Sunday, December 26, 2010
07/12/2010 Clarens to Fixsburg 90kms
We awoke 5am yet we left at about 7:00am which doesnt help our skin from getting frizzled.our half way stop was fouriesburg which was a cute little town with hardly any men roming around but the women were buzzing ,buying and mingling with there friends.In all these little towns they have little cafes with forigners running them not even able to talk any english.We left to fixburg , another 45kms still seeing mr Black Back. following to were ever hiis territory is ,and to protect .We stopped cause of the heat found us a sweet spot to chill out replenish ourslfs and have a sleep.Then when leaving we all needed the toilet so we had a @#!% in the bushveld ,how invigourating.We managed to get to fixburg beautiful spot .Found ourselves at the municipal camp and caravan site ,recommended by Ernest who had seen us at Bergville ,then batteling up the oliviershoek pass and then in his home town .This man was very impressed with us . "we are very strong " are his words .We paid R145 for our accomodation which was quite reasonable.Went to the BUZZ which was the happening backpackers of the town for supper and some pool .On our way back it started raining and our bikes were in the rain so we had to sprint back to save them ,and then settled down for the eve.
06/12/2010 Sterkfontien to Clarens
After a second day at Sterkfontein dam for rest, and a sleep in a chalet organised by Keegan ( to shelter from the storm coming off the berg) we rode out deeper into the Free state on our way to Clarens. Here we met another great challenge, Golden Gate pass. The reserve itself was beautiful with grand mountains and cliff faces, sprinkled with an assortment of animals from zebra to several types of buck. It was very hilly and this proved to be slow going and on this day we were short on water and food supplies, our only option being that of pushing on, with the promise of a small shop hidden somewhere in the great expanse of mountains. Through extraordinary beauty and team encouragement( being that of Tim's voice telling us it was only over the next mountain) we reached the summit of the pass, where the small shop area was conveniently located( for those going by car) and stopped to refuel and restock. after we rode for a time through the pass and slightly easier terrain and, all being quite exhausted, eventually reached the beautiful, rich pseudo town of Clarens. Full of the arty persuasion and shops filled with quite large expenses we reached the Clarens inn backpackers and stayed there for the fair price of R80 each. After meeting several Dutch foreigners ( some of which doing similar routes to us by car) we had an early night in a bed filled Tipi.
04/12/2010 Winterton to Sterkfontein dam
We awoke to beautiful morning in Winterton and the feeling of kinship with the mike and his family was strong as they helped us further with food, the preparation of bikes and words of encouragement ( as we eventually found out were quite necessary) After our goodbyes we rode out of Winterton, crossing the little Tugela and ventured on for some while until we reached the small town of Bergville where we stopped for lunch.
After this we found through traversing increasingly vertical inclinations that we were nearing the berg and this was confirmed by signs and our eventual reaching of the Amphitheatre backpackers. We refilled our water supplies here with bought water and after several warnings about the pass we rode out into the blistering heat to face one of the most gruelling challenges of our trip: OliviersHoek Pass. After a sleep to miss the midday heat we fought up our way through the pass, much of which had to be walked, and with the promise of respite seen at the Little Switzerland sign we pushed on. Somewhere near this point and high in the pass( in fact right before Little Switzerland) me and Keegan, brandishing our Pfeffer Pepper spray came into close contact with some large baboons, who being quite uninterested in us , were content to eye us from several meters away and then continue on, disappearing into the Drakensburg. We finally stopped at Little Switzerland for a break. Exhausted we rode again higher into the pass, where we were saved by a kind man with a large bakkie. we made the last stretch into Sterkfontien dam on bike and were very happy to find cheap camping, clean ablutions and friendly people.
