===The Group===
Geoff Russell (leader) – 1200GSA
Michiel Bierman – 1200GSA
Andre Ferreira – 1200GSA
Andy Connell (sweeper) – 1150GSA
Leon & Liza Kroucamp – 1200GS
Anne Connell – 1200GS
Sean Hidden – 1200GS
Dave Hidden – F650Dakar
Noelene Russell – F650Dakar
Tiara Odendaal – F650GS
'''Friday, 2 Oct 508kms'''
We were set to have fine weather the whole weekend. We met at Lanner’s Landing in Klapmuts at 8.15 for 8.30 departure. However, Dave, coming from Stellenbosch, somehow ended up near Wellington and then finally met us about half an hour later. 1st round of strafdoppe already allocated to Dave.
Geoff briefed us and we wasted no time hitting the road, taking the road to Paarl and turning onto the N1 briefly before riding the scenic old Du Toitskloof pass. We then took a right turn towards Rawsonville, passing through the sleepy town, turning left at Brandvlei Dam and then right on the R43 towards Villiersdorp. Several kms later, we took a left onto a road which said “Eilandria” and something else, passing through lovely fruit valleys and the occasional tar patch.
The long and winding roads and valleys
Eventually, we stopped outside a winery to deflate tyres, switch off ABS and peel off unwanted clothing.
Vineyards
Michiel stops to top up oil?
We rode the easy dirt roads through more stunning valleys with lots of lovely flowers. Fortunately not too much car traffic. Our 1st dirt pass beckoned: Ever heard of the Strykhoogte Pass? Recommended speed 20kms/hr – but I don’t think even the beginners adhered to this!
Strykhoogte pass
Noelene and Tiara bravely negotiating the pass
Many kms later, we crossed the tar again (in the region of McGregor/Greyton), turning left onto the dirt again – only to find our path blocked by a huge game farm entrance. So Geoff turned us round and took us around the back roads to get back onto the correct back road.
Farmlands
Leon & Liza biking together on their honeymoon
Old abandoned farmhouse - one of the many we saw
There we all had to overtake a poor ostrich, who’d somehow escaped from his farm. He was quite stressed out by the time the last lot came through – as were we – and he tripped and bashed into the fence, eventually turning around and running in the opposite direction (according to Liza).
Cow traps and gates
By now we were quite hot and thirsty, and finally arrived in Swellendam, to refuel tanks and stomachs. We had lazy pizzas and burgers at one of the restaurants – and everyone agreed that the pizza bases were excellent.
Andre met up with us here.
When the siesta starts calling, it’s time to leave. We met up with the N2 and turned left towards Suurbraak after Buffelsjachtsrivier. This eventually becomes gravel and ends up in Heidelberg. We turned left some kms later, following and eventually crossing the Duiwenhoksrivier, where we were intercepted by a herd of cows and a puffadder. Tiara immediately stood up!
Herding the cows
Now the farm gates had to be opened and closed and waiting at turnoffs was vital.
Liza kindly helped close the gates
We rode the beautiful mountains and valley around the borders of the Garcia Nature reserve, ending up in Riversdale. Noelene and Tiara had some nervous moments on the steep “looser” passes, especially the downhills – but no one fell!
On top of the mountain - you can see our route - who needs a map?
Group stop
As the temperature started dropping and the shadows were lengthening, we took the backroads of Herbertsdale and Albertinia through unknown passes and farms, following the Gourits river and crossing it. Most of us booked a campsite there for the future.
Purple flower beds
Finally we met up with the N2 again just before Mossel Bay and took a “slow” drive (only 130km/h) to the fuel station there to refuel and pump tyres. Brian and Roz passed us over here, and Martin and Sonja van Jaarsveld joined us!
Noelene overtook me at great speed – obviously desperate for her bed and some food!
At Pine Lodge in George, we were all dispatched to our chalets, promising to meet up for supper. The whole of George seemed to be eating out at restaurants, and the only place we could find, was Panarottis. Tiara had long since disappeared in search of cold Black Labels, and we didn’t see her again...
Reception party at our chalet - Wolf, Cliff, Suzette & Richard
Having eating pizza for lunch, most of us ordered whatever else was on the menu, washing it down with our favourite liquids. Not long, and we were tired, and headed for bed.
'''Saturday, 3 October – 280kms'''
We started the day with a large buffet breakfast, all meeting up at around 9.15 with Geoff. Noelene was going to pillion (“want my hande is te seer” ). Tiara arrived (you can hear her exhaust) and we listened to the briefing. “Nice easy passes” – nothing serious – ring any bells anyone? The beginners trembled in their boots at the thought of dirt passes. Herman from George (and CountryTrax?) joined our group.
