To Oudtshoorn with Andy & Anne - a few more pics added last post

Warren Ellwood's picture

Saturday morning, 05H00, alarm goes off and the usual question is asked still half asleep, “Morning Love, are you sure you want to go”. The usual answer is also received, “not really, but we’ve paid”. It’s an old Cederberg 4x4 joke we’ve been doing for years and we still do it every time we have to get up at an unusual hour. But once you’re up, dressed you really do begin to look forward to the weekend and the adventure ahead.

 Off to Geoff’s place to collect Noelene as promised and then high tail it to the meeting point at the BP garage at Klapmuts. Our esteemed leader is a little late due to mechanical problems but we eventually set off about 25 minutes late, destination Ceres and the Wimpy. Sorry, I didn’t count the bikes, somewhere around 17 I think.

 After breakfast, refuel and off over Therons Pass and onto the dirt on the Sutherland Road, but not for long. Not far down here we turn off right onto a little road that is listed as private by Tracks for Africa. We saunter down here at a steady speed, stop for a water and stretch the legs break and move on.

Road to MatjiesfonteinRoad to Matjiesfontein 

A little later we come to a Y junction and my GPS says hang right, but we go left onto a twee spoor little road that is also quite corrugated and sandy.  Just as we are getting the hang of matching the bumps with the snaking we come to a fence with a very welcoming sign “Beware, cyanide canons in use – private property”. Now sand, corrugations, water crossings and many other things I am prepared to put up with or try, but I believe cyanide canons are to be given as wide a berth as possible.

 Thankfully Andy shares these feelings and we make a U turn, and complete this delightful little road which eventually comes out at Matjiesfontein. From there we hit the tar until Laingsburg where we stopped for lunch. I think this was the first time I noticed how extremely hot it was, maybe because the extra water bottles we had packed only needed the addition of a tea bag for a delightful cuppa.

 Next was the worst hours riding of my life. The decision was made to ride tar to Prince Albert via Prince Albert Road so 70km of tar and quite possibly the straightest stretch of N1 highway anywhere in SA. By now we knew it was hot, it was tangible, and you almost thought you could touch it. As I said to Frank later, I suppose roads like this can be made fun on an 800, but on a Dakar, they’re just sheer hell.

 Once we got to Prince Albert, we were led to a stunning bush pub near the edge of town. Everyone joyously ordered something really cold to drink and stood outside under the welcome sprayers attached to the rafters on the stoop. Then a problem, were missing 4 bikes but thankfully they arrived a short while later. Mike had almost run out of fuel and Noeline looked like the heat was really getting to her. She was a bright red color. This heat is nothing the barman tells us; last week they measured 51 degrees on the road into the town. No wonder everyone talks about these nice quiet little towns, they’re like that because it’s too hot to do anything.

 Prince Albert Bush PubPrince Albert Bush Pub

Melting Bikes - 47 degree CelsiusMelting Bikes - 47 degree Celsius

After everyone has come back from the brink of heat stroke, we set off again full of excitement as we are now going to go over the famous Swartberg pass. All I can say is “where have I been all my life”. I’ve been in Cape Town since 1992 and I been doing 4x4 trips and eventually guiding since 2004, and this is the first time I have traveled over this pass. Absolutely awesome, if you haven’t been there, then make a plan to go there. Words and photographs can never do the pass or the area justice. All I wish is that we had more time there.

 We stop on the top for some photos and a break; the views are spectacular, all around – what a beautiful country we stay in. Then Andy tells us we can make our way down the other side at our own pace. I get away first and really enjoy going down, I’ve been practicing quite a bit, I am fit, something I haven’t been for years, I am all alone, loving the bike, loving riding again, the new K60 Heidenau tyres make a world of difference over the last set and for a few minutes I can pretend I am Marc Coma somewhere in the Andes. Well, 2% of him anyway.  

