Swartberg Pass: riding on ice

[Inglsman]

Calitzdorp - Die Hel 18th June 2010

Actually the ride was out to Calitzdorp to stay at a place called Amber Lagoon, and use that as a base to explore, followed by a night in Die Hel.

Amber Lagoon is recommended; she makes great pancakes - I mean, have you ever had Amarula for breakfast? Great stuff! No time now to write a report per se.. will possibly write as we go along, but don't hold your breath

The riding on ice thing came when we tried to make good on the Die Hel booking. As you'll see it ain't so easy..  (and yeah, I discovered that even the slightest tap on the front brake is considered suicide!)

Let's start with the result, and work backwards..

Stripes not feeling so good, so lying down...

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iIMi1KVeZ-OUpDx7FwONOw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TB9rxLI9mcI/AAAAAAAABt4/Jy58DdWIQ4w/s800/die%20hel%20-%20ice%20age%20-%2019Jun10%20-%20001.JPG" /></a>

from whence I came

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YQ3BY3rdHbNpdsSzfLgitg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TB9TwDKZW_I/AAAAAAAABf8/Rm1hQM-tj1o/s800/die%20hel%20-%20ice%20age%20-%2019Jun10%20-%20021.JPG" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4HvYCqRbbPMXiDD8fcTYYQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TB9Tzml284I/AAAAAAAABgE/PfXuDGQksVg/s800/die%20hel%20-%20ice%20age%20-%2019Jun10%20-%20023.JPG" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cgpSZrHWnFfL4azME75ebw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TB9T8NSNrsI/AAAAAAAABgY/IHJ02MMLk0I/s800/die%20hel%20-%20ice%20age%20-%2019Jun10%20-%20005.JPG" /></a>


Stripes feeling much better...

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EsRSjfRw6krhOsbL-0dkMw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TB9T-K699iI/AAAAAAAABgc/5JCHB6-IXQ8/s800/die%20hel%20-%20ice%20age%20-%2019Jun10%20-%20006.JPG" /></a>

only to come off again going down (ha! I had to stop for the kombi - at least that's my excuse )

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oBUP6LaZuyaQpCH-OOO08w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TCG-PxEFbnI/AAAAAAAABw4/qm--EJ1AlUk/s640/P6180221.JPG" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/L0N-G4pr_za8c2uMJjmvHg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TCG-_fBGQSI/AAAAAAAABw8/002cKeTIRmo/s800/P6180222.JPG" /></a>

and feel better AGAIN.. whew!

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sBwmF6BVWkwbaBj2zPwlog?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TCG_gAR19hI/AAAAAAAABxM/d-22ASbJ57I/s800/P6180233.JPG" /></a>

and this - makes a nice contrast

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7_0ccxJn2zBSP4MjhgePEw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TB9UBxXBI_I/AAAAAAAABgk/eGbyZfjwltc/s800/die%20hel%20-%20ice%20age%20-%2019Jun10%20-%20008.JPG" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qBQ8OmQYQxDYmijNg9XkGQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TB9UFjJ8poI/AAAAAAAABgs/PwTJnV4EcpQ/s800/die%20hel%20-%20ice%20age%20-%2019Jun10%20-%20010.JPG" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Sq0cUKoG7XVKv4kyaFwvzg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TB9UHSp_HmI/AAAAAAAABgw/re2cyKg4V3o/s800/die%20hel%20-%20ice%20age%20-%2019Jun10%20-%20011.JPG" /></a>

Evidence (ha ha)
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AdZ8XajERLn5TlxVFEgUpQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TB9ULEoTu_I/AAAAAAAABg4/6o2fePCoXck/s800/die%20hel%20-%20ice%20age%20-%2019Jun10%20-%20014.JPG" /></a>

Friends - the people who pick you up!

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kJZOhzS9VliuEgX2Vae6kg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/_KTl8ABZqvts/TB9UPEAKfSI/AAAAAAAABhA/PRpZmb1WM9E/s800/die%20hel%20-%20ice%20age%20-%2019Jun10%20-%20016.JPG" /></a>

 

[edgy]

Looks awesome - and very different to last I was there in March!

 

[user 5710]

Fark dude that must have been hectic. There is no technique for riding in snow and ice. Beautiful surrounds tho :thumleft:

 

[SuperDave]

Respect!  :thumleft:

...I'll be shit scared taking a tumble over the edge...  eepwall:

 

[LuckyStriker]

Respect!

I have always wanted to do this

 

[TerrorSA]

Hectic, poor stripes  :mwink:

 

[Inglsman]

For what it's worth, my advice is to aim for the snow.. I figure I'd have got to the top if I'd ridden on the snow. The only thing is that on the one side of the road you're riding with oblivion on your left, and on the other side it's the drain..

so, aim for the drain!

 

[fat b]

Great pics ! I was in "DIE HEL" on 13 June and the weather really turned shit , I have never slid down the swartberg pass like I did that day , And the rain and wind and ice was also majorly kak ! Luckily I managed to stay upright !

 

[antondp]

Stunning pictures.

 

[ChristoffGS]

Had the same experience last year...  Coming from Pricne Albert, first corner after the top the front just washed away on the ice.  Damaged the whole left-hand side of my bike (all replaced by insurance  ).  Long story short, I am avoiding Swartberg Pass in the winter from now on...

 

[DRAZIL]

Whew thats nice indeed :thumleft:

 

[dustbunny]

looks like fun!!!! :laughing4:... next bit off snow I'm on sick leave on my bike heading out. Gotto try this!

 

[DeonS]

Respect!
I went over there that same day - by 4x4 ;-)  A guy in a Nissan Navara got his bakkie totally sideway on that ice - was a job to get him out there again, especally as he drives like a nunu! It was VERY slippery though. Once you hit the top it was fine, and just about dry all the way to the Hel.

BTW, go and have a look here :
https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=26968.msg483422#msg483422

And old friend of mine doing it in more snow...

Groetnis
Deon

 

[Brandt]

That looks flippen cold!!! Nice pics :thumleft:

 

[TornadoF5]

Not so sure I'm keen riding ice but kewl pics anyway!

 

[LeonDude]

Fark, respect dude, that's some serious riding right there!  :thumleft:

 

[laurika]

was there last month, the wind was so bad, i didnt do it...the locals said their bakkie almost blew off the pass that morning...but how beautifull are your pic...and the place..!!!!! :thumleft:

 

[Butch]

Respect!!!

 

[DarthVtwin]

Respect :thumleft: Very nice Pic's

 

[Inglsman]

Whew thats nice indeed :thumleft:

Great flag!

Byo, 1961. That's me..

You?