capediver Posted February 11 Author Posted February 11 1 hour ago, Prince Albert Cycles said: Yes mid March can still be very hot . Bigger problem is fence and gate a few Kim’s before or after Die Leer depending which way you going . The owners of private properties have erected a high fence and locked gate . The only way through is to book a night at their accommodation. They will then provide you with a code . DM me if you need help Arno OK, good info....DM the details....I was planning on overnighting at the top then going down early AM
milky4130 Posted February 11 Posted February 11 (edited) Is Die Leer the one to get out of Die Hel into 7weekspoort? If so that was on my bucket list items still to do one day. Edited February 11 by milky4130 Spelling
capediver Posted February 11 Author Posted February 11 (edited) 19 hours ago, milky4130 said: Is Die Leer the one to get out of Die Hel into & inot 7weekspoort? If so that was on my bucket list items still to do one day. That's it....forms part of the Freedom Challenge...they enter from the top of the Swartberg Pass then climb UP to get out of the valley... It can be done... I've been in touch with these guys, they took about 2hrs going down... did NOT have to unpack their rig....obviously a bit hairy! Edited February 12 by capediver Did NOT have to unpack bags...! milky4130 and Sepia 2
Shebeen Posted February 11 Posted February 11 2 hours ago, Prince Albert Cycles said: Yes mid March can still be very hot . Bigger problem is fence and gate a few Kim’s before or after Die Leer depending which way you going . The owners of private properties have erected a high fence and locked gate . The only way through is to book a night at their accommodation. They will then provide you with a code . DM me if you need help Arno The Battle of Ketoorskop! there's a thread here somewhere, about it being a public right of way. Assumed that the process has been smoothed out, so follow the advice here if you're going that route. bit of a pity since you can't support Capenature accomodation capediver 1
milky4130 Posted February 11 Posted February 11 54 minutes ago, capediver said: That's it....forms part of the Freedom Challenge...they enter from the top of the Swartberg Pass then climb UP to get out of the valley... It can be done... I've been in touch with these guys, they took about 2hrs going down... did have to uppack their rig....obviously a bit hairy! I just slogged my 22kg hiking backpack for 5 days straight across the Otter Trail, this should be a breeze 😮💨🫠🤭 capediver 1
Prince Albert Cycles Posted February 11 Posted February 11 1 hour ago, Shebeen said: The Battle of Ketoorskop! there's a thread here somewhere, about it being a public right of way. Assumed that the process has been smoothed out, so follow the advice here if you're going that route. bit of a pity since you can't support Capenature accomodation Yes the battle was fought by the late Johann Rissik , founder of the Dikwielkommando Sepia 1
capediver Posted February 11 Author Posted February 11 13 minutes ago, Prince Albert Cycles said: Yes the battle was fought by the late Johann Rissik , founder of the Dikwielkommando I found and read the thread...😳....OK so if anyone can advise if this has been resolved...please let me know...
Prince Albert Cycles Posted February 11 Posted February 11 2 minutes ago, capediver said: I found and read the thread...😳....OK so if anyone can advise if this has been resolved...please let me know... Has not been resolved. Rykie van Reenen is one of the behind the fence owners . Try your charm on her 0833066715 . Possible to WhattsApp the link to that video that you posted to me pse ? Arno 0833959038 capediver and Sepia 2
Zebra Posted February 12 Posted February 12 19 hours ago, Sepia said: Would not like to carry your gear either "up" or "down" die Leer or are you travelling light? Mid March is flipping hot!! On this very point, @capediver/Tony; looking back, are there any items you would have not packed, in hindsight? (I have posted stuff back to myself before, mid-trip, so have some ‘experience’ of thinning out kit!). Loved the videos, learnt what an ‘Inselberg’ is (thanks!), and my Dad did fly-fishing, so cool to see you pack your ‘wand’! and WELL edited, too. Chris
capediver Posted February 12 Author Posted February 12 3 hours ago, Zebra said: On this very point, @capediver/Tony; looking back, are there any items you would have not packed, in hindsight? (I have posted stuff back to myself before, mid-trip, so have some ‘experience’ of thinning out kit!). Loved the videos, learnt what an ‘Inselberg’ is (thanks!), and my Dad did fly-fishing, so cool to see you pack your ‘wand’! and WELL edited, too. Chris Chris, thanks for the compliments! So the things I didn't use at all: Spares, tools, any maintenance things I took except for SMOOVE lube...I tend to pack for the worst (just no chain or tyre) so this part does weigh in a bit...but I have no regrets for keeping a good supply of spares...not using any is first prize I probably didn't need the Espetosul!! but it packs down well, just the drive unit takes up a bit of space because of the standing frame, but I have a plan to make that detachable I always take too much food...ie the freeze dried Forever Fresh....