The Germans and the South African bucket list Days 1 - 12 Completed

[Brink]

In :sip:

 

[J-dog]

:sip:

 

[NIMMO]

Day 3's route - except for the deviation

 

[Laban]

...ek ry saam...[emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NIMMO]

Day 4 – Reunited for a short time

We awoke to a wonderful morning but with quite some wind.
 
IMG_5595 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5598 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5599 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5600 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

I wondered if Mageret spent some time here  ot: ot:

IMG_5601 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5602 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5603 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5605 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5607 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170697 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

After breakfast we filled up and went to take some pictures at the Afrikaburn site.

IMG_5630 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

At this stage I was already worried about KH – he was facing the wrong way. :imaposer:

DSC_0214 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170698 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5608 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0212 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170701 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5614 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5673 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

It amazes me how people build these structures in the middle of nowhere.  :  This one is 9M in and will be 36M high when it is done. :eek7:

IMG_5624 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5621 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5622 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5628 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0216 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170717 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


You could clearly see they were following strict safety measures i.e. clothing, harnessing, safety glasses etc. :lamer: atch: eepwall: ot: :imaposer: :imaposer:

P1170718 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0217 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170713 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170714 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170715 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170705 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170706 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170707 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5619 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Organized people these, even on a high (on life  :deal you would walk by and go “oh yeah man wood – awesome” :thumleft:

IMG_5618 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

It was here that I mentioned to Alfie my worst nightmare would be my daughter coming home one day saying: “Hi dad this is Freewind” and meeting him and being told he loves just chilling and building things he dreams about in the desert man...  atch:

Alfie made a valid point, people are who they are and at least some never condone violence.  Who is “right”, we set in our ways (read normal people) or people less in the groove.
Welcome Freewind, have some coffee – let me show you my gun collection..... :ricky:

 

[NIMMO]

We decided on my route from the previous day to get to Ouberg. :thumleft:

IMG_5631 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5637 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Foot of Ouberg – Judge dredd arriving  :imaposer: ot:

IMG_5641 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5638 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5642 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Always nice to have the contours so close together :thumleft: :thumleft:

IMG_5644 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5648 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0256 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Ouberg was windy but what a view.  There must have been at least an 10 degree difference from Tankwa to the summit of Ouberg.

IMG_5650 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5651 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170724 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170728 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Taken for a friend who owns a farm with the same name in Colesberg :thumleft:

IMG_5657 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Richard ‘s trip from Middelpos was uneventfull

P1020584 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

In Sutherland we were reunited with Richard at Hooglander’s place (I set him up there knowing he would have a place to wait for us).

P1170733 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170735 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Len still with his tampon up his nose.

Richard told us about his night in Middelpos and the non honeymoon friendly bed.  The Moto Berlin bike was towed there by an *****. :lamer:
The bike was on a trailer behind a bakkie and stones thrown up left the bike with panel damage even before it reached Middelpos. Well at least we had a KTM to load the parts onto. ot: ot:

The plan was to take a “rest” day and head to Matjiesfontein and then up to Prins Albert our stop for the night.  I had however been contemplating doing the Merweville road with Rammelkop pass and Allemanshoek pass.  Alfie wasn’t keen on doing tar something about license etc.  :imaposer: :imaposer:  I then suggested we do that road and Len would take the gang to Matjiesfontein and we would meet up in Prins Albert.

Alfie and I headed to Merweville

IMG_5661 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5662 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5663 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


The Merweville road has plenty of gates and after leapfrogging them to open and close I noticed Alfie’s numberplate was gone.  This road has been upgraded since I last travelled it but none the less it claimed a rear flicker on the 690 before we got to town as well.

