Galgeberg 25 years later

[Mr Legs]

About 25 years ago we stayed at Whipstock Farm outside McGregor and  I did a solo trip up the Galgeberg. I was young and slim. From the gate it was 1hour 15 up and 15 minutes down.

 

This past weekend we stayed at Drecaso Cottages near Bonnievale about 30 km from McGregor. I am no longer young nor slim.

On Saturday morning five of us started the trip from Dracaso to the Galgeberg. after 30 km we reached McGregor and we had coffee at the Saturday morning market. At McGregor we were joined by three wives on e-bikes. We then continued past Lord's Wines, and up the hill. The road to the top of the mountain is steep and narrow and very long. We lost two companions and two e-bikers along the way and one of the e-bikers stayed with the remaining three. I stopped two or three times just to catch my breath, but eventually managed to cycle to the top after a climb of about 1 h 25 min and was rewarded with the beautiful views down to Greyton and the Boesmanskloof Valley. To the east we could see Ashton and McGregor and to the north was the town of Robertson. Downhill was easy. Six min 8 seconds down to the gate.

 

I rolled further to Lord's Wines where the rest of the party was doing wine tasting and lunch. I then decided to skip the wine and the lunch and to cycle the 40 km back to Decraso and as I could not find a partner, I was on my own. I reached Decraso with a few cramps starting to nibble at my thighs for a 100km with 2416 m of ascent. I had a few beers and felt good.

 

Yesterday we cycled on the trails at Decraso, I was clowning around, went off track, hit a rock and went over the handlebars for the hardest fall of my cycling life. A dislocated little finger, lots of blood and there might be a cracked rib. Four beers later I was planning another adventure.

 

Edited November 4 by Mr Legs

[Skubarra]

@Mr Legs I'm in the area in December, does one need permission to go up to the mast or can you just ride up?

[Rowl]

Good one, thanks for sharing and hope you're ok. 

[Mr Legs]

48 minutes ago, Skubarra said:

@Mr Legs I'm in the area in December, does one need permission to go up to the mast or can you just ride up?

We got the ok from the owner of the highest house/holiday farm on the track. According to him it is a public road, but the gate at the start of the climb was erected by another neighbour. 

[nathrix]

About two years ago I rode from McGregor to the top of Galgeberg and then let the Gopro run from the top all the way back into McGregor. Loved it!