Wild Ride - Wrap up

 

What can one say after such an amasing week on a bicycle? The route/tracks we "wundered" along were out of this world. Martin knows the area like the back of his hand. On one ocation we stood at one side of the river and he pointed to a bend in the river saying that in that corner, which was just bush, there is a track and we must head there. When we got there, there was a track through a neat "tunnel" formed by the bushes leading us onto the track going up the hill!  

There were numerous times when we just "went" and lo and behold there just "appears" a track! Some of the "hike-a-bikes" up a hill also would be hard to find if you did not know it was there. The pristine nature of the country side was something to behold the eye. Now and then, when we wundered inlind, we would see forms of human life, but when we were on the beach or hugging the coastline, ot was only us and nature. 

The people making up the group were out of this world. Every night was ended with "fines", which were very well handled by Johnny van der Vyfer and Mike Elliot. It was a shame about Tom Figl having to take the bus on day four due to a flu bug, which got worse and Mike Augustides' knee playing up. 

The diversaty of the group added to the dynamics and in spite of the fact that the "dour" accountants (three of us) out numberrd the other professions there was no lack of excitement. 

The weather on day 2 and especially day 3 was challenging! Various potential problems on the route did result in day 4 going more inland on district roads, but that also provided a different "angle" to the whole experiance. 

Not much changed after the majority stopped at Port St Johns. The six of us who continued got along very well and jelled together. The hike-a-bike and constant ellvation gains and losses during the last three days brought another dynamic to the experiance. I think it was also just as well that we were a smaller group, which made life a little easier for Martin. He did get some extra "training" by either carrying or pushing my bike up a number of hills to ensure that the pace is not too slow. He also pushed me up a number of hills where we could cycle. The "walking" percentage during the last three days were much higher than during the first four. The "sight seeing" during this period was at a different level.

To special thank you to Martin and Jeanie for giving us the opportunity to experiance this wonderful area of our country first hand. One of the beauties of a trip like this is to be able to cycle through such a pristeen and unspoilt part of our beautiful country. The fact that the groups are small also makes it special. 

For me this was a once in a lifetime experiance and I really feel very furtunate to have experianced it. As the "senior citisen" in the group, I also would like to thank everybody who "looked out" for me aling the way, even Paul Furbank who is only 7 years younger! 

Total distance covered 298 km; total time on the go 41.41 hours; elevation gain 6,022 meters.

Here is the wrspnup by tour leader, Martin Dreyer.

Thanks a million for your most kind messages.... 🤗.

I didn't realise Cape Town riders could be such lekker okes. 

It was an absolute pleasure guiding/hosting you all on the Wild Coast - Jeans & I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience, and we want to thank you for that - maybe not the crank kak, single speed part & the flat tyres 🫣😁.

With the few days of adverse weather whilst many main roads of  Kzn/EC were closed, its amazing how we just forged ahead (actually didnt have a choice as the bus had already left) & got on with it. A true testament of the great comradie & positive attitude of this group. You guys were awesome.

Phillip, jy was ʼn yster! An inspiration to us all.

The teamwork of our downsized peloton on the 7th day kop-stomping into the gale force headwind along that last 20km beach was a sight to behold, each rider took their turn on the front....

On our 4th riding day - I would have never admitted it in the moment, in fear of some riders feeling sorry for themselves, but that was a beast of a day with the unscripted extra massive climbs. So a huge congrats for getting through it - the biggest 4th day I have ever ridden on the Wild Coast.

To those virgin Wild Coast Riders, conditions can be alot more pleasant....

Well done for getting the job done in testing conditions.

Nige, Sean - really sorry you guys couldn't ride with us, next time....

Thanks Darryn, Tom & Mike for your added value goodies to our trip.

That's a wrap for now, take care and stay in thouch.

Wild Ride Day 7 - Lambazi(Port Grosvenor) to Port Efward

The end is in sight! What an incredible experiance! After the early ending to yesterday's ride, we had a relaxing time at Lambazi and were joined by a group of hikers. Breakfast would be at 07:00 and the wheels was due to roll at 08:00. To make sure we get away on time, everybody was notified that we were leaving at 07:45. We managed to get going at 07:43!

Out the way we came in the day before and then left over the river. I had left my "broken" shoes from the previous day behind and were back to my Shimanos. They at least had time to dry out. This was of no avail, as the first river crossing was within the first couple of hundred meters. So they were wet again pretty soon. "Pa for the course" if you do the Wild Ride!

That was followed by a lot of "grass tracking" as we hugged the coastline above the beach. We crossed a couple of small rivers before venturing onto the beach for the first time, but not for long. The wind was allready picking up and came straight from the front. Back onto the grass, hugging the coastline again and crossing little streams every now and then. 

Our first major river crossing was after 18 kilometers and 2:10 riding time. This one was about thigh deep at the mouth, but there was a canoest who approached us as we reached the river a little higher up. Martin felt we should support him, so I got a "ride" across while the rest of the guys walked through. 