IMG_5665 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

From Merweville we headed to Prins Albert crossing the N1 at the point where I just days before made a mental note of how close they were together.
We got some rain just before PA but it was welcomed after a hot windy start to the day.  Len and gang were not in yet and only arrived after we had had a swim and unpacked. :ricky: :ricky:

IMG_5666 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020602 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Len and the gang in Matjiesfotein – Elaborate a bit Len


P1020589 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020592 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020593 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020594 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

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By now we were finding our groove and the stories came one after the other as we sat on the balcony overlooking the main road of PA.  :biggrin: :biggrin:

P1170758 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5670 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

After having a nice meal in town the brandewyn made its first real appearance ot: and they all went to bed with a smile.  I think this was the first night Len stopped reminding me of how many km’s more I could get on my rear if I changed my riding style, probably because we split up in Sutherland  :imaposer:

Sleeping like a baby

IMG_5674 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


We were in good company and life was good.  Apart from the 690 steadily shedding parts and my little OHH mother moment in Rammelkop pass day four went well.  :thumleft:

 

[NIMMO]

Day 4 - without the Merweville road

 

[ThomTom]

Bucket  list stuff! Nice!

 

[briv]

OK ...Some perceptions from my side    eepwall:  BMW F700's are tough little buggers, Rumbux could do better, but the sump hole was a freak accident :thumleft: they will do the job, if you use them to ride to get to the next spot, they will not play well along they way.... AKA Jean using his rear TKC for pleasure whenever there was a camera nearby.... :3some: It is quite esential to be 2 , we were very happy to have Alfie with he could dovetail as he did a few times........Howsabout a beer Mate !!!!

These old toppies are tough, Karl Heinz had a stomach bug the first 4 days and, he wore this far look in the distance face until we got to Prince Albert where Doc Kriek, the guest house owner, and local doctor gave him 4 pills. He also fixed my bleeding nose by burning the leaking blood vessel, and giving me a impromptu temp tattoo on the left cheek  :imaposer: ot:

Remember to check your emergency stuff.....then do it again......then again check your **** !!!!    :deal: eepwall:

Some pics that made me humble again :

 

[The TRANSPORTER]

Ai manne lekker man lekker! Ek ry saam en soek meer-gooi hom Nimmo gooi meer...tic toc tic toc. :sip: :lol8:

 

[Kykdaar]

Great trip and very interesting RR :thumleft:

That pic of the stumps on the koppie and the vlaktes makes me itch to go there.

 

[Clockwork Orange]

Fantastic report....really enjoying this RR

 

[Slim Jim]

:sip:

 

[The TRANSPORTER]

:sip:

 

[Wolzac]

Some very good Fodies here and a great RR. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Toothless]

What an experience. Great RR!

 

[Salty]

Great stuff Nimmo, keep it rollin.....

 

[NIMMO]

Day 5 – Both Len and Andreas have their lucky days

The morning had a bite to it and we dressed for the occasion. I had the night before uttered my anxiety over Andreas as we lost KH on day one, had a good second day, lost Richard on day three, and then a good day the previous day.  If you do the math Andreas’s number was up for the day. atch: atch: atch:

P1020602 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5683 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

During breakfast (very, very lekker) the guesthouse owner’s husband (also the local Dr.) Dr. Kriek heard me joke with Len as to what he reckoned his nose bleeds flow was.  I needed to know if he was looking for heavy or light flow tampons for the day.  :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:
He offered to burn the vein as to stop Len’s discomfort from his partner as well as his nose.  As Len stated KH had a stomach bug but despite it matched us bite for bite at every meal, Doc Kriek soon came back with some miracle pills for him as well.  Len said goodbye to his nose bleed and by the end of that day KH did not have that far look in his eyes as well. 
This modification to Len’s nose would later come to bite me in the ***. :eek7: :eek7:

IMG_5686 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170766 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5678 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5682 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170760 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170762 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

After filling up we set off.  Ironically I am about to tell you how good a condition Swartbergpass was in when just two days ago the PA side was destroyed in heavy rains. :-\ :'(

Well then it was as always a pleasure to ride.  It was COLD to say the least and all along the pass we encountered mountain bikers making their way to the top.  Respect to the old toppie with the strapped up knee for making it to the top while we were taking photos.  :thumleft:

IMG_5697 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170770 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5698 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0273 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0275 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5699 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0279 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0281 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0287 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0292 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0299 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

The drizzle and cold made for great pictures.

