Fc 2026 Day 6 Makek to Vuvu

 

FC 2026 Day 6 Malekonyane to Vuvu

See I have day 5 and 6 in English, so 7 and 8 will be in Afrikaans

It was a 04:00 start as we wanted to push through to Vuvu and you do not want to get caught in the Vuvu valley when it gets dark. 

The exit out of Malekonyane is quite tricky. To address this we "walked" the first part after SJ served her penalty. This turned out quite fortunate as the asigned route had some small saplings, which were cut off 2 or 3 inches above the ground. Can you imagine what the results would have been if we encountered that in the dark! We did find a better alternative 90 meters up the road. 

The actual navigation at 04:00 in the morning did not go too well after the section that we walked, as it is very difficult to find your bearings in the dark. It took us a while to find the wier where we had to cross the stream and more time to find the plantation we had to go around. Then after some more "wanderings" we did locate the corner of a fench which was a reference point. From there we needed to get to the road. There was some discord on how to get there, so I reverted to a silent prayer for a car to come down the road so that we knew where to go. Lo and behold, my prayer got answered in 2 minutes! I decided that I just had to witness about this when we got to the top of the next hill, which I did and that was received favourably. 

We continued along a district road for a few kilometers and then turned off on a obscure track which took as through a village. I was falling behind and when I caught up with the rest of the group, I was informed that SJ is not feeling to good and that the rest would go on their own. I diceded to stay with the ladies. We found our way through the village and around a "koppie" called Thaba Chita. From there to steam down a very rocky gully where we had to mostly carry our bicycles. Up the otherside and then onto Black Fountain. Part of the track towards Black Fountain looks like it could have been a pass for motor vehicles, a longbtime ago! It is quite a "trek" up to Black Fountain which alternate between some riding and some pushing.

Once past the old homestead it was mostly good riding on the ridgeline to a "koppie" just above Tinana. Here there are three options to go down the mountain, a "tiger line" which I used in 2014 and 2016 but as this was so long ago and I was not confident in leading the group doen that. SJ also have not tried it before, so decided to go for the "easy around the mountain" option. After awhile we realised that we actually were on the second option which is not as daring as the tiger line, but did provide us with some challenges getting down the mountain. Once we picked up the district road the next challenge was finding a track down to the river. This also presented some serious mountainering challenges with a bicycle down a mountain. Crossing the river was easy and then we went to the intrem stop at Mrs Kibi's house for lunch. We were back on the road again after 33 minutes.

It is quite a nice ride from Tinana to the entry to the Vuvu valley with fairly easy navigation. SJ had some specials notes from Richard Erasmus to help us getting through the valley and we made good progress. We managed to do some riding, especially when close to the river, which we crossed 5 times and the Tina river once. We also had to do a fair amount of "hiking-a-bike" up some serious inclines when we could not followcthevriver. We were in the last section of the valley and darkness have caught up with us. We were just short of the road and was busy man handling our bicyles up a very steep incline, which we thought would take us to the road, when we saw a light to our right. A "good samaritan" saw us and guided us through the last section to the road. I remembered this road from 2019 and it is "awefull". The one hill must have us close a hour to concour! 

After 16:08 and 77 km with 1,896 meter of climbing, we clocked in at the Vivu school. What a day!!

FC 2026 Day 5 Masakala na Malek

 

FC 2026 Day 5 Masakala na Malekonyane

Due to two people in our group having to serve time penalties, we decided to get going at 04:00, with the result that everybody is in bed by 19:00! Reason for penalties: rdplcement of lost light and broken cycling shoes. These will be served at Malekonyane so we must be there by 12:00, therefore the early start.

We wake up at 03:00 and start cycling at 03:51. The bavigation out of Masakala is not too difficult, but we must make sure to go the correct "streets". We manage that and get down to a road, which we did not realise exists. In the past we went down to the river and had to struggle through the sand. This led to a short section a tar road  and then  ack onto gravel taking us through some local villages. 