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| Beautiful early morning Winterton |
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| The Little Tugela River |
After this we found through traversing increasingly vertical inclinations that we were nearing the berg and this was confirmed by signs and our eventual reaching of the Amphitheatre backpackers. We refilled our water supplies here with bought water and after several warnings about the pass we rode out into the blistering heat to face one of the most gruelling challenges of our trip: OliviersHoek Pass. After a sleep to miss the midday heat we fought up our way through the pass, much of which had to be walked, and with the promise of respite seen at the Little Switzerland sign we pushed on. Somewhere near this point and high in the pass( in fact right before Little Switzerland) me and Keegan, brandishing our Pfeffer Pepper spray came into close contact with some large baboons, who being quite uninterested in us , were content to eye us from several meters away and then continue on, disappearing into the Drakensburg. We finally stopped at Little Switzerland for a break. Exhausted we rode again higher into the pass, where we were saved by a kind man with a large bakkie. we made the last stretch into Sterkfontien dam on bike and were very happy to find cheap camping, clean ablutions and friendly people.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
03/12/2010 MooiRivier-Winterton
We left MR on the way to winteron. It was supposed to be bergville but we decided to stay with some of bridgets friends ,Mike and Beth .we had to leave at 9;00am because the rain momentarily came down .It was our first encounter with the rain, so it was a new experience trying to keep our important things dry.
Daniel was complaining about his bottom being annihilated by his very very hard and pointy seat .he wore two pares of riding pants his undies and shorts .Arriving at Escort second not so great town ,looking for a new seat for dani . Found a taiwanese seat its got gel in it finest from an indian shop.Now the process of a slow recovery is underway .Now off to winterton , 10kms from our original destination - bergville .Dani was tired he road into the back of timi's bike then off the road and finally into the back of Mike's bike who road out 12 kms to meet us. i road past him thinkin what an arb way to be riding cause there was not much that way.We experienced the greatest peaches in the Woooooooooooooooooooorld just after we ran out of water our first experience but its amazing how things pop up in our favour , is that luck or fate.winterton is beautifull go there if you traveling.MIke ,Beth and their son Hilton were very hospitable ,they filled our little tum tums, that can now munnch down , with tuna steaks , warm muffins and lots of carbs .
That night we slept on relly comfy beds ,slept well .The whole family ride bicycles and were very supportive ,with advice on food maintanance and physical well being.Mike checked our tyre pressure the next morning dani's tyres were on 2 bars ,which is basically a puncture , he's a lucky fella .
We left winterton at 6:00 am with peany ,honey and cheese sandwiches.the best timi's ever tasted i thought they were good, esp. for the go .Felt like we were living there for years you guys are the shiz niz . peace!
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| We found shelter under a church arch way |
Daniel was complaining about his bottom being annihilated by his very very hard and pointy seat .he wore two pares of riding pants his undies and shorts .Arriving at Escort second not so great town ,looking for a new seat for dani . Found a taiwanese seat its got gel in it finest from an indian shop.Now the process of a slow recovery is underway .Now off to winterton , 10kms from our original destination - bergville .Dani was tired he road into the back of timi's bike then off the road and finally into the back of Mike's bike who road out 12 kms to meet us. i road past him thinkin what an arb way to be riding cause there was not much that way.We experienced the greatest peaches in the Woooooooooooooooooooorld just after we ran out of water our first experience but its amazing how things pop up in our favour , is that luck or fate.winterton is beautifull go there if you traveling.MIke ,Beth and their son Hilton were very hospitable ,they filled our little tum tums, that can now munnch down , with tuna steaks , warm muffins and lots of carbs .
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| on our way to Winterton |
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| the senery |
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| The Fandamily - Mike Beth and Hilton (left to right) |
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| Checking the tire pressure |
The Beginning - sorry for the delay
Left howick from Braeside Guest House at 5:30am gefaffing with goods. Getting to bed well after midnight on the night of the 1st Dec, we still successfully woke up at 4am.
We were lucky enough to be accompanied by THE Bridget Ringdahl for the first 45min of the trip. She took fotos allong the way and gave us a cheerful goodbye! http://www.bridgetsbikeblog.wordpress.com/
We stopped off for breakfast because our stomaches were screaming, so we treated them with Muesli, banana and yoghurt we bought from Seringa Court Yard. Their toilets were like a 5 star hotel!