P1020611 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020613 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0325 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0306 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0310 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0311 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

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IMG_5702 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5704 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5709 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


We started out on the Gamkaskloof road.  I would ride ahead take some pics and catch up again etc.  Even here it was evident that despite the damp it was dry in the kloof. 

IMG_5743 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5712 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5714 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5716 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0312 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020627 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5722 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5728 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170784 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020644 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

 

[NIMMO]

On one of the cut backs about 2/3rd’s in I stopped and took some photos as the gang approached.

IMG_5729 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Andreas was in front and disappeared around the mountain well below me and Richard and Len were some distance behind him.  I waited to take some pictures of them as well.  After taking the photos I realized I had not heard Andreas pass me.  :eek7: :lamer:  I took off my helmet and started walking down the steep incline. 

Just as I went around the second corner I hear Len yell – “Kom help NOU”.  :ricky: :ricky:

In the middle of the cutback there was a hole I would guess about the size of a midsize suitcase, Andreas must have struck it and bounced the bike to the cliff side of the road, luckily the Rumbux hit the ridge of gravel and rocks left behind after it was scraped.  His front wheel was dangling over the edge and the bike at an angle down the kloof, him still sitting on it leaning back steadying himself by kicking against the dirt “pavement”.  :eek7:  Len, Richard and I pulled him back.  I immediately thought of my thoughts that morning.  He was unscathed and after a smoke or two we were on our way again.

IMG_5735 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020654 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

In the Hell we spent some time and Alfie went looking at all the historical sites and finding a local teacher’s family roots etc.  :thumleft: By now we were overdressed – it was hot.  Len didn’t waste time and met a stunning girl that fell for his heroism  eepwall: eepwall: after saving Andreas.  Sorry Anda tried my best.... :-\

P1170786 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170788 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5739 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


The ride out of the Hell was uneventful.  Or so we thought.

IMG_5741 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170793 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0321 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

DSC_0330 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Farm boots :laughing4:

DSC_0337 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


It was COLD and terribly windy in Swartberg.

At the entrance to the Hell Len wanted to take some photos with his phone and it was gone.  :eek7: We decided he would ride back slowly and would have to find it on his way in, the dark would catch him on his way out.  I hesitantly let him go back alone. 

While standing there a Canadian bloke on an 800 pitched and we had a quick chat about if he would make it or not if he went to the Hell and needed to get to PA that night.  We asked him to keep an eye out for a phone and stop Len should they cross in the Kloof.  :thumleft:

P1170802 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1020660 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170803 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Mr Breitling model himself –Andreas – gentleman and suave  :deal: :biggrin:

P1170806 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


Len can tell his side of what followed.  A teaser: ot: ot:

DSC_0341 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


We went down Swartberg and had some coffee at the Congo Caves then hit the road that led to De Rust. 

IMG_5749 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr


This was a gem as well.  We would do this road again in 4 days time making our return from Baviaans to Veldtie. :biggrin: :biggrin:
Plenty of olive farms here, something I personally can’t eat.

IMG_5750 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5753 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5757 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

We made De Rust and checked into Olivier’s Rust – clean and with safe parking. 

IMG_5758 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

P1170818 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

Just before seven I heard Len drive in.  Long and short of it he had a mini adventure on his own and found his phone.  I went to get some rice and his phone spent the night in a bed of rice in the bag – he can elaborate on this blessing.

IMG_5764 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

IMG_5769 by Jean van der Walt, on Flickr

After a nice meal at Harry’s place we hit the sack.  All safe, tired and very glad the day turned out the way it did.  I said a prayer to say thank you that Andreas hit that ridge. :thumleft:
 
The dear Doc in PA must have taken out Len’s baffles while working on his nose, PA would turn out to be the last night I slept “like a baby”.  Karma was turning out to be a real b1t3h after all my tampon remarks over the last few days. atch:

 

[Carrots]

Lanklaas 'n goeie RR gelees. Dankie en sien uit na die res.  :thumleft:

Dink Len se bloedneus en sy cell verloor was sy straf omdat hy die bike trip begin het met 'n vuil bike!!  :deal: ot: