Tjops in the Karoo

[Oubones]

Nice one, I still want to go and ride there with my bike!
I have only been there with work in the Unimog.
I also find that a bike trip clears my head and things are just better when I get back.
Thanks!

 

[Numsch]

Lekker report, thanks for sharing!

 

[OomD]

Hel man, is dit nou nie lekker nie. Sielsverrykend. Dankie vir die deel, man, ek voel of ek saam met julle gery het.

 

[Jerkimiah]

Fantastic trip, sounds like a once in a lifetime drama
I still want to do something like that, been to the Cedarberg once, but not in the wet or after rain. It is so beautiful
Everyone should do this trip at least once
Thanks for sharing
J

 

[Geelkat]

Lekker RR, dankie!

 

[Heimer]

Ek het die kwaai gelike.

 

[petri oosthuizen]

Nice dankie
En nice bike!!!

 

[Grootseun]

Thank you all for the nice responses, it’s great to receive such positive feedback.

 

[Heimer]

Die paaie wat jy gery het is ons Weskapers se agterplaas. Ongeëwenaarde plesier. Dis lekker om te hoor van iemand wat dit nie so gereeld ry nie.
Ek is nou vier jaar weg uit die Boland na 30 jaar en mis dit so dat ek beplan om vroeg volgende jaar al die Tankwa en Sederberge en weskus gunstelinge te kom ry.
Kan jy glo dat my brein my al vertel het dis vervelig om Sederberg Oasis toe te ry. Dit is nie. Dis donners awesome. Elke keer

 

[MildlyWild]

Thanks MellowJo and Esibein.


Day 3:

I wake up with a headache, not sure if it’s the refreshments or the bump on the head.

The group has some coffee and left over braai broodjies and braaivleis.

I should have posted this in the previous day's report, but here's a photo going up to out overnight stay


Our accommodationView attachment 864750

We saddle up and hit the road. About 500m down the road is our first water crossing, I’m mentally not prepared for it, but after the crossing, I’m fully engaged.
View attachment 864751

We bid our hosts farewell at their house on the way out.

The vista is something to behold. It’s really breathtaking. It’s difficult to concentrate on the road, and the scenery at the same time. I think there is a place for a chameleon eye control augmentation in humans… ( you will have to excuse me, this is day 15 since starting to write this report, and I may be going crazy due to workload.)



View attachment 864748

We meander down into the lower (or regular height) sections of the Sutherland area and stop in town for a sip of fuel.

Our group splits up. Eisbein is not feeling it on the bike He took an alternative way out of the second water crossing, and in Sutherland decides to take the fastest route home. MellowJo accompanies him.

Ride to ride another day.

More to come.

Oh man, I am feeling seriously home sick now
Oom Kobus and Tannie Annemarie who owns Rhenoster Valley is family, and the 1st farm just below that incredible vista is my cousin's - been there at least once a year for all of my 47 years.
I've been all over those roads and passes on mountain bikes, cars, bakkies, motorbikes
Few random pieces of info:
Just before the spot this vista photo was taken is an official British grave where 7 mounted soldiers killed in a skirmish during the Boer War were buried.
On a good day you see all the way over Merweville to the Swartberg mountains far on the other side of the N1
The Canadians drilled loads of holes in those mountains in the 80's, prospecting for Uranium - high deposits in places, but was not commercially viable.
They are currently also assessing the viability of wind turbines in that exact area on the photo - would be great for my cousin, but sad from an aesthetic point of view
Minimum temperatures at Rhenoster Valley is often 4-5degrees lower than in Sutherland in winter - this past winter they hit-9 if I recall correctly.
There's a SA Natural Heritage site just to the left against the Nuwevelds mountain range where the very rare and endangered Sterboom is found

 

[MildlyWild]

You guys had an incredible trip - makes me itch to ride through Tankwa, up Ouberg to the farm before 31 Dec

 

[Grootseun]

Thanks for sharing the info @MildlyWild It’s a place where I would love to spend some time to explore. Our evening was overcast, but I stepped out and caught a glimpse of the sky. The amount of stars visible was just astonishing.
Those 5 minutes of staring up, is another memory that I will have for life.

If you do speak to Oom Kobus and Tannie Annemarie, please thank them for their hospitality, and sharing a truly special place with this born and bred Joburger.

 

[ETS]

Very nice RR, wish i could write one as good!

 

[Flowers]

Thanks mate your time effort and honesty of your report is greatly appreciated. Wilddogs need more men like you. Hoping to cross paths on bikes in the near future.

 

[Ri]

Very enjoyable and honest RR, and lovely photos. Riding is amazing therapy.

I wish I'd read this a bit earlier. I avoided Ouberg Pass on a recent ride home from Fraserburg because I wasn't sure of its condition.

Hope you have opportunity to ride (here) again soon

 

[Kobus Myburgh]

Lekker RR, dankie.

 

[ROAD HOG]

Excellent ride report, awesome roads and good food That's what it is all about

Thank you for sharing

 

[TVB]

Awesome report, thanks for sharing!!

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

Always helps to take a long ride on the bike when the world closes in. Thanks for sharing.

 

[JACOVV]

Ek het baie lekker saam gery.

Baie dankie vd deel en voorspoed vir 2024.