Unofficial RR from CT
I met 1Kat, Rynet and Fearless Frikkie around 6:15 at the Winestop with the plan to leave at 6:30. We still had some riders outstanding so grabbed some coffee. RickD arrived around 6:30 with N[]vA and AntonW close behind him – all we needed was the man PistonPete.
While N[]va and Anton filled up, we packed and strapped RickD’s luggage down and showed him the ins and outs of “the hydration pack”.
Still no PPete – so we phoned!! Old Piston was still in bed!! and told him to meet us in Touws. We left around 7:00 and met Tour and two other riders at the base of the DuToits Kloof pass and off we went.
Ariving at Touws we quickly filled up with one attendant helping. We met the rest of the group already there having breakfast – another nine bikes. Two minutes later PistonPete arrived – we were twenty bikes strong. Unfortunately three decided to take a different rout.
We left Touws as a group of seventeen bikes around 9:20 heading towards Anysberg reserve. Had a quick smoke break before we entered the reserve and took a leisurely to the office for another smoke and bite.
Leaving Anysberg I’ve seen a little road leading to the Floris kraal dam from the south – this was where we were going (those dotted line things). Unfortunately the farmers dammed the kloof and we could not pass this 6.5km water crossing and had to turn back to take the normal road (F.c.t).
Anyhow, found the road and opened gates, lots of gates, felt like every Km. After a while I could not get on my bike (broke some little bone in my left foot a week ago), and just waited for the next bike to arrive – sorry PP and Rynet, thanks.
After crossing gate number 400 we stopped for some lunch and a refuel using our high tech strap on long range fuel tanks. This is also the spot where “cow” started to show her true colours. We were 200km down a track, total (planned) distance of 260km and cow showing 130km to go??!!. Time for planning, decided to take the straight road – that’s the one with the little sandy patch, a 30km sandy patch.
Cow being Cow, she still reported the fuel station 60km away while I had it in sight, 100m ahead of me. A GPS is a wonderful thing. It’s really great for getting lost, or was that finding your way – I never know which.
The Swartberg Pas was as scenic as always, I’m always in aw when I ride it.
We arrived in town around 4:30ich finding and setting up camp.
I must say, I really enjoy looking for old roads and tracks, roads that fell in disuse over time and wagon trails of the 1700’s, then get some suckers.., err, riders to join me to go check and check if they are ride-able the scenery.
Return trip to follow....
eepwall:
