So Sunday morning I was up early around 05h00 and while having a cup of coffee, wondered what to do with myself so early. Go for a ride, mow the lawn, wash the car, make the wife breakfast in bed or take the dog for a walk. No question about it the ride, out voted the others.
So geared up ready to head off I still had no idea where to go. After filling up and seeing the traffic in Mossel Bay, yes even that time of the morning, around 06h30 I thought to myself Die Hell, oh yes Die Hell. Off I headed.
With the boring part of the ride over I arrived at Wilgewandel Holiday farm and restaurant close to Cango Caves. Had a light breakfast, nothing to rave about but it was energy in the tank, which was going to be needed. Here you can ride camels if you so desire, at a price naturally. There is so much for the youngsters to do.
Breakfast done and dusted I started the climb up the Swartberg pass. Lots of traffic on the pass with all the holiday makers. They should rename the pass to “Toyota Fortuner 4x4 Pass”. Arrived at the turnoff. Turned left and onto Otto du Plessis road which takes you to The Hell. So who actually new the name of this road without Googling it?
After all the rain the road was not in good condition, very rocky and rough with a few tricky sections to keep you awake, and a few not serious water crossings, I nearly binned it twice in the first 15 kilos and by now the temperature was increasing. At the top of the pass I took a break and stretched the legs and gave the numb hands a couple shakes to get the circulation going. Ja, old age is a *****.
Going down wasn’t too bad except for a few vehicles, yes Toyotas, coming up. At the bottom I decided not to go to the accommodation area so just drank some water loosened the legs etc. . Then I heard a few bikes coming down so waited for them to arrive, 2 1250 BMW’s and a Yamaha T7, wow what a beauty but can only dream of owning one these days. After a chat with these guys from Groblersdaal I climbed back on the saddle and rode up again,
When I got to the bottom of the Swartberg I took the Kruisrivier/Groenfontein road towards Calitzdorp here I discovered the batteries in my phone and Go Pro flat so no phodies from the dam. Nelsrivier/Calitzdorp Dam is full to the limit and the boating crowds were enjoying it.
Through Calitzdorp I headed for the Rooiberg Pass, stopped at Rooiberg Lodge and had an ice-cold Windhoek, could have had a second and third but the good devil on my shoulder won. Back in the saddle and through Van Wyks dorp and on to Willie se uitkykpunt for a stretch. There is a slight flow of water in the Gouritz river, I actually expected more. Over the low-level bridge through Cloetes pass which is tar and back home.
Arrived home by about 15h45 pretty knackered having done 430 kilos total which about 80% was dirt.
So geared up ready to head off I still had no idea where to go. After filling up and seeing the traffic in Mossel Bay, yes even that time of the morning, around 06h30 I thought to myself Die Hell, oh yes Die Hell. Off I headed.
With the boring part of the ride over I arrived at Wilgewandel Holiday farm and restaurant close to Cango Caves. Had a light breakfast, nothing to rave about but it was energy in the tank, which was going to be needed. Here you can ride camels if you so desire, at a price naturally. There is so much for the youngsters to do.
Breakfast done and dusted I started the climb up the Swartberg pass. Lots of traffic on the pass with all the holiday makers. They should rename the pass to “Toyota Fortuner 4x4 Pass”. Arrived at the turnoff. Turned left and onto Otto du Plessis road which takes you to The Hell. So who actually new the name of this road without Googling it?
After all the rain the road was not in good condition, very rocky and rough with a few tricky sections to keep you awake, and a few not serious water crossings, I nearly binned it twice in the first 15 kilos and by now the temperature was increasing. At the top of the pass I took a break and stretched the legs and gave the numb hands a couple shakes to get the circulation going. Ja, old age is a *****.
Going down wasn’t too bad except for a few vehicles, yes Toyotas, coming up. At the bottom I decided not to go to the accommodation area so just drank some water loosened the legs etc. . Then I heard a few bikes coming down so waited for them to arrive, 2 1250 BMW’s and a Yamaha T7, wow what a beauty but can only dream of owning one these days. After a chat with these guys from Groblersdaal I climbed back on the saddle and rode up again,
When I got to the bottom of the Swartberg I took the Kruisrivier/Groenfontein road towards Calitzdorp here I discovered the batteries in my phone and Go Pro flat so no phodies from the dam. Nelsrivier/Calitzdorp Dam is full to the limit and the boating crowds were enjoying it.
Through Calitzdorp I headed for the Rooiberg Pass, stopped at Rooiberg Lodge and had an ice-cold Windhoek, could have had a second and third but the good devil on my shoulder won. Back in the saddle and through Van Wyks dorp and on to Willie se uitkykpunt for a stretch. There is a slight flow of water in the Gouritz river, I actually expected more. Over the low-level bridge through Cloetes pass which is tar and back home.
Arrived home by about 15h45 pretty knackered having done 430 kilos total which about 80% was dirt.
