Biltong 😋🤩

30 🌝 & 29 🌚

Last nights bush sleep was 🚽 to say the least! I was not on even ground so I kept trying to adjust myself to get comfortable. Lesson learnt. Take a 🚜 with to even the sleeping field. 

It was an early up. I wanted to be in the bustling metropolis of Ceres by 🕗 to get my bike checked over. Packed and ready to go by 6am. Yusses bru ⚠️. Kabang on the tar. Little traffic. 🪔 like it was flippin popular. 18 or so kilometers until the descent of Gydo Pass. It is dealt with according to section 45 of Greg's highway code. Down the pass. Seems weird today. I just don't feel the breeze in my hair 💇‍♂️ on a usual downhill of this caliber. I brush it aside and carry on. Just past the town of Prince Alfred Hamlet I see a bike lane on the ⬅️. Traffic has become more so I adjust course to the bike lane. It is littered with broken glass so I decide to take my chances 🔙 on the road. Too late. My tyre is making the familiar noise of a wounded soldier 🤺. Stop  🔨⌚. I open my 🎒 and get my tool kit. Plug in 😳😳 I get moving. No more incidentals until I reach town 🙏. 7.30am bike shop closed. I go next door and indulge in an extra large ☕. Deeeeeeeelicious. As I take my last sip I see a 🚐 arrive. Bike Shop written on the side. 💥💫🕺 I'm so excited, I just can't hide it, whatchooo gonna do, I'm so excited. 

I enter through the front 🚪. The mechanic knows me 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️. What 🆙️ he asks. Crank needs a gander at and the tyres need a sealant each please. He jumps right to it. I chat with the boss lady. Any lekka camping round here? I ask. Wait a ⏲ she says. She hands me the 📞. It's her husband (lunch bar). Go down the road to Matroosberg he commands. Best spot I say? He says just go. ✋ high five I reply. Business done I leave a few rand poorer 💸💸.

I get moving. Through the rest of the town. It's grown. Too many people and not enough infrastructure. Usual 📖. It's not far down the road before I indicate to turn right 👉. I see a small incline up ahead. I wasn't informed about this during the ☎️🗣. Less bothered I turn up the pace. It starts off gradually. Then a bit steeper. I look further up the road. There is quite a bit more of this 🤬. Not being one to complain 🤥😬 I go full ⛽. 🥵🥵 it's taking its toll. The bags are loaded with food and the weight is at its maximum. Don't cry for me 🇦🇷. It starts to flatten out. Beautiful. Stunning. Just about worth it. About a kilometer or so on a group of Kudu. My goodness. Such incredible animals. Can't wait for them to be turned into biltong. Yum yum. 

Not far after this I see a sign 🚸. Pesky school children. Luckily it is early so none in sight. Winning! Then the sign I have been looking for 👓. Matroosberg ➡️. I indicate accordingly. No oncoming traffic so I take the corner. Back onto joe road. Luckily not far and I am at reception. 

"Hello my good lady. One for 1️⃣ 🌚 ⛺ please." She looks at me and smiles. That will be 7️⃣🅾️ rand please. Kak and betal I tjoon her. Very reasonable. I may have to stay two if I sleep good tonight. She laughs. I laugh. We laugh. The 🐕 laughs. 

I head up here to where I am. It's a good spot. Comfortable. Most importantly flat ground. I am at the bottom of the matroosberg mountains. Tomorrow shall 👀 me try and ride up them. The lady didn't seem to think I have the 🦵🦿 for it. She says the 🚙 4X4's struggle so good luck to me. I tell her luck is for the lotto. Power is what is needed here. She laughed. I laughed. We laughed. The 🐕 laughed. Confusing myself here 🥴🤯😖. 

Anyway. The place is great. 

I shall report back tomorrow on who had the last laugh. I also kicked the 🐕 on my way out. She didn't see. 

Sleep tight people. Keep warm. It is freezing up here.

G.

Sunday 🩸🩸 Sundaayy

What's with these songs in my heeeeaaad, in my heeeeaaad! 

It was a fine morning to be riding. 🌞 check. Slight tail🌬 check. 4968🌡🌡 degrees check. To start off 🚿🧼🧽🪒 and the other one. You know it. Rhymes with loo and goes in it. Clean, fresh and sparkling I find myself packed and at the office paying m Clinton 🧾❗

Brief chat with the owner and he informs me some other riders left at 6, it was now a quarter past 🎰. The word is they are going to Ceres but through the Tankwa 😬😳 hold the ☎️. Have they seen the 🌡 for today 🤣. I thank him for my stay and depart. Good 🗞 is that the first 2kms are downhill 🕺. Bad 🗞 is that there is a 7km climb after that 👨🏻‍🦯. Met eish. 

It's down I go. Fill my bottles at the river then hit the first climb. It is still pretty cool so I battle it out as best I can. Done with that it is a ⛰↘️ to Mount Cedar. I... don't stop, move it 👶, move it move it. The next incline is not as aggressive but its length will catch you if you don't prepare yourself for it.

I get a steady rhythm going. Progress is 🆗️. I know this route well, so being cautious was my plan. I reach the 🔝. Great success.. It's a short down before the next a🧂 takes place. To this point a few 🏍🏍 have been the only traffic I have encountered. All passing me on their way home I guess. 

I am starting to put a bit more effort in as I know this is the last big climb. Head down. Next thing... some absolute twat in a subaru station wagon misses me by 📏. Yusses did I, scream and shout, let it all out. Very lucky he did not stop. He would be in 🏥 right now if he did. It was that close. I get over it and carry on.

Next thing I am at the top. 🕺 although the day is far from over the majority of the category climbs are done 🤪😅🤣. Again I start to push a bit harder. The 🦵 are doing well. 🆙️↘️➡️↗️↘️➡️ it's nothing serious. Just a days work. I see the end of the Joe and the beginning of the tar. Yakshimash. 

No sooner as I am on the tar and I 👀 🚲🚲. It's the 2 guys who left at 6. They had just passed their turnoff to the Tankwa. I catch them in 🚫⌚. It seems the white fella is having a rotten day. His 🦵are toast. His friend the black fella is having a superb day. 

I know this sounds 💩 but for the most part this is why I like riding alone. You do as you please and no one gets upset.

We chat. They are doing a 4️⃣ day tour. Staying in accommodation and eating at the restaurants. Very nice. It appears they are good friends and do a lot of riding together. We ride through to Op Die Berg together. I enjoy their company and it gives me a chance to rest my legs. We depart from the spar (this is the not good for you one) and head in the direction of Ceres. It is about 8kms down the road when we part company. I wish them well and we will keep in touch. (Maybe)

I am doing a bush sleep tonight. A spot I have used before. In the ⛰ sort of. The stream has dried up but it is still a great ⏺. Tomorrow will be in to Ceres. I need to check my 🅱️🅱️ at the 🚲🧱. It is sounding like a lardi dah 🦩. Yes yes whatever. It are now 🦧🕡pm and it can still like to be 🥵. I need to try and get my schedule a bit better so I ride more. Let's 👀.

It was a lekka day. I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to this coming week. I don't know the plan yet but it will come to me. 

I hope you have all had a super weekend. Lots of fun, laughter and happiness. 

Chat soon. 

G.

Short & Lo oooooooooong

It was a second night of bush sleeping. This time a spot I have slept at twice before. In a little sort of pine forest 🏕 not quite as elegant as that 😅. I had a little spare time before dinner so a walk was enjoyed. The ride had not been much to talk of. Basically straddle the saddle and roll down the hill ⛰. Well obviously not quite as simple but you get my drift. 

The sleep was good. Pine needles are as comfortable as it gets. A little noisy but you get used to it quickly. The morning saw me wake (luckily) and get going to where I am now. Oasis silly! The big climb just past Mount Cedar is one of my test places. I get going. It's steep. I have food for ⏸ days. I am tired of running out and being hungry. My bike is laden like a donkey cart 🦓🛷. It's more steep. I push harder. No traffic ⛔🚫 The heat is rising. So is my cadence. I feel good. Then like a government tender, with no explanation I have taken first place. It felt good. Over the summit. I check later in the statistics office that i have knocked off about 7 minutes from my last lazy attempt. 

Booked in, 🚿🧼🧽 and feeling legit I have a beer to celebrate my days achievement.

Today was a different kettle of 🐡🐠🐟. Wupperthal return. I tried this once 🅱️4️⃣ from here but had to 🆎️🅰️nd🅾️n it half way as I was in pain from being undertrained and a 😭👶. So needless to say this time that would not be allowed. I get going. I feel ✅. Up. More up. More up 😳🤔. More 🆙️🤨. Dadaaaah. The summit. Doing well I feel 🆗️. Bit of sand 🤬. 🔙 to business. I pass the spot I 🔄 last time. Feeling good. It's 🌡🌡. No time to worry about the heat. Not much further along and then there it is. 🏞. The little town. It is a fast descent of about 400 meters into the town. I take chances on the ↩ and the ↪ it's fun. Just like that it is 🏁. I am in the town. Off to the little shop to buy a 🥤➕🍫, goes down a treat. I ride around while I devour my goodies.

The return 🦵. Well starts with that bloody climb which I just near lost my life on several times. Juuuses. Sorry I mean juuuuuuuuuuuuses it is steep. I didn't realize how much I would enjoy it 😳🥴😷🤨🤥. Actually I did. Ripley's! 