Amazing ViewsAmazing Veiws 

On top of the worldOn top of the world

Getting ready to go downGetting ready to go down

Just arrivedJust arrived

Where's you're parachuteWhere is your parachute

What does this mean againWhat does this mean again

I wait about ten minutes at the bottom before Natalie and the rest arrive and once everyone has regrouped we’re off again on some lovely twisty roads into Oudtshoorn. I was really impressed with Nats on this stretch as I was going as fast as I dared through these roads, which isn’t really that fast on a Dakar and I was quite shocked when I glanced in my mirror on one of the longer stretches to see that Natalie was right behind me, like I was towing her or something. She later said she finally “got her groove” on the bike.

 Oh the pool, the welcome pool. I cannot adequately describe how nice it was jumping into that pool. Instant energy perhaps best describes it. After that an ice cold Windhoek, Savannah for the wife and we were a good as new, whilst still hot – that didn’t change the whole time we were there.

 Lovely supper, good company but early to bed in our nice air-conditioned room, which is not standard as I found out the more folks I spoke to. Seems some had just fans in their rooms. Sorry.

 The next morning up early, breakfast, pack bikes and then report to reception for the now customary colored ostrich feather to be attached to the helmet. At least it was cooler on Sunday with it being a bit overcast.

 The same nice twisty roads back out of Oudtshoorn, a very quick (read U turn) visit to the Cango Caves and then onto some really nice dirt roads heading next to the Swartberg in the direction of Calitzdorp. Today dust had taken the place of heat as one of the problems we had to deal with.

A rest on the way to CalitzdorpA rest on the way to Calitzdorp

We still got how far to goWe still got how far to go 

Through Calitzdorp and then back onto tar in the direction of Ladysmith. But before we get anywhere near the little town we turn off again to go through the Seweweekspoort, also something I hadn’t done before and equally as magical the pass we had ridden over yesterday. As well, if you haven’t been there, go there as soon as you can. Absolutely stunning.

SeweweekspoortSeweweekspoort 

I get the camera out as we ride through here and just start snapping, I figure if I take 50 and only 20 turn out to be good shots, what the hell. Then I see some of the group behind me so start snapping over my head backwards with the same 50 / 20 plan. Some of them probably would have been brilliant shots if it weren’t for a bright blue ostrich feather obliterating the view of everything behind it. The lesson here, always remember the feather on your helmet, if you have one that is. And to make it worse I have one of those fancy self focusing things that focused perfectly every time, on the feather.

Self Portrait - by accidentSelf Portrait - by accident 

There is that featherThere is that feather

At the end of the poort we turn left onto a road I recognize. Now I know exactly where I am as when one drives the Buffelspoort 4x4 trail, one always spends the first evening at a farm called Driefontein which is just ahead on the left. Not long after we have passed Driefontein it’s back onto tar and back to Laingsburg for lunch. By this time were having problems with Anne’s back tyre. It keeps deflating and probably because it’s so hot, the plugs are not staying in the puncture holes. This is not doing the tyre much good either.

Where is AnneWhere is Anne 

At the garage we also have troubles because some kids jumped on Glenda’s bike for a photo shoot, and promptly pulled it over. Luckily no damage but the cheek……. Some kids just don’t get enough hidings obviously.

 We have a Steers lunch in Laingsburg, not sure if it was because everyone felt like a burger or everyone felt like sitting in the air-conditioned restaurant as it was by now quite hot again. After lunch Andy takes a vote, who wants another 68 km of dirt, everyone (I think) decides yes, a decision that was going to bite us back later but we set off after lunch in high spirits on some really nice dirt roads that run parallel to the N1 behind Matjiesfontein to come back onto the main highway about 30 km from Touwsriver.

 Somewhere along here we come across Andy waiting next to the road and he waves us through. Natalie, Glenda and I end up in our own little group and keep going. A long way down the road we stop as we haven’t seen lights in our mirrors for some time now.

