Trailrider - Adventures & Ride Reports

www.trail-rider.co.za

2012-01-02T23:33:00.002+02:00

Whats New?

I am catching up! More Reports to be added soon!

Ride Report: Eclectic

About Me: About Me and Why I'm posting less...

Quest: Passes list updated

Whats News?

I don't ride enough anymore. With my new job I do over 2000km a week, but I don't travel. How's that for irony? Good news is that the maps are open. I am just itching for an epic ride. Watch this space...

The South African alternative to You Tube - Zoopy - has dropped us badly. They decided to change to a mobi site and drop all our uploaded media hosted there. This has left us with a myriad of broken links. I am in the process of downloading / uploading all the media to You Tube and fixing the broken links, but as you can imagine this takes quite a bit of time. I hope to have everything fixed sometime during April. Our apologies for the inconvenience. Please mail me with any other broken links you might come across at tr@trail-rider.co.za.

Subscribers to the feed might see some old reports being re-posted. This is because I am reworking some of the old multi-day reports into day reports with buttons like the newer posts. Some of those old posts are just to long and the "new" reports will be much more user friendly.

A big thank you to Tracks 4 Africa for their latest set of maps. This will ensure that we never miss a scenic route!

I have registered the www.trail-rider.co.za web address and redirected it here, so now we have an easy to remember, proudly South African web address.

Lets keep the rubber side down.

Trailrider

Recent Rides:

Future Rides:

Southern Cape Pillion Ride

On the Trail of Cornelius Lotter

Honda Academy Ride

WC Lighthouse Tour

The last of the WC Passes

Northern Cape incl. Verneukpan & Augrabies

Eastern Cape & Sani Pass

Also see "Planned Rides" section.

"God willing, someday I'll grow old & weak. But when I do, I’ll have pictures and ride reports and I will relive life all over again. It's my pension. Every trip is another deposit in my memory pension. I'm gonna have a wonderful old age." - MetalJockey (Wild Dog Forum)

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Eclectic

2012-01-02T13:55:00.009+02:00

e·clec·tic (ɛkˈlɛk.tɪk/, /ɪˈklɛk.tɪk/)

adjective:

1. Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles.
2. Made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources.

I could not think of a better name for this report, as it is a collection of photos and rides of 3 different bikes, 2 different groups and various places, yet it forms one report of how I spent the first 3 weeks of summer.

With long sunny days and fantastic evenings I thought it a good idea to test some bikes for a change, so I organised three Harley-Davidsons for the first three weeks of the summer holiday.

It started on a humorous note. I picked up the new 10 Year Anniversary model of the Harley-Davidson Night Rod from Harley-Davidson Cape Town, but before I could head back to George I had to drive and photograph the new Bentley Supersport (what a car!).

Upon my return I found a gentleman admiring the bike. As it turns out he was the owner of the Aston Martin parked next to it.

It was a hot day in Cape Town, about 30 degrees Celsius, and as we talked three young girls in summer dresses walked past. They were admiring the vehicles and taking pics with their cell phones while we were all smiles with the attention.

They walked right past us and one girl said: “Nice Bike!”

Yup. It's a chick magnet!

So I promptly headed home to show my chick our bike for the week.

Why aren't you posting???

2012-01-02T13:41:00.000+02:00

During the last half of 2011 I have neglected my blog somewhat. It was not done on purpose, I am just literally to busy. This is just a short post to show regular readers of my blog why the updates have been few and far between lately.

As you know (link) my life has taken a whole new direction since I became a motor journalist. I seem to be on the road all the time and when I'm not on the road I photograph vehicles and write articles. I have two new vehicles each week and do smaller articles in between as well. Some weeks I submit as much as 8 stories.

The press vehicles I have to fetch from and return to Cape Town, which means I drive to Cape Town and back twice a week, a round trip of about 900km each time. I travel 2000km+ per week, probably close to 10 000km a month. Any bike trips I do would be in addition to this.

A typical work week looks like this:

Monday mornings start early, usually with first light, which in summer is around 5am. Mondays I switch press cars so I drive whatever I had that week to Cape Town, switch it for the new vehicle of the week and drive straight back to George. I like to get away really early because there's less traffic and that way I get back home during the afternoon. I try not to drive in the dark and getting back early means I can get enough rest to be fresh the next day. Driving almost a 1000km non-stop can be tiresome!

Tuesday to Thursday are work days with the weather determining what happens on which day. The best day is used for photos.

Lots of time and thought goes into the photos these days as we can not take all the photos at the same location.

The “best day” is not always sunny, but we make do.

Some vehicles are photographed at the coast and some at local landmarks (readers of the local paper like to see that the cars were tested locally).

The Mother Church in George:

Other vehicles are photographed in their “natural setting”.

“Mom's taxi” was photographed next to the school complete with a set of ready “models” who wanted to be in the paper!

This was easy at first, but soon you start running out of ideas... There are only so many places before you start repeating... Luckily my wife is quite creative and comes up with great ideas regularly.

The Range Rover Vogue we photographed next to a castle.

Fit for a King!

With the new Jaguar XJ we stuck to the big cat theme doing a photo shoot with three lions!

I admit I was nervous. Both for myself and the car. Firefly thought they were just friendly cats.

A photo shoot (and car!) to remember.

The other two days is spent doing research and writing. Some cars' articles write themselves, while I battle with others. Go figure.

Fridays are a repeat of Mondays with an early start and a round trip to Cape Town and back. Weekends I fine tune the pieces I wrote and mail them in as the paper starts to work on them Monday morning first thing.

With Mondays and Fridays being almost 1000km travel days you can imagine how difficult it is to fit in a weekend bike trip. I'd have to travel the whole day Friday, get on the packed bike Saturday and travel another day, set up camp, break down camp on Sunday, ride back and drive another 1000km on Monday! Phew!

So now we try to incorporate the Cape Town trips into weekend trips. When I picked up a Nissan Navara V9X I took the whole family with and we did a trip to the Cederberg.

With the Range Rover Sport Firefly and I had a went on Safari to Aquila Private Game Farm.

Driving two brand new vehicles each week is the highlight of my job. Of course you get all kinds of cars - “normal” / 4x4 / luxury / hot hatches etc.

That Golf R seriously impressed.

Driving this was an absolute hoot!!!

Some are quirky, but we ended up liking this Juke very much:

The real exotic cars are a special treat, although you don't get to keep them for a week. These I test in Cape Town and sometimes sleep over if I finish too late.

These sports cars are surprisingly comfortable considering my size, but I barely fitted in this Lotus. Strapped in I felt like I was wearing a backpack! The Lotus Evora:

This is a seriously fast car – the Bentley Supersport:

0-100km/h < 4 sec

So there you have it. I am being kept extremely busy and I'm loving it! Blog-wise all is not lost. We have done trips and I am busy writing them up, so please be patient and check back regularly, the blog has not become inactive, the blogger just fell behind with his posts!

Ridin' the Fat Boy

2011-12-12T14:01:00.002+02:00

I have always had a preference for the softtail family of Harleys and specifically the Fat Boy. I may be wrong, but somehow I see it as the quintessential Harley.

This particular Fat Boy also had a sissybar fitted, making it even more comfortable for Firefly on the pillion seat. If we enjoyed the Switchback, we rode this Harley even more! Some pics of the cruises that week around our area:

That weekend – you guessed it – the Harley guys had another run. We were invited to both the Garden Route and Breede River Chapters' runs and we opted for the Breede River Run, once again staying over at Horsepower and Milady's place. It's a nice stop in the middle of the ride back to Cape Town.

Heading towards Robertson on the Saturday morning early. Picture taken in Swellendam:

The Breede Chapter started their ride in Tyger Valley, riding towards the clubhouse in Robertson. We started in George and met up with the crowd in Robertson. We arrived within minutes of each other.

It was another HOT day, so refreshments were in order!

Small and intimate, but with a lot of soul!

Suitably refreshed we headed out for lunch.

Johan & Marie cruising on the couch:

Marie does “in-ride” ride reports from the back of the couch, posting pics and comments on facebook as we ride along.