I dismissed it way quicker than I thought. About 3️⃣0️⃣ minutes. I have planned for at least 45. This is where it started. Go boy go. I was all over this 💩. The legs went well. Past this. Past that. Past the sand 🤬. 3 seriously serious offroad 🚗🚙🚐 ve hic acles come towards me and give me encouragement. Dude you have an engine. I have 2 🦵🦵 that are exploding. Nonetheless we all wave. 👋👋. I keep 🔨🔨 it. Just like a dry river bed has no water, a beer has no alcohol, I have never been drunk... okay okay the middle one is not true 🙃😅. 

I can't believe it. Believe it because it is true. I am back on the main road to my abode. I feel good. Happy that I did this ride I am resting for tomorrows hills I will have to encounter. 

What did I learn today. Take it as it comes. It's only life. Do what you can, when you can. Enjoy it. Have fun. And most importantly don't be a 🐈. Just don't. 

Until next time, take care of yourselves and send me money. 🤑🤑😅🤣

Chat soon people. Mwah.

Some Days

The bush sleep was good. It does get very 🥶 at 🌚 though. Luckily I have a new sleeping bag that keeps this in check 🦧. The 🌟 were really something last night when I got up to 🅿️ at about 🕒am. 

The 🕎 sorry I mean the dew was not drying off so I packed anyway. I had a 🍳🥓🧇🍞☕🥚 appointment at 8am and I was keen not to miss it. Luckily I was ready and there on time. A feast fit for a 👑. It went down a treat. 🧾 paid off to... SPAR (good for you). This spar is not good for anyone. Their prices are more than the others. An email will be sent tomorrow to head office to see if this is the norm. Anyways no time for moaning. Packed like an African (which I am) I get moving. 🛐🆘️😳🤕 the bike is heavy today. It feels like I have the 🌍 in the 🎒🎒. How does this keep happening 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️. 

I stop in at the farm I have stayed at a few times. The bossman is nowhere to be seen 🙄. I leave my 🔢🔢 so he can tsap me. I explain I will be 🔙 in the hood on Sunday. If he wants we can do a ride. He apparently has some trails on his 🚜 farm which I would like to ride. The lady says she will pass on the message. 

On the joe. It's a relatively easy ride today. 50kms. I get going. Few vehicles pass. The odd 🚛 too. Nothing happening. Then I 👂🦻 a louder than usual vehicle. I immediately pull to the left. No sooner have I done this than 2 double cab bakkies come roaring past. Both filled with women. Looks like they were having a girls weekend or something. So now I need to go and find this gig.

Hope you all well.

☮ out. G.

Y & Today

Yesterday was a lazy day. I rode around the 🆎️ site again. Just taking it all in really. The wind was quite strong and not too pleasant. On top of that I had quite a headache for some reason. Not entirely sure. I have been drinking good amounts of 🚰 so who knows. They have almost removed everything for 🅰️🅱️. Loads of stuff. To the new venue I guess. Looking forward to attending it.

Today was up and shower. Then I meet the guys doing the work. Not in the 🚿,  when I was packing. The one fella with dreads had the biggest joint going I have ever seen or smelt. This was 7️⃣am mind you. I can only imagine how he operates. Like a backwards 🐵. I was actually impressed he was even standing up. We chat briefly. I commend them on their fast work. They smile and bugger off. Their current task is to move all the 💩💩 to a farm close by for fertilizer. No shit I say. Obviously they have heard it before 🤔😅. Packed and ready I vacate my rental apartment. Well piece of land. My plan... yes well none really. Ride and then sleep I guess. Not much 🌬 today. Suited me! On to the 🛣. It is actually joe!! The going is good. Really enjoyable. Check the halfway padstal and it is closed. No sign just a locked gate. Keep going Day've. No traffic which is 🍬. Up, down and around. It is enjoyable to the touch. Then up, Tankwa Padstal. Been looking forward to this. I didn't eat breakfast for 2 reasons. Uno: I was gonna eat here. 2️⃣: I had no food left... again. I was excited. 😳😲😯😮☹🙁😟 tsek. I mean TSEK. Place is closed. Closed every Wednesday apparently. 🤔😅. Flippin 🥩. What you going to do now. Well the next shop is 50kms away. This is not the problem. That road has 700 meters of incline in the first 10k's. I was hungry. The vultures 🦩🦅 must have known I was too. They appeared from nowhere and started circling me. I didn't have the energy to worry about death. I got moving. The major part of the hill was in the first 5kms or so. From the 👁⚽️ it didn't look too bad. Well the bloody eyeball was wrong. It hurt. The legs were tired. Everything was tired and hungry. 

Somehow I kept going. It was a slog. 2 large offroad campers drive past. They don't stop to enquire about my health they just 👋 creating a dust cloud. My Afrikaans kicked in but they couldn't hear me. I reach the plateau and it is magnificent. Beautiful part of the world. Even pools of water around. This is good. I pass the Kagga Kamma turn off. My head is down and I just keep going. The struggle has become real. There is no time for crying now. Down the Katbakkies pass. Yusses bru!❗Can like to be very steep that one. 

Not much left to do here. I keep going. Eventually. The tar T junction. Left turn. ⬅️. I just need to do about 13 kilometers here and I will be golden. It's tough work. I have to ⛏ deep here to find energy. I think the luckiest part of my day hit right here. A headwind. Yip. 🌬🦲. I start laughing. The laughter turns to grimace as I work as hard as I can. A 30 minute easy spin turns into a 50 minute leg breaker. 

Then like a dream, glowing in the sun the sign I have been looking for for hours! You know it. I know it. SPAR (good for you). My body picked up. The speed picked up. I was rolling. See me rolling now. I get to the door 😳🤔🤬🤬🤬🤬😫😭🥺 Closed For Stocktakig. 🤣🤣 just kidding. I go in and get a few supplies. I feel much better now having eaten and a cool drink. Life is grand again. 

🎪 pitched and chilling I am happy. Super good day. Taught me to keep going if you run out of food. 

I hope you are all well. Keep happy. Give a big hug to someone. Sleep well and chat soon.

G.

®️3️⃣5️⃣5️⃣🛣

It was a lazy up. I mean I was in a 🛏 for goodness sake. With pillows. 🚿 was delightful. Down for a bit of 🍳🥚🥓🍞🍽 oh what a treat. Quick chat to the bossman and I am off. Off to the bike shop down the road. It has been a busy few weeks so some more lube is required. Voila they have my brand. Chat to the owner and then I am 📴. Through town. That took approximately 30 seconds and then on to the R355. The longest dirt road in SA apparently. Who actually cares 🤔. Maybe they should try and tar some of the roads.

It is excellent going. Not a tailwind but the next best thing. A sort of side reverse dog leg, chicken thigh sort of wind. It is pushing me but also pushing me over. Anyway I am certainly not complaining. It was good going.

A few kilometers of blah and then in all its glory it stares you right in the 🚤 race. Beautiful. Stunning. Magnifique. A pass. But this time we are at the top. The views are worth a 5 minute stop. The plains of Africa in front. As far as the 👁 could see. 

I get going again. Down. Faster. Even faster. Dangerously fast now. I don't care. It's fun. McDonald's!❕❗ I keep the speed up when I hit the flat Ietting the 🌬 ➕ momentum carry me for as long as they dare. I enjoy it. My journey will take me to roughly half way on this road today. I get pedaling and try to use the 🌬 as much as possible. 

Again I know you are probably tired of hearing this but it is truly stunning scenery. Dust storms here and there. Little whirl winds 🌪 creating tunnels of earth retreating towards the sky. Not a single cloud to be seen. A picture perfect day. The 🌡 was warm but not hot enough yet to be drawing any sweat out of me. I was taking my ⌚ to enjoy the day as much as possible. 

The process is continuous for a few hours. Getting to where I am going. Nothing strenuous. Then over a rise and 2 huge, beastly gemsbok not far from me. They are scared off and I pause to watch them gallop away. Horns over a meter long, these are less gracious and more dangerous animals. I guess good they are 💩 scared of me as I could never out ride them. 

I had decided on a bridge sleep tonight. Not far from the tented camp is the perfect spot. Arriving at my destination I feel happy and good with the days work. I park my 🚲 on the bridge and go scouting underneath for the correct address. Unfortunately this went tits up pretty quickly. As I was walking from one section to the other I did not see the ground was in fact mud and not solid. The first leg went in. Almost to my knee. Unable to balance the other leg followed suit. I think I started to cry a bit. After getting myself to dry land I assessed the situation. A lot of mud. It 👃👃 too. Badly. I shook my head in disbelief. I knew what had to be done. 

I got my knife 🔪 out and started cutting off my feet 🦶 🤣🤣. That would be quite a story though. 

The ⛺ camp was only 8kms away. They had 🚿. And 🍺. The 2 things I needed. I remount the 🚲 and make my way here. The boss lady recognizes me and we chat briefly. I down my 🍺 and head straight for the showers.

Everything cleaned I am in bed. The mud smell luckily is still here. Yay 🤯😶🔫. That is a NOT joke. I will rewash everything in the morning. 🧼🧽. Don't worry about it drying. The wind will sort that out pronto.

