The adventures of Slovac & Staffie

[Staffie]

We started our ride on Sunday (18/5/08) morning 7am from Slovac's home in Durbanville and headed out towards Fisantekraal on the dirt road.
From there we headed to the windfarm in Klipheuwel and then off to Malmesbury on the dirt road.
We had coffee at some friends in Malmesbury and then headed  from Malmesbury through Riebeeck Kasteel on our way to Wellington for some breakfast.
After a lovely burger, chips and a drink at the Wimpy in Wellington we headed home.
Just under 200kms from Durbanville (return) - nice easy ride.

After some time we reached the Eskom Windfarm in Klipheuwel

The road ahead - excuse the punn...

"tussen jou en my lê daar 'n berg"

some pelicans we spotted at a dam near Malmesbury

bike check

a long and winding road

On top of the world

well done to Pieter Cruythoff and his 'trek'...​

 

[Camelman]

Nice one Staffie!

the first of many ride report, I hope! 

 

[daveh]

Thanks for posting - done that route quite a few times

 

[Staffie]

Nice one Staffie!
the first of many ride report, I hope! 

Hope so too - we'll be riding every second Sunday of the month if all goes well - anyone welcome !

 

[Operator]

You don't always have to travel far away to have fun..........this is proof of it. 

 

[iep_kruger]

well done dudes

that long and winding road begs to be ridden

 

[LeonDude]

Nice ride report and photies.

 

[Slovac]

We were pressed for time.  Maybe next time we can make it a day trip, not a breakfast run  8)

 

[Staffie]

Soooooo...

'Tis been a VERY long time since I've seen gravel and my trusty ol' friend @Slovac got me back on gravel again...

Thursday, 29 December 2022 - we departed at the Dawg's Box around 8 if I remember correctly. Went via the N1 towards Paarl and got off onto Du Toitskloof Pass where I tested the road holding capabilities of the (semi) knoblies on the 800.

After a quick break, being amazed by how beautiful the view is and some pix, we made our way down to Worcester (no not the sauce for those not from the Cape) and turned left towards Ceres.
Followed the road and made a quick pitstop at the entrance of Ceres. (my lungs required some Camel okay)

We went up to Op Die Berg via Prince Alfred Hamlet and Gydo Pass. What a view!

The 1250 was thirsty so we both refueled and went towards Cederberg.

And this is where the fun then started. First time since 2008 on gravel, new bike (old KLR did not have all the ABS, suspension, traction etc etc goodies way back then - it was a old model)

So hello Katbakkies Pass. @Slovac lead the way and his 1250 made mince meat of the gravel... I sssllloowwwllyy followed and as time went by became more and more comfortable.

See that thin brown line of gravel - that's where we came from! Amazing view but the best was yet to come.

(look ma - like a fish in water)

We headed further up and almost at the top we stopped at some ruins... Apparently called Katbakkies as per Google??? Donno who built them or when and who would be so nuts to build a house in the middle of nothingness with no water in sight but hey, very interesting indeed.

Up up up and we finally came to the top and if you thought the previous view were good - wait for it...

If you look forward you can almost see tomorrow (unfortunately there's still load shedding...) and if you turn around it's just barren "desert". Hello Tankwa ahead of me! I've been living in Cape Town for 15+ years and have always dreamed of seeing the Tankwa and there it is... Absolutely amazing.

We continued down the pass towards the Tankwa Karoo and turned left onto the R355 and shortly afterwards there were aliens...

We had reached the famous Tankwa Padstal. A very interesting little place with loads of cold 'beverages' and a pool!

As you approach there's these amazing "things"

a car named Wynkaptein planted in the ground... who, what, how - beats me but it's great!

some 'dude' with a shield

and a volla hanging from an old windpomp

and behind us - nothingness! Absolutely beautiful nothingness! oh and a mountain pass...

We had some beverages at the bar where there's too many weird, cool and wonderful things all over the walls, roof and on the floor. A must see! Had a lunch (fantastic food as well) and took some exploration pix.

met a family on their Karoo 6x6

and headed back home following the same route (this time faster on the gravel) but taking Bainskloof Pass (which has been resurfaced and is looking GREAT) and back to Durbanville via Wellington.

Just a huge BIG THANK YOU to @Slovac for making this lifelong dream come true and your patience. It was an adventure for a (again) first time gravel traveler and one I will never forget!

Whereto next? Follow this thread for more of our adventures...

 

[BullSmit]

Lekkers man!!!

So we can expect an update here in 2038 then?

 

[Staffie]

Lekkers man!!!

So we can expect an update here in 2038 then?

whahhahaha nope maybe by Monday at 20h38 but I'm back

 

[NSWanderer]

Cool RR, thanks!