BB2BB2 Day 19

 

Today is halfway in terms of days, but on terms of distance I will only pass the halfway point the day after tomorrow. 

We arranged for a "schuttle" to take us to the SA Border Post, which only opened at 08:00. After breakfast we put our bikes on the back of the bakkie which was going to serve as the schuttle vehicle. As there was only seating for two in front, Con "volanteered" to sit on the back and keep an eye on the bikes. We dropped my luggage with Jelle and Cynthia Meintsema in Underberg on our way to the border post. We arrived there at about 08:40. Passport control was swift and we were on our way.

Initially it was and relatively easy cycle with gradients of 6-8%, but after a while that increased to 12-17%. Some parts of the road was quite smooth and easy to cycle but every now and then we would encounter a very ruff and rocky section where an extra effort had to be put in to maintain momentum. This resulted in us getting off and pushing our bikes. The higher we went, the steeper the got the more we opted for pushing. We pushed most of the last couple of kilometers because of the steepness and also the poor guality of the surface. In the end it took us 2:18 to cover the just more than 8 kilometers to the Lesotho border post. We took some pictures and decided to forgo a visit to the pub up there as this was on Lesotho property and they charged R100 to stamp our passports. This charge became effective today and that was no April Fools joke. We opted to have something to eat and drink when we get to Himeville.

The journey doen took 49 minutes. It was difficult to go fast due to the road surface and I was not willing to take any chance with damaging a wheel on a rock. Traffic up was quite hectic due to the public holiday. We saw more cars on Sani Pass than we saw all day yesterday! Pasding through the SA Border Control on our way back went smoothly again and we arrived in Himeville just in time to place the last order at the Whistling Goat. After a pleasant lunch it was onto our Underberg where we said our goodbyes and headed to our respective overnight stays.

I really had there wonderful days in the company of Con Malherbe and was quite sad to say goodbye, but that is life! From tomorrow I am on my own again and I start with a 145 km day. Accommodation for next four nights have been confirmed.