Today was a very good day. Even with the mud debacle I had a super time. I thank my lucky stars 🌟 they were out in full force for me today 🙏. 

Anyway bed time now. I am pooped. The wind is howling but I have sort of secured a place with a bit of shelter. I needed to be here tonight. Not under the bridge. It would have been a disaster. 

Sleep tight all. Be safe.

G.

Big Red 📮

The bridge sleep was outstanding. Well it wasn't really under the bridge as next to it. I had taken the bold move not to put the roof on. By 🕣pm the stars were out and showing off incredibly 🌟⭐🌠. It was beautiful. By the time I woke this morning it had completely ☁️☁️ over. The 🎱 or so weather apps that I had checked at lunch said no rain. I was not worried about getting wet at all 🤥. One thing. Rain: not great but okay. Tailwind: perfectly acceptable. Headwind: rather shower 🚿 in a lava storm 🌋. Heat: acceptable. Cold: not ideal but better than 🌧. What did I miss out?

So it was packed and ready to go pretty Jack. 25kms to town. Not much to it. Little up. Little down. Repeat about 5 times and then home straight. Dispatched in an hour or so. As I am riding to the camping site I see the 🏢 that's hotel 🙃. I stop in. Greetings my good lady. How much is a room for the night. R500. Um anything cheaper? R250. Sure. Can I see the room? Same room she says 🤣🤣🤣🤣 you are having a 🦒 I say. She looks confused. I say I will take it. Come back at 🔟⏺3️⃣0️⃣. I ask if she is taking the paint off the walls. Again a 😶 look. See you then I say. 

Being a return visit to this place (after I absolutely vowed to never come 🔙 here) I wanted to pop down to the coffee shop I enjoyed a brew at previously. Off I go. Luckily they are open and I pass the time there until my room is ready.

Back at the hotel the kind lady shows me to my room. A 🛏. Pillows 🤩. A shower. Aweh mey bru. Tonight is night number 22 on the road. I am pleased with life. Sunday 22. Night 22. Time for a vino de rouge. Cleaned and clothes washed, boom. You know where. Or do you? 🤷‍♂️. SPAR, lunch bar. (good for you). I get to the wine sales 🕺. No wine sales on Sunday 😳😳 excuse me! We are level ⭕ covid. What is this crime here. I ask where I can buy a rouge. Apparently nowhere. Jussssssssses. Tsek this town. I am never coming back here again! 

Anyway I pay for my 🛒 of goods and leave. Nada I can do. Back at the room I am pleasantly satisfied at my find. It is a 🆒️er day so happy times. Tomorrow has the promise of warming up and being better "Greg" style. While I can wait for it I am excited to be going into the Tankwa again. Possibly a new route tomorrow. I never really know until I get to the sign post informing me of how far it is until I can get some more 🚰. The bush sleeps are fun. Very very peaceful. But missing 2 showers was not. While I 🧼 every day with a cloth, a shower is quite grand. 

So maybe 📴 for a few days. No signal where I am going. Just roads. Roads to ride your 🚲. 

I realized last night how good this trip has been so far. The enjoyment. How fortunate I am. Even after yesterday's 🚾 headwind I was still happy at the end of the day. Nothing happens without our permission. Without our guidance. Only we allow our actions. 

Thank you for being part of this. Being part of my life. I am truly grateful. I look forward to drinks with you on my return. To hear your stories and happenings. 

Happy Sunday. Be safe. 

G.

Saturday 21st November

In the middle of the night, I go walking in my sleep. No that's rubbish. However at about 🕚pm a truck and trailer came past my address. As you can 👀 by the stationary movie, I was pretty close to the road. Needless to say it woke me up in a very unpleasant way. I thought I was actually dreaming until I realized I wasn't!

It was a sunrise start. So early. Probably moving by around 6.20am. Yusses boet that are early. The shop is about 20kms down the road. I reach there by 7. Luckily they only open at 8 so I rest up against the wall. Out of 5L waters, I had to stock up on little bottles. They fit well in the bags but expensive and a waste of plastic. 🤔🤨

I carry on down the main road. It is gravel. Not too rutted so I get a healthy speed going. Today's plan, Nieuwoudtville. Lekka ding. It's a dirt road for about a hundred kilos then swing a right and about 60 down the tar. Everything is going pretty smoothly. I am satisfied with the days proceedings. Up until about kilometer 70. Suddenly it just seems as though I have been in this area before. It is the weirdest feeling ever. I don't stop or anything, it was just quite a strange feeling that held on for some time. The riding was good. I eventually shake off the feeling and pick up some speed.

About 10 kilometers from the tar I stop for a few biscuits and some coke. Like little bits of heaven they go down nicely. At this point for some or another reason I completely change my 🧠. I decide to go to Louriesfontein instead and then head for Calvinia. I have plenty of time for this trip so I still am not sure why this happened. I get to Louriesfontein. Stop in for water. I get a slap chips 🍟 too. Yum. The stop is brief and as soon as the slaps are finished I am off. Again I don't know what happened here. There are 3 route options. 2 tar, uno gravel. I take the latter one. It is the shortest too 🥳🕺. Wouldn't that be a lovely story if it ended there. 

Well it doesn't! The first 4kms or so are legit. Possibly even fun. Then headwind. I don't mean a little blow in your face, I mean 🌪. This is next level. Suddenly the mind goes numb. What to do? This fun ride has turned into a Saw movie. No matter what I do or whichever way I seem to be going the wind is attacking me. The 🦵🦿 are burning now. The bum, well after 5 hours it was ouch. Now I am not even sure if I am sitting or standing. The usual questioning starts. 😬🤦‍♂️ I decide I will just not answer. See if the issue goes away. 

I don't really know what to do here. It just seems to be 🔨ing me from all angles ➡️ now. The good thing is is that I just kept going. Compartmentalizing each issue. In a 📦. It was working 🆗️. I just kept on doing this until I find myself here. About 20kms out of Calvinia. I have eaten and I feel much better now. With a bit of luck an early start tomorrow and a ☕ in town by 🕣. Rest up for the rest of the day and get ready for Monday. 

I am excited. Into Tankwa. One of my most favourite places 🤩🥳🙆‍♂️🙋‍♂️. Great success. Tonight's sleep is under a bridge again. Peaceful. Quiet. I am happy. Sore, but happy 🤣. My bottom is eina. Legs have recovered quite quickly. Will have to sleep on my tummy so my ass can aerate a bit. Not much work tomorrow so happy times.

Hope you all well? Happy. Healthy. Fit. Covid 🆓️ and wearing your 😷. Remember... no mask no entry 😉.

Until next time. Look after yourselves. And each other. 

G.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🤔🤭

Middle Of Nowhere

As already mentioned, this morning I was back at vodacrap with a nonworking 📵. The idiot looks surprised. I leave the sim card 💳 oops wrong card, with the desk driver. I say to him I would just like it to work. That is all. No special tricks just work. Informing him I will be back at 🕘. I go for a ☕ down the road and see a mtn shop. 5 minutes later I have a working 📞 and new number. Happy days. After ☕ ➕ 🛍 are done I go to pick up my sim card. I inform him I have a new number and it took his competitors 5 minutes. He starts giving me some crap about what the issue is. By now the door has closed behind me. 

On my return to the campsite I see the gardener has the sprinklers 💦💦 on next to my ⛺. I absolutely wish I could say this was a joke but it is not. Luckily nothing inside the ⛺ is wet, but the outside is soaked. I go up and ask him what the deal is. He just looks at me. FFS!!! Could this day get any worse. 🤔🤭

Packed and ready to go it is now near noon. I have quite a distance to cover. The weather is 🌡 varuuuum. High 3️⃣0️⃣'s. Luckily a respectable tailwind. I decide to go. 🛴 wiki wiki. My decision is to, don't worry be happy. I say don't worry now. Beeeee happy. That's just a little song I wrote 📃 so don't worry now. Here comes my scenery speal so turn away if you have heard it before. It is stunning. Mountains to the ⬅️ of me, mountains to the ➡️ here I am. It is the R355 and wow it is beautiful. The riding is good too. 

About 60kms in and I stop at a farm to ask for 💧🚰. The owner fills up my bottles and we chat briefly. He hasn't had any 🌨🌧 in 6 years. 😳😲😱. His 🐑🐏 are at a friends farm 100kms away. So he doesn't have much to do. Quite something. Back on the Joe road. More beauty. Baron but still very beautiful. Next up... Vaalputs. Well no stopping there. That's for sure. Less toxic nuclear waste goes there ☢☣🛢. Quite strange but my speed seems to have increased around that area 🦧🐵🐒. Don't worry. I still have 10 fingers and 3 balls 👌.

Next up Platbakkies. A super little farm. The owners invite me in for ☕. It is a grand gesture. I don't hesitate to accept. We chat for some time. I buy a coke and some homemade cookies. Coffee was on the 🏠 and both bottles filled with 🧊🥶💧🚰. Saved again. We chat for longer than really allows me but I am enjoying myself. They are absolutely spectacular people. I vow to return one day and spend a few 🌚 at their B&B. We say our goodbyes and once again I am on the road. 

Here I am. About 20kms from their place. A bush sleep. I am happy. I am where I need to be. 140kms done today. Grateful. It is very peaceful. Today has taught me to be more kind. More open. 

