This morning I woke up and realized that I had two choices of what to do with my day. Option 1 was to wash the dishes , clean the house and then watch TV while it rains outside. Option 2 was to ride.
And so I donned my ATGATT and my rainsuit and set off in the direction of Stellenbosch. I did not have a fixed plan in mind and decided to ride as the fancy took me. I did have it in the back of my mind to go and find the elusive waterfall that has been discussed in my previous RR. https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=96999.0
I went up Helshoogte and down the other side. Must be the slowest I have ever travelled on that road , but the road was wet and I was not taking any chances. About halfway down Helshoogte I turned right onto a road called Seven Rivieren pad.
And this is why I like riding solo. Because I could stop when I wanted , or turn around and go back if I wanted. For the photos above I stopped 3 times in a matter of 200 meters.
I rode around a bit and took some pics here and there.
Then off through Pniel and on Towards Franschoek.
I have wanted to stop and photograph this bridge ever since I saw it many many years ago , and today I took my chance.
From there I rode into Franschoek and stopped for a bit of coffe and a very nice breakfast.
With breakfast sorted I took on Franschoek pass at a very sedate pace. Once again the slowest I have ever gone through the pass , but I was not in the mood to put my bike down due to a slippery road.
I went through Villiersdorp and went back to the Kwaaimansgat road to see if I can find that waterfall.
I followed the road to the waterfall, but being a law abiding citizen I turned around when I came to a closed gate in the road.
This was the view of the Elandsriviervalley from my turnaround point.
Back through Villersdorp I followed my nose and just rode around next to the Theewaterskloof dam.
The Autumn colours were really pretty.
Then I turned back down my old favourite - Van Der Stell pass.
I had to wonder about a name like this :
Here are some pics taken in Van Der Stell pass :
I decided to also try and be 'creative' as I see a lot of other wilddogs do .
I stopped in Kleinmond for a cuppa.
And then on past Betty's bay and down the R44 towards home. The wind was really not nice.
I saw this Diesel spill and slowed down before I got there , but still had a fright as my front wheel slid on the diesel. I turned around for these photos and quickly posted an update on the diesel-spill FB page before heading home.
This was the view of the Helderbergbasin on my way home.
And after a whole day of riding I nearly donnered neer while taking these last two pics when my foot slipped on the gravel next to the road. I managed to keep the bike upright , but I swear I thought my hamstring was going to snap while I fought with superhuman effort to keep my bike right side up.
And so I donned my ATGATT and my rainsuit and set off in the direction of Stellenbosch. I did not have a fixed plan in mind and decided to ride as the fancy took me. I did have it in the back of my mind to go and find the elusive waterfall that has been discussed in my previous RR. https://wilddog.net.za/forum/index.php?topic=96999.0
I went up Helshoogte and down the other side. Must be the slowest I have ever travelled on that road , but the road was wet and I was not taking any chances. About halfway down Helshoogte I turned right onto a road called Seven Rivieren pad.
And this is why I like riding solo. Because I could stop when I wanted , or turn around and go back if I wanted. For the photos above I stopped 3 times in a matter of 200 meters.
I rode around a bit and took some pics here and there.
Then off through Pniel and on Towards Franschoek.
I have wanted to stop and photograph this bridge ever since I saw it many many years ago , and today I took my chance.
From there I rode into Franschoek and stopped for a bit of coffe and a very nice breakfast.
With breakfast sorted I took on Franschoek pass at a very sedate pace. Once again the slowest I have ever gone through the pass , but I was not in the mood to put my bike down due to a slippery road.
I went through Villiersdorp and went back to the Kwaaimansgat road to see if I can find that waterfall.
I followed the road to the waterfall, but being a law abiding citizen I turned around when I came to a closed gate in the road.
This was the view of the Elandsriviervalley from my turnaround point.
Back through Villersdorp I followed my nose and just rode around next to the Theewaterskloof dam.
The Autumn colours were really pretty.
Then I turned back down my old favourite - Van Der Stell pass.
I had to wonder about a name like this :
Here are some pics taken in Van Der Stell pass :
I decided to also try and be 'creative' as I see a lot of other wilddogs do .
I stopped in Kleinmond for a cuppa.
And then on past Betty's bay and down the R44 towards home. The wind was really not nice.
I saw this Diesel spill and slowed down before I got there , but still had a fright as my front wheel slid on the diesel. I turned around for these photos and quickly posted an update on the diesel-spill FB page before heading home.
This was the view of the Helderbergbasin on my way home.
And after a whole day of riding I nearly donnered neer while taking these last two pics when my foot slipped on the gravel next to the road. I managed to keep the bike upright , but I swear I thought my hamstring was going to snap while I fought with superhuman effort to keep my bike right side up.