 As we are only ten clicks from the N1 by now, I suggest we keep going and we can wait there for everybody. Just after that we get to a gate, stop, have a water break and then as I am opening the gate I see lights, quite a few of them. I wait and let everyone through and then Chris stops and says Andy and them are way behind and he will wait for them.  

 Natalie and I are now alone riding the last 10 km’s. It was quit nice actually as that is how we usually travel. We get to the N1 and find the rest of the group waiting right next to the busy highway. Trucks roaring past every few minutes with hooters blaring.

Some where behind MatjiesfonteinSome where behind Matjiesfontein

 After what seemed like an eternity, still no sign of Andy, Anne and a few others, including Chris who volunteered to wait. We are not in a safe place waiting where we are so I suggest to Dennis that he take the group down as far as Touwsriver, at least there are ablutions there, shop, petrol and air for the tyres. As I was to find out it may have been safer next to the N1 rather.

  I go back alone to see if I can find them. I soon realize that I am riding near the edge; my GPS would later confirm a top speed of 137 kph along this stretch of dirt going back. I think to myself I am being rather stupid as if I was to crash now, I would only add to everyone’s problems and I might be alone for some time if something more sinister has happened to Andy and co. As I slow down to ride at a pace I am more comfortable with, I see lights, and all the missing bikes are coming towards me. What a relief. I do a U turn and we all head back to the N1. There I find out the Anne’s tyre is still deflating, more often now. I tell Andy I asked the rest to go to Touwsriver and we set off. Not far though and the tyre gives way for the umpteenth time. We replug, re-pump and I take Tara as my pillion. We limp in to Touwsriver where we find drama of a different sort going on.

Looking for missing bikesLooking for missing bikes

 There is a youngish white couple there, in the middle of no where (because that’s where Touwsriver is), and the pair of them arrived seemingly from Johannesburg in their bakkie, and they are both absolutely blind drunk and have bumped Krissie’s bike whilst trying to park. And then they get all argumentative about it because” we are from Jo Burg”. Anyway, “Annie gets her gun” or calls the cops in this case and we eventually leave them there trying to argue their way out of an evenings accommodation paid for by the state.

 Now Andy, Anne, Natalie and I are all right at the back of the group as we set off for home after Andy’s made a decision to head straight down the N1. It’s already well after 4 and we still have a long  way to go. It also looks like crappy weather is coming our way and the wind is picking up.

At first everything looks like it’s going to be alright and then suddenly I see Anne pulling over again. When I stop I find the plug looks like it has melted this time. It’s clear that that tyre is going no further. We wait dismally for Andy who immediately phones Neels & Annamarie when he sees the tyre. Neels says he is coming to fetch them but is already the other side of Worcester already so it’s going to be a while. Andy then says Natalie and I should carry on home as there is nothing further we can do. We leave them next to the road and hope Neels will be there soon – it doesn’t feel right.

 Now we are alone again, fighting the wind and trying to get home as quick as we can, the road is busy and I don’t want to be out here after dark so 140 – 150 kph everywhere we can.  As we come down into Worcester I see Neels coming in the opposite direction, but I am going too fast and being thrown around by the wind too much to take my hand off to wave, I hope he sees my brights flashing as on the Dakar, one only needs one finger to flash.

 We decide to go through the tunnel as it is quicker and then suddenly we can see Paarl and are almost home. We stop as we have to put on sunglasses again because the sun is shining still in Cape Town, amazing how the weather can change from one side of a mountain to the other. Down the N1, still as fast as we dare, for once actually staying in the fast lane and having the cars move over. Suddenly we catch and pass the remains of our group, also fighting the wind. White knuckled all the way to the Plattekloof off ramp which was almost like arriving at home, suddenly off the throttle, the wind noise gone from the ears and a certain sense of calm comes over us. We stop at the robots, big smiles on our faces, almost there. Down into Tableveiw, Blauuwberg road and over the bridge. Suddenly there are drops of water on my visor but it’s definitely not raining. We look up to locate where a loud noise is coming from and right above us is a massive helicopter with a water bucket and off the right is a raging fire.  WOW, so close you could see the pilot’s faces in detail. As we turned left into Hopley Road and down the entrance to our complex it got better as the helicopter came back and was taking water from the reservoir right across the river from our back door. There were crowds of people and I took the time to grab some photos.

