1 Newbie, 1 Mountain, 4 Crossings

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My friend PistonPete and Lulu came to visit and this time he brought the bikes with! Now it is being said that Lulu is a newbie rider, although she is a veteran of the Cederberg and even the road to Eselbank. So a little ride on Saturday was in order to show her around the Garden Route. A Wild Dog braai on Friday night ensured that we got a nice little group together.

I chose a route that would take us through the different areas areas of the Southern Cape and Klein Karoo with some historic routes and passes thrown in. In fact, we'd cross the mountain 4 times during this ride:


(Click on map and zoom for detail)

Even though the route is only 260km long it would take us the whole day to complete, taking a nice and slow scenic ride.

On the ride today:

Dusty - BMW650GS
PistonPete - KTM990S
Lulu - Yamaha TTR250
LGF - Suzuki DRZ400
Trailrider - 700TA
Pad - BMW1200GS

We met up on Saturday morning and headed out West towards Geelhoutboom.



Nice scenery along here but you can see how dry the area currently is. We are experiencing the worst drought on record.



We rode through the Botlierskop Game farm and spotted some game. They must think they're in the Karoo with the dry conditions!



I decided to take the group through Moorkuil today. This can be a very difficult route (as seen here) but in the current drought it's not too hectic at all.

LGF heading into the first section:



Dusty following:



And Lulu also handling it like a pro. The girls taking everything in their stride




(Photo by LGF)

The next section:



PistonPete making a splash:



Pad following on the mothership:



Some more scenery along this road:



Arriving in Brandwag:



Some more scenery shots towards Herbertsdale:





First cold drink stop 5km from Herbertsdale.



The view towards Cloete's Pass:



We crossed the mountain and turned into Attakwas kloof right on the other side.



Attakwas kloof is the historic route the ox wagons took to travel inland. The road had some maintenance work done recently and is a pleasure to ride. Check out the scenery:



PistonPete and Lulu enjoying the view. This was their first visit to Attakwas kloof:
(I love this pic)



LGF enjoying the ride:



The road ahead:




(Photo by LGF)

Another rest break:



This road eventually meanders back over the mountain into the Southern Cape. Some more scenery:



What I like about this route is the continuous change of habitat and scenery. I have a track log of this route (courtesy of Garmin who sponsored me with a GPS ) and these routes will soon be available for download. Watch this space



Back in the Southern Cape.



We had a nice lunch at the 8 Bells Country Inn before headed over the mountain yet again via the Robinson Pass. Dusty in action:



Klein Karoo scenery:



Lulu enjoying being a Biker Chic We have been on the road for hours now but this "newbie" was taking everything in her stride.



This Bloukopkoggelmander (Agama atra) must have been wondering what the hell we were all doing here on his doorstep



Old Trusty:



Some more Klein Karoo scenery:



Dusty approaching on the Heimersrivier road:



Paardepoort:



Over the mountain again via the historic Montagu Pass and the obligatory stop at Amanda's Grave. Maybe my ashes will also rest here one day.



Montagu Pass scenery:

..and eventually back in George after a long day's ride. Tired but satisfied.



Thanks guys for a nice ride. Lulu you did splendidly. In my opinion you're hardly a "newbie" any more




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