We made our way through Notties, stopped off at Rosetta, and into Mooi River to Desais to get their famous R3.25 toasties wich we found to be R4.25 - verry dissapointing, but were happy as hell to have left for our journey.Mooi rivier is not the most attractive town but we made the best of it . Finding a deserted camp and caravan site with big chains round the gate, this was our chosen destination to sleep for the night so we had to think carefully about what to do.We ventured up the road towards weston agriculture school having in mind what Bridget said ,schools or Churches . There we came into good hands, the head master let us stay in the pavilion .
THANKS MR TAIT as well as the farm manager. We missed the rain and ate, made a fire,showered, had tea, hardest ground for a bed and morning. We've been loading the carbs every meal - bread and pasta.HOWICK-MOOI RIVIER 60km
Left howick from Braeside Guest House at 5:30am gefaffing with goods. Getting to bed well after midnight on the night of the 1st Dec, we still successfully woke up at 4am.
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| Waking up easily |
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| Excited and all ready for the first day |
We were lucky enough to be accompanied by THE Bridget Ringdahl for the first 45min of the trip. She took fotos allong the way and gave us a cheerful goodbye! http://www.bridgetsbikeblog.wordpress.com/
We stopped off for breakfast because our stomaches were screaming, so we treated them with Muesli, banana and yoghurt we bought from Seringa Court Yard. Their toilets were like a 5 star hotel!
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| Seringa Court |
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| getting breki ready |
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| wat you want ek se |
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| flying banana! |
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| The Pavilion |
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| cooking lunch after settling in |
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| our camp |
THANKS MR TAIT as well as the farm manager. We missed the rain and ate, made a fire,showered, had tea, hardest ground for a bed and morning. We've been loading the carbs every meal - bread and pasta.HOWICK-MOOI RIVIER 60km
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Black Rhino Range Expansion Project
Something exciting has happened!
Yesterday I got notified by Chain Reaction Cycles that our panniers won't arrive here before the 2nd Dec because of a mix up from their suppliers. :( We've been waiting since October and this was disappointing news. We leave in exactly a weeks time and now we don't have the most important equipment for the trip.
I went to Andy's Mart to see if they had any second hand ones. The owner said he has 2 sets of panniers that will be in the shop by tomorrow so I can go look at them!. yay, he said they're in good condition so I'm sure we'll buy them. Now we only need to find one more set. I'm sure luck will be on our side :)
And...
Daniel approached Pam Sherriffs, WWF Communications manager, and told her that we would like to ride for some kind of cause. She has managed to sponsor us 3 Black Rhino Range Expansion Project T-shirts. They are made from bamboo fibre by Earth Warrior. They are made from a sustainable source and are biodegradable - and are very comfortable!
http://www.earthwarrior.org/
With our t-shirts we will hopefully raise awareness for the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project. The aim of the Project is to increase the numbers of black rhino by increasing the land available for their conservation. This will provide them with new territory where they can breed up quickly.
http://www.wwf.org.za/what_we_do/species/black_rhino/
We thank Pam for this and we are proud to be apart of the awareness for this Project.
This is all very exciting for us the closer it is getting to the time!
Yesterday I got notified by Chain Reaction Cycles that our panniers won't arrive here before the 2nd Dec because of a mix up from their suppliers. :( We've been waiting since October and this was disappointing news. We leave in exactly a weeks time and now we don't have the most important equipment for the trip.
I went to Andy's Mart to see if they had any second hand ones. The owner said he has 2 sets of panniers that will be in the shop by tomorrow so I can go look at them!. yay, he said they're in good condition so I'm sure we'll buy them. Now we only need to find one more set. I'm sure luck will be on our side :)
And...
Daniel approached Pam Sherriffs, WWF Communications manager, and told her that we would like to ride for some kind of cause. She has managed to sponsor us 3 Black Rhino Range Expansion Project T-shirts. They are made from bamboo fibre by Earth Warrior. They are made from a sustainable source and are biodegradable - and are very comfortable!
http://www.earthwarrior.org/
With our t-shirts we will hopefully raise awareness for the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project. The aim of the Project is to increase the numbers of black rhino by increasing the land available for their conservation. This will provide them with new territory where they can breed up quickly.
http://www.wwf.org.za/what_we_do/species/black_rhino/
We thank Pam for this and we are proud to be apart of the awareness for this Project.
