Grootseun
Race Dog
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2006
- Messages
- 4,762
- Reaction score
- 585
- Location
- The bottom... and digging
- Bike
- BMW F800GSA
Day2
Other than Oudam afdraai, and Ouberg, we checked everything off our list for Day 1.
Slept surprisingly well. ( I can thank the heat, riding and the beers for that)
The plan is to Have brekkie at The blue Moon which opens at 8. The general dealer across the road is open a little earlier, and we buy some water for the road and Superglue to try and rejoin Biesies soles with the rest of his boots.
Breakfast was had, once again, super tasty, with great service.
Back to our rooms for final packing. Biesie cobbles his boots back together, and we fill up before Heading to Fraserburg vie Die Rante Pad.
We hit the dirt just after the observatory entrance, and It’s a lot easier going than in the Tankwa. There are still some sections that will catch one out, but in general, not too bad.
We stop at the entrance of one of the farms, for some water, and to take in the scenery.
From here, the road is getting better and better, it was recently graded, and the surface is great. Finally, it’s starting to look a little more like Karoo dirt highway.
The temps, when we left Sutherland was already high, and it kept on climbing.
We make it to Fraserburg, and we drive around town, we drive past Biesies childhood home, the main strip and the highschool.
Just outside town, he lets me ride in front. I have Beaufort West via Oukloof programmed on the GPS and I follow the purple line.
The roads were great, smooth with gentle rollers, easy corners which meant we were cruising along nicely.
Here and there, still evidence of lots of water that came down here in the form of groundwater next to the road. If there was a dam on a farm, it had some water in it.
We start the Oukloof pass, but not before performing an exsolescism The superglue trick on Biesies boots did not hold, and we decided that perhaps it’s time to seperate sole from boot. I perform the surgery. All went well.
The landscape in the shape of the mountains starts to look familiar, like the ones that are visible in the distance while driving through the Karoo on the N1, except, I am actually riding through the mountains. The scenery takes my breath away.
Next to the fenceline of the National park, we encounter more high speed dirt, still every now and then, little drifts needs to be transversed with some caution.
All too soon, we stop at the N1.
This is where we part our ways. I’m going left towards Beaufort, Biesie turns to the right, back towards Paarl.
I thank him for showing me there awesome places, luckily my sunglasses hides my glistening eyes. Friendship over distance is not easy, and it feels like we are parting ways much too soon again.
I dislike the N1, quite a bit. More because of the drivers, who takes selfish chances because of impatience than any other reason.
I roll through Beaufort and decide to stop for lunch at 3 Sisters. The Steers burger and coke does not touch sides. I was hoping to do a bit of route planning and logistics in terms of arranging accommodation at the steers, but eskom had other ideas. Due to load shedding, there was no cell signal. Wifi is also not a priority for the restaurant, and tbh, unlike my children, I prefer food over wifi.
I deliberated much about my route back home, Initially I wanted to ride via loxton to Vanderkloof, but looking at our progress up to that point, I decided to rather slab it.
170kms later I turn off for a pomp.
This road has potholes with the ability to swallow bikes whole. Time to concentrate.
Seas of yellow flowers.
I roll through Phillipstown, the town in sad looking.
Dodge more potholes, and stop for Fuel in Petrusville.
I interrupt the conversations of the Petrol attendants wanting to fill up, they seem to think I may posess some superior knowledge, and I get roped in to try and answer their question.
The question: Meneer, weet U hoe paar Ystervarke? I laugh.. “ Baie versigtig” is my answer. They laugh but they are not satisfied with the answer.
While filling the tank, the conversation ensues, with lots of jokes and laughter.
I pay, thank them and ride off thinking I will have to research how the mating of porcupines happen…
Not long and I turn right towards Vanderkloof. I’m treated with the dam overflowing spectacularly….
I was slightly nervous, it’s late Sunday afternoon and the town is asleep. Everything is closed and I was getting worried If indeed I will find accommodation. The thought of carrying on to the next town and possibly Kimberly in the dark is not ideal.
I decided to treat myself to a night at The Waterfront Boutique Hotel. I stopped in front, and everything is closed. There is a EC vehicle parked in front, and I decide to see If I can raise anyone to book me in.
I rang reception bell, and shortly a friendly voice answers, I enquire about availability, and am assured I will be attended to shortly.
Anje opens the door for me, she is dressed smartly, and books me in in no time.
The accommodation is 5 star. I feel out of place with my dusty, dirty sweaty kit, and I rush to get out of it, once in my room.
The place has a splashpool and I cool of in there for a short while before hitting the shower.
The town as mentioned is closed, barring the little kaffee, where I buy a supper of Lays, Coke and. Lunch bar ( sorry cadbury’s)
I watch the sun set, and enjoy the solitude of being the only guest ,with the calming sounds of lapping water.
Sleep was erratic. All the little responsibilities waiting for me back home starts to overtake the feelings of elation and joy of the last couple of days of riding and spending time with friends.
