Not Sure

So... this whole covid story which I have tried to avoid at all costs seems to be all over the place. Friends of friends are coming back positive and it is getting close to home. I don't know if I have had it yet or if I currently have it either. Showing no symptoms and feeling good. 

The riding is going from better to better. Loving it. I think there are just enough funds to go for one more ride in the coming weeks. It will be thought up in the next few days. Probably a few months as things need to get better with covid. Stage or level 3 is what we are on. Rules seem to change like the weather. One day this. One day that. Very inconsistent. I don't wish to talk about it as it does no good. 

While I away on the coming trip I need to finally get myself together. Place to stay. Job. And the rest of it. I would really like to get a little settled and be a productive happy citizen. That is my goal for 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣. It will come. 

Where will this trip go 🛄🏕🚲🛣. Again not entirely sure. North 🧭I guess. South will be a bit difficult 🏦🛶⛵🚤🐒😅. Not much I need now. I am almost entirely self sufficient. Over the last 3 or so trips I have become good at what I do. Pack less and then halve that 👜💼💠. So expect so recommendations and requests coming soon. I need places to go and places to see. 

Christmas was good. The hangover the next day was terrible. Good times. Great people. Old faces. Old friends. Really good times. The year is ending well.

Tomorrow is NY eve. Don't expect any 🌠💫💥 fireworks this year. NY has pretty much been cancelled. So be it. I can't fight or change what happens. It will be.

Not much news I am afraid. Not much happening. Just a quick hello and catch up. Hope you are all well. Good. Healthy. Happy. 

Until then. Keep smiling.

🤡💙

It's The Most...

Christmas eve. Last minute planning. Last minute present 🎁 shopping. Is lunch ready 🐖🐔🦃🐓🐟🦗. Who knows. It has been a phenomenal year. Am I happy? Right now 🤠 absolutely YES. I think a lot people misunderstand me. I am a happy person. Sure I can be a moany 🐴. I know sometimes I complain. But it is just banter. Kak talk. I love me. I have no fears. I love riding my 🚲. I have met some absolutely amazing people this year. I have met some complete wankers. This is the world. Who am I to judge another person. What gives me that authority. 

What gives anyone that power? I normally respect people for their opinions and views. Anyway enough crap talk. 

It has been a good year. I got out of a job I wasn't happy in. I spent 2 months at my home at the time. I was happy. Then my trips started. First one in the 🚘. Then 3, yes THREE on my bike. Loved them. 

My ideal life... 7 weeks riding. 2 weeks back in CT having a knees up with my legendary mates. That would be bish bosch mcintosh. Taking requests. Riding anywhere people want to go. With them. For them. Who cares.

Do you love what you do. Let's get things better. How can I help. Who can help. It is time to toss the 💩💩 and be happy now. Life is too short. Well how long is life 🤔. How long is a piece of string 🧵. Are you happier than sad. What the fuck. Why. Let's get things better in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣. I want to. Do you? Talk. Discuss. I am here. Always. 

Anyway as usual just a quick pop in to say HI. I miss you. I look forward to what is to come. Let's leave the past. Time to get things together. 

Chat soon. Be good. Be good at it. Scream and shout. Let it all out. 

Soon 🤩🤩

G.

Of All

So of all the things in this world I have decided to try my level best to be a better person. I guess 50 of this and 50 of that. Or whatever the fuck. Who knows what is coming up. 

As usual a short story.

Sleep tight.

G.

Catch 🆙️

So, been back a week. Seen friends, had a few drinks. Seen more friends, had more 🍺🍻🍷. Think you can 👀 where I am going with this. A big thanks to the usual crowd, the Smalls. Put me up and put 🆙️ with me. Mucho gracious. Been doing some thinking and come up with a wonderful plan. Ride more. And ride more often. I know what you thinking. This guy rides a lot. Well yes and no. Right now I am not riding. But yes I was on my bike earlier. The weather in CT has been pretty 🌬🌪. So listen up sky fella. A little less wind please.