Marie in action:

Some of Marie's shots:

Firefly getting some good “in-ride” pics of her own:

Responsible speed:

My mate Willie on his Rocker. I love that bike!

When my Dual Sport friends see me like this, they look like this:

Great bunch of people!

Riding back after lunch:

On Sunday we headed over the mountains towards Cape Town, but not before stopping at the famous Du Toitskloof Lodge, a trout farm in the mountains.

What a setting!

What a bike. I did not want to give this one back.

At a trout farm you eat... Trout of course! It was the first time Firefly and I ate trout and we were pleasantly surprised. Could this be the only fresh water fish that tastes nice?

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Rides, Great Times! That's the Harley way. It's not about the bike.

A last pic on the old Du Toitskloof Pass:

We have always done things together as a family, but Firefly has been riding with less and less. She's let her learners' bike licence lapse as she's lost interest in the Dual Sport biking scene. But since the Winter Rally in Sutherland her interest in biking has been rekindled. This latest Harley stint has inspired her so much that not only is she getting a bike licence again a.s.a.p., she wants to buy a Harley for herself!

She has totally submerged herself into the Harley lifestyle and especially enjoys the fact that literally half of the Harley riders are women and mostly ride themselves. It's a nice group of people, without issues, who knows how to relax and really enjoy life.

These three weeks might just have spun our lives off in a whole new direction.

Not to worry – my Dual Sport bike is not going anywhere. There's already another ride in the making...

But that is a whole different story!

Switch Back!

2011-12-05T14:06:00.003+02:00

The Switchback is a brand new model in the 2012 Harley-Davidson line-up and it got it's name from it's ability to quickly switch between Harley Cruiser and Harley Tourer. The touring screen and cases attach / detach with a quick release mechanism giving you the freedom to choose the look and character of the bike. It's part of Harley's Dyna Family and fitted with Harley's 103 cubic inch motor, making it the only Dyna available with this motor currently. I would describe the character of this Harley as something between a Dyna and a Softtail.

While my wife Firefly LOVED the look of the Night Rod, this bike was much more suited to taking a pillion and she wasted no time getting in on the action. Now WE spent every opportunity on the bike, rounding off our days with cruises and sundowners next to the ocean.

That weekend some of the HOG Garden Route Chapter guys invited us on an impromptu run to Knysna. The Harley groups certainly are socially VERY active!

Riding through Kaaimans Pass:

Next to the ocean at Wilderness:

Past all the lakes towards Knysna:

And finally in Knysna – smiles all round as always! Milady:

We stopped at Big Dog bikes, a custom bike dealer in Knysna. He's shop is on the ground floor with a pub – “The Dog Box” - on top. We were going to have a quick refreshment here before heading to Theasens Island for lunch, but we ended up enjoying ourselves so much that we eventually had lunch here.

On the way back Firefly and I stopped for some photos for the Switchback article near Kaaimans. This is work after all!

The Switchback in Cruiser mode:

Front page pic? We'll see...

That Monday I hit the highway back to Cape Town, gave back the Switchback and received the keys to this – the 2012 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy!

I rode it back to George on the same day, clocking up almost a 1000 Harley kilometres that day...

Ridin' the Wind

2011-12-04T14:10:00.003+02:00

Early the next morning:

(Photo by briv)

I was one of the first to be hitting the road (I had nothing to pack but a small backpack ).

I was going to sleep at my friend Willie's place in Paarl (about 80km's away) on Sunday night, so I had a good bike and a whole day to enjoy it.

First up the old Du Toitskloof Pass:

The view overlooking Paarl on the other side:

It was still very early but since I was near Paarl anyway I decided to call Willie and drop my backpack, rather than riding with it on my back all day. As it happens, he was on the way out himself – HOG Tyger Valley Chapter has a breakfast run to Fairview Farm!

All I had time for was a quick shower and mere hours after I woke on the bank of a river I was having a five star breakfast with the Harley folks of Tyger Valley.

(Photo by Willie)

Fairview farm is famous for their wine and goat cheeses.

(Photo by Willie)

(Photo by Willie)

During breakfast one of the guys mentioned that the Portuguese community has some or other festival today that he's attending and that we were welcome to join... The next thing I knew we were part of a procession of 30+ Harleys heading to the Portuguese Club of Cape Town.

(Photo by Willie)

What an interesting weekend this is turning out to be...

The bikes had a designated parking spot and all the Harleys roared in. What we did not realise is that the Portuguese community were having Mass just inside those open doors.

After the bikes settled down they resumed their service. Sorriiieeeee!

Some nice bikes in the group:

After lunch everybody headed their own way and Willie and I ended up riding all over the Northern Suburbs visiting various friends before we rounded off the weekend with a nice dinner at Bossa Nova in Paarl.

The next morning I dropped the 'Rod at Harley Cape Town and got handed the keys to a brand new Harley-Davidson Switchback.

Now we're cruisin'

Breede Bash!

2011-12-03T14:14:00.001+02:00

Suddenly my mindset changed into “Dual Sport” mode. I wasn't riding any more, I was “touring” and even though I was sticking to the blacktop I still stopped every so often just to admire and take in the surroundings.

This area is well known as a wine, grape and fruit growing area. It is lush and green and has beautiful landscapes.

And on a bike like this, how do you resist a road like this?

The last stretch to the camp site was gravel so it took I slowly, but the Harley took it (and especially the sand stretch) in it's stride. I have come to realize that (low) seat height (and low centre of gravity) makes a massive difference in how you experience technical conditions.

And I had the fastest bike there.

(Photo by whitedelight)

The Bash venue this year was at the Breede Otter, a cocktail cruise boat on the Breede River.

It's a very nice spot and comes highly recommended, even though the facilities were sparse (they're still busy getting all the infrastructure in place). I had a quiet chuckle when the “most hard core” Dual Sport bikers who all had an opinion about the Harley, were the first ones who complained at the lack of luxuries.

(Photo by Biker Chick)

It did not take long for the festivities to start. It was very good seeing some old friends again.

(Photo by Sprocketbek)

And the Dual Sport fraternity has some pretty lasses too!

LGF trying to look “Harley cool”.

This year had some interesting things to eat as well.

Bokkoms (sun dried fish) Yum!

But I drew the line at the sheeps' heads!

Horsepower enjoying his:

Sunset cruise:

(Photo by Sprocketbek)

The party lasted till deep into the night...

(Photo by Sprocketbek)

(Photo by briv)

As I never pitched a tent I ended up sleeping on the bank of the Breede River. Luckily the mosquitoes kept away!

Riding the Night Rod!

2011-11-28T14:16:00.003+02:00

During that week I spent every opportunity on the bike. It's a powerful bike, it's a beautiful bike. It runs well, it cruises well and it's got one hell of a acceleration. There are faster bikes out there, but on this one you “feel” the power. Right in your groin.

These were taken on an afternoon run to Herolds Bay:

I was invited to join the HOG Breede River Chapter on a run for the disabled on the Saturday in Worcester. Worcester is more than halfway from George to Cape Town so this presented me with an opportunity to make a weekend run of the trip back to Cape Town. The only problem was that the Wild Dog Breede Bash happened to be on the same weekend, also close to Worcester. The Breede Bash is an annual get-together of the Western Cape Wild Dogs, a fraternity of Dual Sport bikers. This would mean that I'd have to attend a Dual Sport event – on a Harley! So be it...

On Friday I hit the road to Robertson where I spend time with my friends Horsepower and Milady and on Saturday morning early we hit the road towards Worcester, about 50km down the road.

Milady on her new HD Street Bob:

We were joined by three more Harleys in Robertson. Quick stop at road works on the way to Worcester:

And in Worcester Harleys from all over the area gathered for the ride:

Proudly Breede River Chapter!

International Day of People with Disability (December 3) is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. People from many countries worldwide participate in various ways to promote the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Each year the day focuses on a different issue and the theme for 2011 was: “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development.”

Persons with disabilities make up an estimated 15 percent of the world’s population.

Getting ready at the head of the procession, followed by 100's of kids on bicycles, followed by a brass band and finally some fire trucks.

This region is called the Breede Riveer Vallei which, directly translated, means “broad river valley”. So we were the Breë manne van die Breede Rivier Vallei / The broad men of the broad river valley!

With the skinny lasses

The procession stopped at a nearby sports ground / resort where the festivities commenced:

A nice brunch was in order.

Speeches were made, donations were given and some of the underprivileged kids got Harley rides! Always a winner to put smiles on kids' faces.

Even the dignitaries got in on the fun! My friend Willie doing the honours with his HD Rocker.

It was a good day with great people and one of those experiences that make you realize once again that you have to be truly thankful. “There, but for the grace of God, go I...”

After lunch I had to take my leave of this group and head out – it was time for the Breede Bash!

"Bosberaad"

2011-10-26T16:23:00.000+02:00

One phone call and I was summoned. One call.

I am pretty busy these days, little time to ride and even less time to do reports, but when certain people speak you listen. Honeybadger is such a person. A wise traveller with experience I can only dream of. He also happens to be Mr. Tracks for Africa.

There was to be a "Bosberaad" in the Hell (where else?) and my pressence was requested. Important matters relating to travel and travel reporting was to be discussed. So on the morning of Saturday 30 July my bike was packed and ready.

I met another attendee - Bernard - nearby and soon we were on our way to Hell.

My rides used to start with Montagu Pass, but since we've moved it starts with the lesser known Great Brak Pass. Work on this pass began under Henry Fancourt White shortly after he finished the Montagu Pass. Although not as serious an impediment as what other passes had to contend with, the height and steep slope of the escarpment between George and Mossel Bay still necessitated the building of a suitable pass.

Looking back over the Pass to Great Brak:

This does not mean that Montagu Pass is not on my route anymore, I never miss a chance to ride Montagu Pass.

On this trip I was evaluating the Liquid Image Goggle cam, so there are some nice in-ride shots:

Brilliant views from here as always.

Bernard and I didn't get away as early as we would have liked, so we pushed on - close to Herold:

And entering the Klein Karoo through Paarde Poort:

We had a wet and cold winter, leaving the semi arid Klein Karoo green and beautiful. Some snow can still be seen on the Swartberg Mountain.

We soon caught up with Honeybadger's group which meant that we could now take it easy and travel with the group, but first, lunch in De Rust (recently named South Africa's Town of the Year ).

From De Rust we headed West along the Oude Muragie road. It runs through both farmland and indigenous area and has several little passes.

I have ridden here so many times before but each time is different. This area changes with every downpour, drought and season, it remains beautiful each time you see it.

Koos Raubenheimer dam:

This is a deep, rocky dam well known among fishermen. The dam has a a good population of largemouth bass and is extremely clear with visibility of usually more than 2 metres. Known by insiders as the bass Mecca of the Little Karoo, Raubenheimer regularly delivers bass in the 2 - 3 kilo range, even topping 3 kg, although the average seems to be more in the half to one kilo range.

We had no time to fish though. We still had some ways to go so we got some supplies and off we went...

Riding through Schoeman's Poort:

(Photo by Eugene)

(Photo by Eugene)

Swartberg Pass was beautiful as always, but we had to push on. Time was not on our side.

The last stretch...

Riding towards the setting sun, the helmet cam doing his thing:

There were some flooding here recently so there was some fun to be had...

(Photo by Eugene)

More water!

(Photo by Eugene)

I was riding behind SW Burger with Bernard closely following us.

Some footage from Bernard's helmet cam:

We weren't going as fast as it seems in the video footage. Fish-eyed lenses exaggerate speed.

A quick stop and regroup at the end of the road before the descent.

Honey badger - if that bike could talk...

The last push:

A quick look over the edge...

(Photo by SW Burger)

(Photo by Eugene)

...and as we approached our destination for the night darkness crept ever closer and soon we descended into the depths of Hell.

We were booked at Boplaas, a farm right at the end of Gamkaskloof, but as luck would have it the Gamkasriver was in full flood and the farm inaccessible.

No problem. Alternate arrangements were made and we ended up spending the evening at Pietjie and Hester Swanepoel's place with another traveller who rode his Honda here all the way from Germany.

We all settled in getting ready for a cold night. Usually OBS would do it's thing but tonight we had some hot chocolate vodka to keep us warm - and it works! Hy loop soos 'n Muis met Slippers!

Fire's were lit, drinks were poured and the "Bosberaad" began...

(Photo by Eugene)

Making Tracks out of Hell

2011-10-26T16:20:00.000+02:00

The next morning we rose to the most glorious day.

Our lodging for the night:

(Photo by SW Burger)

We had some rain during the night and this morning everything was fresh and green. We also had much more time today to soak it all in.

First we decided to head further into the Kloof to see why we could not get to Boplaas.

That's a good reason...

(Photo by Eugene)

Think I can make it?

Lets not tempt fate unnecessarily...

Cruising through the Kloof:

And looking back into this glorious place. Heavenly it is.

Such scenery. Luckily we're not pushed for time today.

(Photo by Eugene)

We even had time to fix a puncture - three times!

And finishing the ride with Swartberg Pass:

(Photo by SW Burger)

So? What happened?

Well, the helmet cam works a charm. I wouldn't have put the buttons on the throttle hand side though.

Oh! You mean with the "Bosberaad". Exciting times ahead!

Lots of ideas were bounced around the camp fire. It set the tone for what T4A wants to develop and notably the old 4th dimension Honeybadger is always referring to is coming to a reality. It's a concept of some platform on which to publish more than just points and lines, but rather rich (useful) content using different sources and media to provide maximum information and a richer experience to the traveller.

The term Travel Informed was coined and later changed to Travel Africa Informed based on input from the T4A forum.

With new technology available in the GPS unit and smart phone market new opportunities arise also with not only T4A maps but also content, information and links to reports of the area you're travelling in. There's to much to go into here, but keep an eye out for T4A on your smart phone in the very near future. Also, if you have a new T4A SD card in your GPS unit have a look under Where To> Extras > T4A Africa Guide. Johann impressed two heavy weight T4A users with this, one being Honeybadger himself!

On the hardcopy side T4A already offer paper maps in addition to the GPS maps and these might even expand to include "guidebooks" in future.

The landscape, as far as travel information is concerned, is changing. Like I said - Exciting times ahead!

Travel Africa Informed.

Moordkuil

2011-10-22T22:43:00.000+02:00

This is not a long Ride Report, just a quick pic report of cool guys and cool bikes I had the good fortune of riding with today:

Lonewolf - Honda TransAlp 650
Hamster - Yamaha Tenere 660
Izak1 - Yamaha Super Tenere
Myself - Honda TransAlp 700
RJVR - Honda TransAlp 700
KAAS - Honda TransAlp 700

It was just a quick ride in the general area. Some of the scenery:

At one stop we found this little guy. I identified it as an Egg Eater, cool snakes and fun to play with.

Egg eaters don't have teeth, they are totally harmless, but are easily mistaken for Night Adders (and visa versa). Night Adders do have teeth and poison. At one stage I wanted to pick it up but noticed the "V" at the back of the neck. I remembered that's how you tell the difference between an Egg Eater and a Night Adder but could not remember which had the "V" and which not so I left it alone. As it turns out, this was a Night Adder...

Back to the riding pics - we have some flood damage which makes for interesting riding.

Some river sand:

We also had some very cool water crossings.

I love water crossings!

My trusty steed. I don't ride her often enough any more.

What a fun day out.

We are the Southern Cape Wild Dogs and this is our back yard.

Northern Cape

2011-09-07T12:09:00.001+02:00

.