Three kilometers further on we stopped to take a walk up the river and have a look at a waterfall. This was well worth it and we had our sandwiches there while sitting on a rock ledge with a nice overhang. This "detour" took 18 minutes, before we were on our way again. The river crossing was quite easy and only about anckle deep.

About another 5 kilometers futher on we had our next river crossing and this was going to be by canoe, which we had to row across ourselves. On the way here we met some hikers and they asked us to please leave one canoe on the approach side of the river. Martin first took me and our bikes across. He then went back for Paul and Keith with their bikes. Thereafter it was Darren's turn. To adhere to the hiker's request, Martin and Darren went back across, "towing" a second canoe with them. They left one of the canoes and the only ore available there and then rowed back across with their hands! This little exercise took about 15 minutes. 

On the otherside we went up a district road for about a kilometer and then around some houses and onto a grass track. A further 2 kilometer along we stopped at a Spaza shop for Coke and cookies. 

This was followed by going around some houses and a grass track past some big sand dunes and down to the beach. Going around one house, Keith ran over a chiken, which suddenly appeared from nowhere. Furtunately no damaged was done and it scattered away towards a house, apparantly unharmed! Now we had 20 kilometers left into the head wind and all along the beach. 

Martin gave me a piece of elastic, which was attached to his saddle while I held onto the other end. This way he "pulled" me along. I still had to peddle, but not with the same effort as the other guys. I quickly got the hang of this and realised the elastic must be streached just enough so that there is about a wheel length between me and Martin. I did pick up a "small" problem within the first few meters. Something happened and some of the guys stopped while Martin kept on peddling. I was not sure what to do and it got to a point where the elastic was quite taut and I could not get though between the guys, who were shouting for Martin to stop, but he could not hear due to the wind. In the end I let go of the elastic. The result was that Martin got hard "wack" on the back of his leggs!! Not a good result! Thereafter all went well and we manged to maintain a pace of 10-15 kph against the wind, riding in eschelon with the other guys taking turns to "pace" in front with Martin and me behind. This really worked well. The wind was "pumping" but we kept the pace up. There is no way that I would had been able to keep this pace up without the "tow". We did stop once for a breather and like usual the odd rocky section where we had to carry our bijes acriss. There also were a number of river crossings, but they were so shallow that we just cycled through. 

We were really going along well. We did see a seal making its way towards the sea, choosing a route between our bikes. This time we managed to miss it. Along the way it also started to rain. Not to hard and we did not really got wet. The temperature was also quite reasonable. This cleared up after about 15 minutes. As the time was approaching 14:00, we saw the buildings of the Wild Coast Sun in the distance. We rolled in there at 14:30. So with a quick shower, packing and loading of the bikes, we should make the airport in time for Keith's and my flight. His was just after 18:00 and mine at 19:30. Mean while Martin organised sone burgers for lunch. 

As we started our journey, my phone rang. It was the airline telling me that they have been trying to get hold of me for a while to inform me that my flight has been cancelled! They offered me a 16:05 flight, which was not going to work as there was no way that we would get there in time. The net result was that my flight was rescheduled for Wednesday 08:40 and I had to find accommodation in Umhlanga for the night.

So that was the end of a truely amasing 7 days of cycling. No big distances cover or massif long days in the saddle, but hard riding with extraordinary views and good company.

Wild Ride Day 6 - Mboyti to Lambazi

Last night we had an amasing buffet super of lamb stew and peri-peri chiken with vegetables, salads and sweets. Breakfast was also a buffet. Set off time was scheduled for 08:15. We actually got going at 08:25!

We took a right turn at the gate and after a couple of kilometers right again down a grassy track past some houses. These grassy tracks and some cattle tracks would be at the order of the day. We also went through numerous little streams. This usually resulted in a bit of "hike a bike", but only for short distances. 

We also had two "compulsory" major hike a bikes. The first one after 50 minutes. About 180 meters of vertical elevation gain over a distance of 218 meters and it took me 14 minutes, with Martin's help, to reach the top. This was followed by 3 kilometers along the ridgeline up the the Cathedral, where we stopped to enjoy this wonderful sight, followed by a 200 meter ride around a "koppie" to experiance this amasing Waterfall Bluff where a waterfall is dropping down into the ocean. Graeme took some footage of the Cathedral and the waterfall with his drone. Unfortunately he lost control over the drone due to the wind and all was lost when it went down and he could not recover 

After a 36 minute sight seeing tour, we started off along the cliff face. I did notice a crack in my shoe while sitting at Cathedral rock. I did ask Martin for some tape to tape it up. We did manage to cycle a short distance and when I stopped to carry my bike across some rocks the sole detached from the shoe and remained in the cleat! Martin offer me his one shoe as he feld that he will be more comfortable cycling without a cleat, so we swopped left shoes! 

