Done my maths and definitely did not do as much as i wanted to. But this was a learning curve and learn i did. So much to see out there and so much to do. You could spend a year doing this and probably not see everything you wanted to. It does get tiring being away from home and sleeping on a tiny mattress. I also missed my friends and family very much.
As i said previously these tours could and for me should be roughly 2 weeks long. This is enough time to get some solid mileage in and see and do loads of stuff. Meet great people and see how the country is progressing or not.
So we have 1652 kilometres and 16492 meters if climbing. Nice enjoyable ride. We start our trip to Namibia tomorrow to go rafting with friends then we are off camping for a few days. I will endeavor to keep this blog going as the feedback i have had has been great.
I thank you all very much for taking the time to read and follow this progression of my life. I hope i can keep you entertained and coming back for more. I am no writer but i do enjoy staring some of the magical moments i have been allowed to live.
I made the error of reading the news today and am saddened by what goes on in this world. We have become slightly less giving and a little more selfish as a species. I generalize this statement so i am not looking at anyone individually. Just throwing it across the board. There are however acts of extreme and gracious kindness as well.
I hope to be remembered as the latter as i think this world needs more heroes than villains. It makes us a better race.
So chat soon and hope you are all well.
Greg.
Monday 26 March 2018
Totals
Friday 23 March 2018
For realzies
So sitting on my couch it seems surreal that it all happened. I had fun, i was scared, i was excited but absolutely most of all i know i love riding my bike. That's what the trip was about and to that end great success.
I woke luckily, feeling a little apprehensive about riding through to Bergvliet. It meant making my way through 2 towns. Stellenbosch and Cape Town. Stellenbosch was much of a muchness. They are used to bicycles so not much issue there. I use the sidewalk when available. Going up going down riding like a kid on a bmx. It is fun and keeps me honest while avoiding pedestrians. They can be a bit of a menace so i advise you all now with extreme caution if you see an orange bike with an orange flag flying get out of my way. If we collide i will mace you and scream and punch you. Inevitably it is your fault. Now that we have that out of the way i thank you.
Over the last hill until i drop into Cape Town. There is a thick black layer of smog. (Picture supplied). I don't know what happened but it smells like a fire. Maybe the town is having a mass braai for my return? Maybe they have decided to burn juju at the stake. Either way it is an unpleasant sight and the mayor already has a letter of my disapproval. The smell is unpleasant and my sight is distorted.
I sweep it under the carpet which seems to be getting full now.
After many narrow misses several words i shall not repeat i am on the home straight. Absolutely everything is familiar. Since my departure nothing has changed. This disappoints me slightly as i have a weekend ahead and i was wishing for an adventure or two. I guess i will just have to ride my bike.
🤔😉
I arrive at the street to which i live. It's emotional. I have been gone 22 days. My body is ready to relax for a little and have a refreshing beer (Picture supplied) over the period of my trip i decided not to have any alcohol and keep it strictly to riding and clean living. I had achieved this and i was happy with that.
So for today it's a wrap. I bid you good night.
As previously mentioned i will keep this going. We shall be trying our luck at white water rafting later next week. I feel it will be an experience for all 4 of us.
If you are interested then log on and see the progress we make. Tomorrow sometime i will post all the figures for the ride. Not all the ladies i have seen but rather the numbers achieved.
Roughly 2000kms in 3 weeks. Not quite what i was after.
Sleep tight all 🤗
Thursday 22 March 2018
Nearly time
So today was a little sad. I woke up knowing it was my last day of riding out of town. Tomorrow is a simple tour on the asphalt.
It started well. I woke early and was ready to go by 7.30am. The previous day when i checked in the owner told me a school was arriving for a holiday camp. School children everywhere!? Holy crap. Not on my time.
On my exit i saw the camp organizers arriving. Phew just in the nick of time. Sleep is still a little bit of a rear commodity. It's just difficult to get comfortable on a one centimeter thick mattress. This will need to be addressed for my next tour. It is the one thing i am prepared to carry a little bit of extra weight for.
It was a sharp right turn straight onto the gravel. I am used to these roads by now so off i go.
I worked out about 35kms to Franschoek. I was taking the road less travelled as usual so no rush. About 35kms into the ride i arrive at a small solitary gas station. Unless i have time travelled somewhere i know this is not my destination. I park up the bike outside and enter the shop. I enquire why they moved Franschoek and on whose authority. She looks me up and down and says you very funny aren't you?
