ccc2 Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 Monday morning dawned grey but dry. Breakfast was at the coffee shop in Myoli Hotel.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />We loaded the kombi said our farewells to the others that were not going to make the trip back with us and then we were off. 14 riders on the way down to CT via the N2 and the R62 , 590 kms to go.We safely negotiated the <?: prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Kaaimans River Pass and then it was onto the back road Hartenbos. The road from George is punctuated by rolling hills and we experienced our first flat tyre halfway to Glentana. The weather was cold with a threat of rain but it held out until we were safely in a warm shower at the ATKV chalets in Hartenbos. 83 k?s for day 1. Some of us enjoyed tea, coffee or beer while peering out onto Mossel Bay from the restaurant.
ccc2 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Posted July 29, 2008 We had to scenes like this behind. Sedgefield Lagoon
ccc2 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Posted July 29, 2008 Tuesday - We were all awakend by the train bypassing Hartenbos at about 6.30 on Tuesday morning. We all trudged off back to the Musselcracker for breakfast. The climb out of <?: prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Mossel Bay is a bitch. Period.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />The detour past Boggoms and Vleesbaai was quiet and scenic with rolling hills every few k?s. It started raining just before we decided to stop at the Aloe Factory Coffee Shop.We were absolutely wet through when we hit that downhill into Riversdale. There was a scramble for the showers at the Oakdale Cottages.Steve promptly started spraying down not only his bike but all of our bikes. Bless his soul. We had accumulated quiet a bit of dirt from the Boggoms/Vleesbbaai road due to mud/cow dung and heavy rain. 115 kms for the day
ccc2 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Posted July 29, 2008 Wednesday - It was still dark when I rose from one of the warmest beds I have experienced, Anton our backup driver rushed in from the cottage next door: ?I can see stars, its stopped raining?. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />We retraced our steps to the Wimpy for breakfast and then it was up the <?: prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Garcia Pass.Ronnies Sex Shop was a welcome stop for some of us. Four brave souls decided it was all the way to Barrydale on the Bike. 159 kms for the day.
ccc2 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Posted July 29, 2008 Thursday - It was 1degree as we left Barrydale and headed towards Op de Tradouw. We stopped in Montagu for a bite and then it was on through Ashton , Robertson and Worcester. Our stop was to be Nekkies Resort in between Rawsonville and Worcester. The ride was quiet uneventfull. The snow on the surrounding mountains kept the sunshine weak. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Windbreaker Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 We spotted you guys at about 10 am on the Monday with a beaut of a headwind (on the N2 still) We did the reverse trip from Gordons Bay to Knysna and reading this I amwondering when I can find time to spend another week on the bike. I love the touring bit ...Windbreaker2008-07-29 11:33:26
ccc2 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Posted July 29, 2008 Friday ? our last day in the saddle. Most of us were now complaining of tender nether regions. The uncomfortable pain tends to ease off after about 20 minutes. It was just as cold as the day before. The du Toits Kloof Pass was open, we were receiving horror stories from the Cape that there were floods and rockfalls all over the Western Cape.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />The tunnel is scary. We stopped in Paarl for a fantastic omelette at some or other coffee shop in the Main Road and then it was the last leg home on now familiar roads. We negotiated our way through busy roads of Bellville and then the last hill dawned. Hendrik Verwoed Rylaan,
ccc2 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Posted July 29, 2008 In Summary.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />We were able to keep the cost down to R2 000 per person even though the fuel price was increased a few times since we announced our intentions to ride back to CT.The route was fantastic, other than the little bit on the N2 , traffic was minimal. We had one day of bad weather , albeit for just 2 hours.In total we rode just over 565 km (4 riders did 597 as they did not cut the Wednesday short at Ronnies) my calorie counter said 13 486 over the five days. This is the 3rd time City have cycled back to CT from the Oyster Festival. Plans are already afoot for the 2009 journey. ccc22008-07-29 12:52:01
ccc2 Posted July 29, 2008 Author Posted July 29, 2008 We spotted you guys at about 10 am on the Monday with a beaut of a headwind (on the N2 still)We did the reverse trip from Gordons Bay to Knysna and reading this I am wondering when I can find time to spend another week on the bike. I love the touring bit ... Ja, the Monday wasn't too bad. the breeze kept you honest but we still managed a good average once over the Kaaimans Pass @ ?30kph. the worst day was the one from Riversdale over Garcia, once over the pass and onto the plateau, we had a headwind for 70kms and then when we turned left onto the R62 it was a side wind. no hiding on this day.
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