We remained on the ridgeline for the rest of the day with the "compulsory" stream crossings every now and then. We were riding into a 40-50 kph head wind, which made progres really hard work! The distance for the day was supposed to be 40 kilometers, but at 28 kilometers we entered a lodge area and I was surprised to see our backup vehicle. I thought this was a "lunch" stop and was quite glad when I was informed that this is the end of the day. That was a very pleasant surprise!

We did 28.19 kilometers in 5:43 with 773 meters of climbing and some wonderful sight seeing!

Wild Ride Day 5 - Port St Johns to Mboyti

 

As a number of the guys on the Wild Ride indicated that they read my blog and all are English speaking. I will therefore post the last three days in English. Julle "boere" kan mos Engels lees!

One of the hardest day on a bike for me! Not sure where I would have been was it not for Martin Deyer. He pushed me up most of the steep hills, carried or pushed my bike up most of the big climbs and made sure I was not too much of a "drag" on our progress.

We got going at 09:11. Martin indicated that it should not be a long day and we should finish by 14:00. Little did we know what lay ahead! Turning right along the Umzimvubu river on what was a good gravel road, which turned into paving for the next 5 or so kilometers. Couple of ups and downs and then a "monster" going up to 18%! At the top we took a small gravel jeep track which took us along the ridgeline high above the sea. This took us down to the first river crossing of the day, which was "chiken feed" compared to yesterday. Thereafter came the regular ride along the beach.

All good things come to an end and this day had some interesting challenges for us, mostly in the form of rocky outcrops next to the sea or steep hike-a-bike climbs to get around some big rocks. This is where Martin came to my rescue by coming back to take my bike up the hill after he dropped his at the top. This happened at least five times during the course of the day. Once on top we were able to ride again, but not for too long. Down we went to the next river crossing, which once again was only ankle deep. This was followed by some beach riding again and then over some rocks! Progress was slow and our average speed drop to below 10 kph. 

This was the menu for the day and the further we went, the slower was our average speed. We also took some lengthy stops just to relax and take in the amasing view. Population was very thin and most of the time there were not a dwelling in sight, only some cattle lying on the sand while chewing the cud! The fact that there were some cattle about was proof that some people did live nearby, we just could not see the houses. Our third river crossing was a little more challenging, coming up to our 

At 25 kilometer we stopped at a shop for some Coke, while having a rest and eating the rest of our lunch. On a hill outcrop about 100 meters away was a couple of bungalows, which had the most amasing view. Martin said we still had one and a half hours to our destination. This ended up being two and a half hours. Despite the dificulty, we had a super day with some very wonderful views and some very special little "tracks" up and down the hills and along one of the rivers. At one point we literaly cycled through someone's backyard! 

Cresting the next hill, we could see the dwellings at Mboyti in the distance, but judging from lay inbetween it was still going to take us at least an hour to cover the ground to get there. After crossing the beach at Mboyti, we still had a kilometer or two to our accommodation and that entailed another two, ridable hills on a local road. 

After 6:35; 34 km and 1,251 meters of climbing, we reached Mboyti River Lodge. We all agreed that that was one tough day!

Wild Ride Day 4 Oceanview Hotel, Coffee Bay to Mgazi (nearly)

It rained all night! I hoped it was the sound of the sea, but no such luck! Breakfast was at 07:30 with the aim of getting away at 08:30. Mike A piked up a problem with his knee and decided to give it a miss. Tom did not feel well yesterday with flu signs and also decided get into the backup vehicle.

Martin had trouble to contact the guy who was due to take us over the Mtatha river and it was therefore that we wiil go inland on mostly gravel roads. Out of the hotel's grounds we went the same way we came in and then right for a 700 meter hill which went up to 15%! It was a tar road, which made the climbing a little easier. Thereafter it was mostly good gravel. This part of the country is very hilly and we either went up or down. We did a lot of climbing today and had many downhills. After 2 hours our average speed was 12.9 kph! This looked promissing, but then disater struck. Steve cut his rear tyre so badly that it could not be plugged. The only option was to put a tube in. This took longer than antisipated due to problems with the value, with the result that or average dropped to 11 kph. Then that tube also picked up a leak and had to be replaced. That dropped our average to 10kph. Fortunately that held to the end of the day. 

After 45 km we entered Hluleka Nature Reserve, our what was left of it! Obviously this used to be a wonderful place but now it was in a state of disrepair. The entrance gate was unmaned and not in a good state. The road down to the river, which once must have been suitable for sedans is now not suitable for 4x4's! The bridge over the river has been washed away! The beautiful main building has no water and in need of a lot of "love and care"! The road out in a Nothern direction is beter and the chalets seems to be in a good condition. At the top there is a viewing deck and construction going on, so maybe some improvements are in the making. 

Down the otherside Martin took us down good country roads and "interesting" little paths and single track to link up with country roads again. At 61.55 kilometers we met up with our backup bus and Jeanie's dad with Martin's Pajero. He arranged for them to meet us at this point with some pizzas and beer. This then signaled the end of this day. 

61.55 km; 6:49:48; 1,436 meters of climbing.