Anyway enough 💩 from me. I am tired. In bed 🛏. Tomorrow is another full day of riding 🚲. I hope it is as rewarding as today has been.

Sleep tight.

G.

Really 🤔

Today has been an interesting day. Been to vodacrap twice, that's 2️⃣ice. No joy to the world. My line has been given the Rodger Moore by the syndicates of this world. It has been given the octo🐈. The golden👆. And all the other names you give it. I am not sure how I feel about this. Peter Rick seems to be trying to help me at the shop but if it ain't working you ain't helping. I do not want to stay in this town another day. But what are my options ⬆️ ➡️ ⬇️ ⬅️ I guess. I don't want to leave here without a working 🐕➕🦴. So I am sort of bent over a 🛢. I shall be 🔙 @ his shop tomorrow @ 🕢 sharp. He will know this. Ever wondered why when things seem to be going ⏬ it just seems to be never ending 🤔. 

Anyways less negativity. Hopefully Rodney Sole can sort it in the am. I shall not hold my breath. Apart from 📵 things are excellent. I hope your 💩 is too. I just want to get moving again. Hopefully tomorrow or Saturday.

On these trips I get to think a lot about life and all it is worth. I guess as a single, unemployed 46 year old you tend to think where you missed the 🚍. What happened. How did I end up here. To be fair I am a happy person. I get it if you are sniggering right now. But I am. I think today has put a stop to me doing what I want to do. I need to rely on a button pusher to make me go forward. That fucks me off no end. Just make it work dick🦲. Not rocket science. But maybe it is. Maybe I just need to walk down the road to the other network and get connected. Cell ©️ for yourself. Let's see what happens when I wake up.

Got a new mtn line. Less than 5 minutes. Life is easy when you stop banging your head against the wall!!!!!!!

Miss you all.

G.

Formations

Rock

Blinder

As mentioned, today was going to be a tough one. I had no idea what exactly to expect, apart from the fact that 3 people had said I should make sure my particulars are up to date. 

5am beep beep beep. ⏰. A 10 minute debate on whether I should go through with today's ride or not! I wait for the votes to come in. 1️⃣➖0️⃣ unlike our friend trump I don't ask for a recount. The ride will commence at: when I am ready. Shower. Wash away the nervousness. 🦷 and barnet are done too. Feeling good. Bike is packed and everyone is ready by ⬇️➡️. I had ridden the first 10 or so kilometers on Monday so I knew this stretch. It was past the last few farms and accommodation venues.

The road (path) whatever you want to call it, goes south and follows an old river bed. It's tough going. Rutted. Sandy. Rocky. Generally pretty hard work. On more than 🖐 occasions I question my decision. I keep going. Averaging around 1️⃣3️⃣kms per hour. It is slow. I had heard about the rock formations near the road. I had no idea at the time what this person was trying to explain until I saw them. It's when you balance a few rocks on top of each other to make 🤷‍♂️ a pile of rocks 🤨🤔🤭. Not sure the point but anyway. There in front of me were 💯's if not thousands of formations. It was actually pretty 🆒️. Photo below. Credit to Greg Squires. Thanks Greg 🤩😘. Legend!

The road keeps going. A brand new toyota bakkie whizzes past me. 😶😱. The driver waves. I return the gesture. I keep going. It is more of the same. Hard work. 🆙️ then, more 🆙️. As beautiful as it is I keep asking myself if this was the right decision. The weight of my bike and bags feels like the 🗽. It is tough going. A small but steep incline. I hear activity at the 🔝. It is the toyota, a large truck and a few herders trying to get the 🐏🐑 onto the 🚛. The entertainment wears off quickly. A short decline followed by more hard, long, sandy, treacherous road. It continues like this for a while. Then a 👈 onto a semi main dirt road. I got excited too quickly. While it flattened out it had more sand than landudno 🏝🏖. I was on and off the bike. Pedaling when I could and pushing when I couldn't. 

This went on for what seemed ages. As I mentioned beautiful, beautiful scenery but it was starting to hurt. Eventually at about roughly 9️⃣0️⃣kms the road turns left again on to the tar. I pull over in excitement and finish my food. Biscuits and bread. It tasted like steak and champagne. Lunch done, I thought I was in the clear now 🚫🛐🎃🤣😅. 

A pass I had not counted on. I seem to be finding them when I least need to. What to do 🤐🧐🥺. Well I am not turning 🔄 around now❕❗It is dealt with as best as possible. Once at the top I see a sign. Steinkopf 10 to go. I am very grateful. Into town. A few items to carry me over until I get to 🦌 Springbok tomorrow. I manage another 25 kilometers until I find this spot. A bush camp. Under a 🌁. Hopefully safe.

My ☎️ is still on the 😣 so fingers crossed I can sort it tomorrow. 

Although it was a tough day I really enjoyed it. My 🦶🦶 are sore tonight. 10 hours of riding I think. I am happy for my days journey. I am very grateful and blessed. It was a fantastic day.

I hope you are all well. Happy. In love (not with me). And healthy. I miss you all. Lots of thoughts today but I kept smiling. 

Chat soon.

G.

Evidence 🤣🤣

Not Much

It was a not much to do day. Things were going to be slow. The showers here are nice. They wash the blues away and a clean slate for the day. So it was fresh as a daisy when I was ready. My decision was to go to town for a coke. It was only 15 away so nothing really in it. The ride through was easy and fun. Taking my time to see around. Go down roads and see what is happening. Not much at all. It's quiet around here. Business seems very slow and you don't see much activity. Still it was a good way to do nothing and get a little exercise in. 

The one sign "LEGAL MINE". I mean for real. It was a clear invitation to go down. Well all done mining and gone. Don't really know what was going on there. Just a huge pile of rocks. Curiosity was the driver of that road. All in there was not a lot to see. I didn't even nick a bunch of 🍇 of which there is plenty. So town and return. All washed. Clothes too. Half packed. Tomorrow is going to be an early start. I have some interesting terrain to cover. The electronic map says about 115 to where I need to be. Then 60 to Springbok. Either tomorrow or the next day. Looking forward to a bush sleep. I saw many great bridges that will accommodate this. A bit of alone time and decent riding should be good for the soul. 

I have packed and extra 5 liters of water. Bloody hell it is going to be heavy. As far as the information I have goes, there is nowhere to refill so I need to carry extra just in case. 

I am looking forward to it. Clearing the mind. Bit of hard toil. Not so much the questioning I know I will be asking myself 🤣.

So chat when I get back to town. Enjoy. Have fun. I miss you. Life is good. We are lucky people. 

Until then ✌

G

🍊➡️

🍊⬅️

15-11-2020

The day blossomed perfectly. It was an early night and fairly okay sleep. So when the sun came through the trees at 6️⃣⏺3️⃣0️⃣ or thereabouts I was ready to get the day into gear. Lovely hot 🚿. Clean and sparkling! Packed 🧳 and ready to go, I said goodbye to the 2 couple's I had befriended. Up the road and into town. My phone was not working again so I needed wifi to connect and do a few things. Wimpy has this facility for free. 

Admin done the attack started. Actually it was downhill so a 5 minute spin to warm up was good. After this, it seems the order to the weatherman had been followed to the 🍵. Respectable tailwind. Rolling hills. The speed was fantastic. I was in for a blinder... or was 👁❓. ⌛ would tell. From the map it was about 116.45kms. The hills kept rolling and the speed kept constant. At this stage I was pleased. Then, as predicted a town. Well some buildings on either side of me with a name. Steinkopf. Was this where all the money was looted to? 🔍🔎 just by the naked eye you could see this place was not worth much. Still I pulled over and bought a coke. At the price of this liquid you would have thought I was buying the powdery stuff. It was jaw dropping ridiculous. 

Returning to the road it was back to business as usual. About 5kms or so down the road and there was the first victim. A huge truck. Engine open. Oil 🛢 all over the road. On the outside this thing looked pretty new. But you could hear the nigerian music and you knew this thing was ⚰⚱. We will see if it is still there on my return. It kept coming. Beautiful rolling road. The heat had crept up. It must have been high 30s. Not too far down the road and there was the second 🥈 victim. Another big truck 🚛. Looked like the same issue. Cab open and if you listened carefully you could hear the nigerian music getting louder. 

I had no time to spare so it was full gas 🛣 down the road. Round a corner and there it was. Breathtaking. I love this sort of terrain. I was now navigating through a canyon of sorts. The end of the days journey was soon to be. I took the scenery in with deep breaths and was grateful to have had such a warming 🌡 day. I had thoroughly enjoyed it. Last order of the day was to get myself booked in for the night. An easy task. The venue was delightful and a few, 🍺🍺🍺 okay 3 beers were consumed before I turned in for the night. It was a good ride. I was where I needed to be. Happy. Grateful. Slightly emotional. Probably bloody drunk too 🤪🤫🤔. 

All in, a solid 7 out 10. Blessed. 

G.

No ⛔⚠️

Wow! 🌬🌪 last night. Half way through my sleep I had to move my entire setup under the carport. The wind was fantastic. It was moving the small town of Vioolsdrif into my abode. 🔩 that! I was moving address. Under the 🚗port things were much better. Sleep was resumed. 

There was no rush to today's events. My plan was to go to the border and try and cross over. 

