One bridge too high, two bridges too low

[JERINOMO]

I had a call from Rocstompa (RS) for a ride on Sunday 12 June. The suggestion was to have a look at the water levels of the Loerie and Kouga dam.

On Sunday morning there was a slight change of plan when RS wanted to show me the highest narrow gauge railway bridge in the world. I never visited it yet so I was keen to go.

The day started early and I was on my way to the Engen garage at Mount Pleasant.

It was only me and RS that was going. RS filled up with fuel, but I still had half a tank left so decided not to fill up as I still got at least 260km to go before I need fuel, a decision that bit me in the back later on.

And off we went.

Not long after Engen we’ve hit the first dirt road.

The Eastern Cape is wet after the rains and I knew that it’s going to get interesting somehow.

RS splashing through water.

There was absolute no mercy for me, but learned that when riding with RS, expect the unexpected. I still wanted to go slowly through all the mud pools as we had no idea how deep it was, but NNNOOO we had to tackle it full blast. I had no choice but to follow in pursuit as I knew that if I don’t keep up, I’ll be left behind.

Video Clip




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25xoghYZyUI

 

[JERINOMO]

I had to concentrate here as not all of it was mud.

The entrance to the narrow gauge bridge.

RS showing me about five baboons on the bridge on the other side.

View of the bridge with RS’s Katoomer on the right.

Some pic’s of the bridge.

That was awesome. We were thinking of crossing the bridge but decided against it. It’s time to leave.

Here’s a little video clip of us going back to the main gravel road. I had some anxious moments, most of it in my mind.



Video Clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KFj2T1mlYQ

 

[JERINOMO]

Onto the Highway toward Patensie. We just had the morning available so we had to hurry it a bit.

Just before Loerie, RS took us on a little sightseeing.

We stopped at this gate to watch some game. There were Kudu, Eland and Impala.

….. and it was time to leave….. the difference between the well behaved BMW and the unruly KTM were clearly visible.


BMW getting into the road again.

Video Clip



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hifWB-3CU1g





KTM getting into the road again.



Video Clip


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYkNYyaZ-T0




And off we went to the Loerie dam.

The turnoff to loerie dam.

The Loerie was 100% full and the water was overflowing the dam on the left.

 

[JERINOMO]

From here it was off to the Kouga dam. I’ve never been there so this was my first. On our way there we could see the devastation the flood water did to the river bank.

This is actually tar road.

The Kouga dam turnoff looked dry and we wondered what was waiting for us at the dam.

I was wondering what all the 4x4’s were doing here?

It was awesome to see the Groot rivier at this level. Two weeks back we pushed our bikes through the Groot rivier at the GRP. Today, after what we see in front of us, there’s no chance we even going to attempt crossing it.

One of the guys asking RS if there’s other entances to Kouga dam.

A brand new 4t truck, laying bottoms up next to the low bridge after it was washed off the bridge. You can actually see the four wheels sticking out of the water

Devastation

The “mud line” is a good indication of how far the Groot rivier pushed up.

A last pic before we abandon our Kouga dam trip.

 

[JERINOMO]

There was another change of plan and we decided to go into the Baviaans and have a look at the Groot rivier crossing about 7.5km after the Komdomo campsite. On our way there, there was more evidence of flood water that flowed through here.

Passing Komdomo Camp

More flood evidence

A fallen tree in the road

Still beautiful

Some snotty sections

Another fallen tree

The Poortjie Campsites were flooded.

 

[JERINOMO]

This part of the road was flooded, meaning the the Groot rivier at this crossing was at least 400m wide.

The GR in flood. If we assume that the water was flowing at least 700mm over the bridge, the width of the bridge is 3m and 70m wide, while the water flowed at approx 1m/s, we can safely say that the water flowed over the bridge at least at a rate of 49m³/s.
Just a bit of useless information.

RS’s reaction after I asked if we’re going to attempt to go through.

On our way back we’ve stopped at one of the Poortjie camp sites before exiting the Baviaans area.

Some pic’s of our exit.

We wanted to have a breakfast at Padlangs but it was chock‘nblock.

Tolbos was the next best thing and we finished this ride with a breakfast at Tolbos in Patensie.