It is great to see friends. Have a 🍷. Talk kak and generally have a good time. This is probably the one thing I miss dearly on my trips. I will get onto the job hunting this week. It is a must do and the challenge will be accepted. There will probably be much riding between now and just now. That's a weeks time in SA language. Or it could be just now. Not now now. Just now.

According to my information there will be a great light in the sky tonight. So keep an eye out for that. Just after sunset and before sunrise. So just now. Not now now. 

For some reason I feel extremely calm currently. No anxiety or jitters at all. This does not happen too often in my days so I am just riding with it. Eyes open and 👂 to the ground. Good things are on their way. While this time of year 🎅🏿🤶🏿 serves me no interest I am grateful that I have been allowed to ride as much as I have this year. I have seen and experienced so much. The good has outnumbered the bad a million to one. 

Okay I leave you now. I wish you only the best of times. Happiness. Gratitude. Fortune. Love. Peace. Respect. But most of all lots of coitus. So enjoy every moment. 

Until we meet again.

Peace out. ☮

G.

Last Night

And so it comes. The end of another journey. It has been spectacular. Some amazing, truly fulfilling days. Some sad ones. Seen some fantastic beauty and also the cruel and harsh ways of existence. 

My goal was achieved. I almost cannot believe it myself that I made it to Vioolsdrif and now I am one night away from being back in Cape Town. The kindness shown by a few has given me a 🕯 of hope that we live in a mostly humane world. Unfortunately this is not the 💼 💯% of the ⌚ as was shown today. I saw a baby 🐢 that had been run over in the road. It made me cry. While I understand death is our destiny, I do not like to see it with animals. On the 🆙️ side, today I was fortunate to see several birds of prey. Gorgeous specimens and even heard 2️⃣ 🦅 

Something I learnt today is that there is a maximum security prison between Villiersdorp and Greyton. It is built on a small hill and probably has better views than most of the multi million rand houses in Constantia. It definitely was a sight.

My views on the state of this country are not good. I fear it is doing an African. Well it is Africa so no surprises there. Good old 🇺🇲 has 👨‍🦰 and we have a different parasite. My night with the folk who fed me and gave me whiskey 🤔🙌 gave me many thoughts. The man wanted his kids to leave 🇿🇦. And go where I asked at the time. He said anywhere but Africa. Well I understand that but being African I must say this is a legendary place and I really do hope I am not forced to leave. But let's see.

There is a lot to see. A lot to do. A trip in January is probably on the 🃏🀄 if I don't find a job. I do know that I also have to 👀 for one, so I will at the very least give it a good shot. Unless y'all want to sponsor me 🤔🙃🤑🤑😘. Well we can all dream. 

The riding has been just grand. I think about 2500kms in 43 or 44 days. So not really taxing at all. On the next one I will thin out my luggage even more. Less is more... no one ever cried! 😶

I still need to work out a better diet system. Bread and water for this period of time is not legit. I feel I am 💩💩 out pure 🍞 at times. It needs to be       a👗d. And so it shall. I haven't perished so that is a good thing I guess 🤷‍♂️🤓. This covid story has really taken this 🌍 apart. No offense person, but I hope the rodney sole that ate that 🦇 is 🍞. Who knows what the future brings for any of us 🔮. 

Today was short and 🍬. 70 odd kilometers. Back at my personal little campsite near Theewaterskloof dam. It's warm today. A gorgeous setting for my last night. Sometimes it does all just work out how it should. 

I don't know if you have all stopped reading this or not 🤷‍♂️🤔. I will update now and again. 

I hope you are well. Healthy. Happy. Horny 👀😶 what was that 🤦‍♂️. 

Anyway respect to you all. Happiness in abundance. Peace and prosperity. 

Chat soon.

G. ™️

As Is

Couple Days A Gain

So from leaving Montagu nice and dry and looking like I was in for a decent ride, that all changed when I got round the side of the mountain. It was 🌧🌧 pouring down. The decision 🤔 whether or not to ↩ turn back. Well I was wet. So turn back for what. It was not good. I had to press on. It was not far to go but in the rain it was unpleasant. 