(PS Lasgna and the Beef Strog is delicious!) I have a wind guard for my gas burner...its a bit too long and heavy and I'm going to clip a few leaves off it: I'm looking at a DIY option but it may be a bit too light! I won't always be taking my fly rig so that will be a saving next time round! The Zane #2 is not the lightest reel! The toptube inside frame bag was a fail again! I been thru 3 of these, probably my own fault for overloading..but the top straps and stitching ALWAYS fail and after only 1 trip. So I'm trying the Apidura Expedition full frame as the weight of the bag is mostly taken by the lower part of the frame triangle and if if fits well inside the frame, the top straps are there just to keep it in position...I like its cut, 2 spaces and apparent waterproofness but the zips concern me..they are very stiff in the locked position and difficult to open on the go. So my waterbottles will go back onto the front forks and the items in those 2 bags into the new frame bag Batteries: I have a beast: Momax 100W iPower Stone Mini Outdoor Power Station 40000mAh, IP67 waterproof and dustproof, Its not that big: 128*63*78mm but weighs in at 810g!!! So its at the bottom of one of the pannier bags! But on this last trip I took 2 smaller 10,000 ones kept in feedbags and just kept these alive with the new Solar Panel (15W) draped over the rear panniers and I never touched this bugger...so I'll probably leave it out next time. I will ditch the e-pump...noisy bastard that doesn't always seal on valve properly and battery drops very fast!! Lezyne Mini Foot pump...didn't need it but will go on every trip! I swapped my 1 man First Ascent Stamina tent for a Durston 2 man X-Dome...the Stamina is a great tent, fully waterproof, easy to set up, light and compact and fits between the bars easy! But it is tight! The 2M X-Dome is a bloody Palace! Same weight and pack down size but acres of space..... and it's free standing and if you have ever had to pitch a tent in the Karoo backwaters, then you'll know what a bonus that is! You can use rocks if the wind picks up...always plenty of those! I find it hard not to take certain things..better to have and not need than to need and not have! So unless I know there are fully stocked places at the stops I plan, that's pretty much it.... Oh and a special mention for the Natural Instincts Ultralight Compact Chair!!!!! Never leave home without it! Fits right under the bars above the front wheel and slung to the Tailfin Bar Cage BuffsVintageBikes and Zebra 2
NC_lurker Posted February 12 Posted February 12 (edited) Found this Ultra light stove wind shield advertised on Temu... can't vouch for it, but friends have something similar which works very well... https://share.temu.com/ufmeeatU8AB Edited February 12 by NC_lurker Pic capediver 1
Zebra Posted February 12 Posted February 12 (edited) @capediver thanks for reply: Frame bags, you asked about, I had a custom one made in Natal, from a cardboard template I shaped; they got it 90+% right at 1st go, but have promised to tweak it further if i ship it (the bag) back up. Will DM you the Lady’s details… And, as @BuffsVintageBikes reminded me, you cannot get much WIDTH inside these bags, and still have good knee-clearance, but with careful packing, they can work, esp. for low COG items, etc. Am fitting 2x anti-bulge retaining inner tabs to mine, on the next re-work. I am testing out water bottles behind my seat, would you believe my old Profile design Aero water bottle setup from the late 80’s Triathlon days! - true story (no space for IN-triangle water bottles when my frame bag fitted), but there is space for 2 bottles OUTSIDE of the triangle; one top tube mount, one underneath down tube mount. I do feel that low-rider FRONT panniers reduce the amount of load /imbalance on the rear, and am a fan of 60/40 or 70/30 split Rear/Front, you seemed to achieve a good front/rear balance, but I maybe prefer front kit (even) lower than your rig… Finally, we actually sell the identical, but competitor (more expensive) chair, in my store, and i own 2 of them, brilliant bit of camping kit! Onwards, and UPwards, in your case! Chris Edited February 12 by Zebra Spelling. BuffsVintageBikes, NC_lurker and DJuice 3
capediver Posted February 12 Author Posted February 12 (edited) 2 hours ago, Zebra said: @capediver thanks for reply: Frame bags, you asked about, I had a custom one made in Natal, from a cardboard template I shaped; they got it 90+% right at 1st go, but have promised to tweak it further if i ship it (the bag) back up. Will DM you the Lady’s details… And, as @BuffsVintageBikes reminded me, you cannot get much WIDTH inside these bags, and still have good knee-clearance, but with careful packing, they can work, esp. for low COG items, etc. Am fitting 2x anti-bulge retaining inner tabs to mine, on the next re-work. I am testing out water bottles behind my seat, would you believe my old Profile design Aero water bottle setup from the late 80’s Triathlon days! - true story (no space for IN-triangle water bottles when my frame bag fitted), but there is space for 2 bottles OUTSIDE of the triangle; one top tube mount, one underneath down tube mount. I do feel that low-rider FRONT panniers reduce the amount of load /imbalance on the rear, and am a fan of 60/40 or 70/30 