Martin if you don't mind I'll chip in a bit here.
Being the "rest day" for me I went with Johann to Telle Bridge where we would bid our farewells. The road from Malealea was gravel for the most part descending into the valley for quite a few km's before hitting the A2 and impeccable tarmac.
This was quite a surprise because I thought the GPS will take us back to the tar road I came in where I threw in the towel and left for Malealea, it didn't and the gravel was great. Not as technical as day 3 but on occasion had to be wary. Some of the sections running alongside cliffs had massive boulders (rockfall) in the road and the thought of one of those brittle looking pieces coming loose crossed my mind but equally lost interest in it very quickly.
At Telle I thanked Johann where he returned to Bethlehem approximately 2.5 hour ride away.
This is where I said I'll wait for Martin and Henk however, convinced they could not be far behind I pressed on slowly first speaking to my wife on the helmet comm en route to Lundean's nek. The phone cut out, stopped, no signal. checked the last message, Martin and Henk at Telle (no more than 15 minutes behind). Press on taking it easy and enjoying the scenery.
At some point the road split with Lundean's nek towards the left and I can't remember which one went right. I picked up the pace a little knowing I'll meet Martin and Henk at Tiff where we agreed. If I get stuck, they won't be far behind me.
I took the wrong turn and only realised it about 5km into it. No problem just turn around and correct. Massive flock of sheep in the road, must have lost about 15 minutes waiting for them to clear. Henk later said just go through them, they'll move.
Now I'm convinced they're ahead of me and I'm pushing hard now on some good gravel. Get to another fork and get some locals together asking "have you seen bike like this, x2, which way?" I get the go left signal. My Sotho is nowhere near that of Johann or Henk which has been a great help thus far on the trip.
I'm pushing really hard now trying to catch them. Quick check of the phone, no signal. No time to waste press on.
Like Martin said, some good some bad sections Lundeans. Didn't stop for photo's just went for it. Somewhere after Lundean's the gravel is smooth and slippery as snot, and I quickly learn to go slow in the corners still convinced they're ahead of me. I don't see bike spoor but sometimes I do catch bike spoor and it is all becoming a bit confusing.
Bidstone cottages are ahead marking the start of a 15km trip to Tiff, ok, no problem.
It is important to note that save for the stop and bidding farewell to Johann, I had not stopped to rest the entire day.
For those who know what Bidstone is like, concentration is important.
Had it not been for the riding of day 3, I would have had an off on this road. How a 4 wheel vehicle gets up there I don't know, it must take hours on a car.
I was not mentally prepared for this but quickly got in the zone and pressed on. It was hard on the arms. Standing on an 1190 using that power (Offroad mode) takes its toll. 15km becomes 10km, 5km and eventually some flat sections. I can see Tiff and Ben MacDhui. Ben Macdhui does not nearly look as intimidating as I had thought having watched Trygve's videos on Mountain passes. Get to Tiff, ask around for some bikers, none. Ok, maybe something happened to Martin or Henk but least they had each other to help.
Hung around for a while and decided to make a line for Rhodes, I'm buggered.
Carlileshoekspruit pass was like the N1 compared to Bidstone. Smooth, loose like snot gravel but good.
Get to Rhodes, a one horse town and the horse died a long time ago. Beautiful place don't get me wrong. See a sign that reads Bar and decide to stop thinking I'll have a cold one or two before looking for the place we had booked. Closed and no car, or horse in sight. Opposite the "Bar" which I learned from the young Cape Town guy "running" (if you can call it that, I'd rather say waiter) that the Bar was for sale. Opposite the bar at the information center where a friendly elderly lady advised me I'm looking for Rubicon guest house. She also says I can have something there to eat and drike as well as Walkerbouts and their pizza. Rubicon rings a name and head there 4 or so blocks away.
Not a bike or backup bakkie in sight. The bar is open, I'm hungry and thirsty and make quick work of 2 beers and burger. We were supposed to camp here on the lawn next to the old school when I asked to open the room as we had agreed the bathroom will be open for use. Once inside I notice a fireplace, high ceilings, very comfortable beds and immediately go back, take my stuff off the bike and pick my bed. "How much extra", the young Capetonian mumbles R 105 extra i.e. R 200 per night. I give him the cash and make some small talk with an elderly man that rocked up on a 300 KTM with a rear sprocket that looked like toothpicks. Martin and Henk arrive and discuss the events of the day. Henk had a flat.
Not long thereafter Jean, Jan and Stean (backup) join and everybody decided to trade the comfort of a tent for a mattress and warm fireplace.
Reluctantly I did not take many photos. Here is one near the top of Bidstone
The scenery here is truly amazing and one can notably feel the difference in temperature as altitude increases. Think the highest I saw for the day was around 2800m, circa 200 short of Ben Mac.