Tankwa Karoo bike packing - help please

[leorust]

We got a permit at the park main office. Really smooth process.

 

[capediver]

Highlights reel....

 

[Prince Albert Cycles]

7 hours ago, capediver said:

Highlights reel....

 

Thank you . Great filming brought back lots of ( corrugated) memories .

[capediver]

5 hours ago, Prince Albert Cycles said:

Thank you . Great filming brought back lots of ( corrugated) memories .

Awesome place and now a few days later and fully recovered, the memory of jarring corrugations has faded to the point that I have decided I WILL go back and do it again!

[DJR]

1 hour ago, capediver said:

Awesome place and now a few days later and fully recovered, the memory of jarring corrugations has faded to the point that I have decided I WILL go back and do it again!

Buckle your front wheel "just right" beforehand and float over the sinkplaat pad next time.😉

[capediver]

23 minutes ago, DJR said:

Buckle your front wheel "just right" beforehand and float over the sinkplaat pad next time.😉

Maybe one of those Flintstone square wheels!!!😝

[DJR]

Those endless corrugated roads is the reason why I have always found a good enough excuse not to do the Tour De Ara. Even though I have the right bike for it. I prefer my fillings to stay exactly where they are. I'm a Karoo guy, love that part of the world and have cycled a fair bit of it, but mostly on a dual suspension MBT. Even then it gets to me after a while.  When you stop and for 5 minutes after getting off the bike, you still feel the pulsation in your arms, you know why even a dominee is allowed to swear on those empty plains. Call me a softie if you want.

Edited October 16, 2025 by DJR

[capediver]

2 hours ago, DJR said:

Those endless corrugated roads is the reason why I have always found a good enough excuse not to do the Tour De Ara. Even though I have the right bike for it. I prefer my fillings to stay exactly where they are. I'm a Karoo guy, love that part of the world and have cycled a fair bit of it, but mostly on a dual suspension MBT. Even then it gets to me after a while.  When you stop and for 5 minutes after getting off the bike, you still feel the pulsation in your arms, you know why even a dominee is allowed to swear on those empty plains. Call me a softie if you want.

Know that feeling...didn't come out unscathed...day 1 is always a big fight with cramps (inner thigh) that bring tears to my eyes but this time round I suffered the most unusual s/e...you going to laugh..I cut my nails before the trip (wanted to look my best!!) and this initiated a separation! I like wearing full-fingered gloves but the constant bouncing and rotation of skin in gloves on bars rattling pulled the skin from under my nails! Every night was excruciating when I eventually had nothing to do but lie down and try sleep...no distractions to ignore the pain...cut the tips off my nice POC gloves but it was too late!!!😩

It was a great test for the Redshift stem and seatpost suspension system...would hate to think about NOT having it installed!

Also BIIIGGG win were the aerobars...I really though I might not have the chance to use them on gravel but turns out they are really comfortable when the gravel is OK even with small bumps...not to mention the tar stretch out of Sutherland....heaven!!!!!!!. Also they are so comfortable to use when pushing the bike...legs don't get caught up on the rear panniers cause you can really lean on the bars and keep the bike leaned out away from your legs! Well recommended! And you can mount all your toys on them!

Tailfin Bar Cage was a win as well...rock solid and did not rotate on bars or drop down even 1 mm! Held up 11L bag with sleep gear and a mini camp chair...this last being one the THE most NB pieces of kit!

Another great win was the SeatoSummit EtherLight XR Pro mattress inside a liner with the K-Way down multiquilt.(cause I CANNOT do sleeping bags!)..comfort and warmth all night long!!!

First Ascent Stamina 1-man was cool...but getting smaller every day! and needs to be pegged so maybe looking for same packed dimensions and weight alternative as in Durston X-dome 1+ as soon as they back in stock as they can't make them fast enough!!!...something that is free standing...oh yes and screw in pegs...Karoo clay is HARD!!!

No mechanicals at all! Had electric pump, CO2 and Lezyne mini floor pump...did not need any of that! (Panaracer SK 50mm)

The mini braai grind went for a ride!!!!😝

Edited October 16, 2025 by capediver
Spelling

[DJR]

I also 4x4 and overland and I can tell you that the tough guys take a rechargeable drill with them to drill holes in the ground before hammering the pegs in when they camp in the Tankwa. Nothing else works.

[capediver]

39 minutes ago, DJR said:

I also 4x4 and overland and I can tell you that the tough guys take a rechargeable drill with them to drill holes in the ground before hammering the pegs in when they camp in the Tankwa. Nothing else works.

Rawl plugs and chemical anchors????

Edited October 16, 2025 by capediver

[capediver]

 

 

[Shebeen]

FYI, Gannaga lodge has been one of the biking oasis pitstops in this area.

The owner passed away last week, Lodge shut indefinitely

 

 

[Prince Albert Cycles]

4 hours ago, Shebeen said:

FYI, Gannaga lodge has been one of the biking oasis pitstops in this area.

The owner passed away last week, Lodge shut indefinitely

 

 

Sad 

[capediver]

3 hours ago, Prince Albert Cycles said:

Sad 

I saw this....so sad!!...never met him there but folk there were really nice...RIP!😔

[capediver]

On 2/9/2026 at 1:09 PM, Shebeen said:

FYI, Gannaga lodge has been one of the biking oasis pitstops in this area.

The owner passed away last week, Lodge shut indefinitely

 

 

I actually was busy re-editing some of my footage from this epic Tankwa trip in Oct last year when I saw the sad news...so this is just the Gannaga Pass and a very little of the Lodge....a magnificent place....RIP Izak!