Verneukpan Ride Report 2015

[Jacobsroodt]

After brunch at Brandvlei, the ride to Verneukpan was a brisk affair. Long sweeping gravel roads and a nice gathering in between. Stoffel could not keep his eyes (and bum) off the LC...

 

[Jacobsroodt]

The last bit to Verneukpan was full of tricks and gates. Fortunately no serious losses there, but I gained new respect for Stoffel's sand riding skills☺

 

[Jacobsroodt]

Hier is die ompad manne, wat sukkel julle daar in die modder in? ot:

 

[Jacobsroodt]

Ferdi and I rode a good 40 km on Verneukpan, covering it randomly from side to side. We tried to get to the western side of the pan where the land speed record attempt took place in 1929, but to no avail. All we found was crop circles... Just riding and riding on Verneukpan was one of those incredible experiences you cannot explain in words...

 

[Jacobsroodt]

We had a wonderful time around the fire and slept well after the wind subsided. Our tents worked perfectly. On Sunday morning we were greeted by dark clouds on the horizon, and a drizzle on the way to Williston. The slippery road back to the farmstead caught Ferdi out. Glad you were not hurt Ferdi! We helped him to get going, and he reminded us of the dry detour!

 

[Jacobsroodt]

We were soon reminded of the fact that the road stays treacherous.

 

[Jacobsroodt]

After a drizzle, cold, and the fact that the restaurant in Williston is "soms oop op Sondae", we pressed on to Sutherland. It had snowed in Sutherland in the morning, we were met by cold and mud only. Fortunately Jupiter lifted our spirits with something to drink, and a plate fries each.

 

[Jacobsroodt]

The Whitehouse Inn was a worthy stopover. It has a restaurant on the ground floor, and rooms above, with electric blankets!

 

[Jacobsroodt]

Monday morning was brisk. After a hot breakfast we had to tow Mapsource's 1150 to a start, with all the residents leaning over their fences to watch the spectacle.
Spelling mistake corrected  eepwall:

 

[Jacobsroodt]

In the meanwhile Pienkhemp established that there was no petrol in Sutherland. We had to amend our route and the closest petrol was in Laingsburg. We rode in -2°C conditions for two hours before going down Komberg pass. It was exhilarating, riding in fresh -2° conditions through the karoo. Other side of Komberg it got better - now a full 2°C!

 

[Jacobsroodt]

In Laingsburg Mapsource and Pienkhemp decided to tacke the asphalt to Worcester while JC an I took the back route to Touwsrivier. It was our last gravel for the day, but WHAT A RIDE! Thanks for telling us about this gem Mapsource!

 

[Jacobsroodt]

On Du Toitskloof Pass JC and I finally greeted after encountering diesel on the way up. One should always be on the lookout - Africa is a tough country.

A special word of thanks to riding buddies JC, Mapsource, Pienkhemp, Ferdi and Parkinoff for making this a worthy ticking off of the Verneukpan ride off my wishlist! At the same time it is worth the while riding it again ot:

 

[Parkinoff]

I was surprized by Nieuwoudtville's beauty. A quaint karoo town with sandstone guesthouses and well kept gardens.
With Parkinoff sorted JC and I had to get to Lekkeroog! A quick burn to Calvinia and JC sharing family notes with the Spar manager, we took on the road to Lekkeroog.
Jammer dat ek jou van die pad af gedruk het op die grondpad JC, maar ons het lekker gery! Fortunately I have no photos to prove, but 3 km before Lekkeroog we hit sand in the pith dark - at 20:20. I hit a sand middelmannetjie, with no idea where to go. I just remember wildly swinging the front wheel left and right at 70km ph over that sand middelmannetjie in search for grip. Fortunately I found some, but sprayed JC with sand and rocks - in the face in an attempt to stay upright. I am thankful to tell the story... Just to stall the bike a few 100m later in an attempt to miss the gate. By 20:30 we were in Lekkeroog, thanking the Lord that we were alive and well☺

Hallo Roodt, JC, Martin en Mapsource. (My bike is afgeskryf - weereens - maar versekering betaal my uit en ek kan dit terugkoop). Baie dankie vir n lekker saamry! Dankie JC en Roodt vir die opcheck by Nieuwoudville. Ek skuld jou, JC, vir jou hulp en olie langs die pad. Jammer ek kon jou nie help met jou papwiel nie, het blykbaar 5km te vroeg omgedraai. Hoop om julle binnekort weer te join!

Oja, en dankie aan Hingsding!!

Is Yupa se bike nog te koop?

 

[The Badger]

Nice one guys........Lots of fun and fresh dirt. :thumleft:

Thanks for all the pics,

 

[Hinksding]

Hoi, hiert n hengse klomp mooi fotos opgeduik. Die mooiste ene is natuurlik ekke oppi Elceee! :biggrin:
Die feit dat dit vanjaar n kleiner groepie was het gemaak dit dit n ver meer ontspanne trippie was. Dankie vir almal wat moeite gemaak het om verlof in te sit en koue weer te trotseer om by te dra tot n moesa lekker naweek.

 

[tgg]

My eerste verneukpan trip n jaar of drie, miskien 4 terug, toe die ex se kar dit nie maak nie en Rynet daar aankom in n kar was daardie bike van Mapsource al op sleep.  fokot iewers gaan jy moet plan sien boet

 

[Jacobsroodt]

Hallo Roodt, JC, Martin en Mapsource. (My bike is afgeskryf - weereens - maar versekering betaal my uit en ek kan dit terugkoop). Baie dankie vir n lekker saamry! Dankie JC en Roodt vir die opcheck by Nieuwoudville. Ek skuld jou, JC, vir jou hulp en olie langs die pad. Jammer ek kon jou nie help met jou papwiel nie, het blykbaar 5km te vroeg omgedraai. Hoop om julle binnekort weer te join!

Hallo Peter. Jammer om te hoor van jou bike. Mens sal seker daardie raam moet vervang? Is die motor toe OK?

 

[Warren Ellwood]

Awesome!

Verneukpan another place still on my list. Was very close last year, but decided we were out of time, or at least it would have a quick look visit and the place definitely deserves more.