Optimusprime
Pack Dog
We departed for ‘Die Hel’, with no expectations other from what we have read in Greg Beadle’s Bike book; ride reports and friends, little knowing how the weather will turn on us.
We left Cape Town with a slight drizzle, heading towards the N1, via Route 62 towards the Swartberg pass.
We arrived at our first pit stop for coffee, biscuits and shelter from a serious downpour in the town of Montague. The cold front has shifted towards the north, as we rode into it. We decided to venture on I the rain, which stopped further down Route 62.
Our next stop, a dry one and some old brown cherry to warm us up, was at good old Ronnie’s.
We arrived at Calitzdorp before midday, and decided to take the gravel road to the Swartberg pass, 44km, via Kruisrivier and Matjiesrivier. We passed some beautiful cottages, farm houses and cattle on a very pleasant, yet muddy ,road with plenty shallow river crossings and wipe outs.
Upon approaching the Swartberge, we could see a dark cloud covering the pass.
The pass lead us all the way to the Gamkaskloof turnoff towards Die Hel, signed ‘’Beware of dangerous road for the next 37km’’
The gates of heaven once again opened upon us, as the rain poured down. The 1150GS bikes slowly skid its way down the gravel roads, through multiple river crossings. The boxer engines was covered in water, as we battled our way through each current to keep the 450kg loaded iron horses upright, not allowing the rivers to take them downstream.
After 3 ½ hours of pouring rain and very technical ridging, we saw Gamkaskloof extending into the distance with the road dropping through a series of hairpin bends to the valley floor 1000meters below. We engaged into low gear and let the gearbox lead us down the decent.
We were welcomed by a warm smile of Marinette and Pieter from Fontein Guest Farm.
:biggrin:
Our first (wet) night was spent in an antique Gypsy Caravan (R100Pp.p), followed by one night under the beautiful stars, camping (R50p.p). The rest of the weekend we chilled around the camp fires, walked 7km’s from the camp site through dense riverine bush, passing charming historical houses, and outbuildings, a school, a cemetery and a curious history. After the long walk, sore feet and hungry stomachs, the museum offered its rental bicycles for the journey back to our campsite, laughing while we lifted the ladies back through the river crossings.
Die Hel, a gem or heaven on earth is a must to anyone seeking comfort for the soul.
We left Cape Town with a slight drizzle, heading towards the N1, via Route 62 towards the Swartberg pass.
We arrived at our first pit stop for coffee, biscuits and shelter from a serious downpour in the town of Montague. The cold front has shifted towards the north, as we rode into it. We decided to venture on I the rain, which stopped further down Route 62.
Our next stop, a dry one and some old brown cherry to warm us up, was at good old Ronnie’s.
We arrived at Calitzdorp before midday, and decided to take the gravel road to the Swartberg pass, 44km, via Kruisrivier and Matjiesrivier. We passed some beautiful cottages, farm houses and cattle on a very pleasant, yet muddy ,road with plenty shallow river crossings and wipe outs.
Upon approaching the Swartberge, we could see a dark cloud covering the pass.
The pass lead us all the way to the Gamkaskloof turnoff towards Die Hel, signed ‘’Beware of dangerous road for the next 37km’’
The gates of heaven once again opened upon us, as the rain poured down. The 1150GS bikes slowly skid its way down the gravel roads, through multiple river crossings. The boxer engines was covered in water, as we battled our way through each current to keep the 450kg loaded iron horses upright, not allowing the rivers to take them downstream.
After 3 ½ hours of pouring rain and very technical ridging, we saw Gamkaskloof extending into the distance with the road dropping through a series of hairpin bends to the valley floor 1000meters below. We engaged into low gear and let the gearbox lead us down the decent.
We were welcomed by a warm smile of Marinette and Pieter from Fontein Guest Farm.
:biggrin:
Our first (wet) night was spent in an antique Gypsy Caravan (R100Pp.p), followed by one night under the beautiful stars, camping (R50p.p). The rest of the weekend we chilled around the camp fires, walked 7km’s from the camp site through dense riverine bush, passing charming historical houses, and outbuildings, a school, a cemetery and a curious history. After the long walk, sore feet and hungry stomachs, the museum offered its rental bicycles for the journey back to our campsite, laughing while we lifted the ladies back through the river crossings.
Die Hel, a gem or heaven on earth is a must to anyone seeking comfort for the soul.
