Cederberg Oasis "Dirties" Weekend: 7-9 May (The longer way round)

Jeanne's picture

I've loved riding in the Cederberg since the 1st time I was there, which wasn't much more than a year ago... So any opportunity to do so with some friends is always grabbed with both hands.

Friday everyone made their way through to Cederberg Oasis, either on their own accord or in convoy with Geoff. Unfortunately there was no way I was going to get away from work earlier than 3'ish, so had to make do with my own two lonely wheels. The trip up went as planned and rather uneventful until shortly after reaching the top of Gydo pass... I recognised the terrain and when I arrived at where I expected the turn off for Cederberg Oasis to be... there was NOTHING! Very confused I thought that I'd missed the turn off and went back again... NOTHING!! The light was quickly disappearing and yet riding up and down the road yielded no results at all... I couldn't get reception to call anyone to check directions, or to notify anyone that I'd be late. As the sun set, the temperature must've dropped a good 10 degrees. Seriously doubting myself, I stopped, put on my winter gloves, and contemplated what to do. I'd carry on straight with the road, and if I found no turn off I'd end up in Citrusdal where I could possibly stay the night.

I finally found the turn off half an hour after I started searching and was just about as excited as one could get. I was the last to arrive at the Oasis, but just in time for supper. Note to self: ALWAYS prepare for the worst!!! You just never know what could go wrong, though looking at the grand scheme of things, this went quite right...

The night air was freezing!! Just before heading off to bed, Gerrit, the owner offered me a hot water bottle, some bedsocks, a beanie and a warm blanket to take back to my tent. Guess who didn't get cold?

Saturday's ride was split into two groups. The shorter route with Andy, and a longer route with Geoff. I opted for the latter.

Cederberg Oasis

HeavyMetal preparing for the day's ride

HeavyMetal preparing for the day's ride

Cederberg Oasis Campsite 
We headed on north through Eselbank and Wuppertal. The sand everyone was fearing was nowhere to be seen. The week's showers had either compacted it or washed it away. I was almost a little disappointed for it. Geoff had a minor off doing some damage to his finger. A tug from Rusty straightened it out before he was up leading us through the mountains.

We had a quick stop at the pools and waterfalls just past Eselbank. A definite swimming opportunity in summer. Soon after Wuppertal in the Biedouw Valley Tiaan found himself with a flat front tyre, but with help from all those around it was fixed in next to no time at all, and we were off.  This was not be Tiaan's only flat...

Crossing after EselbankPete & Rusty

PeterO and Rusty

Tyre fixing

Tyre fixing

From Wuppertal we headed on all the way through to Nieuwvoudtville, and then back down to Vanrhynsdorp where we stopped for a quick bite to eat, and others a bit of a nap too.

Having a nap

Taking a nap

From Vanrhynsdorp back on down to Klawer, and then all along the river through Clanwilliam and back towards the Oasis. One of the most amazing things about biking is that while you're completely alone in your helmet, you never feel lonely with all the others riding with you. You're also constantly being surprised by stunning scenery... You've got to be happy to be alive!!!

At Algeria Tiaan discovered yet another flat. Again the front. The sun was setting fast and we were out of spare tubes, so the decision was made to leave the bike behind for the backup to collect in the morning. Tiaan was loaded on the back with Rusty & Jeanetta with Pete. But that wouldn't be the last incident for the day... Rusty also had to stop for some puncture repair... (I'm noticing a trend here... could Tiaan be the common denominator?) Again arrived back at the Oasis just in time for supper, rugby and some festivities.

Sunset worth being late for

Sunset worth being late for

BMW's own yoga instructors

Busted

Some more antics

Sunday we woke up to some rain... Do I venture out in this or do I stay tucked up until the rain blows over? Packing up took much of the morning... Some people left early, others a little later... The backup vehicle the last to leave as it first headed back to Algeria retrieve Tiaan's bike. No matter what time anyone pulled away from the Oasis, they'd have faced torrents of rain on the way back. I was more nervous of the rain while riding on the tarred road than when we were on the muddy dirt. At least I know what to expect in the dirt, whereas I'm convinced that once your bike starts slipping on tar, there's no way of gaining control again.

Thanks Geoff for organising a fantastic weekend!! Every ride with you has been great, and this one no exception!! Also a huge thanks to Gerrit and his family for their wonderful hospitality!! The Oasis is a great stopover in the Cederberg, I'll always head on back there again should I get the opportunity. And then thanks to all those I rode with. What a pleasure!! The BMW club feels more like a family to me than it does a club. I don't think there are many clubs that could surpass that... Everyone's so quick to lend a helping hand and support in one way or another. Two enthusiastic thumbs up from me!!!

Rainbow

Now I'm going to get back to my post-great-weekend blues...

Comments

Hayleyscomet's picture
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Looks like lots of Fun Cool

Glad you all came back Safe

Regards

Wayne

 

 

 

Ride Like the Wind

Cool

Geoff Russell's picture
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Joined: 2007/09/25

Thanks for a great report and pictures Pinky.

The sunset on Saturday close to the Oasis was beautiful with those reddish pinkish clouds.

Yep I left the Oasis last after packing the final things away and into the back up vehicle only having to unpack some of it again as we came upon Dave with a flat wheel in the pouring rain.

Yes and rain we did have, from gusty showers to incredible down pours with huge rain drops.

Come to think of it I guess that Dave punctured his own tyre to ensure a warm and snug ride back home in the back up vehicle.

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Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14

A great report - thanks.  I was thinking of you guys all weekend, and am glad to hear all went well.