When I awoke for the day I had changed my mind. This trip was to have been to see the 🐠 river canyon. However that all changed. I was feeling uneasy. Nervous. Not confident at all. So I changed my mind. I would follow the river for a bit and find a good place for the night. That was as far as the plan was for the day.

It only really goes west 🧭 so that it would be. Down the road and follow the river. It was nice riding. Road was in fair shape and not a hill in sight. There are many places on the river banks. I stopped at several to find out the situation. The road led me here. Oewerbos. It's a super place. Friendly people and okay rates. I think I am the only person here. 🍬. I'll take it. Unpacked. Washed. Clothes washed 🥻👔👖. On the deck having a 🍺. The view of the river is spectacular. The life blood of the area. The only reason for existence here is the 🍊river. 

On a side note. 📃 There are a lot of pumps pulling water out of this river. I mean a lot. The river still looks healthy but if that changes there is going to be mayhem. Loads of farming here. Looks like mainly grapes 🍇🍇.

It is astounding how we as humans continue to burden this planet with our wants and greed. I see this quite a bit. If you reading this and you know me then you know I am a person of very few wants. Not gloating, well actually yes I am 🤣🤣. I think we are going to break this place quite soon. Then what we gonna do, what we gonna do when they come for you ❓❔❗❕

Enough of my shit. 

There is quite a big decision to be made. Go home the way I got here. Or go home through the Richtersfeld. I have been warned by everyone that it is hard. Very hard. Maybe it is time to ✔. It's also quite hot. 35 odd. I will probably stay here another day and then return that route. So this could be one of my last messages to the world 🌍🌎🌏 or not. Who cares right. Death is our destiny. No matter which way you look at it 🤣😅😂. I find this very funny. I think it must be done. One way or another... I wanna wanna wanna do it. One way ➡️ or ⬅️ or ⚰⚱ will see if I can hear the nigerian music. 

That's pretty much it lovely people. Keep good. Keep safe. Take chances. Why the fuck not? If a car can do it, I can do it on my 🚲. This I am certain of.

Love and peace.

G.

White Hen 🦄🦚

How Far 👁😅

Allowed Or Not 🤷‍♂️

Went in to town today. Learnt the following. Don't get covid on the weekend. The hospital and the private laboratory that do testing are closed Saturday and Sunday. Learnt another thing. Couple more flushes and this 🚽 town will be in the ocean. 

So tomorrows plan. Get on the bike. Ride to the border. Either go over or don't. Not much I can do. Fingers crossed I can get over. Ais ais is closed. Opens in March. So go to Hobas. It's quite a way. This could also change between now and tomorrow. Will have to see when I wake up. Whatever happens I am enjoying the journey. I just have to let things roll a bit and see what happens. 

Happy Saturday. Back to sleep now.

G

Yusses! Corrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrugated!

The sleep on the sleeper couch was good. It was early when the house awoke and started to get ready for the day. For me, quick 🚿 and 💩. Well I don't think mine had eyes 🤷‍♂️. Then pack and ready. The first 5kms I would be riding out with my hosts. There was a heavy fog and it was 🥶. Only one jacket 🥶 so not too bad really. The 4 of us get going. Bit of banter until we depart ways. They are going North. Me, East. The wind definitely favors my route. A pretty strong tailwind. Their ride would see them straight into it 😏🤯🤙.

Lots more used diamond mines. Big fences. Not much activity. The road... another story. Rutted. No not rutted. Rututututututted. No, organ destroying rututututututted. It was bad. Bad to my old bones. I was not happy. Downhills were slow. You just got shook to smithereens. I felt violated. Decimated. It was... 🚳🉐️🈸️🔞 fucking terrible. 

I read on a map there was to be 40kms of this. My life plans changed. I would need to become a woman. My 🥎🥎 had fallen off. The remainder of my hair had fallen out. I keep going. Promising myself if I get through this day alive I am buying some suspension. 

Up, down and around. Miles and miles of old mines. All fenced off. Then around a corner. A couple of guys. They were up to no good. What were they doing in this neighborhood?! 🤡👹. Illegal panning by the looks of it. Right next to the road 😅. About 10 or so men. 2 cars. The one shouted at me to come and prospect with them. Ummmm no thanks. I wave as I hurry by. More of the same for quite some time. Then a mine on the left. Very much operational. I wouldn't say on a huge scale but they had a few large bulldozers and machines going at it.

After 60 😳😲 yes 6️⃣ 0️⃣ kilometers of mind altering shaking I see the tar. Well about bloody time. I see the reason for the tar. A generous Pass. Spectakel pass. It doesn't look too bad. Experience tells me not to judge by looks. I still think bwa ha this won't take long. The first part is dealt with promptly. Good going Greg. It's not that steep. I get to the summit. ❌😅 no it's not. More climbing. Keep going. I look again, the summit woohoo. ❌😅 no it's not 🤬🤬. I pull over. Fill my bottles from my reserve in my pannier. Let's go. Summit woohoo ✅✔🕺. There is a small flat section followed by a short, fast down. Lovely. Round the corner 😳😲😯😮🥺😱🤬🤬🤬🤬. What do you think? Well you wrong. More bloody uphill. I dig deep ⛏🕳. Normally I would be fine with this situation. Unfortunately for me the rutted million mile march had left me in an undesirable mood. I was beginning to not enjoy my own company. It was not good. 

I keep going. Obviously!! I deal with that climb. Little bit more flat then another fun descent. Around the corner and what 😳😱. Another climb. I check to see if I can get signal. Does uber operate around here 🤔. Nothing. The language is bad. I have no choice. Keep going you moron. It is hard work. I am tired. Legs are sore. Balls are missing and humor has failed. The temperature has also decided to rise like the bloody hill. Sky high. No fear. I keep moving. 

Up that section. What do you know 😳😳 I can see Nando's. Well presto. A small descent takes me right to the door. Chicken burger and chips please lady. Throw me with a large 🚰 to boot. I sit outside and wait for my bounty. It arrives. It doesn't take long until the plate is clean. It was my first food for the day. Yummy in my tummy. I book in at the campsite. My erections complete (tent and mattress) you filthy people, I head to the bike shop. Pedals greased. Spar (good for you) has my usual order waiting. A lotto ticket just incase. Friday the 1️⃣3️⃣,  2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣. Who knows! Back to the site. My camp is lekka. 🚿🛁. I feel grand.

To add to this day vodacrap has been on the blink. So my 🐕➕🦴 that's ☎️ has only just come back online. Anyways!! Such is life. 

I wish you all peace, happiness, love and prosperity. Today taught me absolutely nothing. Not even bad language makes the hills easier. Just keep on keeping on. It will happen eventually. TIA after all.

Sweet dreams my good people. 

G.

Is It Warm? 🤔

The morning started early today. It was up and get ready from 6ish. A quick pack and shower. I stayed in the boma so my stuff was all much together and ready to go. It was to be a stop at the ☕ shop but it was still closed, so down the drag a bit and then a left turn onto the dirt. The going was good. More mine dumps. Huge hills of dirt. "Rehabilitation" or whatever they want to call it. You can't see much going on. It looks like the area is deserted. The odd scrap here and there but that is about it.

Then suddenly 📣📣. A car. We get chatting. 2 cyclists coming up from behind. This is part of their support team. They are riding from Langebahn. Well some. Taking turns in riding and driving. 5 in total. The 2 back up cars pass. I get moving down the road. 20 odd kms later, the town of Koingnaas. I stop for a coke and chocolate. It feeds the soul and the ass. I press on out of the town. As I leave the 2 cyclists are just coming through. We meet up and get chatting. They are a great bunch. Mainly the one girl putting the hammer down and the others are fair riders. It works well.

We don't see much. A lot more unused mine machinery and lots of earth piles from the process. I still don't know what to think of it all. De beers was obviously the main company but there are funny names now on the boards around. It seems like a very interesting layout. I wonder if anyone actually knows WTF is going on. 

The road is pretty straightforward. Very little climbing and descending. It is sort of running parallel to the ocean. About a kilometer or so away. The 2 riding at this stage are doing well. The lady and a man. We are moving swiftly. 

I am then informed one of the other riders has been dropped off a ways down the road. Todays stage was about 85kms. Everything was in our favor so it was pretty simple. Tailwind ✅ flat terrain ✅ warm ✅✅ it was definitely getting there. We were really enjoying the ride. Minimal cars too. It was fun. Just like that 3.5 hours, 85kms and the work for the day was done. 

I have been very fortunate to be invited to stay in the house they have booked 🆒️. A bed. To be fair to my setup I am good in the tent. But a bed is not to be passed up by any means. I am blessed to be here today. It is good fortune. 

Tomorrow is back inland. Springbok. Looks like another warm day. 110kms. I need this. I need bigger days. So far I am doing about 80 average with 3 hours riding. These numbers must improve 😅🤣. It will be a covid test in town and a visit to the bike shop. That's about it. Then border post here we come. My Namibia route will change. Probably a few times. It looks expensive up there 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️ who would have thought!! So I will do enquiries at Springbok. But one thing, I will get there. It needs to be ticked off my list. I shall be happy when it is.

Off for a quick nap. I do hope you are all well. In fact, 🥚cellent. Top drawer. Life is good. It is what we make it. Worth living. Being happy. 

