I think if one does not do it solo, that Antoniesberg pass wont be much of a challenge. Granted it has some serious inclines with very rocky and tricky surfaces. But with no rain I would not rate it a lot more difficult than Baviaans. Maybe I took it from the easier side though as I met a group of guys that seemed to be struggling more, coming from Steytlerville.
Anyhow, I wasnt in a very happy place due to the rain and starting to get cold, added to being worried on what may still come. I realized I wasnt in a very good position doing a difficult pass alone in rainy conditions. But I soldiered on, really missing my GPS as I felt extra lost not knowing how far I still had to go or if I was even making decent progress.
Just when I felt on my gloomiest I met the other group. Strewn out on a difficult section. I was negotiating lots of rocks up to here but suddenly had to do with hard but slippery black mud, so I basically fell into the party. It was actually very funny, meeting new people while they help you pic up your bike.
Their first opinion was also that there was no way I could continue on alone, which I was happy to accept as I was worried. We chatted a little while they regrouped and then I asked again is he sure, with some rethinking I was told that I should be fine, I just had to stay out of some mud pit but otherwise I will be fine as I will be going downhill on tough stretches where they struggled. But the best news was....the river crossing is no concern, the water is low. That was a big relieve.
I stood back to take a photo just to see my bike had slipped and fell over. Sug
Well, off I went again, there was some challenging bits but I managed. I did hit the mud pit whcih I was warned against. Or rather my rear wheel slipped into it while the front was out, I just tried to keep momentum and only fell over after I was through. Pics shows I was very much sideways going through there.
The rain was really getting to me now though. It was very cold also. I go to the river, walked through and saw its fine and crossed with the bike. But the problem with water proof boots is that water also cant go out... and loads of water flowed over my boot checking the depth of the river.
After the river all the fun was over and I only had to manage cold. Unending relentless cold. I really struggled. I managed to reach Steytlerville where I finally got the heat draining water out of my boots and sommer sloshed in my socks over the road to the hotel for coffee. I felt better but ten minutes later the cold set in again.
I rode back to George then via tar, no pics, I can just say it was the toughest bit of the day and probably one of the toughest rides I ever had. There was more rain, my one heated grip wasnt working and my visor fogged up when the sun went down (around Uniondale). But I just continued and counted down every km until I got home at around 7pm. 15hours in the saddle but I made it.
Will I do it again?
Yes. (except maybe for the cold
)
Topic: Prins Alfred pass, Baviaans and Antoniesberg pass, one long COLD day! (Read 6803 times)