Fishtailing to the cracks and back …

For those of you who might have read my ride report earlier this year, entitled “experiencing the Overberg as a pillion“, I’ve since progressed to my own set of two wheels, a beautiful red F650GS, named She-Raz.

Pre Prologue / Disclosure

For the people who like to read, I’ve tried to scribble down my recollection and experience of my trip in extensive detail.

For the people who don’t like to read, I tried to include enough visuals and simple info that might be helpful in a future trip.  I’ll also happily share route files upon request.

Prologue

Trip Report – Cederberg

This past weekend (10-12/12/2010) a friend of mine, Jan, on an 800GS, his wife, Annemie, in the backup Toyota Hilux and myself on my Dakar took to the Cederberg mountains for a little weekend getaway. Unfortunately my wife could not make it due to work requirements.

We were suppose to be 5 bikes alltogether. We were only 2. Shortly after 7h30 we left Worcester on the N1 heading north. Through the Hexriver valley, with all the vineyards resting in the winter cold. Five degree's celcius to be exact. I wonder where the guys selling illegal grapes along the N1 get there stock from. Climbing up the Hex river pass at the northern end of the valley, it became even colder. The icy fingers of typical karoo cold kreeping into fingers and nostrils. Just before Touws river we turn left onto the Ceres road, admiring springbok grazing at the roads edge in the crisp morning air. Smoke wafting from cooking fires at the guest farm. The usual coffee at karoopoort allows opportunity to enjoy the karoo sounds of quiet.Karoopoort koffie: Sounds of silence Road surface like tarmac with very little dust allow for travelling at speed while admiring the views. 35 Km north the turnoff to the Koue Bokke veld via Katbakkies pass Turnoff to Katbakkies From the top of Katbakkies you can see history!

Yet again another fantastically planned off-road trip. Andy & I were unexpectedly privileged to join the wonderful group of people Johann and Tanya Rossouw have brought together. As usual, there were a few new people, as some of the usuals could not join us - understandably, in this hectic time galloping on towards Christmas. Our group of 13 bikes & 18 people: 1200GSA - Johann & Tanya Rossouw (JR) 1200GS - HD Rossouw (HD) 1200GS - Ernst Bester 1150GS - Johan & Linda Burger 1150GS - Brendan Buurman 1150GS - Danie Malan (GeelKameel) 1150GSA - Ian Steyn 1150GSA - Andy Connell (Andyman)

This was my first long distance trip (got the 650 GS in April and has not done more than +- 100km a trip) and although not knowing what to expect, I was very excited. I was thinking at first to leave late the Tuesday afternoon and sleep over near Laingsburg but in the end left early Wednesday Morning (one night less away from the wife and kid) and was looking forward to the 870 km's that was ahead for the day. Ready to Depart Cape Town Morning has broken

Hier is 'n "Kyk-weer" herhaling van die Wuppertal Tripverslag, soos aangevra deur Charles. Wat 'n great trippie daai! sommer lus en stel ander trips uit en doen dit weer! Kyk ook na hierdie link om al die fotos en kommentare te sien. http://www.bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/forum/Yabb2/YaBB.cgi?num=11615892... -------------------------------------------------------- Jeeptrack na Wuppertal Die Jeeptrack tussen Matjiesrivier en Wuppertal is 'n moet vir enige GS ryer. Sowat van variasie in pad toestand en soveel natuurskoon in een dosis sal jy baie ver soek om beter te kry. Drie van ons het 'n een-dag toer onderneem vanaf Bellville na Wuppertal en terug via Clanwilliam. Ons het ses-uur die oggend vertrek, op Ceres petrol volgemaak en koers gekies Noordwaards na die Sederberg. Die hele rit was netmooi 'n dagreis, ingesluit drie langerige stoppe plus 'n hele klomp kort foto-stoppe. Ons was terug in die Kaap 12 ure nadat ons vertrek het. Dus, dit kan gedoen word in 'n dag, sonder om te jaag. Mits jy VROEG begin, en geen skade of probleme oorkom nie. 'n Veiliger en baie sinvolle opsie is om eerder 'n twee-dag toer te doen en iewers in die Sederberge oor te slaap. Ons het Wuppertal bereik teen eenuur, Clanwilliam teen 3uur en Citrusdal teen 4uur.