At 15 km we take a left, which, ultimately will lead us down to the Kinera flood plains. We get along quite well, but do find ourselves a little off course. Fotunately not too serious and we are back on track in no time. Our chief navigator, Sara-Jane, is doing a fine job! We make our way past Springkana and across the flood plains cross some streams without getting our feet wet. We arrive at Queens Mercy after 4 hours and 32 km. Not much happening here, so we push on the Mprahane hill where we have to get onto the plato.

After a short break at the bottom, we "tackle" going up which do result in hiking-a-bike as well as carrying our bikes.

Once onto top it is a smooth ride for 4.5 km on the ridgeline up to a track off the side which leads us through wattle plantation, across a stream and onto Gladstone farm. This is a beautiful old house built from sandstone but now is fairly well neglegted. From here we go through some grasslands and diwn a fairly steep cliff which then takes us onto the road leading to Malekonyane. After another two serious hills, we arrive at Malekonyane at 11:30.

Data for the day: 7:34:21; 57.66 km; 975 meter

FC 2026 Dag 4 Two Springs to Masakala

 

FC 2026 Dag 4 Two Springs to Masakala

Die kos by Two Springs was uit die boonste rakke. Middag ete was die lekkerste sop met groente en vleis. Aandete was lasagne en 'n macaroni gereg. Almal was voor 20:00 in die bed!

Ons kom ooreen om 06:00 te begin. By die hek uit, 'n paar km die pad af en dan 10 km regs voor ons links draai, alles op grondpaaie. Ek trap 'n lang bult uit en voel heel goed. Remme werk ook mooi. Ons kruis ook die Kwazulu-Natal/Oos Kaap grens. Na 'n paar km draai ons regs en durf die volgende bult aan. Bo konsolideer ons, neem 'n paar fotos en ry oor die volgende nek, wat natuurlik ook 'n klim insluit. Alles darem rybaar. 

Anderkant af sing die wiele weer vir 'n paar km voor ons links draai op 'n voetpaadjie wat ons na 'n wattle bos neem. Die roete "zik-zak" deur die bos tot by 'n rivier waar ons droogvoet op klippe kan oorsteek. Nou is daar weer 'n lang "hike-a-bike" stuk op na 'n distrikspad. Intussen het die wind op gekom! Bo op die volgende bult is dit weer links en so 'n paar km die pad af neem ons 'n toelaatbare kort pad ba nog 'n "lone tree" wat ons op die rug van die plato hou. Dit neem ons deur na 'n vallei waar "hike-a-bike" weer die voorland is. Ons vorder maar stadig want ons is moeg en ons neig meesal "op" en dit op bees paadjies wat nie eintlik rybaar is nie. Die neem ons ongeveer 2 uur om die 7 km af te lê. Onder in die vallei is die wind stil, maar bo in die oopte "pomp" hy!

Bo sluit ons by 'n distrikspad aan wat, met 'n paar afdraaie, ons na Masakala sal neem, eers weer 'n kort paadjie bult af op 'n plaaslike voetpad wat so ongeveer 2 km uitsluit. Alhoewel hierdie 'n distrikspad is, is die oppervlak besonder rof. Self die plaaslike motors ry stadig, want alles skud. Ons gaan oor 'n vloedplein, waar 'n brug wat voorheen weg gespoel het, intussen reggemaak is. Dan anderkant die heuwel uit en bo regs. Masakala Guest House is 3 km die pad af.

Dag se data: 8:21:57; 69.67 km; 1,451 meters geklim.

FC 2026 Day 3 Ntsikeni to Two Springs

 

FC 2026 Day 3 Ntsikeni to Two Springs

We all decided last night to only go as far as Two Springs today. As this is only 32 km we opted for a later start. 

