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.