Northern Cape Passes Completed:

Ouberg Pass (Ride Report)
(Tankwa Karoo - Sutherland)
S32 24 16.9 E20 19 41.2

Oukloof Pass
(Beaufort West - Fraserburg)
S32 10 47.6 E21 47 02.5

SALT Pass
S32 23.023 E20 48.349

Teekloof Pass
(Merweville - Fraserburg)
S32 12 04.7 E21 37 14.5

Verlatekloof Pass
(Matjiesfontein - Sutherland)
S32 32 37.0 E20 36 48.0

Northern Cape Passes yet to be visited:

Anenous Pass
(Steinkopf - Port Nolloth)
S29 13 33.3 E17 36 26.4

Bailey's Pass
(Kamieskroon - Gamoep)
S30 09 48.4 E18 11 49.8

Bergenaarspad Pass
(Postmasburg - Groblershoop)
S28 29 23.4 E22 36 04.4

Burke's Pass
(Kamieskroon - Springbok)
S29 52 55.3 E17 52 44.8

Charles’ Pass
29° 0'22.57"S 19°11'7.55"E

Komsberg Pass
(Sutherland)
S32 40 46.3 E20 45 28.8

Messelpad Pass
(Namaqua National Park)
S29 54 23.9 E17 39 23.6

Studer's Pass
(Garies - Kamieskroon)
S30 24 01.3 E18 03 53.9

Wildeperdehoek Pass
(Namaqua National Park)
S29 56 29.2 E17 37 18.9

.

Eastern Cape

2011-09-07T12:00:00.001+02:00

.

Eastern Cape Passes Completed:

Antoniesberg Pass
(Patensie - Steytlerville)
S33 35.638 E24 40.404

Barkly Pass
(Elliot - Barkly East)
S31 14 08.4 E27 50 30.8

Bastervoetpad Pass (aka Dr Lapa Munnik Pass)
(Barkly Pass - Ugie)
S31 10 29.2 E27 58 46.3

Bidstone Pass
(near Tiffendell's ski resort)
S30.71500 E27.83067

Bloukrans Pass
(Plettenberg Bay - Jeffreys Bay)
S33 57 07.2 E23 38 01.5

Boesmanshoek Pass
(Molteno - Sterkstroom)
S31 29 53.6 E26 29 07.4

Cala Pass
(Elliot - Cala)
S31 28 25.2 E27 43 24.3

Carlisle Pass
(Rhodes - Tiffendell's)
S30.71876 E27.95684

Combrink's Pass
(Baviaanskloof)
S33 39.230 E24 30.520

Devil's Bellows
(Fort Beaufort - Sada)
S32 24 58.7 E26 40 00.1

Doringnek Pass
(Addo - Somerset-East)
S33 22 50.2 E25 42 40.3

Dulcies Neck Pass
(Sterkspruit - Tele)
S30 27.370 E27 27.022

Ecca Pass
(Grahamstown - Fort Beaufort)
S33 12 02.2 E26 37 06.8

Grasnek Pass
(Baviaanskloof)
S33 38.978 E24 20.940

Groot-Doringhoek Pass
(Hofmeyr - Molteno)
S31 22 46.1 E26 04 24.9

Grootrivier Pass
(Tsitsikamma National Park)
S33 57 56.5 E23 33 41.7

Hankey Pass
(Humansdorp - Hankey)
S33 52 55.3 E24 50 24.3

Hogsback Pass
(Alice - Cathcart)
S32 36 48.9 E26 54 48.3

Holgat pass
(Baviaanskloof)
S33 38.414 E24 27.387

Katberg Pass
(Seymore - Tarkastad)
S32 27 21.8 E26 39 17.0

Kouga Loop Passes (Ride Report)
S33 45.330 E23 51.347

Kraai River Pass
(Lady Grey - Barkly East)
S30 57.486 E27 27.537

Lootsberg Pass
(Graaff-Reinet - Middelburg)
S31 49 37.8 E24 51 19.8

Lundean's Neck Pass
(Elliot - Telle Bridge)
S30 38.813 E27 44.511

MacKay's Nek Pass
(Queenstown - Lady Frere)
S31 45.503 E27 06.649

Michel's Pass
(Seymore - Hogsback)
S32 33 43.4 E26 51 39.7

Moordenaarskloof Pass
S33 47.595 E24 09.106

Naudeberg Pass
(Graaff-Reinet - Middelburg)
S31 58 05.4 E24 43 08.5

Nonesis Nek Pass
(Queenstown - Lady Frere)
S31 50 29.6 E26 59 17.7

Nuwekloof Pass
(Baviaanskloof)
S33 30 57.5 E23 38 45.7

Olifantskop Pass
(Patterson - Cookhouse)
S33 19 08.0 E25 56 47.2

Penhoek Pass
(Queenstown - Aliwal North)
S31 27 45.3 E26 42 05.2

Strormsrivier Pass
(N2 George - PE)
S33°59'19.75" E23°54'42.59"

Suurberg Pass
(Patterson - Stonefountain)
S33 17 00.5 E25 43 12.7

Van Stadens Pass
(Port Elizabeth - Humansdorp)
S33 54 46.2 E25 12 09.0

Wapadsberg Pass
(Graaff-Reinet - Cradock)
S31 55 51.8 E24 53 01.4

Eastern Cape Passes yet to be visited:

Blaauwkrantz Pass
(Grahamstown - Port Alfred)
S33 23 07.2 E26 42 18.3

Bruintjieshoogte Pass
(Somerset East - Pearston)
S32 40 46.0 E25 20 44.9

Buffalo Pass
(East London)
S33 02 07.1 E27 47 52.3

Buffelshoek Pass
(Pearston - Cradock)
S32 29 11.1 E25 14 02.3

Bulhoek Pass
(Steynsburg)
S31 14 22.2 E25 42 23.5

Cats Pass
(Elliot - Cala)
S31 28 25.2 E27 43 24.3

Daggaboers Nek
(Cookhouse - Cradock)
S32 32 08.0 E25 50 35.1

De Beers Pass
(Cookhouse - Tarkastad)
S32 18 53.8 E26 11 08.7

Dontsa Pass
(Keiskammahoek - Stutterheim)
S32 36 47.3 E27 14 37.4

Fonteinkloof Pass
(Port Elizabeth - Alexandria)
S33 35 40.9 E26 07 20.6

Fuller's Hoek Pass
(Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve)
S32 41 18.4 E26 31 10.1

Greylings Pass
(Dordrecht - Barkly East)
S31 07 07.7 E27 17 59.8

Helspoort Pass
(Grahamstown - Bedford)
S33 10 12.3 E26 19 15.1

Joubert's Pass
(Lady Grey)
S30 43 00.0 E27 14 38.3

Kareedouw Pass
(Kareedouw - Knysna)
S33 57 43.4 E24 16 00.2

Killian's Pass
(Dordrecht - Barkly East)
S31 10 59.5 E27 17 43.0

Kumajaba Pass
(Maclear)
S31 17 02.2 E28 32 08.6

Kwaaiman Pass
(Cala - Tsomo)
S31 43 31.2 E27 41 44.0

Lehana’s Pass
S30°40'43.39" E28°12'2.38"

Mlengana Pass
(Umtata - Port St. Johns)
S31 32 41.6 E29 10 52.9

Naude's Nek Pass
(Rhodes - Mount Fletcher)
S30 45 35.9 E28 04 34.1

Nico Malan Pass
(Fort Beaufort - Sada)
S32 28 50.6 E26 50 10.0

Otto Du Plessis Pass
(Ida - Clifford)
S31 14 04.6 E27 31 49.6

Ouberg Pass
(Graaff-Reinet - Murraysburg)
S32 07 16.3 E24 24 27.8

Pot River Pass
(Maclear - Barkly East)
S30 55 57.2 E28 12 36.9

Potter's Pass
(East London)
S33 02 26.1 E27 52 10.2

Red Hill Pass
(Keiskammahoek - King Williams Town)
S32 42 41.7 E27 11 00.9

Smuts Pass
(Dordrecht - Molteno)
S31 24 25.3 E26 47 31.1

Swaershoek Pass
(Cradock - Pearston)
S32 20 48.5 E25 27 40.1

Swartmodderfontien Pass
(Mount Frere - Matatiele)
S30 26 29.7 E28 51 59.4

Tarka Pass
(Cradock - Somerset East)
S32 28 18.8 E25 39 59.6

Witnek Pass
(Nieu-Bethesda - Cradock)
S31 52 52.0 E24 41 43.4

.

Western Cape

2011-09-07T11:48:00.004+02:00

.

