White Rhino
Race Dog
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2009
- Messages
- 3,930
- Reaction score
- 6
- Location
- Johannesburg *South Africa*
- Bike
- BMW R1200GS
The Western & Northern Cape is without a doubt an absolute must for Dual sport enthusiasts.
We were collected at the airport by one Operator, a WD who very kindly housed my bike for the week leading up to Easter, for us to collect. We didn't feel like wasting time getting down there, so shipping the bike& flying in seemed like a good idea. Thanks Dewald. :thumleft:
The route would take us to the following places (** - overnight):
- Franschhoek **
- Ceres
- Citrusdal
- Cederberg **
- Clanwilliam
- Shelly Point **
- Calvinia **
- Prieksa **
- Kimberly
- The Centroid of SA
- Bloemfontein
- Fieksburg**
- Lesotho **
- Monatsha Pass
- Clarens **
Pretty much the route followed
My wife and I started off the 2,800km trip with a fitting birthday celebration in a beautiful Camps bay restaurant, followed by a night in the spectacular town of Franschhoek before heading off to Cederberg.
Pictures tell the story …
The trusty steed all nice and shiny that would house our backsides for 9 days
We hooked up with our African adventurer, Jo Rust, who received a gift from a fellow WD - silver chains - to be used as get out of jail cards
Life's always better with a glass of wine - Camps bay - happy celebrations
Overnighting in Franschhoek
And this is what the morning presents ...
Franschhoek Pass - always special in the early morning
This is how the new colour scheme of the Blue Bulls was inspired
Gydo Pass
Bold mountains
The elephant stones looked spectacular
Overnighted somewhere in Mars
Ending the day in celebration of this place
Sunset over Mars
Leaving Mars - off to Cederberg
The Sky was very expressive
Caught with her pants down by the rain
Weather turned
African sugar lumps
And Karoo seaweed
Part 2
We picked up a huge downpour in the Cederberg within spectacular surrounds, that we couldn't really appreciate or capture. There are parts of the Cederberg that are very corrugated and stony - making for a very slow and uncomfortable ride, but the views are special.
On route to Shelly point, tar from Clanwilliam, we found ourselves sloshing along a muddy road for several kms as a result of road works. This was without doubt the most stressful part of the trip with wife and luggage on board, the bike was sliding all over the place. It didn't help to have road tyres on either. Unfortunately the camera was packed away because of the rain.
Thanks Goodness the rain only joined us for that day. :biggrin:
Sunset over Shelly Point
Views from the golf course
Indigenous vegetation on the beach
Paternoster - a very special place - reminded me of the Greek islands
This dude can set you back R30 bucks or R500 bucks, if you get caught buying from him
On the Way towards the Karoo - Breakfast in Clanwilliam - this place had character (Yellow Aloe)
Wired replicas of the local stock
Leaving Clanwilliam - off to Calvinia - the vast Karoo
Remains of some much needed rain
Botterkloof pass in the Karoo - The Karoo has a way of drawing you in
Arrived in Calvinia - Who says the Karoo doesn't have class - the Blue Nartjie in Calvinia - good overnight spot
Lazy afternoon with the B&B's oversized worshond and wine - of course
They only collect post once a year in Calvinia, it seems
Leaving Calvinia and on to Prieska
At times it looks like the road goes on forever
And then you're presented with …
And the occasional rocky patch, but mostly great riding surfaces
Like these
Social weaver nests on route
Prieska is an impressive well cared for town, it even has a Foschini
Our spot in Prieska - The Gecko lodge
We met up with another WD, ETS and his good wife, Lex who turned out to be hosts of distinction, they opened their home and hearts to people they had only just met. Shot guys, we loved your hospitality :thumleft:
Off to Kimberly - we decided to seek the origins of a girl's best friend
Part of the Kimberly mine restored
The bridge over towards to Hole
A mother of a hole
My wife clutching the Culinan diamond replica - sure puts a huge smile on a lady
After Kimberly, we sought out the place where you could balance South Africa - we planted a Flower in the closest spot to the physical location - in an ant hill. Its about 40km East of Kimberly on the way to Bloemfontein near Pardeberg. They are doing roadworks there, so I don't expect the flower to last very long.
Part 3 (final)
Heading to Ficksburg
Great time of the year to travel - trees changing colour
The back roads to Ficksburg
In Lesotho heading towards Maliba Lodgec- chaos at the border towns
Sharing roads
The road conditions change all the time - but the backdrop remains picture perfect
Mr Delivery
Erosion
1 carrot per km mode of transport
Second hand vehicle - stranded
Arriving at Maliba Lodge
KTM okes would fall in love with the colour scheme here
The ancient game
We landed with our asses in this - the honeymoon suite :biggrin:
This is what dawn had to offer …
Breakfast for newly weds :biggrin:
Cosmos in bloom
The back roads out of Lesotho - towards Monatsha Pass
We had a moment and nearly bough some land after crossing a 15m river and heading up a steep slope while goats were being herded down. We had the thin edge of the road where all the tennis ball rocks collect, back wheel spinning - ass clenched. Reminded me of Sani over Easter sharing the road with the cars on the final ascent.
We took 2.5 hours to do 50kms. Was spectacular.
