Before I continue with the final day’s misadventures, a few observations for riding in these weather conditions:
1. Don’t do it. But if you must then:
2. Heated grips will help your state of mind;
3. Waterproof luggage, or keep stuff dry in packets inside luggage.
4. “Shower caps” over tank bags / tail bags;
5. Pinlocks in Visors;
6. Extra pairs of riding socks;
7. Packets for in you boots (Worn like socks), especially for MX boots;
8. Rain suit that fits over your jacket AND over your boots
9. A pair of waterproof kitchen style gloves and glove liners because no matter how waterproof you think your riding gloves are, over time they will become waterlogged and freeze in the wind chill.
The air in the morning was very cold. Not in a bad way, rather it was a bit like walking into a well stocked walk-in cold room at a bottle store but without the beer. The sun was warm and the skies clear.
After a hearty breakfast of instant oats and instant coffee, a far cry from the pampering at Mountain Shadow, we loaded up and ceremoniously pushed the 950 up and down the street till it roared into life.
Heading out of town towards Naudesnek, I felt a twinge if disappointment when we passed the Carlisleshoek pass sign, as this was meant to have been our route home via the Traverse. Nevertheless the scenery was breathtaking as we continued up Naudesnek Pass. There was no dust, no vehicles. Our views of the snow covered hill sides was awesome, I could see that there was no way we could have ridden the traverse.
The road was icy and wet in places, and the snow which started to appear kept off the road.
We came around a corner and the following bend in the road swept up a gentle slope to the left.
Suddenly, without warning, we were on compacted ice tracks made by vehicles, the middle mannetjie and sides of the road were untouched snow! I was in the front, and gingerly kept the throttle on to keep momentum but only got perhaps fifty meters up the ice before stopping. The little XT with the least suitable tyre (Motoz GPS) was coming up behind me and I made him stop. The other guys were in varying states of disarray in the ice.
I estimated we had at least 12km to go before the top of Naudesnek, and who knew the state of the descent on the other side?
There were no vehicles on the Pass, so it seemed like a bad idea to continue, or to even attempt it.
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Topic: Ben 10 and the Abominable Snowman (Read 2116 times)
