Hel back to Swartberg Pass and along the pass itself and on to Prince Albert was done in 2nd. Swartberg Pass should definately be on everyones "to do" list Got hold of BMW On-Call and they dispatched a bakkie with trailer from George. Two hours later he arrived, loaded up and all went back to George. Stayed overnight in a hotel and flew back to JHB as the initial diagnosis is that the gearbox will need to be replaced (under warranty luckily) which they need to get authorization for and order. Bike might be there for a week or more. So that was the end, for now, of my big adventure :'( Below some photo's
Day one was biking heaven along route 62 and exploring Seweweekspoort. Found a gem of a road from Calitzdorp to Kraaldorn, Kruisrivier, Matjiesrivier coming out just below the start of the Swartberg Pass. Then it was off to Die Hel. Reletively easy going until the last few kilometers where the road drops sharply down to the valley and you are forced to make hairpin turns at walking pace. The Hel is aptly named, as I soon realized that my image of a nice sunny camp site to relax on and take in the beauty turned out to be dark, shaded, sandy and dusty. I opted for the option of staying in a run down caravan. The whole experience I found to be claustrophobic and depressing.
Day two started bright and early. Started the trek back out of Die Hel only to find that I only had 1st and 2nd gear. Kicking up from 2nd just went into a neutral gear. So from the bottom of Die Hel back to Swartberg Pass and along the pass itself and on to Prince Albert was done in 2nd. Swartberg Pass should definately be on everyones "to do" list Got hold of BMW On-Call and they dispatched a bakkie with trailer from George. Two hours later he arrived, loaded up and all went back to George. Stayed overnight in a hotel and flew back to JHB as the initial diagnosis is that the gearbox will need to be replaced (under warranty luckily) which they need to get authorization for and order. Bike might be there for a week or more. So that was the end, for now, of my big adventure :'( Below some photo's
