Ri Ride: Old Postal At Last (20 - 22 December 2019) (Warning: Very Wordy)
- Thread starter Ri
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What a lekker read so far and the best part is tet to come. Mostly I ride just to get to Oasis and then take it from there, forgetting about the adventure/experience of getting there. Next time I will surely make a point of taking it all in.
Looking forward to the rest of your report, I love the Postal Route, but not so much to do it in December... Maybe it is something to try.
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Looking forward to the rest of your report, I love the Postal Route, but not so much to do it in December... Maybe it is something to try.
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Ri said:
:imaposer: :imaposer: :imaposer: Not many ladies will admit to this.
Can't wait for the rest. :ricky:
elandsrider
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Great
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing
Crossed-up
Pangaman
There you go again. Putting the rest of us Adventure Riders to shame! :imaposer:
Awww thanks all.
John, but you've done waaaayyyyyy more rides than I can ever hope to fit into the rest of my riding lifetime :imaposer:
Crossed-up said:
John, but you've done waaaayyyyyy more rides than I can ever hope to fit into the rest of my riding lifetime :imaposer:
ultraflight
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:spitcoffee:
Saturday
Saturday morning I wake up just after 6 am and hurry to the restaurant to put my phone on the charger. The coffee smell halts my rush and I stop for a cup or 3, and then have half a breakfast, before eventually rushing off to get ready for the ride.
I fill my 3l water bladder with ice and top it up with water, probably the smartest thing I’ve ever done.
While I’m busy, Gary reintroduces himself, apologising for his pre-occupation the previous evening. He is a Scotsman working abroad, and only started adventure riding when he bought his KTM 1290 R in February. The most difficult ride he’s done so far was Gannaga Pass, Swartberg Pass and Seweweeks Poort - through and back - all in a marathon 10-hour day, without off-road training. He is not much taller than I am, and in my mind I dub him “Scottish Leader”.
Gary disappears for another smoke and phone call, and Keith and I finish our preparations. I suggest Keith add ice to his water bladder, but he declines. Gary throws a 1,5l bottle of water into his bag as an afterthought. We bring the bikes to the front just after 8am. Martin’s family, those who are awake, wave me off enthusiastically.
The morning is nice and cool due to a cold front approaching. I wait for Keith to add fuel, as we’d discussed, but when he doesn’t, I also leave it. We have similar fuel consumption; if he is confident he can make it, I probably will too. The loop we are riding from Oasis over Old Postal and R355 and Katbakkies back to Oasis is a doable 280km. This of course excludes the 67 km we’ve already ridden from Oppi-berg.
We finally get going around 9:00.
Mayday, mayday, we are syncing
What are you syncing?
Keith gives me the lead, and we’re off to Wupperthal. Sporadically we stop for photo/comfort breaks. At the first farm we ride through, we stop to check that the farmer is friendly and to pet the doggy.
Beam me up, Scotty!
The farmer is working in the field, looking busy, and doesn’t greet as we pass through.
After a small river crossing, we stop for a comfort break for the guys. It is really a beautiful day, with a cold front following us, and there is a fresh cooling breeze the whole time.
Apparently there is usually a friendly dog at that house as well, that comes running along to greet any and all stopped bikers, but it didn’t show up for us.
Saturday morning I wake up just after 6 am and hurry to the restaurant to put my phone on the charger. The coffee smell halts my rush and I stop for a cup or 3, and then have half a breakfast, before eventually rushing off to get ready for the ride.
I fill my 3l water bladder with ice and top it up with water, probably the smartest thing I’ve ever done.
While I’m busy, Gary reintroduces himself, apologising for his pre-occupation the previous evening. He is a Scotsman working abroad, and only started adventure riding when he bought his KTM 1290 R in February. The most difficult ride he’s done so far was Gannaga Pass, Swartberg Pass and Seweweeks Poort - through and back - all in a marathon 10-hour day, without off-road training. He is not much taller than I am, and in my mind I dub him “Scottish Leader”.
Gary disappears for another smoke and phone call, and Keith and I finish our preparations. I suggest Keith add ice to his water bladder, but he declines. Gary throws a 1,5l bottle of water into his bag as an afterthought. We bring the bikes to the front just after 8am. Martin’s family, those who are awake, wave me off enthusiastically.
