FC2026 Day 17 Vrygebruik to Bucklands

 FC2026 Day 17 Vrygebruik to Bucklands

We again settle for an easy day. No major obsticals to overcome. The wheels start rolling at 06:00. It is a beautiful morning and some of the warm clothing is shed early. We are treated with a exquisite sonrise. After 14 km we catch up with the Scoulers, who left a few minutes before us, as they have a roadside rest. We also stop for a sojourn as they leave.

The riding is fairly easy on goodish Karoo roads. There are some corregations, but not as bad as in 2019. There are a number of very long and steady climbs until we reach Paardepoort. Where we used to race down the hill in the past, the pace is much slower through the poort this year due to some water damage. Nothing major, but just enough to ensure we take it easy.

On the otherside we take a small road which takes us through Kleinpoort. The hills become steeper, but shorter. At the Kleinpoort "padstal" we run into the Scoulers and Ron Rutland. Ron pulled out the day before due to health issues, which was under lying when he started and was on his way the Port Elizabeth to catch a plane back home. After a toasted sandwich and home made ginger beer, we were on our way again.

The road to Bucklands is mostly downhill and the kilometers tick off quickly. There is some thunder in the air and before long we have to stop to put some rain gear on. We ride the next couple of kilometers in a gentle rain and then finally get to the Bucklands turn off. We now have to cross a fast following Grootrivier. This is done by hanging onto a cable while wading our way through the water, which is just below waist high! We do get through without problems and make our way out the otherside though tick mud! When we get to Bucklands, we are notified that the Eskom power is down and we will have to find our way by candle light. The shower is a gas shower so we can at least have a hot shower.

We clean our bikes, heat our meals on gas stoves and get to bed early. We have a lot of wet and dirty gear, which we hope to get cleaned and dried at Marlu the next day. 

I must tell you about my "roasted" shoes! In Rhodes they offered to dry our shoes by putting it in the "warmer" of their Aga coal stove, with the warning not to forget about it! I duly put mine in and forgot about it! When I went to retreive them, someone just about "saved" them, but thry looked ruined. I did decided to take two pairs along on the FC so that I can always gave dry shoes, so I then used the other pair, which are boots which do not dry easliy. So when got to Hofmeyr, I decided to try and use the "roasted" shoes on the way to Groenfontein, where we would encounter some wet river crossings. I was pleasantly surprised that they "passed" the test and even made it through all the walking between Groenfontein and Pearston! I will post a photo on my WhstsApp groups.

Data for the day: time 9:00:52; distance 89.62; climbing 1,023 meters