My First Long Distance Trip - Me, Myself and Silver

This was my first long distance trip (got the 650 GS in April and has not done more than +- 100km a trip) and although not knowing what to expect, I was very excited. I was thinking at first to leave late the Tuesday afternoon and sleep over near Laingsburg but in the end left early Wednesday Morning (one night less away from the wife and kid) and was looking forward to the 870 km's that was ahead for the day. Ready to Depart Cape Town Morning has broken At Paarl I decided to take the alternative route to Worcester through the old pass and was met by gusting winds. I stopped to take a picture and was nearly blown over. Taking my gloves off, I realised how cold it was and I was very relieved that I decided the Tuesday to get proper trousers with a lining and not ride with my jeans. Paarl - Cold Freaking Cold. I filled Silver and Myself up at Touwsriver and thougt that I should easily make it to Beaufort West as I can normally get about 340 km per tank. I started to push it a bit as my bum and neck was starting to take some strain. I stopped at the old Blockhouse just outside Lainsburg to rest a bit. Laingsburg - Old Blockhouse 70kms from Beaufort West the reserve light came on after only 212kms and I realised that the fuel usage is much higher than normal and not sure now if I will reach BeafortWest, I had to decide turnback 20km's or push my luck(or maybe the bike) , but I pushed it , sitting very flat, slowing down to 110 km/h and praying and I made it. Victoria West Blues: Butt sore, neck sore, legs tired, am I really better off than this guy At Hopetown, you can turn left of the N12, go through the town past the BP garage and take the gravel road to Prieska/Douglas. About 5 km's on this road, you take a right and you cross the Orange River on single track gravel bridge. It is very old and not maintained anymore. Hopetown Old Bridge Road Hope Town Old Bridge across Orange River About 500 metres past the bridge you get to a T where you can turn right back towards the N12. Witput-Wanda - Destination Day1: Sleeping over at my Dad's Most of the second day I spend at my Dad's and left late afternoon for a +_100km trip to a friends farm near Petrusville (Petrus from Petrusville). I was driving right into the sunset on last 25kms gravel road to the farm and it was not the best of rides I had. I was doing about 120km when something distracted me and I caught the "middel man" loose gravel and Silver front wheel started to shudder heavilu but fortunately she calmed down. I slowed down as well I must admit. Good thing I grew up with gravel roads as a kid. De la Rey De la Rey Van der Kloofdam 20kms from Petrusville I spent the 3rd day hunting, more relaxing than actual hunting, and left again early the Saturday Morning for a 720km trip to the Bulshoek dam near Clanwilliam. Stunning Northern Cape Sunrise: Departing Petrus's farm. Lost of gravel road ahead today. From Petrus's farm I drove to De Aar, Britstown and stopped at a small town (really small town, there are I think 4 streets of which I think they all are gravel) called Vosburg. Vosburg-Carnavon I stopped for water at Williston and it was freezing cold without the gloves and helmet. I had to take this picure to remind me of just how cold it was. Williston: Again Freezing Cold I stopped again to fillup in Calvinia and then 30km past Calvinia took the gravel road towards Bulshoek , Clanwilliam. The scenery was getting greener now and it was also getting warmer. Clavinia - Clanwilliam Calvinnia - Clanwilliam 20km from Bulshoek dam Destination Day4 After a good Breakfast on Sunday, day5 I left for the last +-250km back home. Bulshoek day 5 depart CitrusdalMalmesburyHome Sweet Home Altough I travelled alone, it was a great experience and like Ewan Mcgregor said "There is just something about riding a motorcycle, something I can't explain, but that it's just so good for one's soul... "