Western Cape Passes Completed:

Akkedisberg Pass
(Riviersonderend - Stanford)
S34 24 34.7 E19 35 51.4

Attakwaskloof Pass (Ride Report)
(Mosselbay - Oudtshoorn)
S33 50 33.1 E21 58 59.4

Bainskloof Pass
(Wellington - Ceres)
S33 36 08.6 E19 06 42.2

Botterkloof Pass
(Clanwilliam - Calvinia)
S31 49 38.1 E19 15 58.6

Blinkberg Pass
(Prince Alfred Hamlet - Wuppertal)
S32 42 09.7 E19 25 07.9

Bosluiskloof Pass
(Laingsburg - Gamkapoortdam)
S33 20 31.8 E21 29 06.7

Burgers Pass
(Montagu - Touwsrivier)
S33 41 28.0 E19 55 12.1

Cederberg Pass (aka Uitkyk Pass)
(Clanwilliam - Algeria)
S32 07 15.1 E19 10 44.9

Chapman's Peak Drive (Ride Report)
(Houtbaai - Sun Valley)
S34 04 33.8 E18 21 50.9

Cloete's Pass (Ride Report)
(Van Wyksdorp - Herbertsdale)
S33 57 31.2 E21 47 52.6

Du Plessis Pass
(Mosselbaai - Herbertsdale)
S34 04 38.8 E21 46 18.4

Du Toitskloof Pass
(Paarl - Worcester)
S33 43 29.1 E19 08 48.0

Eselbank Pass
(Cederberg Oasis - Wuppertal)
S32 17.954 E19 13.357

Gamkaskloof Pass
(Prins Albert - Die Hel)
S33 20.682 E21 45.248

Garcia's Pass
(Riversdale - Ladismith)
S33 58 05.9 E21 13 10.5

Grootrivier Pass
(Tsitsikamma National Park)
S33 57 56.5 E23 33 41.7

Grootrivier Pass
(Cederberg)
S32 36 38.3 E19 22 03.2

Gysmanshoek Pass (Ride Report)
(Heidelberg - Warmwaterberg)
S33 55.949 E21 04.358

Hex River Pass
(De Doorns - Touws River)
S33 24 05.9 E19 45 34.9

Hoek-se-Berg Pass
(Wuppertal - Clanwilliam)
S32 09.203 E19 11.196

Homtini Pass
(Knysna - George)
S33 56 59.0 E22 55 07.4

Hoogekraal Pass
(Knysna - George)
S33 55 56.6 E22 46 52.1

Houhoek Pass (Old)
(Grabouw - Botrivier)
S34 12.699 E19 10.123

Houhoek Pass
(Grabouw - Botrivier)
S34 12 49.5 E19 10 02.1

Huisrivier Pass
(Ladismith - Calitzdorp)
S33 30 09.5 E21 35 45.9

Kaaimans Rivier Pass
(George - Wilderness)
S33 58.266 E22 32.863

Karatara Pass
(Knysna - George)
S33 55 29.4 E22 50 59.7

Kareedouwberg Pass
(Prince Albert - De Rust)
S33 16 39.8 E22 16 41.6

Katbakkies Pass
(Citrusdal - Tankwa Karoo)
S32 53 53.5 E19 33 25.0

Kogmans Kloof Pass (Ride Report)
(Ashton - Montagu)
S33 48 47.5 E20 05 23.9

Kouberg-pas
(Wupperthal - Heuningvlei)
S32 16 03.6 E19 12 39.7

Meiringspoort Pass
(De Rust - Beaufort West)
S33 24 58.9 E22 32 58.8

Middelberg Pass
(Ceres - Citrusdal)
S32 37 40.7 E19 08 31.5

Molteno Pass
(Beauford West - Loxton)
S32 13 34.2 E22 33 44.1

Montagu Pass (Ride Report)
(George - Harold)
S33 53.013 E22 25.860

Nieuwoudt Pass
(Cederberg)
S32 20 50.1 E19 00 47.9

Op de Tradouw Pass
(Barrydale)
S33 55.090 E20 37.466

Ouberg Pass (Ride Report)
(Montagu)
S33 41 42.7 E20 14 39.1

Outeniqua Pass
(George - Oudtshoorn)
S33 53 32.6 E22 24 09.7

Phantom Pass
(Knysna - George)
S34 00 06.0 E22 59 41.9

Potjiesberg Pass
(Uniondale - George)
S33 42 45.0 E23 02 51.1

Prince Alfred's Pass
(Knysna - Avontuur)
S33 46 11.4 E23 08 36.2

Rammelkop Pass
(Sutherland - Merweville)
S32 32.033 E21 12.473

Robinson Pass
(Mossel Bay - Oudtshoorn)
S33 52 51.8 E22 01 34.3

Rooiberg Pass
(Van Wyksdorp - Calitzdorp)
S33 39 00.3 E21 38 34.8

Rooihoogte Pass
(Montagu - Touws River)
S33 36 34.0 E19 50 26.6

Rooinek Pass
(Laingsburg - Ladismith)
S33 19 28.8 E20 55 21.4

Schoemanspoort Pass
(Oudtshoorn - Prince Albert)
S33 25 22.2 E22 14 45.1

Seweweeks Poort
(Laingsburg - Calitzdorp)
S33 24 49.0 E21 24 24.9

Shaws Pass
(Caledon - Hermanus)
S34 18 40.1 E19 24 55.3

Silver Rivier Pass
(George - Wilderness)
S33 57 54.9 E22 33 42.6

Sir Lowrey's Pass
(Somerset West - Grabouw)
S34 08 58.2 E18 55 41.9

Skitterykloof Pass
(Citrusdal - Tankwa Karoo)
S32 52 50.6 E19 44 07.3

Swartberg Pass
(Oudtshoorn - Prince Albert)
S33 18 59.8 E22 02 36.6

Touws Rivier Pass
(George - Sedgefield)
S33 56 47.8 E22 36 46.5

Theronsberg Pass
(Touwsrivier - Prince Alfred)
S33 16 49.8 E19 29 38.6

Tradouw Pass
(Barrydale - Suurbraak)
S33 58 18.0 E20 42 05.9

Uitkyk Pass (aka Cederberg Pass)
(Clanwilliam - Algeria)
S32 07 15.1 E19 10 44.9

Uniondale Poort
R339 (Uniondale - Knysna)
S33 40 52.4 E23 08 55.2

Photo pending...

Van Der Stel Pass
(Villiersdorp - Botrivier)
S34 09 16.7 E19 13 54.3

Viljoens Pass
(Grabouw - Villiersdorp)
S34 05 40.4 E19 03 01.4

Witnek Pass
(Laingsburg - Ladismith)
S33 19 28.8 E20 55 21.4

Western Cape Passes yet to be visited:

Bothmaskloof Pass
(Malmesbury - Riebeek-Kasteel)
S33 24 21.4 E18 52 35.9

Dasklip pass
(Porterville)
32°54'13.59"S 19° 2'17.97"E

De Jagers Pass
(Beaufort West)
S32 04 35.8 E22 44 50.7

Franschhoek Pass
(Franschhoek - Villiersdorp)
S33 54 58.5 E19 09 30.1

Gabriëls Pass
S32°26'26.95" E19°14'8.95"

Gannaga Pass
(Tankwa Karoo - Middelpos)
S32 07 39.3 E20 05 34.1

Gifberg Pass
(Vanrhynsdorp)
S31 44 38.8 E18 46 45.0

Gydo Pass
(Ceres - Citrusdal)
S33 14 02.1 E19 19 50.8

Michell's Pass
(Wolseley - Ceres)
S33 23 27.3 E19 16 42.9

Nuwekloof Pass
(Gouda - Tulbagh)
S33 18 45.0 E19 04 26.1

Pakhuis Pass
(Clanwilliam - Calvinia)
S32 08 44.7 E19 02 02.7

Piekenaarskloof Pass
(Piketberg - Citrusdal)
S32 38 34.3 E18 56 51.0

Stokoe’s Pass
S34° 4'31.55" E18°59'47.00"

Swaarmoed Pass
(Ceres - Touwsrivier)
S33 20 33.6 E19 30 25.3

Vanrhyns Pass
(Vanrynsdorp - Nieuwoudtville)
S31 23 00.7 E19 01 21.7

Versveld Pass
(Piketberg - Piket-Bo-Berg)
S32 51 11.9 E18 44 32.2

.

