W-Cape 5days: Stellenbosch > Cedarberg > Montagu > Witsand > Ruitersb. -Complete

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karelmalan

Puppy
Joined
Mar 25, 2008
Messages
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0
Location
Stellenbosch
Bike
BMW R1100GS
It's been nearly three weeks since I got back from this trip, but things have been a bit hectic since.   Anyway, here goes:

Although we only left Stellenbosch around 14:00 on Saturday the 24th, I reckon it all started the previous evening already.   On the way back from work on the eve of the trip with my mind racing through all the things that I might have forgot, I'm shifting through the gears when I become aware of a nasty hitching feeling in my clutch action.  I stop at the next set of lights and sure enough, I see my clutch cable starting to fray at the little knob where it goes into the clutch handle.   My stomach sinks because I ride a 1100GS and I know BMW rarely keep spares for the older bikes.   AND the bike was in for a major service a week ago!  I guess one has to check these things oneself to be sure, though.

To make a long story short, I modified a VW Beetle's accelerator cable (purchased for R65 at 17:45 on a Friday) to fit my bike.   It worked fine... up till Wellington.  Then the knob that goes into the clutch handle (slightly smaller than it's meant to be) started slipping out every few gearshifts, so in the end I limped back to my garage in Stellenbosch and got a buddy from Cape Town to bring me the correct cable which I'm happy to say was stocked by BMW at the Waterfront.  All this meant that we got away about 6 hours behind schedule but with a lesson learned:  Have a backup plan when using a modded part for a crucial task.  Or something like that  ;D

Here are some pics.   Are the sizes of these OK?   I'm hosting them on picasaweb, which only gives you the following two sizes (a M%#RSE difference!), so I went for the smaller one.  If you want bigger pics (commentary included), go to https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008 or just click on the pic you want to see.    Let me know your thoughts...


Just outside Welgevonden, Stb. Still tinkering with the clutch cable:
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212860817522292578"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNS2v392I/AAAAAAAAAis/PEf0-wkLZic/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20243%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212860817522292578"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNS2v392I/AAAAAAAAAis/PEf0-wkLZic/s800/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20243%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Gydo Pass just north of Ceres.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212860836656473378"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNT-B0ZSI/AAAAAAAAAi0/bpjPde2rwHM/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20247%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

From top of Gydo Pass, looking towards Ceres and Prins Alfred's Hamlet
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212860847237528434"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNUlcie3I/AAAAAAAAAi8/vo2wowbw918/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20250%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Coffee break. We met a guy on a CBX200 Bushlander at this spot.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212860874586732050"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNWLVGNhI/AAAAAAAAAjI/3tEVRhwgwrQ/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20255%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

On the way to Cedarberg Oasis. Good gravel road
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212860899928800146"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNXpvHe5I/AAAAAAAAAjQ/3HuZAoRFuZc/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20258%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Last rays of sun coming over the ridge behind is. Looking East towards Katbakkies Pass. Weird looking rocks littering the landscape around here
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212860919087820578"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNYxG-7yI/AAAAAAAAAjY/opRYb9f-eIw/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20263%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Painting inside Cedarberg Oasis. The guy on the right had worked on the farm for many years.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212860939249009938"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNZ8NyRRI/AAAAAAAAAjg/19ywnONfaZ4/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20266%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Morning of day 2. Outside Cedarberg Oasis, looking south towards Ceres.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212860960361385346"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNbK3XjYI/AAAAAAAAAjo/-H56O2-LS7o/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20278%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Old tractor in the yard of Cedarberg Oasis. Looking south towards Ceres. Came via road in the shadows at the top of the picture yesterday evening.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212860978613482178"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNcO3AcsI/AAAAAAAAAjw/5T_gf5Km0P0/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20280%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Cedarberg Oasis.  I can really recommend this place.  Very comfortable, great food (steak that can compete with Cattle Baron!), very friendly and helpful hosts - Gerrit even has extra petrol he keeps to sell mainly to bikers - at cost price.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861023901507730"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNe3kg4JI/AAAAAAAAAj4/lRwAEbL0SnI/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20285%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Packed and ready to go. Heeeepa...
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861094578949986"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNi-3VD2I/AAAAAAAAAkA/_FvrOLIbG3k/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20287%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Some ruins just before Algeria turn-off, heading north from Cedarberg Oasis.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861112055251826"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNj_-AQ3I/AAAAAAAAAkI/KnV0L6pf5nA/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20288%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

At the split going to Clanwilliam via Algeria
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861133153973138"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNlOkVM5I/AAAAAAAAAkQ/b7LunSIjtxI/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20292%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

mmmm. Nahh.  Thanks LuckyStriker for your advice regarding this route: "Don't worry too much - just do it!"   >:D
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861147319441314"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNmDVpF6I/AAAAAAAAAkY/-5LD9QiX0Zk/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20293%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Heading towards Wupperthal via Eselbank
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861178250847874"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNn2kQ5oI/AAAAAAAAAkg/32_iujl6NTU/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20298%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Pretty good stretch of road. Beautiful fynbos along the way.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861203189370114"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNpTeEjQI/AAAAAAAAAko/szWKAmYjiHU/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20299%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Looking towards Eselbank in the north
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861222033671170"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNqZq5xAI/AAAAAAAAAkw/FoD6BtU8B9A/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20300%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Lots of Restios along this stretch. Road becoming a bit uneven. Rough gravel in some parts
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861241261143506"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNrhTFtdI/AAAAAAAAAk4/GPVIqlFuS9c/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20303%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Heading into Eselbank. Not much going on in this little town. Chickens and goats in the streets. Not much traffic passing through here
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861271022992546"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNtQK3fKI/AAAAAAAAAlA/HM5Kdz733EM/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20307%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