This is all very exciting for us the closer it is getting to the time!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
More fotos
To see more of our fotos just click on this link below:
http://picasaweb.google.com/114387421758215239964/FirstTimeRiders?authkey=Gv1sRgCOfBmND6jajL8gE#
http://picasaweb.google.com/114387421758215239964/FirstTimeRiders?authkey=Gv1sRgCOfBmND6jajL8gE#
Friday, November 19, 2010
First Long Distance Trial Ride
From Durban to Pietermaritzburg - 94km
We woke up early on Saturday morning and rode quickly to the train station in Pietermaritzburg - hoping not to miss the train. By the time we got there it was 5:30am and thanks to an old man who's son was on the train, we knew it had just passed Nottingham Road. All we had to do was wait.
The train arrived at about 6:15, and with a bit of persuasion we mannaged to get the train officials to let us on with our bikes! We had a whole compartment to ourselves and our bikes sat comfortably opposite us on the seats.
The train ride was beautiful! The scenery absolutely magnificent. By the time we got to Durban it was just after 9am but the ride felt like only a few minutes.
We spent a hot day in Durbs, first relaxing when we got to Nomads Backpackers, then taking a walk in the streets of the city. Sadly Daniel couldn't join us for the trip because he was in Hilcrest and his bicycle in Howick. My aunt, Ingi, helped us out and sponsored our accommodation at Nomads.
Later we met up with some of Keegan's friends and had a good evening.
My conscience woke me at 5am. We'd slept through both our alarms! We jumped out of bed and got dressed. A few minutes later we were on the road back to PMB.
We got lost somewhere in Pinetown and ended up in a township. I forgot to bring a map with us, so foning my mum was what we had to do... She didn't know the route either. It was a matter of which way felt right! After missioning up a steep hill, at the top, a man in a video shop showed us a short cut over another steep hill. This hill was not-cyclable. We trudged up carrying our bikes and made it to the top. By the time we got to Hilcrest if felt like we'd been riding for days. We didn't eat breakfast when we left, and by this stage it was already lunch time. We found a little pub called The Ugly Duck to fill our hungry tummies. After that meal I could feel my energy replenish!
The ride was tuff, but we made it. We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was cloudy and cool all day. Only when we got to Camperdown did it start to drizzle. Trudy, Keegans mum, came to fetch us half way up the hill by Polly Shortts.
I've now looked up the Comerades Route and will deffinately take a map with us the next time.
It was a long day, and was well worth it!
We woke up early on Saturday morning and rode quickly to the train station in Pietermaritzburg - hoping not to miss the train. By the time we got there it was 5:30am and thanks to an old man who's son was on the train, we knew it had just passed Nottingham Road. All we had to do was wait.
The train arrived at about 6:15, and with a bit of persuasion we mannaged to get the train officials to let us on with our bikes! We had a whole compartment to ourselves and our bikes sat comfortably opposite us on the seats.
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The train ride was beautiful! The scenery absolutely magnificent. By the time we got to Durban it was just after 9am but the ride felt like only a few minutes.
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| On Route |
We spent a hot day in Durbs, first relaxing when we got to Nomads Backpackers, then taking a walk in the streets of the city. Sadly Daniel couldn't join us for the trip because he was in Hilcrest and his bicycle in Howick. My aunt, Ingi, helped us out and sponsored our accommodation at Nomads.
Later we met up with some of Keegan's friends and had a good evening.
My conscience woke me at 5am. We'd slept through both our alarms! We jumped out of bed and got dressed. A few minutes later we were on the road back to PMB.
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| The Halfway Point! |
The ride was tuff, but we made it. We couldn't have asked for better weather. It was cloudy and cool all day. Only when we got to Camperdown did it start to drizzle. Trudy, Keegans mum, came to fetch us half way up the hill by Polly Shortts.
I've now looked up the Comerades Route and will deffinately take a map with us the next time.
