Merweville non-club ride (Day 2)

The evening before it was agreed by all that we would have breakfast at 7.00am and be ready to leave by 8.00am.

As I don’t sleep that well when away from home I omitted to set my alarm as I usually wake up to the rising sun and the stroll around till breakfast.

Well yes you guessed it, opening the curtain to let the morning sun in would have helped and I only woke up to the rest of the guys walking past my room to breakfast. As I sat myself down next to Kurt it must have been scribbled across my face or was it my hair, but he took one look at me and burst into laughter.

The breakfast club

To my credit, I had packet light for this trip so I was loaded and ready for the 8.00am departure and since I was to lead the ride that day it was a good thing everyone didn’t have to wait for me.

In front of Springbok Lodge

Just one more group photo as we left town and we were on out way to Sutherland. Ah the joy of fresh morning dustless karoo air.

To Sutherland we go

Guys I really don’t mind the occasional sacrifice of playing sweeper but nothing beats riding up front knowing exactly where YOU want to go.

That is until your GPS shouts “recalculating!!!” And your thoughts turn to, “did I really miss that turn off? I’m sure I didn’t see a road? Damn, is this still the right route? Should I turn around now and check before we are all too far down the road?” This is usually mixed with a lot of zooming in and out of the GPS screen.

Recently I had fitted a Starcom system which now allowed me to hear that beautiful British accented know it all lady that resides safely within my GPS.

I decided to side with caution and turn around and determine what the cause of the recalculating was all about. Only to come to the conclusion that why this had not happened to me before was that I had always turned a deaf ear to the nagging women till now. It was a logical decision to mute the pretty woman’s voice and follow my instincts soothed by the music I had loaded onto my GPS.

The fact that Wayne took this opportunity to take the lead till Rooikloof pass also allowed me to regain my focus on the route planned.

We regrouped at the foot of Rooikloof pass for a quick heads up from Wayne regarding the importance of keeping a steady momentum through the steep switchbacks of the pass.

Impressively and thankfully everyone made it to the top without incident and we pushed on across the plateau that lay ahead.

Climbing Rooikloof pass

Can you count the bikes?

What an awesome valley below

A short while later Wayne worked his way past and up ahead to seek out some action photo opportunities. He found favor in a down hill bend followed by a water crossing.

Entering the water

Splashing through

As we reached flat open areas we met up with the inevitable sandy tracks that lead to a few sake ups or was that comfort shake downs? True to form our group of eight by now seasoned riders overcame the sand monster with growing confidence and broadening smiles.

In this ecstasy of confidence I approached yet another water crossing but in the depth of it I spotted the mud monster causing me to change up gear and throttle through it causing a splash as high up as my helmets visor. Knowing that Garth following me didn’t have mud tyres I waited on the corner for him show but it didn’t take long to realize that the Central Karoo had a new land owner. I arrived just in time to see the new land owner surveying his new purchase.

With the branches pulled out of the wheel and instilment cluster a short celebration was had and we were on our way again with smiles all round.

A bit more fooling the sand monster further on and all too soon we were on the tar to Sutherland for fuel. Now as anyone that has purchased fuel on a Sunday would know, the petrol station owner only goes to church when there are bikes in town or so it may seem. This planning error allowed us time to sit back and chat about what must be one of the most awesome roads to ride in this endless country of ours.

Yes I know, I just don't shut up!!!!

Others took the opportunity to get some artistic photos while in this very interesting small town.

Where the key to the fuel pump was

Wayne found a dead quiet place to rest (but not his final rest)

Almost an hour later

As a result of our fueling delays a decision was taken to leave Komsberg for another day. Physical fatigue and accidents always go hand in hand.

All fueled up and rested the new route took us down Verlatenkloof pass and then onto the R356 to Ceres. We made a quick stop at Santo’s Honesty Boma shop but we were sadly confronted by a locked door. These guys with me didn’t look all that honest anyway.

Santo's Honesty Shop

I used this stop to caution every one of the misleading wash ways that lurked in the river crossings as we descended the hill ahead of us. And just like that we were once more weaving our way through a breath taking landscape.

What did stand out on this part of the trip was that as we crossed into the Western Cape Wineland district the roads had been repaired and graded. It is comforting to know that this is still happening out there and makes one take comfort in knowing that the countries infrastructure isn’t totally falling apart.

We made another brief stop in the shade next to a riverbed near Bizangat before hitting the hard lime surface road that meets up with the R355.

One last stop to regroup at that intersection and we decided to head straight for Steers in Ceres for some welcome refreshments.

My favorite “I’ve survived the Ceres Karoo” treat is a Steers ice-cream and Stoney ginger beer. Ahh… just what the doctor ordered.

Our final stop for the day

Some corrective surgery to the new land owner's bike

At this point we said out goodbyes and each headed home at out own pace.

Doing an overnight ride with fellow bikers of different riding experience will always be a bit of a gamble but from experience the positives meeting new friends will always out weight the negatives. This was one of those rides that was positive all the way and it will be my honor to ride with anyone of you guys again.