Uiltjie
Race Dog
It only took one phonecall……one single call from my friend Katoom telling me that we’re riding the Baviaanskloof in 3 days’ time. Suddenly the planned weekend with family is no longer important, in fact, what planned weekend?
I have always been very keen to ride the Baviaanskloof with my bike having done it many years ago with my bakkie. But to do it on DS bikes with my friends, would be priceless!
Day 1
The alarm goes off at 4am Thursday morning, having gone to bed at 1am. I get up, pack the last things, say a prayer, and leave at 5am to meet the fellas at Ultra City Riviersonderend. Kat, Frik and H2O had just arrived as I pulled into the fuel station on a crispy fresh January morning. With loads of excitement we greet each other, fill up and hit the N2 to meet the rest in George, as they had left Wednesday afternoon and camped in Mossel Bay.
Reaching Albertinia still early in the morning for refuelling.
We meet the rest of the Sixpack at KTM George, where the ever friendly and helpful Jaco promptly checks ALL the bikes and lubes all the chains for our trip. Quickly, a lot of money gets spent on bling, with Frik walking out of the shop with the latest KTM jacket…..WOW, nice!
By now, the whole Sixpack was there,
Kat, KTM 990 S (Merrie)
H2O, Honda Varadero (Outboard)
Katoom, KTM 990 S
Spoorbek, KTM 990 S (Hings)
Frik, KTM 950 S (CI Sprite)
And Jors Troolie, Uil, KTM 950 (Blink Vosperd)
Koplamp with his KTM 990 joined us for day 1, camped in Patensie with us, but left the next morning for a very important date with his wife.
We take the boring N2 again, stopping at Knysna Waterfront for a sushi lunch at 34 degrees South.
What an interesting shop, great food!
Onto the N2 again, we headed for Patensie. We took the Nature’s Valley road, but it was closed. After a quick vote between the riders, it was a 100% vote to pass the barricade and take the road. Stopping at the bottom of the valley, one could see the flood damage, and why the road was closed. It was good time to take a rest, as it was getting really hot. We were met there by a very nice couple on a 1200 GS travelling the opposite direction.
Spoorbek taking a power-nap!
Kat felt like Tarzan in the jungle!
Frik taking a break
Coming out of Nature’s Valley, we crossed the toll road, into Bloukrans Pass, which was also closed due to flood damage.
Katoom coming up the hill.
Just about 500m from where this pic was taken, Katoom got chased by a huge Baboon mannetjie……so we stopped at the Rugbos Trail so we just calm our laughter!
Frik’s touring machine, by now dubbed “CI Sprite” as he looked like he was towing a caravan!
We reached a hot Humansdorp, just in time to stock up on some liquid refreshments (always necessary) and headed for Patensie via Hankey. Tannie Karin from Garmin helped us through the little metropolis of Hankey and to the Patensie Buiteklub, where the local dominee, Steven Sas, had arranged for us to camp.
I had thoughts of Patensie being a small little semi-Karoo dorpie, but was I surprised…. It’s a green, humid and fertile valley with lush green orchards everywhere.
We set up camp next to the Buiteklub. Some have had experience in there equipment…..
Others had to pitch new tents, supplied only with a limited instruction manual….
Others camped faaaaar away from the snoring A-team…….
We had steaks, potatoes, salads served by the local barman’s daughter, after which some spent time getting to know the locals until the wee hours of the morning…..
Next instalment………entering the fantastic Baviaans!
…to be continued.
I have always been very keen to ride the Baviaanskloof with my bike having done it many years ago with my bakkie. But to do it on DS bikes with my friends, would be priceless!
Day 1
The alarm goes off at 4am Thursday morning, having gone to bed at 1am. I get up, pack the last things, say a prayer, and leave at 5am to meet the fellas at Ultra City Riviersonderend. Kat, Frik and H2O had just arrived as I pulled into the fuel station on a crispy fresh January morning. With loads of excitement we greet each other, fill up and hit the N2 to meet the rest in George, as they had left Wednesday afternoon and camped in Mossel Bay.
Reaching Albertinia still early in the morning for refuelling.
We meet the rest of the Sixpack at KTM George, where the ever friendly and helpful Jaco promptly checks ALL the bikes and lubes all the chains for our trip. Quickly, a lot of money gets spent on bling, with Frik walking out of the shop with the latest KTM jacket…..WOW, nice!
By now, the whole Sixpack was there,
Kat, KTM 990 S (Merrie)
H2O, Honda Varadero (Outboard)
Katoom, KTM 990 S
Spoorbek, KTM 990 S (Hings)
Frik, KTM 950 S (CI Sprite)
And Jors Troolie, Uil, KTM 950 (Blink Vosperd)
Koplamp with his KTM 990 joined us for day 1, camped in Patensie with us, but left the next morning for a very important date with his wife.
We take the boring N2 again, stopping at Knysna Waterfront for a sushi lunch at 34 degrees South.
What an interesting shop, great food!
Onto the N2 again, we headed for Patensie. We took the Nature’s Valley road, but it was closed. After a quick vote between the riders, it was a 100% vote to pass the barricade and take the road. Stopping at the bottom of the valley, one could see the flood damage, and why the road was closed. It was good time to take a rest, as it was getting really hot. We were met there by a very nice couple on a 1200 GS travelling the opposite direction.
Spoorbek taking a power-nap!
Kat felt like Tarzan in the jungle!
Frik taking a break
Coming out of Nature’s Valley, we crossed the toll road, into Bloukrans Pass, which was also closed due to flood damage.
Katoom coming up the hill.
Just about 500m from where this pic was taken, Katoom got chased by a huge Baboon mannetjie……so we stopped at the Rugbos Trail so we just calm our laughter!
Frik’s touring machine, by now dubbed “CI Sprite” as he looked like he was towing a caravan!
We reached a hot Humansdorp, just in time to stock up on some liquid refreshments (always necessary) and headed for Patensie via Hankey. Tannie Karin from Garmin helped us through the little metropolis of Hankey and to the Patensie Buiteklub, where the local dominee, Steven Sas, had arranged for us to camp.
I had thoughts of Patensie being a small little semi-Karoo dorpie, but was I surprised…. It’s a green, humid and fertile valley with lush green orchards everywhere.
We set up camp next to the Buiteklub. Some have had experience in there equipment…..
Others had to pitch new tents, supplied only with a limited instruction manual….
Others camped faaaaar away from the snoring A-team…….
We had steaks, potatoes, salads served by the local barman’s daughter, after which some spent time getting to know the locals until the wee hours of the morning…..
Next instalment………entering the fantastic Baviaans!
…to be continued.