I get thoughts about this often, 🌧 or 🌬🦲 what is worse??? Well right now the rain was on top of that list. 😅🤣 I stopped for a ☕ and the lady serving me could barley hold back her laughter. I must have looked quite bad 🥴😵🤣. ☕ done let's go. Obviously as soon as I got to my accommodation for the night it stopped 🌧. I had to make a donkey 🦓 for hot water 🦧🤬. The wood was... wet. Lunch bar. Anyway about 15 of their 🧻🧻 later we had a 🔥 going. There was evidence of others but no sign of them. I did what I needed to do. ⛺🥪🍷👌.

By the time I was kosher the other guests had arrived. A couple. Nice folk. 10 years older than me. We got chatting. They ended up making me dinner and I had a few 🥃🥃🥃 whiskeys from their collection. 15 year old Chivas. GREAT SUCCESS. 

The next morning in wet clothes I said my goodbyes and f'd off. Swellendam. 🍔🍟 at the cafe. Looked in the 🚲🏢 too. Bit full of themselves so I left. Off to Breede River. This will be short lived. I arrive 🍬. All formalities done 🍬. Only one there 🍬. Well only human. Since the moment I arrived something has attacked me. I think 🦟🦟🦟 these fuckers. Je Sus am I itchy. Bites that look like I have been attacked with a 🗡. No matter what I did I don't seem to be able to get them under control. I have by now basically covered myself in germolene and peaceful sleep. The only thing peaceful here was 🦟🦟🦟 full of my 🩸🩸🩸. It was not good. 

I did manage some sleep but nothing peaceful about it. They should expect an email from me in the coming days. 

The next morning the 🌧🌧 had set in again. It was to be my 🥇 day not riding since I set off. I felt alone. Ashamed. My 🚲 looked at me. I looked at my 🚲. A tear ran down my face. It was heart wrenching. I sat closer to it. The front tyre went down. I started talking and apologizing, the back tyre went down. I got up and screamed and said "look at the weather" the chain fell off. I cried some more. 

With all my itchy bites killing me, I repaired and cleaned my 🚲. When I had finished the 🔔 made a slight tingle. I knew we were best friends again 🤠🕺. The night was another one of little sleep and mutch scratching. I shall never go back to that spot. Or that stupid river.

Today was a better deal of the cards. 🃏🀄♠️♥️♦️♣️. It was aces all round. The bike was packing itself while I 🚿🧽🧼🪒. It was ready to attack this day. Dressed and ⛑ on I left the 🦟 and the bad sleep behind. 🆙️ take a left turn. For the most part the road had already dried up. Good for the bike. It was pretty quick going. Lots of fun. Some hard work here and there but mostly just great riding. 

And here I am. Another 💩🕳 of a town 😅🤣. Bredasdorp they called this flush. The campsite 🤔. No walls. No gate. No thanks. So I booked in at the one star ⭐ hotel. Still trying to work out what they got the star for. 🦧🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️. The internet is like the government... very inconsistent. But actually the rest is fine. I have pitched my ⛺ in the room and taken the mattress from the 🛏. It should be pretty comfy. At least I am safe 🤞 and if I need a 🍺 the bar downstairs seems to double as a shebeen, so they will probably be open all night 🐒😏😔🥱🤡🤣.

Hope you are all well? Life has been good. Very good. Apart from the 🦟🦟🦟 I have been very lucky and happy. Hopefully I get to see you all soon.

G.

🔙 @ Montagu 👀 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Today's ride... superb. I say again, if you get the chance to go to Simonskloof. Beautiful little gaff. So it was up. Usual! I think we need to stop discussing some of my daily rituals. It's pretty much the same every day. 

Dressed and ready to take on the world, I make a move. It's up. 🤣🤣 it's 🆙️ a lot. Never fear... Greg is here. I keep the pedals turning (lunch bar). A warm day. Luckily a 🌬🦲 too. I feel blessed. The wind gives me so many options and opportunities to express myself. I think that's why I ride alone. New words and sentences containing these words are produced quite frequently. I love riding. I don't even mind the Versace luggage. But when you throw me with a 🌬🦲 expect a verbal warning or ✌. 