Miss you all. 

Chat soon

G

💎💎 Town

With the sun going down I take to this piece of technology to put my days happenings down. So one day I can tell my children 😳🤣 what I did in my youth. Tsek!!

It was a good sleep. A bed sleep. Not your most expensive mattress but it beat the inflatable I carry with me (sorry suzie). I was in a suite. Sorry I mean a sweet little room. TV. Cooking stuff. And bed. Luckily I didn't bring my cat as I would not have been able to swing it around in the room. Breakfast was good. 🥚🥚🥚 boiled. Toast to accompany it. No plate mind you. I wish I took videos of me eating. You lot would be gone in a  flash. 

A beep on the phone. I check. The boss lady says I can go to the main house for coffee and breakfast 😳✋ high five. I get ready in a flash and scoot up there. Proper ☕. Delicious. Eggs, bacon the works. At no extra charge. Shit, quick, check the lotto numbers. Great success. I shift the eggs and toast further down the process line in order to accommodate this feast. We have some small talk about her previous guests. The conclusion: the French are manner less pigs. I insist she puts a sign on the door they are not welcome. We both have a chuckle. 

Then, ride begins. Out of Garies. Up the pass. Not too steep. Not too long. In fact a nice warm up. Said no one ever!! There are 2 variations of todays route. I take the slightly longer one which will have me riding the N7 more than I wanted. The upside, more tar, less gravel. I must be turning into a pansy! It goes well. I wave. The cars wave or hoot back. It breaks up the time. 

I turn off the highway. It's a quiet road. Pleasantly. The going is good. Up and down. Very little flat. I don't mind this too much. Past some little village. It really is just a few houses. Full speed Dave! Then. I knew it was coming. The Joe! I was warned it wasn't it great condition. Correct. Quite rutted the first part. But as I sit here now, it actually wasn't too bad. 

I was making good progress up until now. I wanted to keep that going. The wind was a sort of side/ tailwind. Depending which way the road was facing. I was pleased. All was in order. A few vehicles, but that's about it. Lekka waves and the odd scream. I enjoy that. Not keeping an 👁 on the distance I find myself at the top of a rise. Still working out what to make of it. It is undoubtedly spectacular. Good or bad so be it. But spectacular none the less. 

The view of HondeKlipBaai. The ocean about 8 or so kms away. Between me and there... huge mounds of earth. Mine dump earth. Not Greg's. I mean where they have excavated for 💎. Almost no patch of earth has been spared. It is a sight. Looks like they are all done and dusted. I saw a sign that said "rehabilitation" of what? They have done what only a mining company could do. F'd that place right up. 

I arrive in the town to my spot. It's windy. Very windy. The same wind that was me golden gate 20 minutes ago is now the enemy. I tell the boss my tent will be going up in the boma area. She has a few words to say. I take no interest in her mumblings and proceed to the area. Tent up. Shower done. Clothes washed. 

Time to go 💎💎 prospecting. Nothing yet folks but watch this space. Apparently there is a better chance at tomorrow's venue. Between there and here lies 80kms, where my 👀 will be working triple time. I hear the 5️⃣  0️⃣ are pretty sharp around here so if I see one I will just pretend to crash and pick it up while I lay there. If you all pray really hard tonight we might share the spoils. 

That's it for now. Fingers crossed. Chatted to 2 locals about the reality of finding a 💎. Pretty good it seems. It's that old saying "right time, right place" well I am here so let's see if the timing can arrive. It would feel pretty grand if I found one. 

Love and peace my friends. I miss you dearly. Smile. Smile at someone. Make their day. Be good. Be good at it. But most of all, pray like shit tonight that I find a diamond. MUCHO GRACIOUS. 

Peace out. 

G.

How Cool

Sophia

♻️ Life

Yesterday was the beginning of better days. I don't like to jinx things, but I feel much better. Sunday was crappy. You might have picked that up 😅. Yesterday's ride was good. It was better than good. Not top 10 but it changed my attitude. Up. Pack. Let's go 🚲🚀🚦. The weather was good. Warm. Not hell warm 😈 more like 2️⃣5️⃣🌡 get your 🚲 and ride warm.

Out the town of no atmosphere. Left. Onto the road to Nuwerus. I prefer the warmer weather 🌞🧥🕶 so as I got closer inland the smile grew on my 🚤race. It was good. The speed was high. Tailwind, thank you god of wind. 🙏😘. Tar and beautiful conditions. Just what the 🩺 ordered. Loads of massive 🚛. All friendly. All waved. Okay I 👋 first but they all reciprocated 🆒️. Then out of nowhere it all ends. Just like that 🗯. A right turn 🙀🙊👿 on dirt 🥴. 

I mean I own a mtb what was the complaint again... 👾🙈. The usual few tortoises. Luckily on their side of the road so no issue there. I can't stand traffic jams. Before long there is a sign. I saw the sign. It opened up my eyes. I saw the sign. Nuwerus 1️⃣0️⃣ 🦲. I had hardly warmed up. It was good. I was ready for a 🚿🧼🧽. Wash away the previous days negativity. 🥚cellent.

I check in with the boss. She is friendly and spot is great. Not too busy so I have  the corner to myself. She is absolutely 🥜🥜 over 19. I covid my face with my buff. Tell her I will be more careful. Pleased with my find I set up camp. It gets warm in the pm. This was temporary. By sundown the wind is absolutely howling 🐺. And the temperature has dropped. Luckily I have a new sleeping bag. It is ⭕🌡 rated. It keeps me warm until I wake this morning. 

Today: 👨🏻‍🦯r

Get up. Eat. Shower. 💩. 🪒. I feel spectacular. Will it last?❔❓

It does. Yesterday I booked in here. Sophie's. Not the main gig. But she has a side gig. Down the drag. Like a room. So no ⛺. Not ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ but a lekka jol. It has a 🖥. Electric. Fridge. Bathroom. The town it is in however is no so grand. A place called Garies. Don't rush here. But if you in the area stop in. Actually just do a drive by. Actually don't waste your gas. Drive on by. 

Ride was again.... phenomenal. Tailwind. 80kms. All tar. Just excellent riding. Oh thank you Greg. You welcome 😁. It was super fun. Traffic not bad. Speed was good. Day was good. Fun was had. Bish bosh macintosh. 

Tomorrow... a day back to the 🌊. I know. Why you ask. Because I am heading to the road that is open. The open road. It used to be closed. The ♦️💎 road. So fingers crossed I find one 🤞💣🙀🧐🤠🤑🤩. I might be offline for a bit. Either jail or prospecting. 

I want to just say thanks again. To all of you. I have met some amazing people so far. Also some complete wankers. The world has them all. For the most part I love this trip. It's lonely. It can be difficult. But I am here. On my journey. If you know me then you are on this journey with me. It is our journey. 

I was in a car here about 4 months ago. I joked and said I would love to ride to Namibia. I have been saying it for a few years. As a crow flies I am only 200kms away from the border right now. But only as I would do, I am going to have a 300km detour now. If I find a few diamonds, beers and coke on me when I get back. A cola of course 😏. We will have to find somewhere to sell them. I know a guy who knows a guy sort of thing. 

Sorry the jokes are a bit thin. I have a few days to get myself together. 

Learning that love is important. It is necessary. It is essential. I am learning on this trip. 

Thanks all. You mean a lot. Keep it real. 

G.

4️⃣0️⃣ degrees 🛐

Getting There

Last nights sleep was decent. I was lucky to have scored that place. I still don't really have a plan. Just 🚲 day by day. I would love to get to Namibia and see the fish river canyon. I was supposed to see it a few years ago but my poor attitude and stubborn behavior got in the way. Now on a 🚲 I hope to make it there and see the place. It is still a ways to go so 🤞.

I was up early. The shower was fantastic. I felt sparkling clean. Packed and ready to go by 7. I know right❗🤪. What was stopping me was the weather. After waiting for the rain all this time it decided to arrive at 8am till 9am. Not to worry. I was in no rush.

Once I was off it was good. A quiet road. Not much traffic. Pleasant. This must and can only be the 🐢 breeding place. I saw 4 in the first hour alone.They seem pretty cool and don't really give me any hassle. I like that. It was a left at the 10km mark. Here I was going to follow the road that runs parallel to the railway line. 🚉🚄🚲. There is a big sign that says do not ride without a permit. 😳😲. Oh dear. I had no permit or bail money. 🚔🚓 so here I am in jail. 

Just kidding. This road was actually quite busy. It knocks off about 20kms to Doringbaai. So as you can imagine it gets used quite a tad. 

I had my sights set on a campsite there. The road that takes you there is not so good. Quite rutted and very bouncy. As I have said before I have no suspension. So it makes shit roads shitter. But on tarred roads it's great. I think on my return my dentist will be pleased with this road. Luckily, the bike held together. It keeps impressing me. I wish I was as strong as it.

So it was 25 odd kays of shake, rattle and roll. Goodness me was I pleased to see the end of it. In Doringbaai I text the boss lady of the campsite. 350 she tjoons me. I nearly fell off of my chair. I decline. I didn't want to buy the place. Just camp there. It is not Lundudno lady. I finish my coffee and decide to move on. The next town. Strandfontein. It is hardly a few minutes and I am here. Campsite is good. Quite busy actually. Weather is still 🦮💩. It seems to be doing its best to clear up hopefully.

