Rain in the Richtersveld Two.0 - Desolation & Dunes

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Our stomachs full, we headed back to Springbok.

 

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Regrettably we were unable to ride the shipwreck route, a previous group of bikes had gone through and ridden everywhere but in the tracks they were meant to be riding in. No one wanted a repeat of this, despite our impassioned pleas.

 

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The trip home was pretty and largely uneventful, with ominous showers threatening us but staying just out of pelting us all the way.

 

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Back in Springbok we headed to our now favourite hole under the road, this time having booked a table.

 

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Day 2 Dawned. Again nice and cool, destination Hondeklipbaai for the night.

 

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Stephan has once again worked his magic with a video compilation of the day's events.

 

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Back in Springbok we headed to our now favourite hole under the road, this time having booked a table.

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Tauren steakhouse

 

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Tauren steakhouse

That's the one. Their Tauren Fillet is HIGHLY recommended.

 

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Our third day started out cool and misty.

As the morning progressed, the sun started to burn this off.

 

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Winding our way towards Wilderperdehoekpas a jeep track leading down towards a river bed poked its head out. This definitely called for an off-piste excursion.

 

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The twisty river bed was not suited to me, anything under 30km/h in sand is HARD. So when Marc threw his bike down on a tight corner, I omitted to stop and help him up. A transgression I would pay for later.

Craig naturally found a rock to climb.

And when the thorns closed in over the sand a summit conference was called to decide on the best course of action.

 

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A jeep track leading out back towards Wildeperdehoekpas was found to put us back on the way.

 

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And there it was, great scenery, twisty road, what's there not to like.

 

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The flowers were beginning to master their stage fright. Scattered rains this season had given nature limited areas and intensity with which to provide the spectacle we so highly anticipated.

 

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Our route master felt the need to toughen us up a bit, concerned about the influence the flowers may have on us.

We turned off the road that had served us well to this point, and onto a well rutted twee spoor track.

 

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We rode over the rise toward a large granitic intrusion, technically called an inselberg. Or as Justblipit would say - a Gomo.

Craig was desperate to give it a go.

No - down boy. Stay. There will be plenty more.

 

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As we progressed, the track deteriorated significantly, providing some exceptional riding.