Day 3 to follow.
Other than Oudam afdraai, and Ouberg, we checked everything off our list for Day 1.
Slept surprisingly well. ( I can thank the heat, riding and the beers for that)
The plan is to Have brekkie at The blue Moon which opens at 8. The general dealer across the road is open a little earlier, and we buy some water for the road and Superglue to try and rejoin Biesies soles with the rest of his boots.
Breakfast was had, once again, super tasty, with great service.
Back to our rooms for final packing. Biesie cobbles his boots back together, and we fill up before Heading to Fraserburg vie Die Rante Pad.
We hit the dirt just after the observatory entrance, and It’s a lot easier going than in the Tankwa. There are still some sections that will catch one out, but in general, not too bad.
We stop at the entrance of one of the farms, for some water, and to take in the scenery.
From here, the road is getting better and better, it was recently graded, and the surface is great. Finally, it’s starting to look a little more like Karoo dirt highway.
The temps, when we left Sutherland was already high, and it kept on climbing.
We make it to Fraserburg, and we drive around town, we drive past Biesies childhood home, the main strip and the highschool.
Just outside town, he lets me ride in front. I have Beaufort West via Oukloof programmed on the GPS and I follow the purple line.
The roads were great, smooth with gentle rollers, easy corners which meant we were cruising along nicely.
Here and there, still evidence of lots of water that came down here in the form of groundwater next to the road. If there was a dam on a farm, it had some water in it.
We start the Oukloof pass, but not before performing an exsolescism The superglue trick on Biesies boots did not hold, and we decided that perhaps it’s time to seperate sole from boot. I perform the surgery. All went well.
The landscape in the shape of the mountains starts to look familiar, like the ones that are visible in the distance while driving through the Karoo on the N1, except, I am actually riding through the mountains. The scenery takes my breath away.
Next to the fenceline of the National park, we encounter more high speed dirt, still every now and then, little drifts needs to be transversed with some caution.
All too soon, we stop at the N1.
This is where we part our ways. I’m going left towards Beaufort, Biesie turns to the right, back towards Paarl.
I thank him for showing me there awesome places, luckily my sunglasses hides my glistening eyes. Friendship over distance is not easy, and it feels like we are parting ways much too soon again.
I dislike the N1, quite a bit. More because of the drivers, who takes selfish chances because of impatience than any other reason.
I roll through Beaufort and decide to stop for lunch at 3 Sisters. The Steers burger and coke does not touch sides. I was hoping to do a bit of route planning and logistics in terms of arranging accommodation at the steers, but eskom had other ideas. Due to load shedding, there was no cell signal. Wifi is also not a priority for the restaurant, and tbh, unlike my children, I prefer food over wifi.
I deliberated much about my route back home, Initially I wanted to ride via loxton to Vanderkloof, but looking at our progress up to that point, I decided to rather slab it.
170kms later I turn off for a pomp.
This road has potholes with the ability to swallow bikes whole. Time to concentrate.
Seas of yellow flowers.
I roll through Phillipstown, the town in sad looking.
Dodge more potholes, and stop for Fuel in Petrusville.
I interrupt the conversations of the Petrol attendants wanting to fill up, they seem to think I may posess some superior knowledge, and I get roped in to try and answer their question.
The question: Meneer, weet U hoe paar Ystervarke? I laugh.. “ Baie versigtig” is my answer. They laugh but they are not satisfied with the answer.
While filling the tank, the conversation ensues, with lots of jokes and laughter.
I pay, thank them and ride off thinking I will have to research how the mating of porcupines happen…
Not long and I turn right towards Vanderkloof. I’m treated with the dam overflowing spectacularly….
I was slightly nervous, it’s late Sunday afternoon and the town is asleep. Everything is closed and I was getting worried If indeed I will find accommodation. The thought of carrying on to the next town and possibly Kimberly in the dark is not ideal.
I decided to treat myself to a night at The Waterfront Boutique Hotel. I stopped in front, and everything is closed. There is a EC vehicle parked in front, and I decide to see If I can raise anyone to book me in.
I rang reception bell, and shortly a friendly voice answers, I enquire about availability, and am assured I will be attended to shortly.
Anje opens the door for me, she is dressed smartly, and books me in in no time.
The accommodation is 5 star. I feel out of place with my dusty, dirty sweaty kit, and I rush to get out of it, once in my room.
The place has a splashpool and I cool of in there for a short while before hitting the shower.
The town as mentioned is closed, barring the little kaffee, where I buy a supper of Lays, Coke and. Lunch bar ( sorry cadbury’s)
I watch the sun set, and enjoy the solitude of being the only guest ,with the calming sounds of lapping water.
Sleep was erratic. All the little responsibilities waiting for me back home starts to overtake the feelings of elation and joy of the last couple of days of riding and spending time with friends.
Day 3 to follow.