The 3 Musketeers (Sara-Jane, Matilda and me) got going at 07:48. Left out of the gate down the nain road into Ntsikeni, which is a rough jeep track looking for a "lone tree" after 4.6 km where we need to turn right on a faint track trough the grass. This goes over some "not too serious" hills foe about 6 km when we get to a bluegum plantation. We cycle on the edge of the plantation for about 4 km. At the end the plantation goes away from the fence and I interpitate this as the narrative which said the track swings away frim the fence. Some gates look fimiliar and I am sure I am right. Matilda comes after me to say that Sara say I am wrong, but I convince her to follow me. Our ride ends up much "rougher" than the track Sara recommended, but we do get to Politique Kraal about 10 minutes after Sara. 

After a brief brake, we set off along another fenceline and some cattle tracks for another 2.5 km when we go for a "tigerline" rather than the long way around the valley. This turns out to be a good call as it is not that difficult.

Once on top we join a rough track again for another 2.5 km when we reach a dwelling. We go through some gates and climb a small, ridable hill for 4 km. Here we turn right through the "veld" to another fence and over the hill and halfway down the otherside, over another fence and then picking up a farm track through some mielie fields which takes us down to a tar road. Then left and 2 km to Two Springs on our right. 

So a short day but good recovery. Tomorrow we will carry on to Masakala. 

I have worn diwn my brake pads on a concrete downhill on day 1 with the result that my front brakes was pretty much shot. After a nig struggle, I did manage to put new ones in, but now there is no pressure! Managed to getvit sorted, so now I do have proper brakes again!

Data for the day: 30.74 km; 4:52:13; 696 meters of climbing 

FC 2026 Dag 2 Allendale na Ntsikeni

 FC 2026 Dag 2 Allendale na Ntsikenl

Ons beplan om 04:00 te begin. Gill en John Graaf ken die roete uit Allendale  en hulle sal ons help om sonder probleme die pad te vind. John het gisteraand genoem dat ons seker eers 04:30 sal weg kom. Ons kom eers 04:48 weg!! 

Die navigasie span kwyt hulle goed van hulle taak en kry ons deur die eerste paar "moeilike" kilometers. Daarna is ons op ons eie aangesien die Graafs baie stadig is. Matilda Uys sluit by my en Sara-Jane aan. Ek en Sara is die "stil tipe" maar Matilda is op die andercent van die "spektrum"! Daar word in die eerste uur meer gepraat as wat ek en Sara gister gepraat het! 

Sara ken die roete baie goed en is ons hoof "navigator". Sy kwyt haarself uitstekend met die taak en ons het die hele dag nêrens verkeerd gery nie. 

Na die aanvanklike rit uit Allendale kruis ons 'n groot pad en dan is dit deur plantasies tot in Donnybrook. Vandaar is dit weer deur 'n klomp plantasies tot ny Centacow, waar ons middag ete kry. Dit neem ons 4:55 om die 46 km af te lê, wat aantoon dat daar heelwat klimme was. Behalwe vir die eerste 6 km kon ons alles ry. Ete neem ons 33 minute. 

Nou lê die groot klimme vir die dag voor. Twee massiewe klimme in die volgende 48 km. Die pad uit Centacow is ook nie maklik nie. Dit is op en af met 'n gradiënt van tussen 12 en 15%. Die klimme is nie lank nie maar veel eisend! Na 6 km draai ons links vir die eerste groot klim. Dit is 4 km lank en groot gedeeltes is net te styl om te ry. Dit ons meer as 'n uur om tot by die water skeiding te kom. Die pad is goed dus is ry of stoot maklik. Anderkant af is lekker vinnig en ons gou weer in 'n bewoonde gebied. Soos gewoonlik is die pad nie gelyk nie!

