Sutherland trip – the lay back way part 1

As per request from Geoff I packed the bike as light as possible and without the panniers. This is to prepare for the Transkei trip. I woke up at 5am on Saturday morning due to the normal excitement of going on a trip again. I was clever enough to pack all my clothing and morning breakfast out the night before so that the family can sleep a bit late.

Now to sit in your own lounge in complete darkness and feeling your way through your clothing is an experience on its own never mind fitting it in that same darkness. After having breakfast I kissed to wife goodbye and climb the newly improved lighter bike.

Took a very slow ride to the first robot. This allowed the bike to warm up. I realised that it was only 5.50am and decided on taking a slow ride to Klupmuts. Well it took me 40 minutes to reach Klupmuts BP garage. Really enjoyed a slow and “in the zone” trip until some lunatic came past me on another GS at Tygervalley hill. It was later determined that I was doing +-70 Km/h on the N1 and he (Mr. Stripes) was doing the normal +-110km/h. Never seen someone so happy to see another rider at 6.30 am in the morning specially when you think that you must only arrive there at 7.30 am.

Mr. Stripes suggested that we have an espresso instead of normal coffee as it will keep us awake and keep the stripping down to use the toilet away. I happily obliged by buying a double of the above.

After all the riders pitched up Andy gave his instructions of what he expects of us. The basic rules would apply and we must not forget to enjoy ourselves.

Please remember that the following is based on a map I have as I have no direction skills nor do I know most of the time we were where nor were we where going. I am lost beyond N1 city. I just watch the rider in front most of the time.

Smiling 

We took the R44 towards Wellington. By the interchange between the R44 and the R46 we turn left and continued with the R46 towards Ceres. The mist caught us at the Dwarsberg pass where most of us just took it easy. It was quite nippy too but luckily for some of us we have heated grips and new inline fleecy gloves.

 Most of us stopped for fuel and just happen to see Geoff’s group pulling away. After refuelling we all headed for the Wimpy which Anne in her good wisdom pre arranged. Thank you Anne. While having breakfast Andy uploaded the GPS co ordinates on those who wanted them on their GPS devices. This was a good idea as you can let the fast riders go and not worry about getting lost which do happen to me know and then.

Ceres snow

After a very healthy breakfast we regrouped where Anne made sure that we where all there. Andy in the lead and off we went. We used the R303 until we stopped to turn right by the sign that says Ceres Karoo towards the Katbakkies pass. There we blew our tyres down to the appropriate pressures.

Anne our sweeper with the bakkie 

The group and being a bit nippy

At the bottom of the Katbakkies pass we had our snack break. Some of us decided to derobe as it was getting a bit hot. Bruno front tyre was playing up so my new tool worked very well. We me two guys on quads who was travelling to nowhere for seven days. Never seen Andy smiling so much to such a notion. He believes that you should choose a direction and just go for it.

Geoff 

Mr Stripes

Rhian

Tony

After a nice break we continued to head towards Sutherland. Andy stopped regular for a smoke and peepee break.

A quick break 

The tar road

Once we touched to tar road it was then only +-35 km to Sutherland. I took it slowly and went in my zone again just to be caught by a flying ice ball from Rhian. She got me good just under the neck. She was waiting for unsuspecting riders at the only snow patch in Sutherland.

The only snow 

We arrived at Sutherland at around 4 pm just to be greeted Geoff’s group who has been standing in a queue to get petrol. As usual Andy and Geoff played petrol jockeys. Did they confuse the poor guy trying to write down the amounts and getting the money from the bikers. He made a good penny as no one wanted change.

The fight for petrol 

Now that we where filled up we all left to our perspective sleeping place. Some of us unpacked and joined the party goers in the pub.

We enjoyed a very nice meal with pudding to spare which I never had. My eyes were bigger than my stomach and went for a walk and dipped out on it. But it was fine as the town was so quite and peaceful and this at 8 pm at night. Had a drink or two and decided to go to bed.