Threesome in the COLD!!!!!

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DISCLAIMER: yes, there were three of us, but NO-ONE got lucky!!!!

i don't do the photobucket, microsoft word thing, so pics with stories will come in bits and pieces.....

so, last monday at dinner we hatched a plan to go to the cederberg. cederberg oasis was of course fully booked. no way in hell we were camping in this weather! so got a place at nuwe rus.

i was totally excited and scared at the same time, as i had just replaced my rear tyre (heard a horror story from one of you lot) and of course, this was my first proper trip with the bike from home (not trailering) and i didn't know what to expect from the terrain....

the  route.....

 

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so off we go..... myself, nismark and tracy (non-forum person and pillion to nismark) leave 8am saturday morning. words cannot describe how bitingly chilly it is on the bike...... i can't feel my hands, even through some insulation under my gloves, so we stop after a very short ride at the pepper tree in philadelphia for some much need hot coffee and decided to have breakfast there too....

(also met up with riaan who happen to be there with wife and kids)

 

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quick photo stop...... klipheuwel road (i think) on the way to wellington....

 

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first stop on bainskloof for a photo op quickie....

 

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second bainskloof stop for a smoke and a drink......

check nismark's gloves tee hee

 

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in ceres, we have a quick stop to change the xt to the vara and off we go. quick stop for a smoke on top of gydo pass....

snow......... BBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! did i mention it was farking cold!!!!!!!

 

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beginning of dirt GLOOOOOOOOOORIOUS dirt!

 

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me in the distance BOMBING down the track as if the devil was chasing me....... (well i could only go so fast, so nismark and tracy had plenty of time for pictures...... )  > >

 

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i have no clue what this pass / road thingy is called..... cederberg main road????  :biggrin:

really pretty. my camera doesn't do it justice....

 

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some more of the pretty road.....

 

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sheesh was i happy when we got to the top of the hill just past mount cedar. heavily corrugated and a bit steep for my little bike's liking...... the view from the top........ cederberg oasis in the distance......

 

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booked in at nuwe rus, but was a bit quiet, so watched the rugby at oasis and had a good chat with gerhard. then rode back to nuwe rus in the freezing cold and in the dark..... thank goodness my headlight is HUMUNGOUS!!!!!

back at nuwe rus, i make a fire and bring out the OBS!

 

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super tired and cold and wearing a dof hat!

 

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MORNING and STILL FREEZING!

 

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all packed and ready to go, but the vara wants to sleep late and refuses to start. i go off for a walk.....

the locals are NOT happy to see me so early in the morning....

 

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breakfast and some coffee to warm up at oasis!

 

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some pic's along matjiesriver (i think) road....

 

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ok, so here is my first PROPER water crossing.... (lets forget my first riding lesson where i ended up in the dog's water bucket)..... i stop, get some advice and off i go........ and no, i will not post that pic, but i will say...... made it successfully! 

 

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another, less hectic watercrossing....

 

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uitkyk pass.......

quick smoke, have a look around at some pretty flowers and discover i am totally dirty! SIS!