Just as I had calmed down the descent arrived. Voila. The pass I climbed 2 days prior. I disconnected the brakes. It was to be a skills learning day. Well the skill I learnt was to go to the bathroom tw ice before disconnecting your breaks. It was hair raising but a ton of fun. A laundry would be required later.

From the bottom of the descent to town was very standard. No drama. No fuss. Just smelly cat smelly 🐈 where are they hiding you. No spar. Not even a facial. No you idiot. Spar not good for you! Off to shoprite. I did indeed. I also shoplefted. No not shoplifted 😲🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️. Back at De Boss. In bed. Clean. Happy. Refreshed. Life is grand. Tomorrow is another day. Let's see what happens. 

Sleep tight all. 

G.

Wall

Dam

Catch Up

Not sure where I left off, so whatever. The ride from Gecko to Montagu was another fantesticle day. The boss of Gecko still thinks I jumped the gate. Well I didn't. Your lock is 💩 bruv. Time to upgrade 🔒. Don't worry I will pick that one too 🔓. As enjoyable as that ride was it was 75kms of not much effort. Saw that puffie which made me need the 🚽 again. 🐍 just sat there and watched me for 5️⃣⏲. Quite disturbing! 🥺 Passed a few farms. Bugger all happening though. More like game farms I think. It's the bottom end of the Klein Karoo so I guess the only thing that will grow there is dust. 

Booked in at De Boss for the night. Stayed there before. Clean 🚿, 📶 and ⚡ pretty much what I need. Off to the spar the following morning. Well not impressed. Spar Montagu 🖕🖕 you. I bought a returnable drink the day before. So I go to the kiosk to return the bottle. The bush cat 👁 at me like I have just jumped out of a 🛸. I say deposit please. It tells me I can't return it unless I buy another one. Well I think spar and me 🔚 our ways. So I am looking for a new dealer. Hook me up if you have a good one. 🍄🍄🐒

Shopping done elsewhere I head off. It was a later than usual start. Around 🕚am. The weather was doing its best to clear 🆙️ 🌝. Freaky emoticon that but anyway. There was a bit of climbing involved. Not crazy about 1100 meters in the 5️⃣0️⃣km ride. Although the scenery was 🅿️ℹ💲💲 poor the ride in itself was quite enjoyable. Once I was on the joe road to my spot, the 🌍 changed and I was very happy. No 📶 no ⚡ even the 🚽 don't use 🚰 just throw sawdust on top of your business. 👀👃🚫 It actually works well. Doesn't smell bad at all. Camp setup 🏕 it was a great sleep last 🌚. 

Today. 🆙️. Ready. Bike ✅. Me ✅. Off ✅. Well. The first 500 meters and I am lost 🗺🧭🌍🤬. After ☝️🖐 minutes I realize my error. Adjust course and happy days. The trail takes me to this amazing dam. Beautiful. The middle of nowhere. I 🚲 around to the 💧🧱. Wow what a magnificent sight. Not big by any means but an absolute sight. Grateful I made the effort to do this. Was gonna just do F ALL today. 

Back round the other side. It is either back to ⛺ the way I came or over a pass. I take the latter. It's more than I expected 🆙️ then 🆙️ then 🆙️ then 🆙️. Met eish. Eventually the climbing is done. Not much to gander here so I just return to my abode. Well I did stop at Oupa Batt's se Winkel for a coke. It was deliciously ❄🧊 and very refreshing. The rest of the journey back was uneventful but a good workout. 

If you get the chance this place is a little 💎. If you are 👀 to relax fulltime I recommend it.

Chilling now. There may be a box 🍷 drink later. One of the farm workers has said he and his mrs may pop past later with a 👊❌☝️❌✌❌🤟❌✋❌ but 🖐 liter box wine. 🥺🥺😳😲😯 so expect a headache tomorrow 🤪😅. 