Today was a very tough day emotionally. It is day 8. A lot of questions about who, where, why and what. I have been overthinking a lot. Not enjoying what surroundings I have. Not being present. Questioning most of what my life has, is and holds. It is difficult not to. I need to learn to deal with things better. It will come. These short days are not good. They don't tire me out enough. Tomorrow is at least 80kms so hopefully a longer ride. I look forward to it. 

I am kind of not knowing where I am going so it will all fall into place soon. I have faith in the process. 

Otherwise all is well. Not really much news. Well not from me. I need to get more inland where I feel happier. I am not a sea fairing person by any means. And here I sit watching the ocean 🤪😬😳🤣🤣. 

Off to put my feet in the water. I hope you are all well and keeping happy.

G.

How Cool

Spot

Lekka

✅news➕❎news

Good news and bad news. Yes one of those days❗ The good news, well it wasn't nearly as 🌬 windy as yesterday. Nope. No way. It was way worse🌬❗ So thanks 🙏 to the wind god. Your work is not appreciated by me today. 

It was a fairly decent start. Again I did not want to leave too early. No much of a ride today. 5️⃣0️⃣ or so kilometers. An easyish day. Except for... the wind. If yesterday was a 5 on the wind scale today was a 7. I don't mean you see people or things flying around but it is hard work when you are riding into the 🦷🦷🦷🦷 of it. Not to mention the first 3 kms was a very unwelcomed uphill. After a fairly poor nights sleep it was a just plain rude. But as the saying goes "this bike ain't going to ride itself." So onwards and upwards. The scenery most certainly helped. It was very impressive. 

So the first stretch, about 13kms. Then a left. This road would take to me to my destination. The wind, well just as bad. I guess that is how it works. A tailwind which you never remember or a headwind which you never forget. It was good going though. No rush today. Just pedal and go. No rain and only 50 to do. 

Suddenly a right turn is taken and low and behold I am now next to the ocean. It is enjoyable and actually pretty good riding. This is how I envisioned my trip. Less the hurricane wind. I was actually having a good time. On this road is the good and the bad. I see 🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢 all walking across the road. Not together. At different spots. Luckily all still moving and no signs of flattened ones. So far happy days. Then close to my destination I see the bad. A 🐈 that won't be purring anymore. I move it from the middle of the road. Put it in the bush. Is that what a bushcat is? 🤷‍♂️. I thought it was something else. I move on. Nothing else I could do.

I get to Lamberts bay. I ask around for Adam, but no one seems to know him. I thought he was pretty famous. Obviously not in his own town🤪❗. First port of call... Spar (good for you). I get the usual including a good mix of fruit. I need to look after myself a bit better. Bill paid I go down to the local hotel for a coffee. The doorman is very friendly and says I can leave my bike inside.  Dah! It ain't staying in the road einstein. So with a watchful 👁 on my worldly belongings I enjoy a cup of pretty 🆗️ ☕. It is welcomed as I haven't had a cup for a day or two.

Back on the road it's not far to my spot. Found it on the inter🕸. I stop at the wrong place. A bar just out of town. I enquire with the locals how to get here. I gave up after 3 times asking them. They had very limited english and looked liked they had been going since the night before. I was actually impressed they were still standing. This at 13.00 hours. What a life.

I get moving down the road as my GPS is less intoxicated. Over the hill and there is the signpost. CAMPING 🏕⛺. I see the office hand. Lekka fella. He is also the barman. I tell him my story. It's gonna rain tonight he says. I am impressed with his knowledge. Oh I say! Do you have a spot with a bit of shade cloth then maybe? Let's go and have a look he inspires. He hops into KIT and here I am. An amazing spot. Actually he has let me use a cottage sort of thing. No bedding but everything else is here. Suits me perfectly. I thank Michael and he reminds me that it will rain this evening. All washed and cleaned I will be up to the bar in a bit for the wifi. It has been a good day. Someone won't be getting any pussy tonight but I couldn't leave it in the middle of the road. Besides none for me... none for you! 

Happy Saturday everyone. Don't even think anyone reads this drivel anymore. Who the hell knows! 

Take care all. Be good. Be safe. Give a hug today. Receive a hug. Smile at a random person. 

Love G.

Windy 🌬🌬

Yesterday was a break from all the riding. I was waiting for the heavens to open and unleash a flood of drinking water from the skies. Lucky I didn't hold my breath. I would be 🍞 by now. There has been very little in the way of moisture from above. When I say very little I mean ⭕  0️⃣. So yesterday I just decided to stay where I was and have a day off. In all fairness I should have stayed there today too. But there is the little issue of food. I HAD RUN OUT. So as you can see I needed to get going.

Today was an absolute slog. The wind is here. When I say here I mean HERE. What I actually mean is that if  you peed into the wind today you would be covered in that pee. So a word of advice... 🥁 don't pee into the wind today. #you'rewelcome. Advice like this people is how the world is built. Use it wisely. 

So back to the ride. I was up at 6. Early nights mean early mornings. I like that. Also trying to drink a lot less. It feels good. A beer on Sunday was my last tipple. Anyways. I got half ready. Packed a bit. Showered and dressed. Then to the boma for wifi. Checking all the weather apps for information. Meanwhile I had all I needed. Look out the window Rodney and there is your answer. My decision is to wait until 9 and then make the call. I decide to leave. Hungry and getting bored I need to make a move. I finish packing and depart.

All is well. For the first 2kms. Downhill to the main road. Out the gate and onto the tar. Here is where the fairy tale ends and the pain arrives. I need to go fast. No rain yet but it looks imminent. For some reason or another I pray a lot for a guy who is not religious. 🤪🙏🤞. It was to all the gods today. 1️⃣ wind god. Please no wind. He clearly was off today! 2️⃣ rain god. Please no rain until I am at my destination. He seems to be in a giving mood. 3️⃣ temperature god. Please keep it warm until my tent is up. He seems to be on the fence today too. It is rather cold out here 🥶. 4️⃣ traffic god. Keep it light today speedy. Well he was in the office and seemingly working. 5️⃣ energy god. Don't run out until you find food. This was my best result today. The power was good.

So after all this crap was done time to put down the 🔨. Man alive the wind was horrid. Even the downhills were hard work. Absolutely no rest whatsoever. If you tapped off for a single stroke you would start dropping off the pace immediately and it was difficult to find it again. 

There was a maybe stop at Redelinghuys for a snack and drink. As the entrance to the town approached the decision was unanimously approved to just keep going. 

It really was a solid ride today. The numbers may not say a lot but the 🦵🦵 are very happy it is over. 43.28kms 2.17hours. For a road section that is slow. With the wind I was facing I am extremely happy with it. So whatever. Pooof, just like that I am here at my spot for the night. Vensterklip. It's an okay spot. I was here about 2 months ago. Same crap hole. 💩🕳. At least there is food here. You will never guess what I am going to have for dinner. Never. NEVER. Not in a million years. Not even 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ years. Never. So I will tell you. I have already decided on the burger and chips 🍔🍟. See you never even eva would have got that. 

Okay a 🚿🛁 needs to be taken. Clean then food. So happy Friday. Please be safe. Have fun. Enjoy life. A happy person is a fun person. 

Chat soon. G.

Wok You Say

Lost

I sit here tonight very lost in thought. I am looking out over an area of which the name I do not know. It ever so slightly reminds me of when I used to go to Kariba. There is no water mind you. Just unbuilt vast land. The odd crop here and there but it is hardly seen as part of the picture. Today I can truly and fully say I am a very lucky person to be here on my journey. I have been led here today and I am grateful to the ends of this earth right now. Thank you to all of you who have helped me in one way or another. I wish you could all be sitting with me here now. That would make this day the best day I have ever lived.

Today started well. Up. Shower. Eat. Eat some more. Ooooo look food. Eat a bit more. Pack. Make sure the campsite is in better shape than when I got there. Up to the boss lady's place.

We chat. About a good 45 minutes worth. She is kind and friendly. Has done a bit of touring herself so lots of interesting banter.

While we have been talking an incredible, heavy fog has moved over the plateau. It is quite spectacular. I get going. The cold air is nice to breathe. It freshens me up and my body. Visibility is not great so the ears 👂🦻 are put on high alert for vehicles. The mist clears about half way down the hill. Yes the very hill I nearly died on the day before. Nearing the bottom I see a bakkie stopped. Two Afrikaans blokes waving me down with a bush. There, crossing the road is a puff adder. Probably just over a meter long. I nearly 💩💩 myself. I am 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣% absolutely petrified of 🐍🐍. The one fella has a stick and is trying to push it off the road. I ask him if he thinks that is a good idea. I shit you not this is the reply from his mate "he has 2 rattlesnakes at home". Oh well!‼❕❗ once it is safely off the road we bid our farewells. 

In to town. A few items at the Spar (good for you). Then a quick burger and chips. 🍔🍟. On the bike. Back up the road. This little exercise cost me 11kms or so. I needed food so no complaints. On the road to.... anywhere really. I had my sights on a place called Goudkop Bush Camp. All in it was about a 70km ride. The road was way busier than I thought. Big trucks. Quite a few of them. Many taxis too. Stumped on where they were going. 