split Rear/Front, you seemed to achieve a good front/rear balance, but I maybe prefer front kit (even) lower than your rig… Finally, we actually sell the identical, but competitor (more expensive) chair, in my store, and i own 2 of them, brilliant bit of camping kit! Onwards, and UPwards, in your case! Chris Great outfit!!! I have those same twin bottle racks for the seat and have thought about putting the bottles there but that space is currently taken by my Garmin Varia Radar that peeks up and over the top of the pannier rack pack....seen clearly here When I get back in-country for the CTCT, I will do a bit of fiddling to see if I can't combo the twin holder with the Garmin mount and hopefully it doesn't interfer with the rear rack pack..it does make for a bit of a big leg swing to mount tho and after a long day of fighting gravity, that is sometimes a big ask! Thanks for the tip about the contact for the frame bag, I know of a guy in J Bay that also makes them....too late tho, I already have the Adipura in my greedy paws and have to wait to get back to mount it but it fits my Giant Defy I have here with similar dims snugly. It has a nice horizontal internal divider that keeps the sides from bulging and that can be removed to use the full space but I plan on transferring my 2L Camelback bladder down to the lower compartment...this is usually carried in the top of one of the panniers and used to top up frame bottles...water storage is not to be taken lightly! I even have a Salomon skin marathon vest rolled up with the 2 soft 500ml flasks in the rear rack pack that I fill and wear on really hot days. Edited February 12 by capediver DJuice and Zebra 2
capediver Posted February 13 Author Posted February 13 Silver River 10th Jan 2026 Silver River 20260110_124925.mp4 Yesterday...! The Silver River 12 Feb 2026.mp4 😁
Milosh Posted February 13 Posted February 13 21 hours ago, capediver said: Chris, thanks for the compliments! So the things I didn't use at all: Spares, tools, any maintenance things I took except for SMOOVE lube...I tend to pack for the worst (just no chain or tyre) so this part does weigh in a bit...but I have no regrets for keeping a good supply of spares...not using any is first prize I probably didn't need the Espetosul!! but it packs down well, just the drive unit takes up a bit of space because of the standing frame, but I have a plan to make that detachable I always take too much food...ie the freeze dried Forever Fresh....(PS Lasgna and the Beef Strog is delicious!) I have a wind guard for my gas burner...its a bit too long and heavy and I'm going to clip a few leaves off it: I'm looking at a DIY option but it may be a bit too light! I won't always be taking my fly rig so that will be a saving next time round! The Zane #2 is not the lightest reel! The toptube inside frame bag was a fail again! I been thru 3 of these, probably my own fault for overloading..but the top straps and stitching ALWAYS fail and after only 1 trip. So I'm trying the Apidura Expedition full frame as the weight of the bag is mostly taken by the lower part of the frame triangle and if if fits well inside the frame, the top straps are there just to keep it in position...I like its cut, 2 spaces and apparent waterproofness but the zips concern me..they are very stiff in the locked position and difficult to open on the go. So my waterbottles will go back onto the front forks and the items in those 2 bags into the new frame bag Batteries: I have a beast: Momax 100W iPower Stone Mini Outdoor Power Station 40000mAh, IP67 waterproof and dustproof, Its not that big: 128*63*78mm but weighs in at 810g!!! So its at the bottom of one of the pannier bags! But on this last trip I took 2 smaller 10,000 ones kept in feedbags and just kept these alive with the new Solar Panel (15W) draped over the rear panniers and I never touched this bugger...so I'll probably leave it out next time. I will ditch the e-pump...noisy bastard that doesn't always seal on valve properly and battery drops very fast!! Lezyne Mini Foot pump...didn't need it but will go on every trip! I swapped my 1 man First Ascent Stamina tent for a Durston 2 man X-Dome...the Stamina is a great tent, fully waterproof, easy to set up, light and compact and fits between the bars easy! But it is tight! The 2M X-Dome is a bloody Palace! Same weight and pack down size but acres of space..... and it's free standing and if you have ever had to pitch a tent in the Karoo backwaters, then you'll know what a bonus that is! You can use rocks if the wind picks up...always plenty of those! I find it hard not to take certain things..better to have and not need than to need and not have! So unless I know there are fully stocked places at the stops I plan, that's pretty much it.... Oh and a special mention for the Natural Instincts Ultralight Compact Chair!!!!! Never leave home without it! Fits right under the bars above the front wheel and slung to the Tailfin Bar Cage AreopressGo !!! - good coffee for the win, we can be friends 😉 capediver 1
capediver Posted February 13 Author Posted February 13 4 minutes ago, Milosh said: AreopressGo !!! - good coffee for the win, we can be friends 😉 Another "never leave home without it".. Milosh 1
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