It was a long day, and was well worth it!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Equipment List
Things for our Bikes:
reflectors
pannier racks
panniers
chain lube
tools for our bikes etc.
bike pump
spare tubes
tire fix kit
front carrier/basket
chain lock
Things we’re going to take with us:
3 man tent
sleeping bags
gas stove
pot & pan
head lamps
plates
cutlary
can opener
water bladders
water bottles
i pods/mp3′s
AAA batteries
Map of SA
Note book
pens, pencils
helmet
gloves
sun cream
lip ice
first aid kit
reflectors
pannier racks
panniers
chain lube
tools for our bikes etc.
bike pump
spare tubes
tire fix kit
front carrier/basket
chain lock
Things we’re going to take with us:
3 man tent
sleeping bags
gas stove
pot & pan
head lamps
plates
cutlary
can opener
water bladders
water bottles
i pods/mp3′s
AAA batteries
Map of SA
Note book
pens, pencils
helmet
gloves
sun cream
lip ice
first aid kit
What's Happening??
So we’re slowly but surely starting to get things together. . We’ve ordered panniers online, so the’re on their way =). Keegan spent his break time at work searching for cheap panniers on the net and found some awesome ones on www.chainreactioncycles.com . We’ve ordered 3 sets, one for each of us, and we can’t wait for them to arrive!, but I think they only come in stock this Friday, so only THEN will they send them to us by Airmail. Hopefully it will be a speedy delivery!
Recently we had our first meeting together to discuss what’s happening. We mapped out our general route all the way to the coast on Google Earth, then somehow it all deleted itself., but at least we’ve drawn it out on a map too, so it’s not a disaster. After that little ordeal, we got a bit tired, so we'll cross the bridge when we get there.
Our friend Chantelle has invited us to stay with her at here home in Viljoenskroon in the Free State. Because we’re not riding all the way up there, she said she’d fetch us and our bikes when we get to Excelsior, take us to Viljoenskroon to stay with her for a few days, and then drop us back off in Excelsior to continue our journey! This sounds absolutely amazing
This last weekend Keegan and I took a train down to Durbs early on Saturday morning and rode back to Pietermaritzburg leaving early on Sunday morning. We stayed at a realy cool place called Nomads Backpackers (thanks to Ingi, my aunt, who sponsored us). Daniel sadly couldn't join us as he was in Hilcrest without his bicycle. We rode a total of about 94kms... yes we did get a little lost on the way, but thats my fault I didn't bring a map!
That was our first long stretch ride to get a taste of what we're heading for. Keegan seems to be as fit as a fiddle.. I've still got some training to do. By the time we got to Poly Shortts, my legs were totally buggered. Trudy thankfully picked us up and took us home. Amazingly we both felt absolutely fine the next day. Looking forward to the down ride.... and maybe one more ride up before the real deal.
Recently we had our first meeting together to discuss what’s happening. We mapped out our general route all the way to the coast on Google Earth, then somehow it all deleted itself., but at least we’ve drawn it out on a map too, so it’s not a disaster. After that little ordeal, we got a bit tired, so we'll cross the bridge when we get there.
Our friend Chantelle has invited us to stay with her at here home in Viljoenskroon in the Free State. Because we’re not riding all the way up there, she said she’d fetch us and our bikes when we get to Excelsior, take us to Viljoenskroon to stay with her for a few days, and then drop us back off in Excelsior to continue our journey! This sounds absolutely amazing
This last weekend Keegan and I took a train down to Durbs early on Saturday morning and rode back to Pietermaritzburg leaving early on Sunday morning. We stayed at a realy cool place called Nomads Backpackers (thanks to Ingi, my aunt, who sponsored us). Daniel sadly couldn't join us as he was in Hilcrest without his bicycle. We rode a total of about 94kms... yes we did get a little lost on the way, but thats my fault I didn't bring a map!
That was our first long stretch ride to get a taste of what we're heading for. Keegan seems to be as fit as a fiddle.. I've still got some training to do. By the time we got to Poly Shortts, my legs were totally buggered. Trudy thankfully picked us up and took us home. Amazingly we both felt absolutely fine the next day. Looking forward to the down ride.... and maybe one more ride up before the real deal.
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