The exchange goes on for a short period. I leave with the knowledge that my map reading is not good. In fact it's shit.
Roughly another 35kms to go before my legs will be resting for the day. Not concerned with this small error i wheelie out of the premises.
More ups more downs it was way too early to be finished for the day anyway. About 5kms before i join the major tarred road again i come across fields of blue cranes. Not sure if they are being farmed here or if this is just their local hangout. Either way it is an impressive sight. They were not at all phased by my being there. They were locals here and nothing bothered them.
Arriving at Villiersdorp i am on the lookout for a food stop. A great restaurant saw me fed and refueled. It was hammer time. 8kms down the road is Franschoek Pass. An absolute stunning ride. The road is a little thin here so you need to keep yourself safe. I generally ride on the other side of the road so i can see what is coming and adjust my finger signals to accommodate this. It works well. Well i am still alive so it works well for me.
Cresting the pass is a simple move. What lies below is art. Franschoek never disappoints. I take a few minutes to digest it all. The wind is howling so caution will have to prevail on the way down.
Descents are my favourite. Little work to be done. It dries the sweat from your body and the legs get a rest. Well that is until a car passes you and you didn't hear them. It takes all my skill not to meet the mountain and adjust my facial features. It was close but luckily no cigar this time. With the riding almost over i head for lunch. It is good. Chicken burger and chips. Just to make sure i keep my pants fitting.
All said and done a fantastic day. My last camp for this tour is set and bed in a few hours.
Tomorrow shall see me pass my brothers place first thing then homeward bound. It shall have lots of emotions and probably a tear. Not too different from when i left home 22 days ago. I have so many memories. You cannot put them into words or even describe them. They are personal moments that will never leave. Pictures to remind me of what i have seen and done.
Thanks all for reading and i will carry on this blog for time to come.
Keep in mind that life is for the living and make sure you are doing your best. When your number comes up it is only you that can be happy with your efforts or not. As much as life is a partnership it is also a sole journey. No one can take it but you.
Chat soon. G.
Wednesday 21 March 2018
Didn't make it!
I left after watching the start of the Epic. Good to be leaving although i would love to do that race again one day. Just in case some of you were thinking of sponsoring me to do it. Anybody? Nobody? Alright then moving swiftly along.
Today's ride was one i was not entirely sure of. I knew where i was and i knew where i wanted to be. On the one map the route was exactly what the doctor ordered. On the other map however the road was non existent. In life this is where you take the chance and go with your gut. I did that and it took me to an excellent little coffee shop just inside Robertson. Breakfast had never tasted so good.
With the days feed out the way it was time to start riding. Obviously i went with the road less travelled. Colin one of my friends doing the Epic said the road i was taking would lead me to my destination. Well i am not there yet. Roughly 30kms into my trip i found myself in a valley that could possibly be one of the most scenic places i have ridden through. To add to this, my mostest favourite item is grown in abundance here. Wine grapes of course. As far as the eye could see rows of beautiful little balls of red and white wine. I had to stop to catch my breath.
Out the valley on the other side and i notice the fence has gotten substantially taller. A game fence i see. This puts me in a difficult situation. Ride safe and watch the road or scan the terrain for any sign of life. I go with the latter. It is a bit of a blank for a bit as i don't see any signs of life. Then suddenly as i take a sort of a right hand turn i am met with a beautiful male Springbok. Much like myself he is currently alone wandering the beautiful lands.
Unfortunately before i could get my camera ready and snap a shop he was off. I watched him glide off and thought to myself that is exactly what i must look like when i go running. A majestic beast that all others long to be. It was truly magnificent.
That was sightseeing for the day. Nothing else was out to show themself off. I was a little disappointed but happy i got to see a fellow leader of a tribe.
Down the road it was a sharp left turn back onto the tar. I was going well and having a blast.
I passed a winery of whose products i have tasted. I saluted them and thanked them for their galliant efforts to keep the world hydrated. Today is a public holiday so i didn't see any movement from the grounds.
Not long after this is where my trip takes an immediate halt. I have seen a sign. A good one. I am about 15kms from where i wanted to be.
Over the next two days i will have more than enough time to get home. The decision is made. I shall camp here for the night.
So i find myself at Rivierplaas Campsite. A little gem of a place. There is very little activity apart from myself here. I am just thrilled. With my washing done and all the days chores completed i shall sign off and wish you all a fantastic evening. Thanks for reading and see you all soon. Peace and love peace and love.