Chat soon all. I miss you. ✌📤

G.

👁 ssssssssssseeeee you 🐍

Can You Believe It...

Wednesday 🥈

Yesterday was a bit of a write off. I wanted to explore Matroosberg but the weather was going to make sure I did as little as possible. It was 🥶 and 🌬🌪. My effort was a meager 20km loop of the easy riding stuff. Next time I will attempt the 🏔.

Today was a much better day. When I woke up there was 🌞 and also 🌡 you like!! I like indeed Borat. Wa wa we wa. Somehow life is just that much easier when the weather is 🏜. 🚿🧼🧽🪒🚽🧻 the usual. I was feeling good. Bike packed and ready to roll. 🍬 Down the joe, past through the gate and onto the tar. Not much to speak of. Well not until now!!

🤬🤬🌬🦲 headwind. For some reason I knew this was going to be how my day would continue. There was about 20kms of this road and then onto the road that would take me to the N1️⃣. When the right turn came up I thought the headwind may be slightly weaker 😆😅🤣↗️❌. It was worse 😑😫. It was now full frontal. This road was about 30kms long. A good road. Nice shoulder and tarred. Actually a good road if you were going the other way 😏🤣. No use complaining Squires. I get on with the job at 🤚. It takes its toll but I reach the N1️⃣. Now the law says and I agree with it DO NOT RIDE ON THE NATIONAL ROADS. Unfortunately I have chosen to do so. It's only 9kms but man were they scary. Believe me. I scoured the inter🕸 for an alternative route. No such luck.

I ✔ and get to Touws Rivier. I hope and 🛐 that I plan better routes from now on! 🎃🦧🤦‍♂️. First stop is... Spar (good for you) indeed this one is. It has all I require. Bit of 🍞, 🍌🍌, 🚰, 🍫, 🍪 and a 🍔 which is devoured outside the 🏬. Feeling much better and stronger I take a few minutes checking my comms with the outside 🌍. No 🗞. So presumably good news. 🆒️

From here my directions should take me 🧭 east. A place I spotted somewhere on the 🌍wide🕸. That's WWW for the youth of today! It is called 🦎 rock private nature reserve. It had 🆒️ reviews so I wanted to test it out. Now I hadn't booked or anything. So I was just going to pitch up and 🤞 4 the best. I get to the gate 😳😥🥴🤬 gate can like to be 🔒. Oh 💩. It is a combination 🔒 so I say to myself I will give it 20 seconds and if I can 🔓 it I will go in. My second issue is is that there are ⚠️⛔🚫 everywhere saying do not enter unless prior arrangements have been made. 😬😬. Well the lock didn't take long and 🔓. I decide to enter and take my chances. 

5kms to reception. I go 🐢, no not disguised as a tortoise, I go slowly num 🥜🥜. Anyway 🆙️ over and then down. I see buildings. 😷🧐🥺😱😥 I put my best sad face on. The lady comes out and looks at me. Rattles off a few names. No I say. My name is, my name is Slim Shady 😅🤣. She laughs, I laugh, we laugh the dog laughs. Not this again 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️.

I explain how I got in. She looks confused. I can 👀 she doesn't believe me. I don't really care. One for one night camping please I ask. Sure she says, still trying to work out how I got in. I pay and am given directions on how to get to my land for the evening. 

Well this spot is magnificent. Beautiful. No ⚡ no 📶 no signal, nada. I love it. The views are endless. Proper peace and 🤫. The wind is still howling but apart from that it's been a good day. I am alive and my camp is setup. Lots of 🐍🐍 warning signs around. So I need to be careful. I shall 🦲 up to reception later to send this off. Check to see what's 🆙️ and then return to my camp.

Chat soon. It is starting to get very lonely out here. I am enjoying it but I need to have a drink and a good chin wag with my friends. There is lots of ⌚ to do another trip. The whole of my life. So I shall probably be on my way home soonish.

Be good. Be safe. Be happy. Don't worry now. Just beeeeeeee happy now.

G.