We thought is was rainingWe thought is was raining

 While it was impressive, we had this real need to get home. We left and 80 meters further pulled up in front of the garage. We switch off the bikes and just sit there, sort of dumbstruck that this journey has come to an end, just like that, it’s all over.

  Then very quickly, open garage, move car, park bikes, unpack, get the bike kit off, piles of it everywhere and then “sommer” in our underwear, into the jacuzzi with a well earned favorite drink. Three parts Johnny Black, two parts lime, many parts ice all in a very large container filled up with water. We just sit there, smiling occasionally and sipping, each remembering the past two days in a different way.

The best medicineThe best medicine

 I’ll end my little story with thanks. Thanks especially to Andy and Anne and everyone else who was involved with putting together a really awesome weekend, and thanks also to everyone in our group, you all contributed towards a very memorable weekend for us. And lastly but by no means least, thanks to my lovely wife Natalie. Thanks for loving bikes, for loving the outdoors, for loving adventure and for joining me on all the madcap adventures I get us involved in, I really do appreciate everything you do and try to do. 

Right, now what’s next ……………………………………………………

 

Comments

rynet's picture
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Joined: 2008/03/17

Great RR and photos Warren . I esp laughed out loud for this part  “Beware, cyanide canons in use – private property”. Now sand, corrugations, water crossings and many other things I am prepared to put up with or try, but I believe cyanide canons are to be given as wide a berth as possible" hehe !!

n/a
Andyman's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/22

Wow Warren,  Fantatstic report!!!

Thanks for writing it up.

It really was a great group, excellent dynamic, lots of support and a truly awesome ride made more challenging by the heat-wave.

It was great to get to know people better and a few of us found they had limits beyond their 'limits' as the heat sapped bodies and drained all humour and strength and took its toll on energy.

that bush pub in Prince Albert was a lifesaver!

It was good fortune and not good judgement that we stopoped to cool down when we did.

Twice I realised the stops were in just the right time.

The roads were in excellent form, everyone rode with exemplary discipline and despite the many turns, we never lost the group ever.

Our ride back was fine up until the 7th puncture - 4 holes plugged and then replugged as the snotties melted away.

Ater and Clare left us at Swartburg to go deeper for a further few days in the Karoo.

Marietta joined our group for the rdie back and made a welcome addition.

 

After Laingsburg, Annie's trip turned traumatic.  We swapped pliions to 'lighten' the load but the snotties kept melting out.

Once we had covered 20 km's past Touwsriver it was clearly not workable.

Jordan, Tara and I elected to wait for the service crew, while Annie moved her office to my bike, lowered and soften all the the suspension and took my 1150 home.

She came to feed the dogs, have a welcome cold shower and then took the car to Geoff's to collect Tara, the trauma kit and our gear.

 

Meanwhile, back on the N1....

Jordan and I took the trye off the rim- a very easy job.

Bike on centre stand, wheel comes off, side-stand out, and then placing the tyre under the sidestand we tilted the bike over and the sidestand pushed the tyre off the rim bead.

When the service crew arrived, the rim was clean of dust and ready for the tyre offerd by the trailer bin.

a 650 tyre!

Getting a 130 tyre onto a 150 rim required a select string of swearwords, aided by the butane trick

Deoderant sprayed into the tyre and then ignited. POOOOFFF! and the tyre is exploded onto the bead.

Poor Noelene was still in the vehicle,  leg in a cast doing a damm good job of keeping her humour.

Space was aproblem, so Neels took her bike off the trailer, we got her electrics working by swapping fuses to get lights and functionality and off we hared, down the N1 to a fuel stop. the 650 GS had done 505km on one tank. Impressed!

Then off to Lanners Landing, almost in convoy to rv with Oupa & Ouma who delivered Megan over.

