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Published: July 29th 2012
Video Playlist: 1:
Danie 28 secs
Gravel
Gravel road from Dordrecht to R58Unfortunately me and my friend Danie stays far apart, he in Bloemfontein and myself in East London. So when we plan a bike trip together, on the first day we normally travel to a central point where we meet up, hopefully somewhere in the middle. This time we decided to meet up in Lady Grey for our planned trip to Rhodes and surrounding areas.
So I left from East London, took the N6 to Queeenstown and then to Dordrecht. Boring tar road, but sometimes no other alternative to get to your meeting point as soon as possible.From Dordrecht I took a gravel road to the R58.Lovely gravel road, and what a surprise to see horses and a zebra next to the road- big mates.
I met Danie in Lady Grey foa a quick cup of coffee and then we off to Rhodes.We decided to take the Jouberts Pass gravel road to Rhodes. It links up with the tar road R58 to Barkly East. What a beautiful pass and definately worth the effort! Just outside Lady Grey we stopped at quite a big dam- I think it is the Lady Grey Dam?? where we stopped and walked
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Horses and Zebra next to the road. to the top off the damwall. From there on we travel up the Jouberts Pass. Lovely gravel road with beautiful scenery until we met the R58 to Barkly East.
Once on the R58, we follow the tar road to Barkly East. In Barkly East we had some refreshments at a local hangout-nice cold beers to get rid of the dust in our throats! From Barkly East it was gravel again to Moshesh's Ford and then on to Rhodes.We crossed the Kraai River and eventually arrived in The hamlet of Rhodes. We decided to stay at the Rhodes Hotel. We linger around in Rhodes- a beautiful historic village. We went around to Dennis Croucamps place for a few beers. Dennis is a legend in this area. What friendly people. His wife a perfect host.
Day 2 28/02/2009 The next morning we tackle the Naudes Pass first. It is also one of those classic must do gravel passes. Beautiful scenery.
From Naudes Pass we took the turn off to Tena Head where we had some coffee and then carried on with the path towards Tifffendell. The path goes right pass Tena Head and it
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Horse dressed in pyjamas. is a absolute must do path for any biker. It was raining so there was a lot of water around and nice wet and muddy gravelroad. We followed this scenic route on top of the mountain until we reached Tiffendell Ski Resort.
When we reached Tiffendell Ski Resort it was totally deserted. Nobody in site. We had a look around at the ski slopes and in the resort. It must have been or it must be a great experience when it is snowing and the resort are fully operational!
From Tiffendell we took the gravel road Wartrail/New England and then to Lundin's Neck towards Telle Bridge- the Lesotho Border Post.Amazing gravel routes and scenery and a bikers paradise.
Travelling next to the Lesotho Border until we turned of to Sterkspruit. By now it was getting late so we hit the tar road back to Lady Grey and then onto the gravel road back to Rhodes. I picked up a mean puncture, that a few cans of tyreweld couldn't even fix and we drove slowly on towards Rhodes. It was really not our night- Danie lost some of his luggage after his top box opened. He
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Big Mates! lost his electric shaver-a present from his mom. Did you ever tell your mom Daan? Eventually we settled in for the night at our accomodation unclear of a plan for the puncture and Danie minus some luggage!
01/03/2009 Next morning we went to Dennis Croucamps place for breakfast. He is really a legend in this area. He quickly arranged with a friend of his, I think his name was Andre' just ouside Rhodes to assist us with some equipment and tyre fixing gear. What amazing and friendly people they are.
Unfortunately we didn't manage to fix the puncture and I had to hitch a lift back to East London with fellow East Londoners and with the bike on a trailer.Once again what a bunch of helpful guys. Apparently they were in Rhodes for a wedding. Dumpie from Plant Hire East London. A huge thank you.
While I was catching a lift back to East London with an embarrassed KLR on the trailer, Danie took the road back to Bloemfontein.
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