Every Girl's Dream

2011-08-19T20:23:00.000+02:00

Every young girl has a dream... to steal the scene at her Matric Dance! A girl called DiDi had such a dream.

Tonight her dream came true.

It all started with an e-mail (two days before the fact) from Coded MCC, a mail that spread among the local biking community like wildfire:

Hi all

We have an Amazing Girl celebrating her Matric Dance on Friday 19 August. She has lost her foot due to Cancer, and has now been diagnosed with Cancer in her Lungs.

Her wish is to be escorted to her Matric Dance by a Group of Bikers. We are getting together at 17:30 at York – McDonald’s and will escort her to York High!

We asking all bikers who would like to make her smile, to join us to fulfill her dream!

Hope to see you all there

Love and Respect

House

True to the spirit of brotherhood among bikers the turnout was great.

Some of the Wild Dog's arriving:

When Didi arrived she was blown away by the turnout. Little did she know at this stage that the numbers would still double.

She looked absolutely stunning!

The Girl of the hour and the lucky man:

More and more and more bikes arrived and kept arriving and soon the mass ride was under way.

We took a round about route through George before heading down the main street.

Didi and her escort:

A quick regroup at the bottom of York street before heading to the Matric Dance:

Traffic around York High was quite congested... and then 100+ bikes arrived!

The girl of the moment:

She got out of the car to cheers and screams. Tears of joy flowed.

Their Special Moment:

Go well Didi. It was a privilege to be part of your special night.

The Bike

2011-07-26T20:03:00.000+02:00

It's beautiful, sleek & sexy. Long, lean and mean, stretching nearly six feet from axle to axle, it's unmistakably chopper. It's got that stretched-out, spidery look where the only really solid part of the bike is the engine. A style of bike from the farthest fringes of the two-wheeled world.

When you have a look at the impressive list of features on this bike you realize that this is an engineering work of art. A lot of work have gone into making this bike look like an "Old School" chopper without sacrificing any of the technology we've come to expect in today's bikes. The Fury is a shaft driven bike sporting a liquid cooled 1312cc engine, yet the cooling system is discreet, blending in with the frame behind the front wheel preserving the "air cooled" look. The V-twin also boasts a new programmable EFI system and produces 42.5kW and more importantly on a bike like this 107Nm of torque. Further features include a combined ABS system specially tailored to fit the minimalistic styling.

As far as instrumentation go you only seem to have a speedometer in front of you until you find that here too the old school look has been preserved, but you're still provided with the necessary you've come to expect on a modern bike when various lights and indicators light up from behind black paneling below the speedometer.

Choppers give credence to the old saying, “form over function.” Foremost, choppers are about style and being (and looking) cool. That is difficult to achieve in a motorcycle that's actually meant to be ridden, but Honda nailed it. When I rode it last year I just wanted to keep on riding. I desperately wanted to hit the Route 62 and just keep going. This year I had my chance.

Even for a Honda fan like me it's difficult to believe that one of the world's most conservative motorcycle companies built a production bike like this. I have never considered a chopper styled bike before, but that short ride at the launch last year opened up a whole new world of possibilities to me. I was blown away. Once you’ve experienced the Fury you’ll know you’ve experienced a Honda like none other. Ever. The look, the ride, the sound, the way this bike makes you feel.

It's like I said last year: "People notice when you ride past. Men stare and women swoon! Is that really true? Does it matter? That is what this bike makes you feel like. Be honest, when last have you ridden a bike that made you feel like that?"

The Honda Fury - Art you can Ride...

The Poser

2011-07-26T20:01:00.000+02:00

According to the definition a Poser / Poseur is someone who pretends to be something they aren't. Conformists to an image. Posing is not just about looking the part, it's also important to be seen looking the part. With a poseur the look and experiences they relate are fake. They just do it to make themselves look and feel better. Insecurity (and money) plays a part in being a Poseur.

I felt like a "Poseur" riding this bike. I don't belong to a bike club. I don't usually wear leathers. I was dressing into an image I'm not. But I liked it!

I looked like a biker. The scruffy kind that ride their bikes from bar to bar, only shave once every so often and hit the road in any direction on a whim. A rider that's free. A guy that's happy as long as there's petrol in the tank.

I think the way a bike makes you feel is a big part of our love for these two wheeled machines. It's like the guy on a brand new and shiny Dual Sport bike riding to work on a Monday morning with his panniers and everything fitted. It makes him feel like he can hit the road and ride to Cairo if he wanted. He never will of course, but he "could". The sad part is, they never do.

I never commute with my duallie, when I get on it I usually go on a trip. So on that bike I don't feel like I "could". I do!

This Fury is different though. I liked it so much I started riding it everywhere - to work, to the shops, wherever - usually wearing the "leathers". You don't get used to the looks you get. Smiles, nods, admiration? This bike is the ultimate poser's bike. Every poor sod sitting in traffic in his dreary middle management car wishes he was you, riding free. And all the while it felt like I "could" hit Route 62 at any time and just keep going. But until I did I would remain a "poseur".

Imagine riding to work on a Monday morning and really doing it. Not caring, just going. Nothing but a credit card and maybe a toothbrush and a change of underwear.

Riding free.

The Run

2011-07-26T19:59:00.000+02:00

Each year Honda has a roadshow showcasing their new models at each of their dealers. This year they had 10 new models to ride and photograph, a good boost of material to write about. It was at the same roadshow last year when I first met the Fury.

Honda George organized a breakfast run with the new bikes and Kermit and I decided to join.

There are some very nice bikes in the new line-up. I especially liked riding the CB1000F. It's a real hooligan bike. Today I'd be taking it easy though, joining the ride on "my" Fury.

While getting ready to ride a guy at the filling station saw the Fury and came over to have a look. There was an extra space on the ride so he promptly got on the road-show Fury and joined the run.

As soon as we hit the highway the crotch-rockets were gone, but the Fury's enjoyed a nice ride together.

A picture en-route:

A quick stop in Mossel Bay:

The other Fury rider could not stop talking about what a nice ride this bike is. We chatted about everything, the minimalistic styling, the clever ways technology got incorporated and of course the looks the bike gets when you're riding through town.

Kermit enjoying a cold one:

Next stop - Great Brak:

More bike stories and comparisons.

The riders changed bikes at every stop but the guy on the Fury refused. He rode it the whole way.

And finally the last stretch back to George.

So how does this little story end? Well, the guy who rode the Fury - he bought it the next day.

The Ride

2011-07-26T19:56:00.000+02:00

From the moment I saw her I knew...

What I have is comfortable, dependable and reliable, but this one, she stirred something in me. Slender with long legs, an arched back, raven-black hair. It promised something different, forbidden, exciting! Different emotions wrapped in one. Passionate bikes elicit passionate responses I guess.

We had a hell of a time, the Dark Lady and I, but she never was going to stay. She's a gypsy. She needs to ride free. So one Monday morning I grabbed a toothbrush and a change of underwear and as we rode into town we just kept going... we were on the run!

We crossed the Outeniqua Mountains and headed inland...

The first signs... Notice the "R62".

For a full year I have dreamt of this. Riding this route on this bike. Riding solo through the hamlets and towns as we meander back to Cape Town.

In Calitzdorp I stop at Neverbetter, a well known biker bar on the Route 62.

This is we're Kermit's ride to Hell started.

This is a bar by bikers for bikers and with the leathers I fitted right in.

In my camera bag I had a pair of clean socks, a change of underwear and a toothbrush:

This arrangement did not work well though because every time I took the camera out the toothbrush wanted to go on a walkabout. There was only one solution - I had to travel even lighter. So I did what needed to be done:

Now I'm travelling light!

Huisrivier Pass:

A quick stop at the Lutheran Church in Amalienstein:

When I was here last I visited Maans Fourie in my search for the Watermeid. I really need to bring that project to conclusion.

The church was built in 1853 and has been restored to former glory a couple of years back, but unfortunately the paint is peeling again and sadly little maintenance seem to be happening here.