The morning is nice and cool due to a cold front approaching. I wait for Keith to add fuel, as we’d discussed, but when he doesn’t, I also leave it. We have similar fuel consumption; if he is confident he can make it, I probably will too. The loop we are riding from Oasis over Old Postal and R355 and Katbakkies back to Oasis is a doable 280km. This of course excludes the 67 km we’ve already ridden from Oppi-berg.
We finally get going around 9:00.
Mayday, mayday, we are syncing
What are you syncing?
Keith gives me the lead, and we’re off to Wupperthal. Sporadically we stop for photo/comfort breaks. At the first farm we ride through, we stop to check that the farmer is friendly and to pet the doggy.
Beam me up, Scotty!
The farmer is working in the field, looking busy, and doesn’t greet as we pass through.
After a small river crossing, we stop for a comfort break for the guys. It is really a beautiful day, with a cold front following us, and there is a fresh cooling breeze the whole time.
Apparently there is usually a friendly dog at that house as well, that comes running along to greet any and all stopped bikers, but it didn’t show up for us.
Then Keith overtakes to lead us into Langkloof. I didn’t even know about the beautiful little settlement against a dramatic backdrop of mountains. The access road is awash in sand; almost immediately down the dip Blue’s front wheel washes out and I tip over. By the time I’m upright and ready to go again, Keith and Gary are back from viewing the little town. I carefully ride closer and gingerly turn around, miff with myself for this silly mistake. It really is an awesome setting, but the people seem hostile, standing still with unsmiling stares, not returning my greeting.
The beauty of this setting simply takes the breath away…
Nestled right up against the foot of the mountains is Langkloof settlement
I think I could live here, and hike this valley every day for the rest of my life.
On the downhill, slight marbly turn coming up.
More foliage than one would expect
I’m given the lead again and not knowing whether to take the left or right fork, grab a handful of everything and buy my second plot in Langkloof. This time the bike traps me, and Keith and Gary rush up to lift it to free my leg. When we start riding again, I immediately realise the front wheel is skew, and I need some help to push and pull the handlebars straighter.
I take off again, nerves quivering, my speed hovering between 60-80kph, and not long before we reach Eselbank, a group of riders come screaming past, roosting and almost wiping me out. My indignation bolsters my courage, and I pick up the speed over the nasty little marbles strewn over layers of warming sand. At Eselbank we stop at the falls, and while Keith and Gary discuss the state of SA, I traipse around taking photo’s.
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The beauty of this setting simply takes the breath away…
Nestled right up against the foot of the mountains is Langkloof settlement
I think I could live here, and hike this valley every day for the rest of my life.
On the downhill, slight marbly turn coming up.
More foliage than one would expect
I’m given the lead again and not knowing whether to take the left or right fork, grab a handful of everything and buy my second plot in Langkloof. This time the bike traps me, and Keith and Gary rush up to lift it to free my leg. When we start riding again, I immediately realise the front wheel is skew, and I need some help to push and pull the handlebars straighter.
I take off again, nerves quivering, my speed hovering between 60-80kph, and not long before we reach Eselbank, a group of riders come screaming past, roosting and almost wiping me out. My indignation bolsters my courage, and I pick up the speed over the nasty little marbles strewn over layers of warming sand. At Eselbank we stop at the falls, and while Keith and Gary discuss the state of SA, I traipse around taking photo’s.
did you walk all around to the other side of the waterfall ?
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Those holes are not due to wind and water, they are made by rock rabbits, under the critical eyes of the female.
"comfort breaks" what a nice euphemism 
Cannot see pics, just me? Only seems to be this thread. Is there a setting r something I need to change ?
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Hanno @ Mad Macs said:
I did it once long ago, but not since then. Too hot and uncomfortable in biker gear, and no water going over the waterfall. Apparently there is a track you can ride on your motorbike to get to that viewing point - I'd like to do that some time.
Jacques650 said:
Can you see none of the photo's? No one else has complained yet. I'll PM you link to my shared album, if you can see that you should be able to see the pictures in the thread.
wooly bugger
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Nice RR.
Jislaaik hoe lus is ek nou vir 'n lekker crispy koeksuster. :drif:
Dankie Ri, ek ry lekker saam! :ricky:
Dankie Ri, ek ry lekker saam! :ricky:
Bring It On said:As always Ri
Fantastic RR. Looking forward to the rest of it as you post. :ricky: :ricky:
Thanks and sorry about delay, I'm dealing with burglar bees and moving stuff for house renovations
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