Swartberg Pass

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Swartberg pass was built by Thomas Bain and it is spectacular! My dad definitely wasn't exaggerating when he told me about this!



Lucy:



How many 12 year old girls have a picture like this?

Travelling higher and higher:



The view at the top is simply breathtaking. You can see forever.



On top of the world:







The rest of the group catching up:





Exploring a bit while stretching our legs.



And finally:










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To Hell!

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By now it was late afternoon and we knew that people who were still in Gamkaskloof now would most likely be staying over, so hopefully we'd have no oncoming traffic. Our gamble paid off. As it turns out we had minimal traffic the whole trip and none on this section. Our routes (and the time we travelled on those routes) worked exactly as planned and the single vehicles we did see all gave us the thumbs-up and wished us well. I think the fact that the bikes run so quietly and the “controlled” and respectful way we travelled in (not being hooligans) made all the difference.

Some of the scenery on the road to “Hell”:



Some wildlife:



Our first water crossing on this trip:

Jon-Jon taking the CRF70 through:



Some of the people on my dad's forum says that you need a 21” front wheel to do this. Pffft!

Lucy:



Her front wheel is in the air coming out! Check closer:



Spunky girl this.

Beesblasie and dad:



Some more scenery:



This is the life!



Come along dad!





I love water crossings just as much as my dad!



And there it was:



This is a very steep pass, but the road is a normal gravel road and in the end it's an easy (and spectacular!) ride.



The gates of Hell:



We booked a house at Boplaas, the farm right at the end of Gamkaskloof. And what a spot!



After a long hot day's ride the pool was an invigorating treat!



As night fell we got a fire going and the whole group (including the help!) chatted and laughed and had a simply great time.



That night we slept like logs...








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The Ride Out

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The next morning we were up bright and early. We wanted to hit the road as early as possible.



One last goodbye – pity we couldn't stay another day.



There are several houses in Gamkaskloof and most are marked with the names of the people that once lived there. My dad told me about the proud history of Gamkaskloof and how sad it is that everybody moved out in the end.

The pass out of Gamkaskloof - we didn't get a photo yesterday as we were looking straight into the sun. Today we got our shot.



The group fizzled out a bit, giving each of us some quality time with our dads. There are several little passes on this road and whenever we'd ride down one my dad would switch off the engine and we ride down in the fresh air, wind in our hair. We'd chat, stop, take photo's etc., just spending time together.

Beesblasie and his dad catching up:



We stopped at a swimming spot and could not resist the temptation to get in!



Buds!





Swartberg Pass on the way back:



Re-entering the Klein Karoo:



And all to soon we had to say our goodbyes. My dad and I would be heading to Oudtshoorn while the rest of the group would be heading back to Calitzdorp.

A last pic of the gang:



And off they went.



It was still early and we decided to go surprise my mom and brother at their karate camp.



This has been a very hot weekend and they have been practicing the whole time.



They're getting ready to participate in trails for the National Karate team in Orlando, Gauteng.



The camp finished today at noon so we invited them to have lunch with us at the Kango Wildlife Ranch.



Of course we had a look at all the animals - this is one of the only places where you can do a cage dive amongst crocs.



Rickety bridge over the croc pool:



These suckers are BIG! Bigger than my dad!



It was hot, but the cage dive would have to wait till next time...



After lunch my dad looked like this...



...so we finally headed home.



What a weekend! Thanks Jon-Jon, Lucy and Beesblasie. We should do this again. Bavaanskloof next time?

And thanks to the dads – you were great help. We couldn't do it without you.

I love you dad.



Story by Kermit, translated by The Help.





Beesblasie's Ride



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