Swartberg Samaritan

[RossTopher]

not a "forum topic" so much as a general shout into the abyss to hopefully catch the eye of the kind couple on swartberg pass who stopped to assist us on Saturday.
 

We were hoping for a co2, or to borrow a pump, but this kind gentleman refused to take his pump back, or give his details for us to return it.
We ended up needing that pump numerous times and would have been stuck without it.

thank you, may good juju find you

[Prince Albert Cycles]

Thin , about 60 ?

[DJR]

Yup, it just proves what I have been saying for years: That place turn humans into better versions of themselves!

[Mamil]

1 hour ago, DJR said:

Yup, it just proves what I have been saying for years: That place turn humans into better versions of themselves!

Dunno - I've not been at my best halfway up that pass on quite a few occasions

[Sepia]

Only had good (great) experiences with the folk there.

[DJR]

36 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Dunno - I've not been at my best halfway up that pass on quite a few occasions

Ha ha, yes, usually somewhere on the climb from the Oudtshoorn side is where I lose my sense of humour for a bit, then I look at the view and it comes back. 

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, DJR said:

Ha ha, yes, usually somewhere on the climb from the Oudtshoorn side is where I lose my sense of humour for a bit, then I look at the view and it comes back. 

 

I have done the climb from Prince Albert a couple of times ....

 

One morning I started 15km from Oudtshoorn.  Past the Pub all was okay.  The climb was good, if not crisp with a few spots of snow higher up.  Coming around a corner I spotted the top of the pass some 3 switchbacks later.  What a boost.  I actually enjoyed that section, and the view.  Getting the final corner ... wait .... WHAT .... another three switchbacks before the top of the pass.  Okay ... okay ... regroup ... get the rythm of the pedals going again ... up, up and closer to the top .... around the bend ...demmit !!  another three switch backs .... that was a blow to the emotions ... and then you finally get to the actual top of the pass and instantly the mood lifts.

 

Lunch in Prince Albert, and then back on the same day.  Gone was the crisp morning air ... backing in the sun along the last climb from The Hell turn to the top.  But I know this and was ready for it.  The decent all the way back to our accommodation was FUN !!!!

 

112km 2220m

[RossTopher]

On 10/8/2025 at 9:07 AM, Prince Albert Cycles said:

Thin , about 60 ?

nope, i'm gonna guess early 40's. was from JHB, had 2 mtb on the back and was midway through his vacation. the fella just gave us his track pump to keep and drove off. was such a blessing.
1 of us 4 was riding with tubes and kept getting pinch flats. a combo of factors and i've not checked the tape to see if there was a spoke issue. i, thankfully, had no such ill fortune