The ride is a good one. The legs are in great working order today. The heat is manageable but must have hit the mid 30's I would say. The wind... well yeah the wind. It made itself known for most of the day. Not too bad but incase you don't know Mr wind maker a tailwind surpasses a headwind. Please sort your shit out for tomorrow. 

Speaking of tomorrow. Let's see this weather story. It changes hourly. Luckily I am in a good spot. If needs be I guess I will be here 2 nights. But let's hope not.

Check this place out if you get a chance. It is super stunning. Good rates too. Friendly staff. Just overall a great venue. 

I need to go and rest now. Sleep well. Live honorably. Smile. Be awesome. 

Love G.

TIA

More

Stunning Views

🐍

Day 🥉

Sleep was okay. Not great actually. The bloody 🐝🐝 are back inside my head. I was hoping to have a break from them for a few days. Not to be today unfortunately. It was still a relatively generous day. After I had got myself ready for the days proceedings I stopped by the wifi 📶☢ to check on the weather. Well whether or not I agreed with it was of little interest. I had my destination planned and little would disrupt that. The first 30 or so odd kilometers was just a formality. Down the dirt road. A little bit of asphalt. More dirt road. A bit of tar. More dirt road.

Eventually coming out by the windmills 🎡 near Gouda. A couple were turning slowly. Not sure if their union was involved or if they were broken. There was piss all wind as far as I could tell. It was a left here. I have been down this road a few times so I know what is coming. First Saron. Then the prison 🏢🚔. Not too far to Porterville now. I arrive. No welcoming committee. Well last time I visit your little 💩 hole. I go into...... guess. No guess. No guess now. Just try. Okay okay I go to 🥁🥁 Spar (good for you). Bet you none of you got it!? 

Get the requirements to keep me alive for a few days. Back on the bike. All packed. Through the town and turn at the Picketburg road. Only 25kms to the little town. This proved much harder and longer than I wished for. At 🥁🥁 Spar (good for you) I did not get any 🚱🧊💧 water. To this minute I still cannot work out why! Anyways. I make it to Picketburg. Stop in at the... Spur for a burger, chips and H2O. 🍔🍟💧. It goes down well. As is per usual, my nutrition (food) has not been what I would have liked. We are only 3 days in so lots of time to eat more rubbish. 

A few patrons inquire about my movements and I inform them. They seem astounded a human would do something like this. It is simple math I tell them. No job ❎ by lots of 🕰 = 🚲 they still seemed confused so I left.

This is where my day changed. Up until now I was okay. Kept things going and just pushed on. In front of me now and in between my sleep for the night was a hill. More like a mountain. More like Everest 🌋. I started off slowly. The heat was making itself known. I was sweating like a mad man. Trying to keep fluids up I was drinking more than I should have. I was not happy. Last time I rode this hill it was raining. This time... 35+ degree heat. Why does this hill hate me 🥴🥵🥵🤬. Not much I could do. I stop every now and again in the shade. It helps slightly. I keep going. Eventually after an hour longer than I hoped for I reached my destination. 

It was a tough day. I need to carry more water. I say this almost every day now. It is hot out there and I don't seem to be learning. Maybe tomorrow. Unbloodylikely. 

Well I am here. Alive. So tomorrow is another day. Let's see what we can do. 

Tonight's accommodation is a place I have visited a few times. At the top of Picketburg. Bo-picketburg. It is a lekka spot. 

Tomorrow I slowly head towards the coast. Then up. As long as I can keep my emotions in check this trip will continue. Besides I have all of you with me. 

Sleep tight friends. We shall see each other soon. 

Love G.

TwoDay

It was a sleep fit for kings 🤴👑. Not sure if I was just very tired or if it was the absolute peacefulness that was to be accredited. Either way I awoke refreshed and ready for a good day. Showered, packed and having said my thank yous and goodbyes I was on the road. I knew more or less where I was heading and how to get there. 

Out of the farmstead, left onto the main road then left again on the road to Paarl. The traffic was horrible. Cars giving me just what they needed to in order not to kill me. It was less than fun.

Arriving at Paarl I counted my lucky stars and said a hail Mary. Into checkers 🧐😳😲😭😱 W T F.... I couldn't find a Spar 🤪🤷‍♂️ (good for you). I got what I needed and scurried out the door. Panniers loaded it was more of death road. Not as bad this time but still unpleasant. This road would lead me to Wellington. Well not quite. Just before the town I took a left onto the road that would bring me to my destination. 

About 8kms down said road I see what is an old cluster of buildings. Few notice boards on the road edge. Something catches my eye 👁. Adult World it says. 🤔🤫😳 No just kidding. Coffee shop ☕ is the sign I am most interested in. I enter the small village and find the shop for coffee. Not bad. Newish looking. Sweet. I order a coffee and a cheese sandwich ☕🥪. No menu to speak of but she says she can manage that. 

Now have a quick guess what you think that should cost. Two items. No garnishing. No chips. Just a coffee and a plain as can be cheese sandwich. Well guess again my friends. 6️⃣0️⃣ Randellas. SIX OH. I was a little shocked when that happened. I paid and left. Ariva dache thieves with no guns. 

Back on the road. An ever so slight tailwind helping me along. The riding was golden. Speed was acceptable. Traffic was starting to behave itself. This was a better morning. I was starting to liven up again. Great success. The turnoff to my campsite came up quicker than expected. Left turn driver. Tyres squealing the turn is made and the speed picked up again. Boom shaka laka.

Arriving at my destination is not long down the road. The owner boss is having drinks with a few of his mates. It is only 12 o'clock and it looks like they have been at it for a while. I am directed to the campsite. No one here, spectacular. The tent is put up and the washing washed. 

Quick note on this place. No under 18 allowed. That's right 🔞. No pets 🚫🦓🐕🦧🦨🦘 either. My kinda place. The grass is lekka green. No screaming to be heard. No parents screaming at screaming children. In fact no noise. 🔕🔇 NADA. Now don't get cross or think I don't like the lovely pitter patter of your offspring running around being angels. Or the soft politeness of them asking for "some more". That is all music to my ears 🎶🎵🎼👂. It is just once a year I enjoy the sound of birds chirping 🦚🦆and the quiet motionless vast green plains of empty fun. 

So here I am. No kids. No animals. No humans. No f all. It is quite pleasant. 

Well the bugs have just pitched up so actually not that great 🦗🦟🐞🐜🐝🐙🐲🦎. I mean did they not read the sign... I saw the sign. And it opened up my eyes. I saw the sign. 

So again I leave you for the evening. Have fun. Be safe. I do miss you and your children. Well not today but you get my drift. Okay enough 💩 talk now. Be good. Be safe. Ride your bike. Enjoy what you have. 

Love G.

Bad Day 🥴😬🌵🌵

Let's Go!

It was a lazy opener. The eyes peaked out to see what the day was to hold. There were a few boxes to be ticked before the absolute start was to be given the go ahead. Sunshine ✔ lack of wind ✔ good attitude ✔ no hangover ✔, seems today had arrived as per order. Up, clean, dress, bike and of course huge smile. It was time. Richard was to join me for the first leg (5kms or so) and then he would turn around. 

We had a good start. The usual covid discussion followed by the purpose of this trip. It is always useful to get as many opinions as possible. Ideas are different and I value input from those around me. 

Once he had left me to defend for myself it was a very chilled and steady pace. Through Claremont. Then Pinelands. Industrial area. Who's betting, next was Grand West. Then the Northern Suburbs. I know this route now. All tar. Luckily not too busy. Almost every single car giving me plenty of room. It was fantabulous. Jimmy shoes, no souls today. I was really pleased with the progress. 

Into Stellenbosch. A food for one please my good man. Don't spare the ribs. With a good meal devoured it was back on the Lyn. A small pass stood between me and my destination. The legs know this hill well. I like to give myself a time to aim for. Then knock at least 5 minutes off of it. Today was not that day. No sir! All the timers were off and it was a fun day. I took my time. Soaking in the views. My surroundings. My time. My trip. I have been feeling extremely uneasy the last few days and I really just wanted a good day. It was. It was splendid. Marvelous. 

Summiting the peak, I stop and once again just take it in. Emotions high. Tears here and there. An understanding of what is. A communication of soul and nature. A blessing. Complete gratitude. A full and undivided mind of presence. My trip had started and I wasn't fully aware of my absolute loneliness. I took a moment to absorb it all.

Next comes the descent. It's fun. It's slightly dangerous. Almost entirely full gas and occasionally white knuckled. Gripping on like a roller coaster ride I enjoy the excitement and tell the brakes to go for lunch. It was fun. Smiles and giggles all the way down. So much fun that I had to pop in to the wine farm at the end for a quick 🚽 break. 

From here a gentle 5 or so kilometers to my brothers farm. I am bedding here for the night. It is a little spot of luxury that I am grateful for on my first night. After a walk around the farm, dinner was served on the patio of the new yoga studio. It is a very tranquil and stunning venue. Tomorrow is the opening day. It will be a place that all who attend will see the beauty and peace afforded to them. 

Cleaned, tired and in bed. 

Success is a personal goal. Happiness, a true blessing. Love, a powerful tool. Contentment, minds greatest achievement. To have all is a story of power. This shall be. For you. For me. 

Sleep tight good people. Dream well. Think softly. But most of all breathe. 

Love and happiness G.