NE Cape Tour

[Pepe]

After a busy year what better 'kop skoonmaak' than a bike trip. Madie and I decided on the North Eastern Cape as we had seen some nice reports and scenes from a part of the country we don't know.
After lots of planning and well appreciated help on routes and places to see from Ajax, AndreE and Visarend we left the Kalahari on Friday 30 November for Oppermankraal, near Hanover, the planned start and end of the planned bike tour where we would leave the bakkie and trailer.
Please bear with me as this is my first RR and typing is not my best skill. It will take time!

 

[Pepe]

The plan was to leave on the bikes on Sunday, after chilling some time with our friends on the farm. However, shortly after arriving at the farm on Friday afternoon, it started raining and continued more on than off for the next few days.
Calls to Ajax and AndreE confirmed our worst fears, the roads were wet and slippery and they both advised that we stay off the gravel. What now? Accommodation was booked, we needed lots of fresh air and few people around and was yearning to see the planned places. After debating all possible options it became clear that the bikes would have to stay put for now and hopefulle the weather will clear later, then we can collect the bikes. Disappointing, but better than nothing. Our planned route with Ajax from Oorlogskloof via his farm to Aliwal North would also have to wait (Ajax, ons gaan hom nog kom ry, net 'n ander tyd).
We left the farm and drove in rain for almost the whole day. Route via Steynsburg, Burgersdorp, Aliwal North to Lady Grey. Stayed in At Home B&B. Nice accommodation, great breakfast.
Had a big surprise in Steynsburg. The Africa coffee shop is run by an Austrian baker that makes the best apfelstrudel, served freshly made and washed down with a nice Illy cappucino.

 

[Pepe]

More pics.

 

[Vaalseun]

Nice ride Pepe. One thing about the little dorpies in this country, there is always a surprise somewhere. Who would have thought that in Steynsburg you would find an Austrian baker.
One wonders how on earth he ended up there.

 

[Pepe]

The morning in Lady Grey broke with blue skies and only a few small clouds. A call to the SAPS at Lundean's Nek confirmed that the road 'on the other side of the mountain' was dry, so we set off to Rhodes via Lundean's.
The scenery was stunning to the point that I don't have the words to describe it. Photo's also can't capture the beauty, vastness and greatness of the surrounding areas. It is also a fairly steep climb up the pass, especially towards the top. How steep, we realised when we heard a loud POP on the way to the top and found that a pack of chips had popped open due to the quick change in atmospheric pressure.
Lunch was enjoyed on top of Lundean's Nek before we started the descent.
It was planned to take the road past Tiffendell from Wartrail, but after a local farmer on a Transalp wasn't sure if we would be able to go all the way we decided to take a look and then make a decision. The first part wasn't too bad, but it got worse the further we went, and being only one vehicle we decided to turn around when the opportunity presented itself.
We had a few beers at the lovely Rhodes Hotel, ordered take-aways for dinner and bought a bottle of good red wine before leaving for Kinmel Guest farm, 1,5 km outside town. What a great place to stay and relax. We will definitely go back there for a longer stay. Our chalet could sleep 8 people and the view from the stoep was just amazing.

 

[Pepe]

More pics of day 2

 

[Pepe]

...and more

 

[Pepe]

... and more

 

[Pepe]

Still more...

 

[Sprocketbek]

Lovely!
The bakkie was the wise option, at least you could get to see all the  lovely places you set out to see, and do the trip safely.

Nice pics  :thumleft:

 

[Pepe]

Last few of day 2. Will continue tomorrow.

 

[Crossed-up]

I'm really enjoying your report.  Beautiful pics!

Look forward to the rest.

 

[cheesy]

Pepe your photographs are stunning . Nigel and I did the Wartrail (hectic) to Tiffendale down to to Rhodes (even more Hectic) with wives, At the bottom all you smelt was brake linings. Amazing scenery. So many roads and such little time.

 

[Pepe]

This area is overwhelmingly green, with amazing views and once again we went into sensory overload. Our little camera's could not do the area justice.
By now we were really longing for the bikes and after a short deliberation and with the maps confirming that Dordrecht is the closest we will be to the farm on our planned route, we made the decision to detour and swop the bakkie for the bikes. A call to our planned accommodation in Hogsback, where we would have stayed for 2 nights, changed that to one night.

Our route for the day took us over Naudesnek pass and through Maclear, Ugie, Elliot, Indwe and on to Dordrecht. From there we headed to Oppermanskraal via Molteno, Steynsburg and Middelburg. A 600 km detour to fetch the bikes, but only bikers will understand that.

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

Mooi Man, Mooi !

A lovely part of the world at this time of year.

8)

 

[Pepe]

More photo's

 

[Pepe]

... and more

 

[Pepe]

Still more pics.

 

[DirtyTeNeReLess]

:ricky: thanks for this RR its great! well done. even better pics!!! :thumleft:

 

[Difflock]

Darem mooi wereld daai.