Day 1
Started at 05H15 with a very light drizzle, but the wind on our backs. Robbie, Julie and me did the 1st leg up to ths van Stadens bridge along the R102, The Old Cape road.
Coffee and rusks and back on the road, stop at Thornhill station and on the to Gamtoos river with Jeffreys Bay in the distance.
Skirting Jeffreys Bay and on to Humansdorp for a most awesome Butterscotch ice-cream. Wind on the back all the but now heading towards Cape St Francis on the side and gusting strong.
A good day in the saddle, 114km in about 06h00 hours.
Got a number of “Hoots” and thumbs up for the Owls.
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”21″ display=”basic_thumbnail” images_per_page=”3″]
Day 2
4 Alarms made noise at 04H00 and the scramble to get ready for a 05H00 blast off started. Breakfast, pack away all the items, lube the bikes and bums, snacks for the road and 4 hard of hearing people without their hearing aids, trying to communicate. All items packed into the car and we were on our way, still dark but with a tint of orange on the horizon.
Just before Humansdorp the sun showed it’s face and fortunately the wind was with us. Just about all the way to Oude Bosch it was climbing and more climbing, but we managed and survived.
A motorist cut very close to Henri and clipped his mirror on one of the narrow sections of the R102.
A very scenic ride, raptors following us, Bokmakierie singing, dairy farms and a wonderfully recovered area after the devastating fires of about 2 years ago.
Had a stop at the Stormsriver bridge and had an easy last 6km to Stormsrivier village finishing on 38.5⁰C and 103km.
Another good day on the bike
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”22″ display=”basic_thumbnail” images_per_page=”3″]
Day 3
Stormsrivier to Sedegfield.
Another 04H00 wake up call, Dijembe Backpackers trying to go off the grid and it is not easy to get ready in total darkness. Overnight bags packed, breakfast and snacks and all else done and on the road by 05H15.
Awesome fresh cool morning with millions of stars looking down on our departure. Golden sky as the sun pokes its head above the horizon and watching the world wake up. Lots of big trucks going to PLZ and CPT giving as loads of hoots. Slight wind that picking up to young gales in some places, but a pleasant ride.
Blaaukrantz bridge, coffee and rusks at the Shell garage outside Plett after a somewhat serious climb and on to Knysna. Exhilarating 7km down into Knysna, but, seeing the climb out to Sedgefield on the other side.
Stopped for ice cream at Steers and then the last section to Sedgefield, a nice ride and views of the Heads and the the dreaded climb of about 6km with a few more to follow.
After 116 km, 1223m of climbing and 6hrs05min riding we rolled into Segfied for a much needed 2 days of R&R at the home of George and Sue our most gracious and welcoming hosts.
Thank you G&S ???
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”23″ display=”basic_thumbnail” images_per_page=”3″]Day 4
We packed the car loaded the bikes and drove about 20km to Karatara in George’s Uber and hooked on to the Seven Passes road. Starting with fresh smells, on a solid gravel road after the previous nights rain and the forest and farm smells we set off towards Tergniet.
At Hoekwil I missed the turn off to George and halfway down the hill to Wilderness we turned back and after about a 8km detour we were back on track and heading towards George.
Deon Geldenhuys from Hartenbos came looking for us and it was a welcome surprise to meet up and have him on the route. Some solid climbs and exhilarating down hills crossing a number of streams, Saasveld road and back on to the R102 towards Tergniet with an awesome down run into Grootbrak and on to Tergniet with Hennie meeting us after the Maalgate river and climb where we enjoyed another excellent stay at the home of Hennie and Magda Lammerinks after 84km,
1,220 meters of climbing and 05hrs15min of riding. Another good day on the road.
Thank you Hennie and Magda for your hospitality and the very lekker chicken curry.
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”24″ display=”basic_thumbnail” images_per_page=”3″]Day 5
Gourits River Eco Guest Farm to Jongensfontein. 05H00 Raining as per weatherman, stopped at about 06H00 and the wet pack up started, left the farm at 08H15.
On and off rain, stopped for rooster koek and chicken pie in Albertinia and headed out to Stilbaai. As we turned onto the gravel road the rain and wind became hard and persistant, but we endured and stopped at the Put stop for a quick bite and back on the road.
The whole route was a hilly one with 1,000m of climbing, distance 64km.
Couple of incidents today, my mirror broke off, then Robbie got a puncture, later Julie had a flat, but it all ended well and we arrived at Jongensfontein camping ground at 13H00.
Another good day on the road. Riding time 04hrs21min.
Day 6
Jongensfontein to Malgas.
Cool, wet and rainy start, but wind on our backs. Good ride to the metropolis of Vermaaklikheid, but unfortunately the mall was closed. Decided to have coffee at the Duivenhoks river crossing, again no luck as the river was in flood and above the 2 meter mark unable to cross, although receding fairly fast.
We boiled the kettle, had spoorweg coffee and buiscuit, loaded the bikes and made our way to near Heidelberg and the N2.
Back on the bikes with a strong wind pushing us to the Malgas turnoff and without pedalling hard, zipped along at 35kph. Turned towards Malgas, now the wind was from side on to the shoulder, some places in the face. It was not an easy ride. loads of uphill, but fortunately for every uphill there must be a downhill and we made it safely to the banks of the Breede river where we are camping tonight.
