Nicki's blog

This was my 2nd trip with them, having done the Ossewa route in March. We all met at Lanners Landing at Klapmuts on Saturday morning, 110 bikes including a Vespa, Zongshen 200cc scrambler, a couple of old XT500's and the usual others.


The proposed first part of the route was via Franschhoek to Theewaterskloof, then on to Helderstroom, past Greyton and Genadendal to Riversonderend. Due to the heavy rains in the Overberg just prior to the trip, Greyton was not reachable, so the first part was changed to go through Eerstehoop and Van der Stel pass towards Botrivier, then onto the R43 to the N2 and tar all the way to Riviersonderend.






View from near the farm Hawston View


Canola field on the way to Riviersonderend



We left Riviersonderend on the N2 towards Swellendam, and took the Protem turnoff a few km's further to the right. We continued along this road, crossing the Bredasdorp - Stormsvlei road, and eventually got to the Swellendam-Bredasdorp road just after a water feature crossing the road, and turned left towards Swellendam. After about 6km, it was time to turn right again onto the Kathoek/Sans Souci road, which took us to the Malgas - Bredasdorp gravel road, where we turned left towards Malgas.












This is where the route was again changed due to the rains, as the pont over the Breede was washed downstream after the cable(s) broke, so we could not cross the river. The Breede was swollen, and the evidence of higher water levels was there to see. Some guys headed towards the final stop for the day at Buffeljags dam, but a couple of riders including myself decided to check out the Bush Pub. After some pizza and beer we headed towards the final destination for the day, and arrived to find most people already pitched tents, and having a drink at the Drinkgat.
















Day 2

The next day's planned route was apparently for the adventourous, so I had my doubts. But in the end, I decided, what the heck, it has to be checked out, so a group of about 5 of us kept straight on along the Voorhuis road out of Swellendam towards Bonnievale, instead of taking the alternative tar towards Ashton.

About 15km out we reached the first water feature of the day, and also met up with a couple of other bikes just about to cross. It looked easy, and was, and everyone passed without incident.




Then came the real water feature at about 23km, the crossing of the Bruintjiesrivier. One adventourous rider lost some clothing to test the water. It was knee deep, and uneven, as some sand had settled onto the concrete below, so we decided not to cross. Two guys in Geelgif, a serious looking Jeep made it look easy, but they have huge clearance. Once on the other side, they saw the nearby railway line, and suggested we pass along it, as the railway bride is well above the water. Two adventourous riders, one on a Zongshen 200, and the other on a Dakar, decided to tackle the water crossing, and both arrived on the other side, the Zongshen dying in the final metres due to water on the spark plug.





The first little path leading to the railway line was very wet, and almost unpassable as one had to build up speed to climb onto the railway line, and then do a sharp right turn to avoid the tracks themselves. I looked further, and found another one offering an easy way onto the railway line. This needed some technical riding, as the railway line is elevated above ground, and not very wide, requiring one to ride right next to the track on the loose stones. We all managed to cross without incident, and we all made easy meat of the mud hole just after the railway crossing. From one km on it was tar all the way towards Robertson, were a couple of us stopped for coffee at Bourbon Street.








From Robertson we took the Agterkliphoogte road and travelled towards Scherpenheuwel.
After a couple of km we turned right towards Le Casseur, and left again after about 4.5 km. At the farm Kniediep, we turned left at the T-junction. Eventually we got to the road from the R45 towards Doornrivier, and turned left towards Doornrivier. We travelled along this road through Lemoenpoort until it meets the R45 from Worcester to Villiersdorp, were we turned left to head for Villiersdorp. We stopped at the Kelkiewyn farmstall, were the group split up and each went their own way. My dad and I had lunch there to finish off a magnificient day's riding.

It was such a nice day, I really wanted to spend some time in the saddle enjoying the sunshine. Decided a bit late to do the trip, which meant I only had an hour and a half due to another commitment. It had to be close to home, and not too long, so I decided on a route I scouted using my new Day drives from Cape Town map.


I took the R302 out of Durbanville towards Klipheuwel, and took this picture on the way. Of course I had to get a finger in the way.



Soon after I crossed the Stellenbosch-Malmesbury road onto Slent Rd and passed the Eskom Wind Turbines.





Some leftovers from the recent good rains.





Too soon for my liking the tarred road from Windmeul past Paardeberg arrives, and I turn left, where one can view Table Mountain in the distance.





I turn left towards Klipheuwel upon reaching the Klipheuwel-Malmesbury road (R302). At Klipheuwel I turn right onto the R302 towards Durbanville. Just after Klipheuwel I turn right towards Philadelphia on the R304. Within a couple of hundred metres, it is time for some gravel in the form of the Occultdale road on the left.



I saw this beautiful coloured field next to the farmyard along the way.



At the end of the Occultdale road, we meet the road between Durbanville and the Philadelphia road (M58), and turn left.



From here quick running was required to get home in time for another appointment. I wanted to turn right onto the Malanshoogte road, but there was no time, maybe another day.