My next stop was at the one place you can not pass by when you travel on Route 62:

The famous Ronnie's Sex Shop has become a world famous biker stop, but unfortunately the prices at this establishment also experienced a meteoric rise. Paying more than double for the same thing I bought at Neverbetter is a bit rich for a biker meandering about on a Monday and soon I was on my way again.

At the Country Pumpkin in Barrydale I received a warm welcome.

Anybody stopping here on a bike gets a Muscadel on the house. This sure drives away the cold!

The Country Pumpkin is the real deal as far as bike friendly establishments go. The owner is an avid biker himself and they take special care of bikers. All bikers get 10% off their bills in addition to the free muscadel and they even have a Bikestop B&B just behind the Restaurant that offer extremely affordable accommodation to bikers wanting to overnight. The restaurant prices are very good and the portions are huge. When here you have to try one of their home made pies!

With a full tummy I hit the road again, riding straight into an approaching storm. I could see the rain up ahead and hoped I could reach the Karoo Saloon before the rain does. I'll just have to wait it out.

And as it turns out, today, the day I needed them to be open the most, they were closed!

I continued but soon realized that I was going to get very very wet and I don't have a change of clothes.

The road back to Barrydale looked like the better option:

I was going to call it a day and spent my time at the Bikestop B&B with some more Muscadel.

But it was not to be. I couldn't outrun the rain and got well and truly drenched! A mere 2 km from Barrydale I decided that since I am wet now anyway I might as well continue on my ride, so I turned around again and hit the road to Montagu in pouring rain.

A short respite in the rain gave me a chance to take this picture at Cogmanskloof:

Cogmanskloof, sometimes also spelt Kogmanskloof, is the pass through which one drives between the towns of Montagu and Ashton in the Western Cape. It is the same pass of the famous tunnel, of the same name. Actually it is more like a hole through the mountain just as one passes over the river outside Montagu.

The famous tunnel was 'dug' using a little dynamite. It is 16 metres long and has a 5 metre high roof.

If you glance up at the top of the tunnel before entering and you see an old fort balanced on the top, constructed from the very same rocks as its surrounds. Not many people notice it. It was built in 1899 by the English, during the Anglo Boer War.

The sun was setting now and with the thick clouds, dark visor, pounding rain and near freezing temperatures I remember thinking to myself: "These are the rides you remember!"

The Long Goodbye

2011-07-26T19:53:00.002+02:00

In Robertson the next morning I woke to a beautiful day!

Robertson was founded in 1853 and named after the Scottish Dutch Reformed Church Minister, Dr William Robertson.

Farming and wagon building were the town's original industries, however after the Second Anglo-Boer War of 1899, the wagon building industry collapsed when the railways took over the transport of all goods.

Robertson subsequently became famous for its ostrich farming, but this industry collapsed as well shortly after World War I and thus the farmers of the area turned switched to wine and fruit farming. Later, several successful racehorse stud farms were founded. Agriculture remains the mainstay of the town's economy up to the present day.

I hit the road with the wind in my back, all the while knowing that this ride is coming to an end. I usually get to keep the Press Bikes for two weeks, but I managed to keep this one for a month! I just did not want to give this one back.

Just before Du Toit's Kloof I saw this sign:

Cape Town - 86km. You know, I have never been to Rawsonville...

All of a sudden I was roaming free. Riding where ever the wind blows me. If a turnoff seemed interesting I would take it! I have never been around here, mostly due to the typical Dual Sport Rider's aversion to tar roads. How stupid must one be to limit yourself to only this or that!?

Rawsonville is a little town, but it lies among the most beautiful vineyards. There are thirteen wine and brandy cellars within a radius of ten kilometres!

Situated in the Breedekloof area near Worcester in the Western Cape, this valley is framed by the Slanghoek mountain range. The valley's wineries, together with those in nearby Rawsonville, Goudini and Breede River, recently received Wine of Origin status.

What spectacular scenery.

I am most certainly coming back to explore this area. There is so much to see! But for now I'm spending quality time with my mistress the Dark lady....

Exiting this valley I had the option to turn towards Cape Town Or Ceres / Tulbach. Which would it be..?

The charming historical town of Tulbagh is situated in the winelands of the Boland. The valley has been inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous Bushmen and Khoi peoples. It was first discovered by European settlers in 1658 and land grants were made to a more or less equal number of Dutch and Huguenot farming families in 1700. The town itself was developed in 1743 when the museum church was built.

It's a beautiful town and I have not been here since my Honeymoon in 1996.

Post the 1969 earthquake every historic home in Church Street was painstakingly restoredto its original glory. These 32 buildings now constitute the largest concentration of National Monuments in a single street in South Africa.

Notice the canons:

Also see Tok Tokkie's comprehensive post about this street and each of the gables here.

Like most towns that's had a major happening in their past some place names provide a constant reminder to that fateful day:

Another town worth a lengthy visit.

Riding back towards Wolsley you pass these old English Block houses:

These Blockhouses were built during the 1901 Anglo-Boer War. They were built by the British to protect the railway bridges from Boer attacks. The stone is local while the remaining materials were imported from Britain. They could house 20 men with weapons, ammunition and supplies.

Some more scenery:

Next up - Bainskloof Pass.

This 30 kilometer pass was completed in 1853 and is one of the most picturesque passes in the Cape. It was built using convict labour, by Andrew Geddes Bain, the most famous of southern African's road engineers.

Bains Kloof was originally built for horse drawn traffic in 1853. Since then the western side has been somewhat altered but the eastern side is pretty much as it was other than it has been tarred.

Bainskloof plague:

Coming down the mountain on the Paarl side.

Paarl Is the third oldest European settlement in South Africa after Cape Town and Stellenbosch.

It's a beautiful historic town and only about 60km from Cape Town... So I headed towards Malmesbury.

I was squeezing every drop of of daylight from this day and every bit of enjoyment from this bike. I rode and rode until the sun set and I had to give her back.

And just like that, she stepped out of my life, forever...

Back in Black

2011-07-26T19:48:00.001+02:00

It was a normal winter's day, not too cold, but still I was warming up with a coffee. I am quite busy these days. I was just going about my business when I saw her...

Truly an enchanted moment.

She took my breath away. Long legs, arched back, raven-black hair. Slender, but still curvaceous. My eyes explored every inch of her body. It wasn't the innocent cute and playful kind of beauty you'd find on a girl, no, it was more experienced. Sensual and erotic. Devilish even. Sexy, but in a gothic kind of way. No, not sexy.

Sultry.

Oozing sensuality. There was a sense of excitement as I realized that what is forbidden will inevitably happen. Al morals had forsaken me.

I am not a free man, but the spell was cast. I had to have her...

“Dark Lady laughed and danced and lit the candles one by one
Danced to her gypsy music till her brew was done
Dark Lady played back magic till the clock struck on the twelve
She told me more about me than I knew myself “

Song words from "Dark Lady" by Cher.

Winter Rally

2011-07-18T08:44:00.000+02:00

It's was that time again, Harley time!

In the beginning of the year I was invited to join the Harley boys at the Route 62 Rally - my first Harley experience. It was a great experience and I made a whole bunch of new friends, so when the next Harley Rally came along I certainly wasn't going to miss it! And this time round I'm taking Mrs.TR (aka "Firefly") with. She has shared many a bike experience with me, but I suspect that she would really enjoy the Harley lifestyle. In stead of roughing it, we'd be doing this trip in style...

The Winter Rally is held at the coldest time of the year in Sutherland, one of the coldest towns in the Republic. Gateway to the universe... that is what they call Sutherland. Land of snow and stars. It is the home the largest telescope in the Southern Hemisphere. A telescope so powerful that it can detect the light from faint or distant objects in the Universe, a billion times too faint to be seen with the unaided eye - as faint as a candle flame would appear at the distance of the moon.

It might seem crazy to go to such a cold place in the middle of winter, but with the Harley guys it's 5 star all the way. Especially on the bike we're riding!

The Harley-Davidson FLHTK Electra Glide Ultra:

This Harley is also known as "The Couch".

My wife has never liked the look of the couch much, but after she rode on it recently she was sold! She never thought it would have this level of pillion comfort. That's why they call it a couch baby!

