The Rebel tour

[MRK Miller]

On top of the pass we stop for pic's of the verloren valley nature reserve, and Eben also started to complain about the cold, so under his chest protector comes another sweater. We have had ideal riding weather so far this day. Over cast but no rain, and every now and then the sun peeps threw.
From there we just let the bikes pick up speed then put them in neutral and free wheel down the pass hearing only the wind in the helmet until I saw this sign and tough it was a real bargain Farm for sale R15oo. Perhaps I should phone them and start a new life. LOL. 
We head on till we find the turn off to Tonteldoos of which the gps lets me know in time. Now we starting to understand each other much better. Unto the gravel road again we go.
Signs of very recent rain are everywhere, but the road is in a good state and the scenery is fresh and breath taking. Once again one gets taken away in the moment and then suddenly your angel screams at you to watch out and you have to slam on breaks as there are some hefty erosions that suddenly pop up in front of you, but we reach tonteldoos in good time. The place is so small if you are not careful you will go through without knowing you were actually there. We were actually about 100m out of town when my gps already says we were there but we stopped and ask a person next to the road who was out collecting wood, where is tonteldoos. He just gave me a dumb struck look and pointed in the direction and said "there by those 2 buildings. I did feel a stupid but so what, it was a good days riding and we were craving breakfast. We passed the milk and cow and headed for the next shop, hoping to find a armband or necklace for my angel at home, as is custom when she lets me go riding, as gratitude and because she is really special.

 

[MRK Miller]

But this was under renovation seeing it appeared they will be hosting the Highveld fest the coming weekend. So we turn and head for the cat and the cow for a brecky. As we enter we are welcomed by a few coli/sheep dogs who don't seem to like bikes much, specially the front wheel. So not to offend the owner we take it slow as we are also pretty hungry by now. Perhaps that would be the role the dogs play. Instead of speed humps, use dogs. Very clever. As for as curios go there is not much, that is worthy of my angel so I postpone that hoping I would find something further on. That is the one other thing that stood out on this trip. Very few curio shop in this area. In fact perhaps one or two that I saw, and then not very active either. We get our table and the lady comes to take our order. Boere breakfast with a basket filled with a loaf of bread and some nice marmalade spread and the rest then, that went down with a nice hot chocolate drink. It really went down well. We talked about the trip some and I shared with them where we are heading, so they would also feel part of the navigation team. We then took some pic's and we were of. Just in case anyone wanders why my glasses are hanging on the one side, we only had hot chocolate, nothing more. The one arm on the R3000 specs broke off. true's bob. Evidence on the table with the food.
From there we head out of town towards Dullstroom, but would not see that town. 7 km out of town we hit a right again towards the R555 where we would redo a part of the road we did on the first day when Lou took us the wrong way. Na just joking oom Lou, we all agreed, and it was destiny so do not worry about it. It was nice seeing you again. After taking the right we go down a shortish pass with a really nice view of the valley below. The road was reasonable at some places, but really eroded bad with some mud at other places. At the bottom we hit the flats where the mud puddles would appear in frequent succession. Some of these Eben opted to rather walk across.  Here Rikus missed one and I had to cut the video short as he wanted to pass on the side but ended up a drift with his front wheel, and hanging on desperately to keep the hole bike from falling in. We managed to pull the bike out without incident, after finding our footing.

 

[MRK Miller]

We did not take the Elandslaagte turnoff. After crossing the rest without incident we arrived at the tar road, turning left to Stofberg. We came across the gravel road we excited on day one and Eben commented that we have been here on the first day. We did not believe him until halfway up the pass when Rikus and I realized he was right. So another lesson learned. Do not under estimate the kids memory, and take to hart what they say. So we head back to the tar and head for Middelburg. Time was also catching us so this was a good chance to make up some time. Not that it helps when you are on a KLR, but it is the thought that counts. As we go through Middelburg I felt Eben laying his head on my shoulder. The tar section, and excitement had taken its toll. Outside of Middelburg on the onramp to the N4 we stop and I arrange with Rikus to help me tie Eben to me with one of my elastic tie downs, just in case he falls asleep. I know the petrol port is not very far so we stop there again for a ice-cream. On the N4 we get numerous people passing us hooting and waving. Was a pretty good feeling. After our stop at the petrol port we head out through the tollgate which I spent my last few bucks on. Darn but it is expensive. We follow the N4 till we get the R555 again and hit a left towards Ogies. There were a few trucks on the road but not too bad and the going is good. Some clouds indicate we might get rain, but we will cross that bridge when we get there. We pass through Ogies and head for Kendal where we turn left again. The tar road turns into gravel. Pretty soon we hit our first mud pit, but there seems to be quite a lot of traffic on this road and they have made some solid tracks trough it, so as long as you hold your line you are ok. At some stage in one of these tracks Eben decides to check if ou boet is doing ok and turn his hole weight. I struggle with the bike, but we make it through. On the other side we take a break and I explain to him that I really don't feel like ending up on my back in the mud. He feels the same and from there he would wait till we are through the mud patch then he would turn to see if ou boet is ok. We reach a t-junction at a tar road again and turn right on the R51. As we turn we find a truck overturned on the side of the road with a load of maize. wander how much ton of maize that would be. It was a horse and trailer. We follow the tar for 8 km upon which we pass about three cop cars on their way to the accident i presume. We turn left unto gravel again till we reach the R42. As we enter Gauteng we stop for a group photo From there it is left for 2km then right again, more tar for 1,2km then we a right again unto the gravel once more.  We stop every now and then for a video or a photo of Rikus crossing, just to keep it interesting, but he keeps his cool and does very well.
In the excitement we miss a turnoff which would have brought us to Aston lake. Instead we keep straight and end up meeting tar at Endicott  where we hit a right aiming for home, a hot plate of food, a hot bath and to see our two angels that stayed home, and  whom we all missed dearly. Thank you all for riding with and all the recovery efforts. Thanks to my two boys for enduring with me.You made me so proud.  And thanks to God for keeping us safe and the lessons learned, and of course keeping the cops away from us. looking forward to many more adventures together

 

[Lem]

Pragtig!

gooi nog :deal:

 

[MRK Miller]

Dankie chom, daai is al vir nou. daar is nog die ander een van die 18de wittebrood hier iewers ook in Afrikaans, maar dis die twee vir nou