I am not sure if I have mentioned it but Porterhouse Guest House in Ceres is owned and run by the Barry’s (De Wet Barry’s folks). It was a little surreal this morning being served breakfast by people who spawned one of our greatest Springboks. There was something very wrong with this picture and when I imagined De Wet standing there and shaking his head at us I grew guiltier and guiltier. Our stay with them was wonderful and they really looked after us; we watched the Currie Cup Final in their lounge surrounded by De Wets springbok and Western Province memorabilia and it was kind of fitting that Province ended up lifting the trophy on Saturday.

De Wet Barry's Folks place

After a good hearty breakfast we set off from Ceres at around 7 am and started our 70 odd km ride to Sadawa which is exactly 130 km from Sutherland. Another perfect day greeted us with clear skies and breathless air. We hadn’t anticipated the climb up another pass but it wasn’t bad and the gradient was consistent so we were able to get into a bit of a rhythm (only broken by the occasional stop to take in another breath taking view of the Ceres valley behind us and/or to avoid a troop of Baboons crossing the road). Yesterday Niel told me a story while we rode up Bain’s Kloof pass of a ride he did where the Baboons actually attacked him and I wasn’t keen to push the large ape scratching his nether regions to this end and so gave him and his troop a wide berth.

Ceres Valley View

We had another stop at about 40km into the ride for my dad to change bikes – the next 200 odd km are dirt! We used the opportunity to smash some mid-morning snacks in our beaks and rest for about 20 minutes. During this time a car pulled up and Nolen, Johan and their ladies got out with beers in hand. We shot the breeze with them for a while, informed them of our crazy adventure and that we were riding for CHOC and then started peddling on our first bit of dirt. A couple of km’s in there was a short stretch of tar inexplicably present next to an old farm house and some small vineyards; it was only later we found out how steeped in history this place was.

Not long after we turned onto the R356 towards Sutherland the Karoo opened up in front of us. Big skies and arid yet colourful landscapes invaded our eyes. These landscapes are the ones that you see in so many paintings…those landscapes where you wonder where on earth that was painted…well they were painted here…just after you turn onto the R356. And just after we ourselves had turned we heard a hoot and looking back saw Nolen and his crew coming towards us with cash in hand. They had chased us down to make a donation to our cause! How insane is that! They donated R700 right there and then on a dusty road in the middle of the Karoo.

Filled with so much humbleness we forged on. The start of the dirt was quite tough without suspension and there was a marginal amount of bone jarringness (its a real word) that occurred but it wasn’t long before the road levelled and compacted over time in this hot environment became quite pleasant to ride on. There were times when we were averaging about 22km/h and killing distance quite comfortably.

At one point we pulled over where Doug had stopped the van up ahead. He had found a pool of water (obviously a rare sighting out in these parts) and he dared me to jump in. Like a child I struggle not to take a dare and so in the middle of the Karoo, with only distant mountains and a blue blue sky as my witness I jumped into that surprisingly refreshing water. They weren’t the only witnesses though – Doug got some really cool pics which I will post later. Riding on we rounded a corner and found Nolen and the rest of the most recent donors to “One Gear” having a braai on the side of the road. We were encouraged to stop and partake in the consumption of an ice cold beer – it would have been rude for us not to! Who would have thunk, right there in the Karoo on a road with not a single car (besides Nolan’s) that we would be drinking an oh so crisp beer with some new friends!

The last few km’s to Sadawa were chilled and we arrived at today’s destination at around 11:30. Trudie was waiting for us at the camp with ice cold juice and a warm welcoming smile. This place is incredible; we are in the desert proper but Trudie and her family have made a little oasis here. After an energizing cold shower we went and sat with Trudie and enjoyed some pasta salad and home-made banana bread she had quickly whipped up. She had us on the edge of our seats during lunch with countless stories about the farm and the surrounding areas. There is so much history here and we really could have sat there and listened all day…if it weren’t for our tiring eyes. Nap time. We are off on a game drive later to see some of the farm…We will let you know how that goes…if we can find signal

Sadawa - Karoo

This stage has been sponsored by Realfin – thanks guys for all your support!

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