I high-tailed it with Jordan for home, while the service crew delivered Noelene and her bike to her fmaily.

 

Neels n Annemarie earned a serious medal of honour for their mercy trip on Saturday, Annemarie sat from 07h00 to after 23H00 at the state hospital while Noelene was been attended to. Then on Sunday, just before entering the tunnel were asked to do an ommerkeer back 92 clicks to offer us a spare tyre.

All the Time Neels is troubleshooting the snag sna dit was his idea to change tyre rather than load the bike and squueze 6 poeple onto trhee seats.

The messages of safe arrivals home startede coming in at 19h00, and I'm happy to say everyone got home tired, blown apart, but safe and happy.

 

 

Ma

 

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

Andyman's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/22

It transpires my bike is fine.

The knuckle joint of the diffe to swing arm was not torqued up properley and the rHS knuckle bolt turned out a few turns creating play,

 

The 'oil leak' was only dust settlingon the oil after service,

Back in tip topo!

A Danny says, "Let's Ride"

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

I owe Neels and Annamarie a huge apology for not mentioning them more in my report. For what they do on these weekends, thank you does not seem sufficient. They are just fantastic. And all for the love of .................. I don't actually know to tell you the truth.

I also forgot to explain how Natalie whipped Glenda's bike off the ground in Laingsburg. She claims it was the adrenalin from being so cross but I think I had better watch out in the gym from now on. She didn't even do the reverse walk thing, just grabbed the handlebar and lifted it.

Then she looked like she was going to hit those kids with the bike....Wink 

 

 

 

 

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

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

Great report Warren. Thanks for writing it!

Committee: Ride Captain

BenG's picture
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Joined: 2009/01/16

 

Thanks for the wonderful trip report and photos, Warren.  It was an awesome weekend that will be remembered for all the right reasons.

Andy and Annie, thanks for taking care of us, putting up with the occasional grunts and complaints.  Andy, for reminding me what the ostrich feather represents - that pulled me through ;o)  Annie, you hug when I needed it most.  

It enjoyed the overall camaraderie and Natalie's endless energy.  WoW! Girl, you look awesome.

I though I have seen beauty before, but I was moved to tears doing the Seweweekspoort.  It moves the soul.

Of course, Neels and Anne-Marie, what will we do without you guys?  Thank you

 

Chicks Dig DirtKiss

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

Great report.

I've been reading all the different accounts of the trip - and it seems you guys and gals had an awesome time.

There are so many problems in this world. Luckily there's a wristband available for almost all of them.
Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14

One of the riders in this group put together this report of the trip.

Committee: Webmaster / Ride Captain

mr.stripes's picture
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Joined: 2008/10/22

BenG wrote:

Andy and Annie, thanks for taking care of us, putting up with the occasional grunts and complaints.  Andy, for reminding me what the ostrich feather represents - that pulled me through ;o) 

ok, so I didn't get the "what the feathers mean story - enlighten me please?

mr.stripes

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

I hope I got the correct bikes

Andy and JordanAndy and Jordan

Ater and ClaireAter and Claire

AndrewAndrew

JessJess

Mike and VanessaMike and Vanessa

 

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

Annie's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/17

Great trip report Warren & Natalie!!

Besides blowing all the snotties on my bike until I had no more snotties and air canisters, I had a brilliant time with Tara on the back of my bike the whole way.

I think one of the funniest moments was watching Marieta casually eating from a pack of trail nuts, chatting, stop chatting, look of puzzlement at a funny-tasting nut, spit it out and discover she'd eaten her ear plug!! CoolEmbarassed

Tell me, do the macadamias or cashews work better as substitute earplugs?

Also to Chrissie - a really lekker report as well.

 

Marits's picture
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Joined: 2009/03/07

Nuts as earplugs.... now there is an interesting thought! I have some nuts left over, will try them this weekend as earplugs and let you know! The big peanuts have the right shape and could work. Cool