Winter Rally - Day 2

2011-07-16T08:51:00.000+02:00

OK, it was cold!

We had a warm night's sleep though. As it happens Firefly and I were booked in the honeymoon suite, complete with electric blankets etc.

It took a while for the bikes to thaw and no-one complained about sleeping a little late after the previous evening's festivities.

This morning the mass ride was the main thing on the agenda. The Harley "Legends on Tour" truck was there as well stocked with the latest models and soon I organized a Muscle bike for the mass ride, with Firefly deciding to rather pillion on another Ultra. She's sold on that bike.

Sutherland also has their version of two wheeled vehicles, complete in Harley orange!

The mass ride took us 18km out of town to the observatory near Sutherland.

The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) is the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere and among the largest 5 or so in the world. It has a hexagonal primary mirror array 11 metres across, comprising 91 individual 1.2m hexagonal mirrors. Although very similar to the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) in Texas, SALT has a redesigned optical system resulting in a larger field of view and effective collecting area.

This thing is HUGE!

What a great line-up:

American Muscle:

Lekker Plek. Lekker Mense!

I decided not to join the group on the way back, as I needed to test the bike.

Work work work. A journalist's work is never done...

The Harley Davidson Muscle is part of the V-Rod line-up and quite different from other Harleys. So much so in fact that some Harley purists don't consider it a true Harley. It looks different, sounds different, is different. This is a bike focused on one thing - acceleration and straight line speed.

You sit with both your arms and feet forward and there is no wind protection. It sounds uncomfortable but surprisingly it's not. You feel the wind and the power, you feel alive! The torque on this machine is something to experience. It pulls and pulls like a freight train.

And this is what 200km/h on a Harley Muscle looks like:

And where better to test a bike like this than on the vast straight stretches of road of the Karoo?

Back at the Rally site the people were really getting into the spirit of things. My mate Willie:

His Rocker is done in the Tribal theme, a beautiful bike.

While the Harley experience truck was here Firefly and I decided to ride some more Harleys to see which model would be the best fit...

She really liked the Fat Boy:

We tested some more bikes and came to the conclusion that one can never have enough bikes.

Back at the White House we rejoined the rest of the group. On the menu for dinner:

The Harley Chapters all have charities they support and this chapter is no different, so that evening they auctioned the Rally mascot.

The guys opened their hearts and the mascot was sold for R11 000-00. The money will train two seeing eye dogs for the blind and supply them with food for a year!

Then the party started in all earnest...

Later (much later) some of the Rally goers even joined in on stage.

Good times!!!

Winter Rally - Day 1

2011-07-15T08:53:00.000+02:00

Friday Morning 15 July, Harley Davidson Tyger Valley:

This shop is all a bike shop should be. Lots of bikes & merchandise, friendly staff and even a coffee shop to bide your time while the wife is doing real damage to your credit card...
(wait, shouldn't that be the other way around? )

Something I noticed on the previous Harley Rally already was the amount of lady riders on Harleys. In fact, in this group we started off with more lady riders than men.

Out of the city and traffic we headed for Du Toitskloof Pass and we really started to settle into the ride. This bike rides like a dream.

The Du Toitskloof Pass was completed in 1945, until then the main route to the north was via Bainskloof Pass near Wellington, through Michelll's Pass, and then through Ceres to Sutherland and beyond. Some 500 Italian POWs interned in Paarl provided some of the manual labour to build the pass. At the end of WWII, most of the POWs returned to Italy, and the pass was completed using local labourers.

The historic Du Toitskloof tunnel.

This pass used to carry heavy traffic so in 1984 construction on the new Huguenot Tunnel began. This new and modern tunnel would run under the mountain cutting out a huge portion of the pass and shortening the route by 11km. The new tunnel was completed in 1988, leaving this portion of the pass as an alternative route with much less traffic - perfect for bikers.

Just check out the scenery!

At Nekkies more riders join our group. Chance for a quick chat and introductions.

From Nekkies we ride to Robertson where the Breede River HOG Chapter recently opened their Club House. What a nice spot!

This might be a Harley Club house, but some Wild Dogs also made their mark.

I also spotted the collage I made after the previous Rally on the wall:

Soup, Sherry & Vetkoek to ward off the cold before we hit the road again. Robertson - Aston - Montagu.

From Montagu we ride through the Kiesie Valley and over Burger's and Rooihoogte passes to link up with the N1. This beautiful area is known as the Koo.

Burger's Pass (or Koo Pass) was built by Thomas Charles John Bain (1875-1877).

Divisional Councilor (Montagu) Piet Willem van Hesland Burger improved the pass in 1943 - 1951, completing the construction with a gravel surface and inproved gradients. He was honoured for his continued efforts to improving the road when it was renamed Burger's Pass at the official re-opening on 18 May 1951. The pass was tarred in 1960.

Looking back into the Keisie Valley from Burger's Pass:

I am told that during spring this is a froth of pink and white fruit blossoms. I have to come and have a look in a couple of months.

After ascending Burger's Pass you ride over a small plateau before riding up Rooihoogte Pass. Rooihoogte Pass has some very steep curves and a tight hairpin bend, perfect for bike riding.

The view looking back:

And the mountains in the distance gave us a constant reminder that we are heading to Sutherland - in the middle of winter!

A quick stint up the N1 takes us to Matjiesfontein, the famous English Karoo town with its splendid museum, Hotel and other historic buildings.

The Lord Milner Hotel, an authentic vestige of Victoriana, still operates like in it's days of past glory. Firefly and I really would have liked to spend more time here.

What an amazing town. There is so much to see! Firefly and I decided that a trip to Matjiesfontein is a MUST in the near future.

But for now, we had a different destination...

It was late afternoon already as we snaked along the last 110km to Sutherland.

And finally our destination for the weekend - "The White House":

How apt for a gathering of American bikes.

We were among the first to arrive...

...but not for long.

With the formalities out of the way the party could get started.

Cold? What cold?

Winter Rally - Day 3

2011-07-15T08:48:00.001+02:00

Sunday morning we got up a bit earlier...

Yup! Still cold.

Firefly & I decided to ride back alone today and just enjoy the bike and each others company.

This is such a great bike. I enjoyed it much more than I dreamed I would.

It's a huge bike with a massive engine and loads of torque. And it's heavy, but it handles surprisingly light and it's comfortable in the extreme. Perfect for those long trips where the bike just eats up the miles.

Matjiesfontein, 110km. So close!

Riding alone means we have much more time to stop and take photos. Verlatekloof Pass:

This pass winds down the slopes the Roggeveld Mountains a 1 000 metres over 15km. Quite a treat on a bike. The difference in temperature between the top and bottom is tangible.

Work on the Pass started in 1874 and was set out by Thomas Bain. It was completed a year later by William Hesketh.

Gliding through the Karoo. Bliss.

We just had to stop in Matjiesfontein again. What a great town. And of course when we got there there was a "Trein in Matjiesfontein". Afrikaans people will understand the significance of that.

Riding into this town is like taking a step back in history. An old (working) petrol station:

The story of Matjiesfontein is an interesting one, but I'll save that story for when we come back.

From Matjiesfontein we take the N1 to Cape Town. Cruise control on 140km/h, radio on, chatting to my wife. Now we're cruisin' baby.

Normally I avoid National Roads like the plague so this was actually the first time I have been on this road in this part of the country. What a pleasant surprise! The area around De Doorns especially is extremely beautiful with lots of mountains all round and the Hex River running along the N1 for long stretches. Who knew?

I have a preference for dirt roads, but I am realizing more and more that limiting yourself to either one is just stupid. No limits is the way to go.

Hex River Pass:

We've been riding for more than a 150km since our last stop and I asked Firefly whether she wants to stop to stretch her legs? "Not necessary". This bike is that comfortable. It has to be experienced to be believed.

As we got nearer Cape Town we started riding slower and slower. We didn't want to give this bike back. At the Hugenot Tunnel we decided to the Du Toitskloof pass again - the longer way.

The view towards Paarl:

Only a short section left.

So back at Harley-Davidson Tyger Valley we drop the bike off and as we drive away Firefly says: "So you know you're getting a Harley next. Right?"