"There's this motorbike museum in Deneysville", Hardy said.
And since Deneysville is, by some stretch of the imagination, halfway to Clarens, we might as well just go sleep over there the Saturday night.
This time it was going to be a 'light' tour - no tents or sleeping bags or braai grids or giant Tbones. Just the bikes, a toothbrush, a change of clothes and a credit card. And the jerry can to compensate for the TW's lack of range. Over a Saturday and Sunday - no leave required.
The journey was the destination. We would see if we can find quiet back roads. Although the TW can go almost anywhere, it doesn't get there fast. It was going to be around 450 kms or there-abouts of mostly dirt, so we left Randburg just after daybreak on Saturday morning.
Great breakfast and a very interesting museum in Deneysville.
Could not get enough of that road. Have to go back.
More very scenic dirt roads past places on a map: Slabberts, Paul Roux, Petrus Steyn, Frankfort.
The whole day was dirt roads, back roads and almost no traffic.
And since Deneysville is, by some stretch of the imagination, halfway to Clarens, we might as well just go sleep over there the Saturday night.
This time it was going to be a 'light' tour - no tents or sleeping bags or braai grids or giant Tbones. Just the bikes, a toothbrush, a change of clothes and a credit card. And the jerry can to compensate for the TW's lack of range. Over a Saturday and Sunday - no leave required.
The journey was the destination. We would see if we can find quiet back roads. Although the TW can go almost anywhere, it doesn't get there fast. It was going to be around 450 kms or there-abouts of mostly dirt, so we left Randburg just after daybreak on Saturday morning.
Great breakfast and a very interesting museum in Deneysville.
When the R716 turned off towards Oranjeville, we kept straight on the first bit of dirt for the day towards Heilbron (fuel stop) Tweeling (fuel stop).
This.
Between Heilbron and Tweeling.
Is why we have motorbikes.
That can go offroad.
From Tweeling to Reitz was a bit of tar road on the R26 partially to make up time, and partially because it was the straightest line. From Reitz it was dirt road to Kransfontein again. Sand road and some loose gravel that made for interesting riding. At Kransfontein we stopped to check the map. While discussing route options (mainly Hardy discussing while I was listening) a farmer stopped to ask where we are from. "Then you must be on the way to Clarens", he responded upon hearing we are from Jozi. "You're obviously going to take the scenic pass into Golden Gate". We weren't, because we weren't sure it was a public road. But apparently it was. So we were. Obviously.
This is a road every cyclist and every biker should ride at least once in his life.
This is why our bikes can go off road.
And why roadies should get bikes that can.
Could not get enough of that road. Have to go back.
From Golden gate on (familiar) tar to Clarens for coffee, pizza and wine.
Sleep, eat and repeat.
It took us 10 hours to ride about 450 the previous day (ride, breakfast, pictures, museums, fuel-stops, map checks). Sunday was going to be another +-450km so it maybe was a bit unwise to only leave Clarens way after 9. Closer to 10, maybe.
After a late breakfast in Fouriesburg we took the very scenic back roads behind the mountains that make up the Four Peaks trail run (It's so much easier on a bike!)
More very scenic dirt roads past places on a map: Slabberts, Paul Roux, Petrus Steyn, Frankfort.
By the time we crossed the Vaal river back to Gauteng, we realized we're chasing the sun. We decided to stay on the R59 rather than the dirt-tracks of the 'South'.
It was way after dark when we arrived back in Jozi. Tanks empty, but spirits and minds recharged.
***
Should have broken a collarbone. At least.
Was riding around 70 or 80 on dirt roads the last bit back - partly because we were chasing the sun. But mainly because of the Helmet Itch. Was incredibly stupid to try to scratch my head while riding. A guardian angel had to work some overtime ...
I googled the helmet itch and it can be various things, from dry air, static build-up due to too dry hair, to allergies. Buff didn't work because as I was moving the helmet round to try to scratch the itch, the buff was riding down over my eyes. Got myself two balaclavas from different fabric, and a third of silk on order. Hope that relives the problem!
It was way after dark when we arrived back in Jozi. Tanks empty, but spirits and minds recharged.
***
Should have broken a collarbone. At least.
Was riding around 70 or 80 on dirt roads the last bit back - partly because we were chasing the sun. But mainly because of the Helmet Itch. Was incredibly stupid to try to scratch my head while riding. A guardian angel had to work some overtime ...
I googled the helmet itch and it can be various things, from dry air, static build-up due to too dry hair, to allergies. Buff didn't work because as I was moving the helmet round to try to scratch the itch, the buff was riding down over my eyes. Got myself two balaclavas from different fabric, and a third of silk on order. Hope that relives the problem!
No comments:
Post a Comment