A stormy finish to test the toughest

Louis Hayward, his wife Leilani, William and Elkhe put together THE most delicious pooitjie of tender lamb in the rustic 'hunters' boma. A freindly pot bellied pig, tame springbuck, adorable 'hansies', hilarious turkeys and chickens filled the yard between the tents. The crew had set up an incredible last night camp on the front lawn at Doornrivier, beneath Mount Mac that stood tall behind the farmstead. There was a carcophony of loud snoring coming from almost every tent, male and female. The week had taken its toll and weary bodies recharged before the final challenge, 85km, 2000m or more of climbing and a technically challenging 17km climb. As the first group of riders set off an hour earlier than the rest, the weather in the east was clear. The low cloud that hugged Mac that morning only began to show intent as the second group left camp at 8.30. It was only when the sweep vehicle had began the 17km climb did it begin to rain. The mud stuck thick to tires as the road turned into a little river. It was good to see the support vehicle handing out the necessary before the half way mark. The wind picked up and the going got very tough. Between the sweep vehicle, the motorbike and the backup 4x4 3/4 of the group made it to the 2nd water point, the shelter of farmer Ralfs barn at Melkhoutbos. 10 riders slogged it out to Off Camber but the official finish had already been decided and as a result every one of the 41 riders that began the Transkaroo Mtbtour of 2013 was a finisher. Sharon and Tony Webb of Off Camber were amazing, opening their boma and showers to the wet and exhausted party that had come to the end of their 500km journey to touch Emmanuel Child and Youth Care Centre in Middelburg, Eastern Cap. 

Noors, soous, oos 'nd west

You're very special people indeed, when you open up your beautiful home to 60 people dressed in Lycra, helmeted and covered in Camdeboo dust! Hansie and Charonne Terblanche were amazing hosts as they chatted eagerly with all the inquisitive guests while preparing the venison and lasagne pies and sipping on Stone Road thanks to Louisvale. The fourth day began with a smooth jeep  track through thick Noors and our first taste of the teeth of a strong westerly wind. Before long we were grinding south on a testing undulating road south, with a lead group that decided to push to the limit. After Amy and Gary Hobsons water point, 35km in, we were treated to a spectacular kloofing, Haaspoort, folds of rock in peach Melba, south towards the mighty Cockscombe looming afore. By now the westerly was kicking up quite a stink and it was time to tuck up to the water point in farmer van Rensburgs goat kraal, perfectly positioned out of the wind and catching the warmth of the sun. It was proving to be a tough 110km but the picturesque Hottentotskloof, south to the Baviaansberge took ones mind off the soreness of the saddle for some! This was the day that saddle wore down the riders shorts, literally. The winter afternoon sun brought out every detail of this remote mountainous area on the edge of the Grootrivierpoort and heading east to Doornrivier farm at the end of another excellent days cycling we were welcomed by an array of Red Cherry tents on farmer Hayward's front lawn. Pooitjie in the boma that night, what a great to celebrate the end of day four!

Flying across the Camdeboo, UFO's and Noorsveld

Take a few moments to chat to a Karoo farmer about his day to day doings and you'll learn a lot about the passion for the land, conservation and community building. Trenly and Wilmarie had been the most amazing hosts, the jeep track had been graded  and the north wind continued to howl. We went to bed with a triple rainbow around a magnificent full moon and we woke up to two clouds, UFO looking but pancake looking to some. We headed out through fast, fast hard pack narrow roads, skirting the hills south of Kriegerskraal and then through the Harris veld with the most amazing aloes. Kendrew and Marais siding flew past but not before Bertus and Neal had rescued a Steenbok who flew head first into the fence and got stuck. Big sky country, the camdeboo, an incredible landscape! The wind turned a bit chilly and farmer Gerber's barn was a welcome stop out of he wind. Shortly after the stop we hit the Noors, a strange but valuable cactus type plant that is unique we think to tis area. Skirting Jansenville we hit the corrugation and after 130km, driekopvleiwes was an awesome site from the koppie preceding it.it was so lovely to see Charonne and Hansie Terblanche, our hosts for the night, after four years since ours last visit to the farm. THE most amazing game pie, lasagne and melktert with a bottle of Stone road merlot and a good chat to Hansie and Charonne, we hit the sack after another great day on the Transkaroo.

The North wind doth blow

Balmy weather we're having! An amazing evening in Bethesda was followed by a restful night next to the fire place on the tennis club floor. Our party left Bethesda crossing the suspension bridges over the Gats River and it was soon Stylkrans, our first climb of the 800m we were to do today, in the 97km. The view looking back over the valley was glorious as it always is, but to catch the peloton of 42 riders on the switchbacks with Compasberg as a back drop was very special. The ride to our first water point at Rietpoort, 25km was incredibly pretty, but the NW was beginning to show its teeth. The waterstops have been incredible! The next 30km were to be some of the best anyTrans Karoo rider in the past could ever have ridden , with riders clocking above 60km per hour with the wind behind them on the flats towards the Murraysberg road. The jeep track thereafter was technical, steep and one had beutiful vistas of the valley below. We all pulled in to Rheboksberg, Greig and Lynn Rose Innes and were treated to roostekoek, wors and pumpkin soup in the shelter of the barn on the hay bails. What a waterstops, wow! The climb out over the mountain was my favorite part of today, with views of the Camdeboo from the top and a technical descent to the Kroons farm. The turn into the wind for 10km was tough going and the Bothashoop water point was a most welcome stop, again in the shelter of Paul Merrifields guest house. Well, what a finish it was. With the wind behind us the last 25km was an amazing way to finish a great day cycling through, Gods country! Trenly Spence and Willmarie, welcomed usvto their farm, Kriegerskraal, andvWillmarie had bravely and successfully joined us from Bethesda. The local farmers joined together to provide the most delicious lamb Braai, chops so tender and flavour some, Malva pudding and all the trimmings. Several beers were shared until late by some, but really, what an incredible welcome by more very special Karoo people. 

Azure

Middelberg had an electrical power outage, so 60 people getting going at 6am was our first challenge we overcame. The day dawned, still and clear with an amazingly clear blue sky. We were blessed by Pastor Fred of the Alcapaye Church and wished a warm farewell by Carol, Bertus and the children. Rob Southey and Rhett escorted us out of town and into the golden countryside for our first 37km to the first water point. Brent, magic made sure some early tech issues were sorted out and it was more or less plain sailing, with an incredible array of delicious treats set up by Caroline at the stop. The NW wind had picked up, but that just pushed us up past Suurfontein and a heard of 20 Eland, past Gordonville and herds of Wildebeest and Blessbok, up and over the watershed down to The Rest where our second water point was stationed after 60km. The last 20km was a mad dash for the showers for some. It was a most welcoming sight seeing the village appear around the corner and the tennis club with its campsite and hot showers. 2pm and everyone was in, with the remainder of the day spent relaxing in the village. The evening was a very special occasion, a gorgeous Braai provided by the farming community, renown artist Albert Reedlinghuis sharing his artistic talents, Charl playing the violin over supper, Peet giving us facts about the village, Low doing the Braai, Ansie and Darleen spending ages preparing the food and Martin and Charmaine Haines moving mountains to make our stay a most memorable one indeed. Thank you NIEU Bethesda for a wonderful evening and helping us to touch Emmanuel!