So the time ran out and we had to hurry up to be at home in time. We were about 50km from PE when I saw a flashing alarm on my display panel. I’m running out of fuel. According to the computer I had about 40km of reserve left, and indicated to RS that I’m running out of fuel.

I’m sure he had a chuckle in his helmet. We pulled over and RS explained that there is a garage about 50km away and if I’m not making it, at least he will know where I am if I was late for work the next day.

And to rub it in he popped a wheelie as we pulled away.

I chucked my left shoulder behind the windshield to minimise drag.

This was probably the best sight I’ve seen this whole trip.

Not knowing how much fuel I still had left I’ve decided to fill the tank and deduct the amount from 32L , knowing that the GSA has a 32L tank.

Well I was not sure how to interpret this but one thing was for sure, there was not much fuel left when I pulled into this garage. I also learned that if the opportunity presents itself, fill up. It may just ruin a ride if your calculations don’t add up at the end of the day.

It was a fruitful morning and the ride was full of surprises and very enjoyable. The highlight for me was the narrow gauge bridge over the van Stadens Gorge.

 

[Gerard]

Thanks. You do write a nice report.

 

[chicco]

Nice report :drif:

 

[hando]

Also wanted to go and view the dam.  In a cage however. Then also took al little bit of the road to baviaans. All the time while sitting in the cage I was thinking how nice it would have been to do the trip on a scoot.

Would love to join you guys on a ride like that next time when I have gotten my bike. Although - I suspect I will be left behind. I am not the world's fastest biker and by the sound of it you guys were twisting the grips.

Great report. Thanks for the pics.

 

[JERINOMO]

Thanks. You do write a nice report.

Thanks Jupiter, maybe sometime we must have a ride together. I was thinking of PM you for this one but thought it was short notice since Louis ‘s ride only rained out the Thursday.

Nice report :drif:

So, wanneer kom jy en daai gestreepte Kwagga pel van jou af?? :mwink:

Also wanted to go and view the dam.  In a cage however. Then also took al little bit of the road to baviaans. All the time while sitting in the cage I was thinking how nice it would have been to do the trip on a scoot.

Would love to join you guys on a ride like that next time when I have gotten my bike. Although - I suspect I will be left behind. I am not the world's fastest biker and by the sound of it you guys were twisting the grips.

Great report. Thanks for the pics.

Hey Hando,

You are more than welcome to join us when you’re ready. No, we were not twisting any grips, just some sections where RS went full throttle where I had to respond, but most of the ride were at normal pace. :thumleft:

 

[hando]

Thank you J-mo

We do need to define 'normal pace'.

But let me first get the bike. I am really itching. Wish I could get it down here. But I guess beggars can't be choosers. I f I want to do it on a low budget then I will have to be patient.

 

[Gerry10]

Great report, moeviese vloede!!

 

[Gerard]

J-mo, I was sitting at home and ended up doing a nice road trip to Storms.

And I can do short notice. :ricky: Next time ?

 

[Marnus]

Nice one thanks  :thumleft:

The stills from the helmet cam is pretty good - which one are you using?

 

[JERINOMO]

J-mo, I was sitting at home and ended up doing a nice road trip to Storms.

And I can do short notice. :ricky: Next time ?

For sure. :thumleft:

 

[JERINOMO]

Nice one thanks  :thumleft:

The stills from the helmet cam is pretty good - which one are you using?

Hey Marnus,

I'm using the Drift HD170. You can get it from Warrick at www.actioncameras.co.za if you're interested. :thumleft:

 

[ChinaPete]

Nice report, thanks for posting

 

[Thump]

Nice Oom,
My son went kayaking with 214 on the Saturday from B/kraal to komdomo.
Was flippen awesome

 

[JERINOMO]

Nice Oom,
My son went kayaking with 214 on the Saturday from B/kraal to komdomo.
Was flippen awesome

Wies jou Oom!!!  :eek7:    :imaposer:
Especially now with the higher levels it would be fun.  :thumleft:

 

[Chrisl]

Seems this was a big rain.
Around Riversdale up to 400mm.
Everywhere you look its green. :thumleft: