- Joined
- May 21, 2009
- Messages
- 1,213
- Reaction score
- 45
- Bike
- Suzuki DR650
Long Way Round to Oasis
Video Link
https://youtu.be/atUytrv8I8c
IT was one of those typical Cape days when the seasons could not quite decide whether we were headed into Summer or going back to winter.
Even yr.no was predicting constant rain throughout the Boland and even Sandrif was going to record at least 2mm.
However, four Wilddogs including Andy, Anton, Shamiel and Robin met at 7.30 at the Engen One Stop on the N1 in bright sunshine but with a bitter snap in the air.
The plan was to ride over Bains Kloof, head across to Ceres, refuel and then head out of Ceres and at the Prison take a right onto the Agter Swarmoed gravel road, ride up and over Bo-Swamoed and then fly down onto the R355, head left up and over Katbakkies Pass and onto Oasis for a much sought after T-Bone.
We also wanted to take a look at a road opposite Matjierivier, which seems to head out and up to a private lodge of some description.
The path home was to be via Algeria, Citrusdal and back onto the N7.
Apart from frozen hands we rode over Bains and arrived in Ceres, hoping for a little more warmth from the sun.
Refueling over the group headed out of town and took the Agter Swamoed road for about 13km before we were stopped by an impressive set of gates heading into the Swamoed reserve.
According to Andy's GPS the gate should not exist but unfortunately someone had put it up after his maps were published.
A quick about turn and after a short ride a right and then a left and we hit the tar on the way to Klondyke and Matroosberg.
Just past the Matroosberg reserve turnoff the road turns back onto gravel and heads down towards Touws River and finally on to the R355.
An interesting route for those not wanting to head up and over the Theronsberg Pass.
In true fashion the R355 was clear of traffic and we threw up the dust as we headed for the turnoff to Katbakkies.
A quick regroup as Anton had held back in Ceres to take an important work related inquiry and we thought we might meet up with him.
After waiting the prescribed 10 minutes the three of us headed up and over the mountains and could not believe the traffic. Every cage on the planet had chosen the Sunday to venture into the mountains. And in groups to make passing even more interesting.
Meanwhile the promised poor weather still had not hit us.
Oasis was quite on arrival with a bitterly cold wind blowing up from the coast but fortunately Chantall's excellent food did the trick to warm us up.
While eating a group arrived in a 4x4 and described how Cape Town was awash and we were going to hit it on the way home.
And the clouds were building over the Cederberg.
After a quick ride over to Matjiesrivier and a look at yet another full locked and bolted gate we made our way across to Algeria on what at present must be the road with the most marbles and corrugations.
One could easily have their dentures rattled as the bikes hopped and skipped along the road.
It was quite pleasant reaching the paved road at Algeria on Uitkyk Pass.
By now the weather really looked ominous and we thought we may take to the tar at the Algeria N7 intersection, but again the rain held off and we took the gravel alongside the Olifants River.
As we entered Citrusdal it began to rain those heavy drops, which feel as if someone has poured a bucket of water over your head.
Fortunately it only lasted a minute or two.
A quick refuel and the schlep over Piekeneerskloof pass with two stops and a slight drizzle.
The remainder of the trip was just heads down and straight home.
As I arrived home at about 6pm it began to rain
Once again a great day, great riding weather and great companions.
My eye in the sky recorded 540km.
Video Link
https://youtu.be/atUytrv8I8c
IT was one of those typical Cape days when the seasons could not quite decide whether we were headed into Summer or going back to winter.
Even yr.no was predicting constant rain throughout the Boland and even Sandrif was going to record at least 2mm.
However, four Wilddogs including Andy, Anton, Shamiel and Robin met at 7.30 at the Engen One Stop on the N1 in bright sunshine but with a bitter snap in the air.
The plan was to ride over Bains Kloof, head across to Ceres, refuel and then head out of Ceres and at the Prison take a right onto the Agter Swarmoed gravel road, ride up and over Bo-Swamoed and then fly down onto the R355, head left up and over Katbakkies Pass and onto Oasis for a much sought after T-Bone.
We also wanted to take a look at a road opposite Matjierivier, which seems to head out and up to a private lodge of some description.
The path home was to be via Algeria, Citrusdal and back onto the N7.
Apart from frozen hands we rode over Bains and arrived in Ceres, hoping for a little more warmth from the sun.
Refueling over the group headed out of town and took the Agter Swamoed road for about 13km before we were stopped by an impressive set of gates heading into the Swamoed reserve.
According to Andy's GPS the gate should not exist but unfortunately someone had put it up after his maps were published.
A quick about turn and after a short ride a right and then a left and we hit the tar on the way to Klondyke and Matroosberg.
Just past the Matroosberg reserve turnoff the road turns back onto gravel and heads down towards Touws River and finally on to the R355.
An interesting route for those not wanting to head up and over the Theronsberg Pass.
In true fashion the R355 was clear of traffic and we threw up the dust as we headed for the turnoff to Katbakkies.
A quick regroup as Anton had held back in Ceres to take an important work related inquiry and we thought we might meet up with him.
After waiting the prescribed 10 minutes the three of us headed up and over the mountains and could not believe the traffic. Every cage on the planet had chosen the Sunday to venture into the mountains. And in groups to make passing even more interesting.
Meanwhile the promised poor weather still had not hit us.
Oasis was quite on arrival with a bitterly cold wind blowing up from the coast but fortunately Chantall's excellent food did the trick to warm us up.
While eating a group arrived in a 4x4 and described how Cape Town was awash and we were going to hit it on the way home.
And the clouds were building over the Cederberg.
After a quick ride over to Matjiesrivier and a look at yet another full locked and bolted gate we made our way across to Algeria on what at present must be the road with the most marbles and corrugations.
One could easily have their dentures rattled as the bikes hopped and skipped along the road.
It was quite pleasant reaching the paved road at Algeria on Uitkyk Pass.
By now the weather really looked ominous and we thought we may take to the tar at the Algeria N7 intersection, but again the rain held off and we took the gravel alongside the Olifants River.
As we entered Citrusdal it began to rain those heavy drops, which feel as if someone has poured a bucket of water over your head.
Fortunately it only lasted a minute or two.
A quick refuel and the schlep over Piekeneerskloof pass with two stops and a slight drizzle.
The remainder of the trip was just heads down and straight home.
As I arrived home at about 6pm it began to rain
Once again a great day, great riding weather and great companions.
My eye in the sky recorded 540km.
