It was an easy up. I knew the day was perfect and I was sort of sure I knew where I was going. A shower 🚿 was taken and fresh clothing awaited me. It somehow put me in a mood I hadn't been in for a while. I felt like life was coming together. Things were falling into place. Little bit like a tetris game where you are smashing it. Very warming indeed. Yes that's right. It was already 20 plus degrees and only shortly after 🕗am. Time to hop, skip and jump into this day.
Packed, it was up to the lizard for a coffee. Still no rusk!! Tsk tsk. Should have gone to the gaf down the road. All settled it was time to go. Neeoooow and off. Not far out of town and I hand signal to turn right 👉. Onto the Swartberg Pass road. I haven't ridden up it from this side. Let alone with 15kgs of my most prized belongings. It starts with a couple of kms of flat. Mmmm so far so good. Over the first water crossing. The legs are in good shape it seems. Over the second. Then, like a shooting star I am blinded by the sight. How could this be? Who did this and why. I was gobsmacked. Stunned. Almost in tears. It was the climb to come. Not exactly steep by it looked like it ended where me mate Buzz said he landed. That's right folks. This climb peaked on the moon 🌚. Without hesitation I grabbed hold of the handlebars and started swearing as I went up. The words were of little use. They didn't make it less flat. It did feel comforting inside though. Just a little over an hour later I was rewarded. It was the turn right to Die Hell. They didn't call it that for any other reason than the road to where I was going is tough. 40kms to my destination now. The sign says expect 2 hours travel time. That's in a car 🚘🚙🚗🚖
So it was to be. It started off pretty good. Got quite bumpy, then went straight to death con 5. Teeth rattling. Bike almost falling to pieces. Panniers hanging on by a thread. Rider deciding to close eyes and pray. It was bumpy. No it was shake, rattle and roll. In fact it was just plain nuts. This carried on, up and down for 3 hours. It was solid riding. Finally after having to cable tie almost my whole bike together I arrived at the top of the hill. All that was left was the descent into "hell" YAY!
I go as smoothly and as carefully as I can. It is really tough going. Unfortunately by the time I get to the bottom I have broken a front spoke. The wheel is not badly out but I am not happy. I ride through to the restaurant which is about another 7 kms.
My plan was to stay the night here at the campsite. I don't feel happy with the wheel and decide that after a coke and a chocolate I will head back out.
The climb out is horrific. I can see why my wheel broke. It is a really hard day. Up, down and all around I am now camped here half way back to the turnoff. It is magnificent. I can hear the flowing river close by. A small one but very peaceful to hear. I am where I need to be tonight. I am grateful.
Quick side note: the actual valley that is called die hell caught fire about a year ago according to the restaurant owner. The place looks sad. Empty. Black. Burnt. Non existent. I was very disappointed. I used a shit load of my energy to go and see the place and it looks like hell 😳😳 but isn't that what it is called. Eish! They really need to get working on it if they want people to go there. It is not nice at all.
Anyway I leave you now. Hopefully I won't get eaten by 🦧🐆🕷🦂🐍🦇🐀🐑 or any of the other animals that live around here. It is spectacularly quiet. A few 🐸 from the river chirping but that is about it. Also not expecting the moon to produce much later. Perfect conditions for a grand sleep. Pitch black and quiet. Not to mention I am drained out from the ride.
Sleep tight all.
Chat soon.
G.
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