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ChrisH's picture
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Joined: 2008/11/21

Sounds like a great TRIP.

 

PeterO's picture
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Joined: 2007/09/11

Good one Jeanne.  I reckon you captured the way many of us feel when we're out there alone in our helmets but together with kindred spirits.

Fantastic ride on Saturday ending in a great evening - I haven't laughed so much for a long time!

Enough to make one want to bite on a lemon to make the smile disappear Wink

If you can dream it you can do it!

Cloudgazer Steven's picture
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Joined: 2007/10/03

Sounds like a great weekend.

Although the rain part doesn't sound like too much fun.

There are so many problems in this world. Luckily there's a wristband available for almost all of them.
HeavyMetal's picture
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Joined: 2009/07/22

Thanx PG, you nailed it. What a "lekka" trip, sommer want to do it all over again....right now.

 

Two things i learned though:

Firstly - If you want get away from the snorers, don't think putting your tent to one side makes you safe, they follow you!!

Secondly -  If you want to camp in winter, 4 pairs of pants are not enough to keep you warm. :-)

One cannot cross a chasm in two small leaps.

zebra's picture
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Joined: 2008/03/28

Great report, especially enjoyed reading it since this was a trip I wanted to make, but could not, damn!

Next time!

Cheers

 

rynet's picture
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Joined: 2008/03/17

Great report Pinkgoat , thanks for sharing Wink

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Andyman's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/22

Well reported Pinky.

Was a good weekend. Thanks for the photos

Andyman
Anyone can ride a bike fast....   But can you ride your bike real slow???

Warren Ellwood's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/18

Very nice report - thank you.Smile

"Before you speak, ask yourself, is it kind, is it necessary, is it true, and does it improve on the silence?"

RUSTY- Russ Rathbone's picture
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Joined: 2007/09/04

Great trip report, thanks to everyone for a fantastic time together. I look forward to our next outing.

Marits's picture
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Joined: 2009/03/07

*7%#@*$# I am soo sorry I missed it! The ride looks awsome. My boney had to have a hart-lung transplant which left me breathless and not in time to pick it up for the weekend. Apparently a foreign body(damn aliens) wrapped itself around the fan, which caused it burn out and in turn damaged the radiator(big leak). Sorry Geoff, the yellow powder couldn't plug that one.

looking forward to the next ride.

m

Tian van Heerden's picture
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Joined: 2009/01/26

Thanks PG for the report and the photos ... yikes. Was THAT what we got up to?

I can't stop singing the praises of all the gang, incredibly helpful and resourceful - and I certainly tested the limits of that on Saturday with two front punctures. It was my first time with pillion and I realise now that I have to keep the front at 2bar+ if I have a passenger.

One of the highlights for me was certainly the ride back from Algeria to the Oasis (about 50km) as pillion to Russell ... in the dark, with poor visibility from his orange headlights, and mostly doing over 100km/h ... interesting! I could see that he relied on his fancy GPS (what model is it again?) to predict the curves in the road though, worryingly, our actual track diverged completely from the GPS map towards the end (luckily). Awesome riding and very inspiring - thanks Rusty!

Also to Andy thanks for a special ride back on Sunday morning in the wet. Like PG I was much more comfy on the wet dirt than on the snotty tar over the Gydo pass.

Special thanks to Geoff for the retrieve on Sunday morning, glad the fuel held out!

I really enjoyed having a pillion offroad - not as much wild crazy fun as going solo, but there's a different kind of enjoyment to be had in sharing the experience. Plus, I couldn't have asked for a better partner - Janetta was such a fast learner.

It was a weekend of extremes, with the temperature ranging from 32 degrees on Saturday on the way from Niewoudtville to Vanrhynsdorp, to 6 degrees on Sunday in the driving rain near Op-die-berg.

Adventure riding FTW!

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Jeanne's picture
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Joined: 2009/06/02

On Saturday I lost a little control over my bike while riding over hectic corrugations and nearly went off the side of the road. I was told much of that was due to my front wheel being too hard and thus not helping with the absorption of the impact (I stupidly hadn't deflated it for the dirt roads)... Not that I'm speaking as an expert, but just thought I'd mention my newly learnt info... I'll make sure to remember to ride my front wheel softer in future... I'd rather take the risk of getting a flat than careening off the road Laughing

In the end it's the life in your years that count, not the years in your life...

Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14

The BMW suspension depends on your lowering tyre pressures on rough ground - only the KTM suspension lets you get away with leaving your tyres hard.  Also, a softer tyre gives better traction.

Most off-road situations can be dealt with with 1.5bar, unless it is gravel highway and you are going fast (1.8bar), or it is very sandy with few rocks (1 bar).

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Charles Oertel's picture
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Oh, I'm looking forward to Atlantis this Sunday - will see you there PG!

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Jeanne's picture
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Joined: 2009/06/02

Yes, looking forwards (though panicking silently) to Sunday's sand... Have postponed doing this for a LONG time!!! See you there...

In the end it's the life in your years that count, not the years in your life...

Hamid Khan's picture
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Joined: 2009/06/14

Thank you so much for the trip report and advice on tyre pressures , much appreciated, regards Hamid

PeterO's picture
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Joined: 2007/09/11

Thanks for the reminder about the permits Charles.  Organised.  See you there.

And PinkGoat you handled that wobble as though you'd done it deliberately!  I watched you shift towards the left and then your body weight shifted and the bike did a small slide back on course!  Well done.

If you can dream it you can do it!