Back in SA
Golden Gate - weathered rock formations and colourful
Arriving in Clarens
Sunset in Clarens
Never eat on an empty stomach
Leaving Clarens
That's all folks :thumleft: thanks for taking an interest.
We were collected at the airport by one Operator, a WD who very kindly housed my bike for the week leading up to Easter, for us to collect. We didn't feel like wasting time getting down there, so shipping the bike& flying in seemed like a good idea. Thanks Dewald. :thumleft:
The route would take us to the following places (** - overnight):
- Franschhoek **
- Ceres
- Citrusdal
- Cederberg **
- Clanwilliam
- Shelly Point **
- Calvinia **
- Prieksa **
- Kimberly
- The Centroid of SA
- Bloemfontein
- Fieksburg**
- Lesotho **
- Monatsha Pass
- Clarens **
Pretty much the route followed
My wife and I started off the 2,800km trip with a fitting birthday celebration in a beautiful Camps bay restaurant, followed by a night in the spectacular town of Franschhoek before heading off to Cederberg.
Pictures tell the story …
The trusty steed all nice and shiny that would house our backsides for 9 days
We hooked up with our African adventurer, Jo Rust, who received a gift from a fellow WD - silver chains - to be used as get out of jail cards
Life's always better with a glass of wine - Camps bay - happy celebrations
Overnighting in Franschhoek
And this is what the morning presents ...
Franschhoek Pass - always special in the early morning
This is how the new colour scheme of the Blue Bulls was inspired
Gydo Pass
Bold mountains
The elephant stones looked spectacular
Overnighted somewhere in Mars
Ending the day in celebration of this place
Sunset over Mars
Leaving Mars - off to Cederberg
The Sky was very expressive
Caught with her pants down by the rain
Weather turned
African sugar lumps
And Karoo seaweed
Part 2
We picked up a huge downpour in the Cederberg within spectacular surrounds, that we couldn't really appreciate or capture. There are parts of the Cederberg that are very corrugated and stony - making for a very slow and uncomfortable ride, but the views are special.
On route to Shelly point, tar from Clanwilliam, we found ourselves sloshing along a muddy road for several kms as a result of road works. This was without doubt the most stressful part of the trip with wife and luggage on board, the bike was sliding all over the place. It didn't help to have road tyres on either. Unfortunately the camera was packed away because of the rain.
Thanks Goodness the rain only joined us for that day. :biggrin:
Sunset over Shelly Point
Views from the golf course
Indigenous vegetation on the beach
Paternoster - a very special place - reminded me of the Greek islands
This dude can set you back R30 bucks or R500 bucks, if you get caught buying from him
On the Way towards the Karoo - Breakfast in Clanwilliam - this place had character (Yellow Aloe)
Wired replicas of the local stock
Leaving Clanwilliam - off to Calvinia - the vast Karoo
Remains of some much needed rain
Botterkloof pass in the Karoo - The Karoo has a way of drawing you in
Arrived in Calvinia - Who says the Karoo doesn't have class - the Blue Nartjie in Calvinia - good overnight spot
Lazy afternoon with the B&B's oversized worshond and wine - of course
They only collect post once a year in Calvinia, it seems
Leaving Calvinia and on to Prieska
At times it looks like the road goes on forever
And then you're presented with …
And the occasional rocky patch, but mostly great riding surfaces
Like these
Social weaver nests on route
Prieska is an impressive well cared for town, it even has a Foschini
Our spot in Prieska - The Gecko lodge
We met up with another WD, ETS and his good wife, Lex who turned out to be hosts of distinction, they opened their home and hearts to people they had only just met. Shot guys, we loved your hospitality :thumleft:
Off to Kimberly - we decided to seek the origins of a girl's best friend
Part of the Kimberly mine restored
The bridge over towards to Hole
A mother of a hole
My wife clutching the Culinan diamond replica - sure puts a huge smile on a lady
After Kimberly, we sought out the place where you could balance South Africa - we planted a Flower in the closest spot to the physical location - in an ant hill. Its about 40km East of Kimberly on the way to Bloemfontein near Pardeberg. They are doing roadworks there, so I don't expect the flower to last very long.
Part 3 (final)
Heading to Ficksburg
Great time of the year to travel - trees changing colour
The back roads to Ficksburg
In Lesotho heading towards Maliba Lodgec- chaos at the border towns
Sharing roads
The road conditions change all the time - but the backdrop remains picture perfect
Mr Delivery
Erosion
1 carrot per km mode of transport
Second hand vehicle - stranded
Arriving at Maliba Lodge
KTM okes would fall in love with the colour scheme here
The ancient game
We landed with our asses in this - the honeymoon suite :biggrin:
This is what dawn had to offer …
Breakfast for newly weds :biggrin:
Cosmos in bloom
The back roads out of Lesotho - towards Monatsha Pass
We had a moment and nearly bough some land after crossing a 15m river and heading up a steep slope while goats were being herded down. We had the thin edge of the road where all the tennis ball rocks collect, back wheel spinning - ass clenched. Reminded me of Sani over Easter sharing the road with the cars on the final ascent.
We took 2.5 hours to do 50kms. Was spectacular.
Back in SA
Golden Gate - weathered rock formations and colourful
Arriving in Clarens
Sunset in Clarens
Never eat on an empty stomach
Leaving Clarens
That's all folks :thumleft: thanks for taking an interest.