We deflated tyres at the bottom of Montague Pass, and slowly made our way up, soaking up the views, stopping occasionally for photos. At the N9, we regrouped crossing the tar and back on the dirt. It was getting quite hot! We rode through the beautiful Perdepoort – a lot of this has been built using the dry-walling method. The roads were in good condition (fortunately no wet), and we bypassed places like Daskop, following the Kammanasie river more-or –less all the way to the N9 again. About 4kms before the N9, Tiara’s blood sugar dropped, and she stopped (fortunately) in front of me, shaking quite a lot. We managed to rehydrate and resugar her under a doringboom. When she started laughing with all the jokes, we knew she was Ok, and continued to the N9, Potjiesberg Pass and Uniondale, where the rest of the group were waiting at the Crackling Rose.
It took us quite a while to get our lunch and drinks and the lunch stop took longer than normal. Andy even phoned from our table for service!
Lunch at Uniondale: Herman, Michiel, Dave, Geoff & Noelene
After lunch, we made our way up the Prince Alfred Pass – built by Thomas Bain around 1857 – it took 4 years of painstaking planning, cutting and dry-walling – and is still in good condition today, over 150 years later. You pass through quaint places like De Vlugt. Breathtaking. However, there were some anxious moments with impatient 4x4s driving at dangerous speeds on the narrow roads with blind corners!
Finally we ducked down into the Elephant Forest, where I believe there are really elephants wandering about. A year ago, steaming elephant turds proved that this was true! We drove through the beautiful forest land up and down and around, till we finally arrived at the top end of Knysna.
Elephant passes
Unfortunately, Geoff had to cut out the oyster stop here, and we only stopped long enough to refuel.
Me on my new bike
The Phantom Pass is something to behold as well, although it was increasingly difficult to see in the sharp setting rays of the sun and the dust. This took us through Homtini Pass and across some lovely old bridges, through Barrington, past Karatara, along the Hoogekraal Pass, and to the top of the old George Pass, which winds it’s historical way all the way down into George, coming out right at Pine Lodge again.
What a wonderful day, topped off with a huge gala dinner and wine. Thanks to Dave and Di for organizing this.
'''Sunday, 4 October 520kms'''
Some of us started the day with a large buffet breakfast, while others nibbled on muffins in their rooms. Our group met with dusty bikes (except for Andy, who managed to clean the front half of his bike?) and excitement at 9.15. Tiara also arrived, bearing a bottle of water! She wasn’t about to get caught out again. Joining us were Herman and Marchant from CountryTrax. They would ride along till they turned around somewhere. Geoff didn’t waste much time with the briefing.
In the thick mist, we travelled up Outeniqua Pass and turned left onto the dirt shortly after. Marchant and Herman disappeared down a farm road, while we waited at a bridge for them to return. Marchant arrived, bearing Salmon and his red guitar (which CountryTrax donated to him). We all got off and sat under a tree, while Salmon entertained us with his music – some character! We asked him if he made his own music, and he replied that the guitar had come to him, full of music! Magic guitar that! It has only 5 strings “want anners is dah te veel snare”. We left about half an hour later, winding our way towards Vanwyksdorp.
We passed through many little dorpies like Kandelaars, Voldmoed, some stunning churches, lots of ostriches, following the Gourits river again. I noticed that some ostriches don't know how to run properly - probaly because they're all cooped up in a kraal. I even saw one trip and do a bollamakiesie when we came past! At some point, the roads got redder and narrower, and more difficult. Ruts told stories of slippery times. Near Rooiberg pass, Herman and Marchant left us, looking for some hidden roads. We crossed tar from time to time, passing briefly through the Groenefontein Nature Reserve and into Van Wyksdorp. We then followed the Touws river for a while.
The roads were in good condition and we could go over 120km/h. I felt like I was floating on my new bike – in biking heaven. We passed through Brandrivier and finally reached the R62 at Lemoenshoek, where we raced on to Barrydale to refuel, pump up and eat a numbscrumptious meal at the Country Pumpkin. Oh yes, we bumped into Geelkameel and family here, enroute home from Vleesbaai.
We bade goodbye to everyone, following the R62 until we all peeled off in little groups to our respective homes (or the nearest Black Label in Tiara’s case).
What a stunning weekend of riding and people. We travelled 11 passes (those names I could find on the map) and a huge amount of other little passes (not named on maps) that I wish I could find the names of. Well done to Noelene, Tiara and Andre, who have done their 1st dirt road passes. There were no falls and our group was pretty relaxed.
A huge thanks to Dave Higgs for organizing the whole weekend, and to Geoff for planning and leading our offroad ride.
And now for another week of other people trying to wipe the grins off our faces! :) :)
PS - I need more photos please!