Tuesday 20 March 2018
Transfer
Today sees me leaving Robertson and through the dirt to Villiersdorp. I am excited to be rejoining my trip. As soon as i have finished breakfast you will hear my tyres screetching on the gravel.
Bon voy ageee
Epic day
So Monday morning and time to get to Robertson to watch two days of the Epic. I have ridden it 3 times so be a change to watch.
The ride was good. I enjoy doing the longer distance. It suits me better. My brother said i would and he certainly is correct. Gravel is my preferred road but today would be tar. The issue is the motorised vehicles. I am petrified of them. But what can you do? My friend's Jay and Tom were not there to shut the highways down. This will be remembered guys.
It was an enjoyable ride none the less. 110kms dealt with in 5 hours. Considering i am carrying my house on my back we will call it job well done. On my arrival i blend in like a cucumber in a fruit salad. You will remember i have an orange flag flying 3 meters off the back of my bike. That's not common for an epic team.
Shower done and off to have a drink with the 2 teams i am following. They both look happy and riding within themselves to last the duration.
To be honest i love this race but the entrance fee is ridiculous. 80K for a team. So far my holiday of 3 weeks is on 6K and i have slept in a proper bed 3 times and seen way more than i ever could have hoped for. I am thoroughly enjoying this trip and when i get home the plan for the next one will be hatched. I have new rules for my tours from now on. They will be revealed at the end of this gig.
It is a great way to travel and see our country. Maybe there is a business here?
It would suit me down to the ground. This is what life should be. Smiles and lots of coke (cola) wow you people! 😋
My diet has not been up to scratch so i haven't lost as much pant size as i wanted to. In fact i think i found a size 😭. One of my rules less chips and more salad 🤣 that is joke of course. No one likes salads.
I find myself watching the finish right now so i will sign off for the moment. Tomorrow will see me heading to Villiersdorp. About a hundred clicks down the road. Sort of down across and over a few small hills. I am excited to get moving for it.
Until then
Feicfidh mé níos déanaí thú.
Sunday 18 March 2018
Day off 😱
So when i arrived in Ceres yesterday i kind of already knew that today i wanted to watch the Epic Prologue. It's on my radar every year. My room has a tv which allowed me to do this. It was a must in my schedule.
So after a good breakfast i was glued to the tv for a good few hours. Very difficult to watch tv when you are glued to it so that is the last time i do that.
It was golden, absolutely stella. My team (the Bulls) rode like their name Bulls 💩. They did not perform at all. They will need to pull finger for another win. I am still cheering for them.
This has also lead to another update of plan. I am going to ride through to Robertson tomorrow to watch for a day or two. It's only 120kms down the road so very doable. My next post should be from there.
Epic done and dusted i went out for a few hours. Rode up to the dam which provides water for this town. You can see by the pictures things are dire. I don't know how full it is but the glass is certainly less than half empty.
When this dam was built i think they chose a spot that when they had lunch they could sit and have the best view possible. It is eye watering.
The wall is made of rock. It is an achievement in itself. Built to catch the water from the mountain it must be one of the most scenic masses of water on the continent. Architecture and engineering like this is an art and an absolute necessity for the continuation of life in cities and towns the world over. I salute the humans who dedicate their lives to the human kind progression.
A good few moments passed while i walked around in admiration.
The small smoke signal i noticed on the way up had now turned into a full blown argument between 2 towns.
It had turned into quite a blaze. Being from the Western Cape i knew the powers to be would be attending to it. I was not disappointed. Seconds later and i hear the rotor blades of helicopters flying above me. Wow these guys are good at their job. I watched as they flew bucket after bucket extinguishing the flames. Truly masters at work.
I sign off now to get some R&R so my reporting skills will be second to none tomorrow.
Schlaf schön schön.
Saturday 17 March 2018
Change ME .... never.
So this trip started off at the end of last year. I have always wanted to do a cycle tour. It was to be 6 months around the country. 6 months 🤤. I know right. Anyways time moved slowly and it kept changing. Finally i decide that the trip will be to Namibia to meet my girlfriend and her 2 daughters for us to join friends on a white water rafting trip. I shall leave on the second and meet them at the end of the month for our paddle.
The trip commenced. I was off. 2 days in and low and behold things are on the change again. I am going home to drive up with my 3 favourite girls.
