Aprilian
Race Dog
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2008
- Messages
- 1,771
- Reaction score
- 156
- Location
- Melkbosstrand
- Bike
- Husqvarna (all models)
007, you inspired me to post this RR even though I'm still recovering.
We decided to do The Old Post Route from Tanqua side on a blistering hot Sunday 2 or 3 weeks ago. Of course we slept in a little and had a super breakfast and eventually left from Anton's Tanqua farm at ~ 11h00, in other words the midday trip from hell!
Leaving from Tanqua
HOT!!
Some hectic ditches awaiting the unwary
Then on to Kobus se Gat and the first river crossing..
At this stage I nearly gave up after a few bike pickups- Rallye 2 kinda hot in this type of situation!
But not to worry- only a teeny river bed to climb out..
Then another river xsing
...followed by another river bank...
And then the Karretjies Pass- going up (whereas 007 came down this pass)
I'm the spot at the top of the pic
Then the ride on the plateau- Nico makes it look easy but consists of sandy jeep track alternating with pebbly jeep track and bushes impinging on your chosen route leading to several sojourns over middel mannetjie- sometimes with spectacular and exhausting results...
The Right Bike For The Job!!
At this stage I'd run out of water and the others were on their last sips- now hot & THIRSTYYY and starting to panic after doing 55km in 3 hours.
But then- a site to good to be true- shade and water
in the form of the Bakkes farm. Man, water never tasted this good!! And shade- what great hospitality from Mr & Mrs Bakkes.
After the farm the road is used more and the ridng is much easier and scenic into the Biedouw- stunning.
And straight on to aircon and ice cold German fizzy drinks at the local
Spirits restored
All in all- a day to remember with take home messages- when in the Karoo, travel early in the morning and take plenty of water!!
We decided to do The Old Post Route from Tanqua side on a blistering hot Sunday 2 or 3 weeks ago. Of course we slept in a little and had a super breakfast and eventually left from Anton's Tanqua farm at ~ 11h00, in other words the midday trip from hell!
Leaving from Tanqua
HOT!!
Some hectic ditches awaiting the unwary
Then on to Kobus se Gat and the first river crossing..
At this stage I nearly gave up after a few bike pickups- Rallye 2 kinda hot in this type of situation!
But not to worry- only a teeny river bed to climb out..
Then another river xsing
...followed by another river bank...
And then the Karretjies Pass- going up (whereas 007 came down this pass)
I'm the spot at the top of the pic
Then the ride on the plateau- Nico makes it look easy but consists of sandy jeep track alternating with pebbly jeep track and bushes impinging on your chosen route leading to several sojourns over middel mannetjie- sometimes with spectacular and exhausting results...
The Right Bike For The Job!!
At this stage I'd run out of water and the others were on their last sips- now hot & THIRSTYYY and starting to panic after doing 55km in 3 hours.
But then- a site to good to be true- shade and water
in the form of the Bakkes farm. Man, water never tasted this good!! And shade- what great hospitality from Mr & Mrs Bakkes.
After the farm the road is used more and the ridng is much easier and scenic into the Biedouw- stunning.
And straight on to aircon and ice cold German fizzy drinks at the local
Spirits restored
All in all- a day to remember with take home messages- when in the Karoo, travel early in the morning and take plenty of water!!