- Joined
- May 21, 2009
- Messages
- 1,214
- Reaction score
- 46
- Bike
- Suzuki DR650
[size=10pt]Three days in the Karoo[/size]
Plus video at bottom
Three days traversing the Karoo
WHAT an incredible three days!
On Friday last week, with the weather playing ball Calle and I rode from Wellington over Bains
Kloof, first stop Ceres for petrol.
Unfortunately we arrived with smoke pouring out my bike, which was later diagnosed as a burnt out
main wiring loom.
Two and a half hours later thanks to the auto electricians they had stripped and repatched the loom
and we were once again on the road.
The Friday saw us ride the R355 onto the Sutherland road and then onto the Matjiesfontein road
followed by a ride over the mountains from Patatsrivier to Touws River.
After a quick late breakfast we hit the road across the plateau and picked up the Montagu junction at
the top of Ouberg pass.
A quick ride to the Eastern gates of Sanbona, checked in and rode through to the Western Gate at
Warmwaterberg.
Saw a herd of elephant and a giraffe in the distance.
After a quick drink at Ronnies we headed for Calitzdorp, enjoyed sunset at Red Stone Hills and
overnighted at Amber Lagoon.
Saturday dawned and another great day in Africa.
After breakfast we filled up in Calitzdorp, rode to Zoar and into Seweekspoort.
From the Eastern exit it was a quick ride through to Rouxpos and then on to Laingsburg.
Another fill up and into the Moordenaars Karoo.
And this is a route not to be missed by any offroader.
Winding through spectacular valleys, visiting isolated farms and crossing many drifts and rivers on
the way to Sutherland must rate as one of the most interesting rides in the world.
Another quick fill up in Sutherland and we headed out on to the Ouberg Pass road and late in the
day wound our way down Ouberg Pass into the Tankwa Karoo.
We set our GPS, headed for Stonehenge and apart from traversing some rather thick shale arrived at
sunset.
As usual Stonehenge is like an Oasis in the desert. Plenty to drink a great braai and a comfortable
night under the stars.
We were also able to help some Durban visitors who had lost their way, landed up at Stonehenge
with a shredded tyre and a Marie biscuit spare.
The Stonehenge crew fitted a well worn but good tyre and we helped inflate it as the inhouse
compressor was out of order.
After breakfast we were able to show the visitors the correct route to Ganagga Pass, led them to
Tankwa Padstal, where they met practically everyone who lives in the Tankwa.
Arriving home late Sunday afternoon it was time to reflect on a great ride and as Calle exclaimed:
“Must rate as one of my best 10 rides”.
https://youtu.be/QKAuaWPtjss?list=UUddbgpFNxEM2KkxPs0dCLkQ
Plus video at bottom
Three days traversing the Karoo
WHAT an incredible three days!
On Friday last week, with the weather playing ball Calle and I rode from Wellington over Bains
Kloof, first stop Ceres for petrol.
Unfortunately we arrived with smoke pouring out my bike, which was later diagnosed as a burnt out
main wiring loom.
Two and a half hours later thanks to the auto electricians they had stripped and repatched the loom
and we were once again on the road.
The Friday saw us ride the R355 onto the Sutherland road and then onto the Matjiesfontein road
followed by a ride over the mountains from Patatsrivier to Touws River.
After a quick late breakfast we hit the road across the plateau and picked up the Montagu junction at
the top of Ouberg pass.
A quick ride to the Eastern gates of Sanbona, checked in and rode through to the Western Gate at
Warmwaterberg.
Saw a herd of elephant and a giraffe in the distance.
After a quick drink at Ronnies we headed for Calitzdorp, enjoyed sunset at Red Stone Hills and
overnighted at Amber Lagoon.
Saturday dawned and another great day in Africa.
After breakfast we filled up in Calitzdorp, rode to Zoar and into Seweekspoort.
From the Eastern exit it was a quick ride through to Rouxpos and then on to Laingsburg.
Another fill up and into the Moordenaars Karoo.
And this is a route not to be missed by any offroader.
Winding through spectacular valleys, visiting isolated farms and crossing many drifts and rivers on
the way to Sutherland must rate as one of the most interesting rides in the world.
Another quick fill up in Sutherland and we headed out on to the Ouberg Pass road and late in the
day wound our way down Ouberg Pass into the Tankwa Karoo.
We set our GPS, headed for Stonehenge and apart from traversing some rather thick shale arrived at
sunset.
As usual Stonehenge is like an Oasis in the desert. Plenty to drink a great braai and a comfortable
night under the stars.
We were also able to help some Durban visitors who had lost their way, landed up at Stonehenge
with a shredded tyre and a Marie biscuit spare.
The Stonehenge crew fitted a well worn but good tyre and we helped inflate it as the inhouse
compressor was out of order.
After breakfast we were able to show the visitors the correct route to Ganagga Pass, led them to
Tankwa Padstal, where they met practically everyone who lives in the Tankwa.
Arriving home late Sunday afternoon it was time to reflect on a great ride and as Calle exclaimed:
“Must rate as one of my best 10 rides”.
https://youtu.be/QKAuaWPtjss?list=UUddbgpFNxEM2KkxPs0dCLkQ