I shall be home on the coming Saturday. There will be many cycle tours. This i am certain. I am loving this trip. It is beyond all my expectations.
In thinking 2 weeks is the duration i would prefer per ride. And planned. Much better than this tour.
If any of you would like to hook one up all you need to do is let me know. It is an experience to behold.
Thanks for listening.
Of course it are
My decision was a good one. I know this road i have travelled it. I am now moving west and the wind is behind me like we are behind jz to go to jail. It is a great feeling. It will be better when he is behind bars.
I have an effortless ride to op die berg. 40kms in 2 hours. I am satisfied my decision was correct. I give myself a pat on the back. Feeling like i just won a game of poker i buy a sandwich and cool drink for my celebration. It doesn't take long to put that in the gas tank and get moving.
This was to be the most harrowing 60kms of my life. Between op die berg and Ceres is a magnificent road. Unfortunately it has no shoulder for me to ride. It is a Saturday morning and the farm employees must have been paid. The mini bus taxis are driving between the two towns faster than i could kill mosquitoes. I have never been this shit scared on a bicycle. It needs to be done. I cannot stop.
With the grace of me being a skilled and accomplished rider i get to something I have only seen twice before.
Gydo pass. It is astounding. To the left a massive fire has caused destruction only mugabe could ever achieve. It was a disaster. To the right a different story. Green and flourishing. Below Ceres and many empty dams.
I hit the descent. How old am i goes through my head. Swoooosh left, right, left. Flying like a mad man. It is fun.
I get to the bottom and man oh man what a smile. My search for a campsite begins. I don't want to drag this out as i am still working through my lack of preparedness. After an hour yes an hour of searching i find out the only campsite is full. Can you believe it. Full 🤔😡.
So i find myself now in a small B&B watching the rugby. Not all that bad i guess.
Ireland with a comfortable lead. Half time at the minute. Off to get me a soda. Catch you all tomorrow for the Cape Epic.
Dobrou noc 😉
Where you part 2
I finish my exploration and head to bed. The next day arrives. I am happy i stopped here. It takes less than .0000005 of a second for my happiness to be shattered. I look outside and can't see my bike. Oh F i shout. I didn't lock it up. I mean i am in a campsite in the middle of nowhere. How has this happened. With the cursing done i see my second issue for the day. The wind is now at a speed our ex president could not say. At least 30 to 40 km/h blowing straight at me from where i am going. I start crying. I get out the tent. I see something, now i am only down to just one eye crying. During the gale force winds my bike was blown up against a tree just behind my tent. More foul language leaves my mouth but i am happy i don't have to wait 5 weeks for a lift home.
All checked the bike is sound. Time to pack and depart. There is absolutely nothing not even listeriosis worse than riding into the wind. I have no choice. Eat the polony or stay. I battle. It takes me an hour to get to a little shop called the half way shop. It is 10kms from my camp. I am shattered.
The shop server tells me 50kms to the Tankwa Padstal. I tell him his fortune. He smiles and shows me the direction with a certain finger. The battle done i leave.
I cannot put this nicely. I swore, cried and even tried religion. All to no avail.
That 55kms to be precise mr shop chop keeper takes me 5 hours. I am absolutely finished. 2 burgers and chips please. I eat faster than getting an oscar for a shooting movie. It is like absolute heaven.
I settle my bill and head off. I know where i shall spend the night. The same spot i spent night 3. In the mountain.
It was a gamble. Keep battling this blaze or go over the mountain and hope the wind is calmer.
Either way i would only find out in the morning.
Today arrived. I get moving. The morning gale lets me know that where i have come from the wind is still present. I must have made the right decision. It must just be true.
Where you?
Here i am. In Ceres again now. Been 2 days since we chatted properly. What's happening? Let's see.
I left Calvinia and about 6 hundred trillion and eleventy thousand and million mosquitoes. I was extremely excited to be sleeping on a mattress but as usual every time i abuse a town they get revenge on me. This time it was in the form of one of the smallest insects in the world. I just don't know where they all came from. I would kill at least 5 and then 40 of their mates would arrive. I would kill those 40 and 500 were now here. It was hell. Another night of practically zero sleep.
I left Calvinia with a sour hatred for the place. I shall burn it down one day.
The ride following is in itself magical. Light drizzle greets me for the first 40kms. Cool and refreshing i am grateful. Can the riding get any better? Yes is the answer. I get to the top of the pass and the views are another level of stunning.
