Lyle Simes
Puppy
Here is a link to my blog with a few of my ride reports...
https://bikertogza.blogspot.com/2016/03/naudes-nek-rhodes-2014.html
Naudes Nek Rhodes Eastern Cape
Rhodes and Naudesnek seem to pop up often in conversation with fellow adventure bikers, so we simply had to add this ride to our ever growing list of places to visit.
Heading out of Durban we decided to do the scenic route, as one should, so headed in the direction of Underberg and decided to stop off in Himeville for a quick breakfast. The Himeville arms serves and amazing local farm style breakfast which will keep you going for the day. After breakfast we headed out of Himeville down towards a small town call Swartberg, at Swartberg we cut across to Matatiele on the D636. The D636 is an awesome dirt road and gives you a taste of things to come, this road winds itself through some of the local farm lands and is shared with fellow road users so be on the look out for cars, trucks and slow moving tractors.
Once arriving in Matatiele, we topped up with fuel and purchased a few snacks for the road. From there we headed along the R56 towards Maclear where we turned right onto the R396 which took us towards the town of Rhodes via Naudesnek Pass.
Riding along the R396 towards Rhodes, you get a feeling of complete remoteness as you follow this road towards the base of Naudesnek, the only form of life is the occasional farm house or tractor from time to time. U have to stay focused on the road as well so you cant let your thoughts wonder as this road does have the occasional corrugated stretch or sharp bend which does sneak up on you. Be careful when crossing some of the concrete low water streams as these do have a thin layer of green moss which can cause the bike to slide out unexpectedly and see you laying next to your bike in the river…lol
Arriving at the base of Naudesnek Pass, you feel dwarfed by the surrounding mountains. The assent begins on a narrow dirt road which winds itself gradually towards the summit. This road surface is hard but consists mainly of loose rock and the occasional wet stream flowing across the road. These could be slippery at places so keep your guard up and anticipate your line you choose. As you climb this Naudesnek Pass you can not help but admire the breath taking views, you really get an appreciation for this beautiful country we live in. We finally reach the summit of Naudesnek Pass and decided to stop off and take in the beauty around us as well as the odd photograph. This was short lived, as quick as we got there as quick had the clouds started rolling in and soon enough we were surrounded by thick mountain mist. We decide to mount up and start the descent down into Rhodes as we did not want to get stuck doing the descent towards Rhodes in the rain…
Heading down the other end of Naudesnek Pass towards Rhodes can be as tricky as the assent, similar road conditions greet you so caution should be taken when choosing the correct line. There are a few steep descents met with the odd hairpin corner so take extreme caution when going into these bends as you would not like to over shoot the turn and drop off the side of the pass. At the base of Naudesnek pass, there is the Naudes family cemetery which is worth a stop off for a break. Once back on the bike you head across a few low level stream into the small town of Rhodes.
Rhodes is a tranquil little town, the are a few accommodation options available, we rode around between a few and finally decided to check into the Walkabout Inn. This cozy little gem with their friendly staff were very accommodating. We were given our room and settled in for the evening. The rooms are very spacious and comfortable. Their home cooked meals are tasty and filling, just what is needed after a long day on the bike.
After a good nights rest, we sat down to an amazing full house breakfast which was very tasty and filling. Once the bikes were packed, we headed out of Rhodes back along the R396 towards our next adventure…
https://bikertogza.blogspot.com/2016/03/naudes-nek-rhodes-2014.html
Naudes Nek Rhodes Eastern Cape
Rhodes and Naudesnek seem to pop up often in conversation with fellow adventure bikers, so we simply had to add this ride to our ever growing list of places to visit.
Heading out of Durban we decided to do the scenic route, as one should, so headed in the direction of Underberg and decided to stop off in Himeville for a quick breakfast. The Himeville arms serves and amazing local farm style breakfast which will keep you going for the day. After breakfast we headed out of Himeville down towards a small town call Swartberg, at Swartberg we cut across to Matatiele on the D636. The D636 is an awesome dirt road and gives you a taste of things to come, this road winds itself through some of the local farm lands and is shared with fellow road users so be on the look out for cars, trucks and slow moving tractors.
Once arriving in Matatiele, we topped up with fuel and purchased a few snacks for the road. From there we headed along the R56 towards Maclear where we turned right onto the R396 which took us towards the town of Rhodes via Naudesnek Pass.
Riding along the R396 towards Rhodes, you get a feeling of complete remoteness as you follow this road towards the base of Naudesnek, the only form of life is the occasional farm house or tractor from time to time. U have to stay focused on the road as well so you cant let your thoughts wonder as this road does have the occasional corrugated stretch or sharp bend which does sneak up on you. Be careful when crossing some of the concrete low water streams as these do have a thin layer of green moss which can cause the bike to slide out unexpectedly and see you laying next to your bike in the river…lol
Arriving at the base of Naudesnek Pass, you feel dwarfed by the surrounding mountains. The assent begins on a narrow dirt road which winds itself gradually towards the summit. This road surface is hard but consists mainly of loose rock and the occasional wet stream flowing across the road. These could be slippery at places so keep your guard up and anticipate your line you choose. As you climb this Naudesnek Pass you can not help but admire the breath taking views, you really get an appreciation for this beautiful country we live in. We finally reach the summit of Naudesnek Pass and decided to stop off and take in the beauty around us as well as the odd photograph. This was short lived, as quick as we got there as quick had the clouds started rolling in and soon enough we were surrounded by thick mountain mist. We decide to mount up and start the descent down into Rhodes as we did not want to get stuck doing the descent towards Rhodes in the rain…
Heading down the other end of Naudesnek Pass towards Rhodes can be as tricky as the assent, similar road conditions greet you so caution should be taken when choosing the correct line. There are a few steep descents met with the odd hairpin corner so take extreme caution when going into these bends as you would not like to over shoot the turn and drop off the side of the pass. At the base of Naudesnek pass, there is the Naudes family cemetery which is worth a stop off for a break. Once back on the bike you head across a few low level stream into the small town of Rhodes.
Rhodes is a tranquil little town, the are a few accommodation options available, we rode around between a few and finally decided to check into the Walkabout Inn. This cozy little gem with their friendly staff were very accommodating. We were given our room and settled in for the evening. The rooms are very spacious and comfortable. Their home cooked meals are tasty and filling, just what is needed after a long day on the bike.
After a good nights rest, we sat down to an amazing full house breakfast which was very tasty and filling. Once the bikes were packed, we headed out of Rhodes back along the R396 towards our next adventure…