105km, 1,665m of climbing and 05hrs52min riding time.
Wind of about 40kph ??️ ?? ?️?️
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”25″ display=”basic_thumbnail” images_per_page=”3″]
Day 7
Malgas to Agulhas
Incident report:
John Deere “Kruzer” going strong, no worries ?
Robbie hit a rock on the front wheel, snake bite and tyre bulge, need a new tyre. ?
Julie 1 flat. ?
Henri 4 flats. ?
Had a great night on the lawn next to the Breede Rivier, absolute quiet, Owls calling and a billion stars lighting the night sky.
Short ride to the ferry and we were lucky to be one of the last group of passengers to be taken across on the manual, 2 man powered ferry as it will be replaced with a motorised ferry next week.
A serious climb on cold legs, out of Malgas. A wind of 48kph on our backs allowed me to get a maximum speed of 67kph on a downhill section and “Kroozing” at 30kph without much effort.
Saw Vultures feeding on a sheep carcass, beautiful scenery of the Overberg, fairly good road, with short sharp downhills and long unrelenting uphills.
Made it to Bredarsdorp in good time, replenished stocks and on to Agulhas, fighting a head/side wind of 48kph buffeting me all over the road, gusting up to 70kph.
A beautiful sight to see the turquoise/blue ocean from Struisbaai all the way to Agulhas.
Another good ride 103km, 05hrs 46min riding time and climbing 1073m.
Resting in the Agulhas Caravan park in one of the chalets, no tent and wind tonight.
[ngg src=”galleries” display=”basic_thumbnail” images_per_page=”3″]Day 9
Agulhas to Uilenskraalmond.
After the wind and hills of Friday and Saturday, today’s ride was a walk in the park. Wind on the back, gravel road better than tar. I was Kroozing along at 28kph, heart rate 88bpm, cadence 48 and looking at raptors, blue cranes and other birdlife.
Awesome scenery changing every few kilometers, also passing the largest natural fresh water lake in South Africa. Stopped in the village of Elim, a Moroviaan church group with the age old houses very well kept, neat and clean.
Baardskeerdersbos next village and bought home made apricot jam for R25.00 per bottle. Again a change of scenery and flora changing to fynbos and coastal plants, white dunes in the distance.
Cresting the last hill we have a beautiful view of the Atlantic ocean, white beaches and coastal villages. Checked into Uilenskraalmond caravan park with an awesome view over the lagoon.
A Purrrrrrrfect day, ride and place to finish.
85km – 555m elevation – 04hrs 13min riding time.
Day 10
Uilenskraalmond to Betty’s Bay.
Incedent Report:
Julie: 2 punctures
Completely naked, disturbed person running amok in Hermanus, stoning people and cars. I saw an elderly man lying in the road with a serious head trauma after he was hit by a massive rock/brick and the naked one running away from police and security people.
The ride.
Slow start from the beautiful setting on the lagoon, started the long slow poison climb out of Franskraal towards Hermanus with a mild wind on the back, then the road turned east and the wind was full on in the face all the way to Betty’s Bay.
Outside Stanford, stop and go road works made it dangerous to cycle, loaded bikes and drove the 17km to the outskirts of Hermanus, safety is not negotiable.
Cycled through the “hectic” traffic after 10 days of rural gravel roads, made it through the place and onwards towards Betty’s Bay via Kleinmond.
Made a quick stop at Kleinmond Harbour, refilled bottles with ice and water for the last couple of km’s.
A year ago it looked like a nuclear war zone after the devastating fires, now it is like a new world awakening with all the new plants growing and the rebuilding of homes that was burnt to the ground.
Temperature turned at 39⁰C with a warm wind of about 20kph, somewhat energy sapping and needing lots of liquids.
After 04hrs 48min, 83km and 737 meters of climbing, we stopped, unpacked and into the pool to get the core temperature down.
Thursday it will be Clarens Drive one of the most scenic cycle routes in the world ?
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”27″ display=”basic_thumbnail” images_per_page=”3″]Day 11
Betty’s Bay to the Strand.
Jean served us early breakfast and on the bikes by 08H05, with a strongish SW wind assisting us out towards Pringle Bay on Clarens Drive.
The best part of Clarens Drive starts at Rooiels and what a ride it is, words cannot do justice as every turn is a new Oooo-Aaaaaa moment and the when you stop and look back even better. Photos included to show our views this morning, dolphins and various sea birds doing duty.
All went well and as we got closer to Gordons Bay, the wind became a serious factor, gusting very strong from the front and on the right shoulder. Robbie and Henri very nearly got blown over as a strong gust hit them.
Made good time once we turned into Somerset West and through the Strand along the beach. Due to road works, traffic backups and safety concerns, we loaded the bikes and drove to Tableview, dropped off panniers and bikes, a quick change out of cycling kit and we set off to Greenpoint to register for our Krooze around the peninsula on Sunday with about 30,000 other cyclists.
Saturday we do the final leg before Argus to Oranjezight where Johnathan and Sharon Levin will host us before we return to Port Elizabeth by bus Monday morning.
Thank you all for all the messages and encouragement while sharing our adventure riding for Owls and the Owl Rescue Centre in Hartebeespoort.
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”28″ display=”basic_thumbnail” images_per_page=”3″]