This is Main Road...
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861299621923394"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNu6tYikI/AAAAAAAAAlI/oy87lF8oY1U/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20308%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Main Road: they've had a bit of rain recently...
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861318662461234"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNwBpAFzI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/sxAGlHIo0Iw/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20312%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Wet luggage and shoes. Madala steaming a bit, but grinning from ear to ear.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861340387309538"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfNxSkm9-I/AAAAAAAAAlY/wUDGFzukMKs/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20315%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Oops. Unexpected sandy patch
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861438408851538"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfN2_uxAFI/AAAAAAAAAlg/aNCnhuB4nkE/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20316%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

On the way to a waterfall that Gerrit from Cedarberg Oasis spoke about that's located just after Eselbank. Got a bit lost.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861465045067490"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfN4i9VZuI/AAAAAAAAAlo/b45mcljq4aY/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20318%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

End of the road
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861488578888818"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfN56oPBHI/AAAAAAAAAlw/yk9DYzzdA0U/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20320%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Ahaa. Found the top of the falls. Was a bit tired from struggling through the sand at this stage, so didn't pursue it.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861507856363874"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfN7CcV8WI/AAAAAAAAAl4/qJrIV1_brJc/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20322%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861529906139714"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfN8Ula0kI/AAAAAAAAAmA/nYfXfH-sDd0/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20323%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Wupperthal in the distance
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861550832780914"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfN9iiuBnI/AAAAAAAAAmI/5LySf9HQ2HY/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20326%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

The road is mostly pretty good, as long as one's prepared to take it slow.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861568789869666"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfN-lcBdGI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Y5uyNLGRkts/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20327%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Steep descent into Wupperthal from the south
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861609591019458"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOA9bxl8I/AAAAAAAAAmY/knqSDlWlZaE/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20328%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Moravian Missionary church in Wupperthal
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861623758072338"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOByNdqhI/AAAAAAAAAmg/GU2vsnXhPNA/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20330%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Plan ahead if you need to fill up here! Don't know about Unleaded, though... Luckily Madala has a big tank.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861649690869778"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfODS0UwBI/AAAAAAAAAmo/EU74r7jazu4/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20332%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Post Office in Wupperthal
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861665996749794"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOEPj8u-I/AAAAAAAAAmw/tjgPsyBORPQ/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20335%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Orchards and a view of some of the houses. The people here aren't doing badly really. According to Gerrit from Cedarberg Oasis, they get a lot of funding from the government
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861700374701474"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOGPoSpaI/AAAAAAAAAm4/1QvNm8cbHbY/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20336%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Smash and biltong. Hmmm-mmm.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861710537903250"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOG1fYzJI/AAAAAAAAAnA/knHdc6SiYOk/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20340%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Serious business, this. ;-)
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861741304320178"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOIoGrELI/AAAAAAAAAnI/5D3JaqKlh_Q/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20341%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Some of the locals. The palm leaves are their bakkies. Vrrrmmm!
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861760952715746"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOJxTNyeI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/T0yK70DbQPM/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20342%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Very good at amusing themselves! And keen to share their stories and songs/rhymes
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861785794797170"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOLN2B3nI/AAAAAAAAAnY/rPaAZZN1wKY/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20353%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

At this stage we decided to rather head back the way we came instead of doing the circle route vir Clanwilliam and Algeria as I had initially planned.  That's for next time.   I was really impressed with Madala on the climb back to Eselbank.  He's already got 140 000 kilos on the clock, but never missed a beat!  Restecpa for the old guy.


Heading back south to Eselbank
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861804789465394"><img src="https://lh6.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOMUmtgTI/AAAAAAAAAng/-yUxwfZf00c/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20355%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

A view in transit of the houses in Eselbank
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861833226769634"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfON-isVOI/AAAAAAAAAno/qvS9A51YFII/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20360%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Taking a break. It was pretty hot around here
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861861230469634"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOPm3S4gI/AAAAAAAAAnw/_y1kAz9-50w/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20361%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861882718071170"><img src="https://lh4.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOQ26VqYI/AAAAAAAAAn4/LUDBkxSyhAk/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20364%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Ooops. Just after overtaking a slow bakkie, I took the wrong line and headed into the sand. Luckily it was thick enough to slow progress quite rapidly...
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861933018190642"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOTyS0kzI/AAAAAAAAAoA/JhBZwgaaFnE/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20365%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Thick enough that we used a coffee cup to dig ourselves out!
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861955208449154"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOVE9ZDII/AAAAAAAAAoI/mLwu98WmbAI/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20366%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Note to self: "Never again put the milk (longlife, mind you) near the outside of the saddlebags." - Note the look of disgust on the girlfriend's face... ;-)
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861975614255986"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOWQ-g83I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/m1SovpIb560/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20367%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

In front of Cedarberg Oasis heading back to Ceres.
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212861991395882722"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfOXLxJduI/AAAAAAAAAoY/og6n0HD_mmE/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20370%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

Dusk near Luiperdskloof, roughly 35kilos south of Cedarberg Oasis
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212873486822569762"><img src="https://lh5.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfY0TkcdyI/AAAAAAAAAog/NkuFntFHVbY/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20376%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>

End of day 2 at Edenvue Chalets in Prins Alfred's Hamlet. Cedarberg soil in my shoes.  A lekker rump bought at spar in my stomach and a fire burning nicely.  Aaaahhh...
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/karelmalan/Bike_Trip_Mei_2008/photo#5212873529474182098"><img src="https://lh3.ggpht.com/karelmalan/SFfY2ydYa9I/AAAAAAAAAoo/P27iepMxnm4/s400/mia%20bike%20trip%20etc%20378%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" /></a>


To be continued...


 
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