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Posted
26 minutes ago, Lynskey said:

From PA to half to die hell. That road is in another condition. Rough as nuts. Saw many vehicles coming out and going in. Good business for the little place at the end. Good to see. Flowers were beyond beautiful. 

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The Karoo flowers are something else this year. We were there a few weeks back, but not on the bike. I think that one can see this kind of flower explosion once a decade or so, but never as widespread as it is this year. The flowers are absolutely everywhere. even in The Hell.

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Posted
59 minutes ago, DJR said:

The Karoo flowers are something else this year. We were there a few weeks back, but not on the bike. I think that one can see this kind of flower explosion once a decade or so, but never as widespread as it is this year. The flowers are absolutely everywhere. even in The Hell.

I wonder if the locust swarms not so long ago perhaps have contributed to this ?

Posted
1 hour ago, DJR said:

The Karoo flowers are something else this year. We were there a few weeks back, but not on the bike. I think that one can see this kind of flower explosion once a decade or so, but never as widespread as it is this year. The flowers are absolutely everywhere. even in The Hell.

Did you make it all the way? I stopped before the last climb. With all my stuff on I wasn't prepared to keep going. The road was intense. Even the high clearance vehicles were telling me it was taking them over 3 hours. It was simply gorgeous though. 

Posted
13 minutes ago, 'Dale said:

Meiringspoort last week as part of showing our son the magnificent Karoo for the first time:

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Did you take a swim?

 

Posted
2 hours ago, 'Dale said:

Meiringspoort last week as part of showing our son the magnificent Karoo for the first time:

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Lovely picture as always Dale

Posted
4 hours ago, Lynskey said:

Did you make it all the way? I stopped before the last climb. With all my stuff on I wasn't prepared to keep going. The road was intense. Even the high clearance vehicles were telling me it was taking them over 3 hours. It was simply gorgeous though. 

No, we were showing some visitors around and I didn't want to add 5 or 6 extra hours to an already very long day. My rule is to always sleep over and come back the next day, by car or by bike......right or wrong, but that's me?

The last climb is a massive monster called Heartbreak Hill (but it isn't just sommer a hill) with multiple false summits. Just when you think you are at the top, the road turns upwards some more, and more, and again........... But what you get for it is the downhill into The Hell. This last bit is called the Elands Pass and it drops 500m in just 3,5km, it has 51 beds, 5 of which are full 270 degree hairpin bends. 180 degree hairpins are a dime a dozen.

And then of course you have to ride up that again to get out.......

Posted
1 hour ago, DJR said:

No, we were showing some visitors around and I didn't want to add 5 or 6 extra hours to an already very long day. My rule is to always sleep over and come back the next day, by car or by bike......right or wrong, but that's me?

The last climb is a massive monster called Heartbreak Hill (but it isn't just sommer a hill) with multiple false summits. Just when you think you are at the top, the road turns upwards some more, and more, and again........... But what you get for it is the downhill into The Hell. This last bit is called the Elands Pass and it drops 500m in just 3,5km, it has 51 beds, 5 of which are full 270 degree hairpin bends. 180 degree hairpins are a dime a dozen.

And then of course you have to ride up that again to get out.......

I have ridden in before. It was just taking too long. I had no desire to sleep there. Plus with luggage it stopped being fun. That was when I turned. I don't know if it will ever happen but I really hope they do something to fix that road up. It is an enjoyable ride.

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