Just to catch up my day was supposed to be from Calvinia to Ceres. 245kms. With these conditions i would be there by lunch.
Unfortunately the conditions changed. It was starting to warm up. 30 then 35 then 40. 😨 i was f'ed. No better word to describe it. I do my best until i get to a number of boards at a sort of cross roads. The road wasn't cross it was more of a turn off i should say. There they are. 2 elderly folk. A man and his wife. They were in a red Defender. Cool cats. I want to be like this guy when i grow up. We chat. They have been all over and seen more than any human could write about. I tell him my story he was impressed. I tried to swop my bike for his vehicle, i had more chance of winning the lotto. He tells me to go down the dirt road to the tented camp. It's the Africa Burn venue.
Time is not on my side so we bid our farewells. Not long after i get to what he is talking about. It is cool. No it is amazingly cool. I will post pictures for you to see. I get my camp set up and ride around. About another 2kms to the actual burn site. I am astounded. A few monuments already built. It is awesome. There is not a single soul but myself. In 5 weeks time there will be 15000 people in this post code. It will be a sight.
I warn those going..... take a good pair of shoes. The ground is very sharp rock everywhere.
I also warn you to take water. For the day i was on 110kms. Information i have informs me that it's another 110kms to the next rown. I am on the longest dirt road in South Africa between 2 towns. I am amazed at my own stupidity.
Friday 16 March 2018
Connection Issues
I am currently not in network range. Hopefully this will change tomorrow. At present i am alive and breathing. I hppe to catch you all up tomorrow.
Peace out.
Wednesday 14 March 2018
Calvinia
It was an early start. Around 7 the pedals were turning and the wheels on the bike go round and round, round and round. The wheels on the.... you get it.
The air was crisp and there were definite signs of rain somewhere close by. The wind was not to speak of. It was still and to be honest a little eerie. A bit like a movie when a creature falls out a tree with a rope and a chainsaw and runs after you. I had my mace on me so even if he did i was perfectly safe. Those movie characters should travel more prepared like myself.
The ride in itself is good. My legs are slightly stronger now and the weight of my luggage is not as taxing as it was when i started this adventure.
Things overall have improved since i left home. I don't cry myself to sleep anymore. I simply don't sleep. My back doesn't hurt when i wake up. Because i never sleep. You get my point.
I have also mainly been trying to stop in campsites. The 2 nights i haven't i have been more than a little scared. You just don't know what's out there even if you are armed with mace.
It could be like taking matches to a world war. Eventually you could burn down the opposition but there is a good chance they will get you first.
Back to the ride. It was great. A mild day with little to bother me. The roads were quiet with a slight descent. It was a riders perfect dream. The miles flew by and also some kilometres. It was fun. I could go on about the scenery but you would all fall asleep. It is as usual top class.
The thing about these towns out here is there is no shops between them. So what you leave with better be enough to get you to where you are going. If not the crows will come pecking.
I already posted the stationary movie of the springboks i saw. These guys were locals. Used to the noise of vehicles and sights of weird cyclists. They didn't even bat an eyelid when i stopped to admire them and show you what my day involved. I thanked them for their obedience and carried on. There was little else appart from the absolute tranquility and astounding layers of hills and mountains in every single direction. Again i thanked myself for doing this trip. It can be on the interesting side riding alone for any amount of time. I often find myself having strange conversations with....well me obviously. I think once i even gave myself a massive fright when i screamed for no apparent reason. I thought i was being hijacked. It took a while to realize it was only me around.
So here i find myself in Calvinia. Please please heed my advice and do not ever come here. Even the "greens" of the golf course are just lumps of clay. It is so difficult to try to describe the nothingness that these places hold. Dry and hot. The heat is phenomenal. One could be fooled into thinking they were in a desert.
However I would not have changed my route for money or gold. Ok maybe gold. It has been and continues to be a learning curve and valuable lesson into how fortunate and lucky i am.
I have met people and experienced great things. Also seen a side to this world which is cruel and sad.
Lunch has arrived so i will chat with you again soon. Tomorrow is a day of new adventures into the Tankwa. Something i am extremely excited about. It holds me in great suspense to see what is hidden ahead. I believe i will pass the entrance to Africa Burn. A month too early but still a sight to behold.
Take care my good people and chat soon.
à bientôt