Ons sluit by 'n groot pad aan en na 4 km draai ons links op 'n bees/voet paadjie af rivier toe. Die is ongeveer 50 meter breed en so kuit hoogte diep. Maklik om deur te stap. Daarna ry ons deur 'n bloekom plantasie tot op die volgende water skeiding. Hierdie klim is baie geleidelik en ons kan alles ry. Dan is dit weer anderkant tot by 'n distriks pad waar ons regs draai. 

Na 5.7 km draai ons links vir die volgende groot klim. Die aanvanklike klim is 2.7 km maar dit is 'n voetpad wat in onbruik verval het met die gevolg dat dit baie rof is. Dit neem 'n uur om die 2.7 km af te lê. Op daardie punt sluit 'n goeie pad aan en kan ons weer ry, behalwe vir die laaste 200 meters wat net te styl is! 

Nadat ons eindelik die bopunt bereik volg ons die kontoer vir die volgende kilometer of so. Dan draai ons af op 'n rowwe paadjie deur 'n wattle plantasie tot by die Ntsikeni Natuur Reservaat. 

Nou nog net 6.2 km oor, maar weereens is daar 'n angel in die "stert". Al hoewel ons die eerste gedeelte kan ry, begin die pad geleidelik klim. Weereens aanvanklik rybaar maar dan raak dit al styller oppad na 'n nek wat weer stoot tot gevolg het. Na die nek volg ons die kontoer lyn en kan na 'n ruk Ntsikeni Lodge se ligte sien. 

Na 13:08 en 96 km met 2,537 meter se klim kom ons by Ntsikeni aan. Alhoewel vandag 'n bietjie korter as gister was met 'n soortgelyke klim syfer, was vandag baie meer veeleisend omdat ons so baie moes stoot. Ek skat ons het tussen 5 en 6 ure fiets gestoot!

My plan was om, soos in die verlede, Masakala toe te ry, maar groepsdruk veroorsaak dat ons môre net tot by Two Springs gaan ry. Dit sal 'n bietjie her beplanning vir die res van na Rhodes tot gevolg hé. Ons gaan moontlik maar hiu by ou skedule en dus een dag langer neem.

FC 2026 Day 1 Pmb to Allendale

 

FC 2026 Day 1 Pmb to Allendale

Please excuse any spelling "problems" as I do not have the time to check this!

Got up at 04:15, had breakfast and assembled outside at 05:30 to cycle down to the start at Pmb Town Hall. The wheels started rolling at 06:01 and we were "escorted" out of town and through the traffice to the entrance of Bisley Nature Reserve. 

After a few km we went through a gate and then cycled through some cane fields, liking up with a tar and down to a T-junction to Richmond. A few km and then right into the Baynesfield Estate back onto gravel. This carried on for quite awhile until we took a forestry road up the hill. The road winded up the hill and after some lefts and rights, we entered a track through a grassland up another hill which resulted in a lot of pushing. Down the other side tge track was very rough and I took the conservative opion  to rather push. This ran into a better road and then a beautiful downhill to The Oaks at Byrne. 

Lunch was tomatoe soup and bread. I "sort of" teamed up with Sara-Jane. I generally am stronger on the hills than her, but our pace. She did have some stomuch issues today, so must have affected her riding. We left Byrne together and cycled together right up to the "entry" of the Umkomaas. She have done this route recently, so I let her do the navigarion along the bank of the river and tonthe point where we crossed. Unfortunately my phone's battery was flat, so I did not get a photo. 

Now came the big climb of Hella-Hella. This really is one hell of a climb. Most of it is between 10-12% and it is about 12 km long. This involved a lot of pushing! It took more than two hours to "conquer" it. 

I was running out of time to get into Allendale before dark and navigation in the dark always create problems. I have been having problems with my ofometer all day, withbthe result that I was not sure of the final distance. At a point I "decided" that I probably am on a wrong road. I checked the narrative and decided to go back to the Mackenzie Club. Just before I got there, I saw Sara-Jane's light and joined her onto the ride to Allendale. It turned that I was on the right road and should gave carried fir a further 100 meters! 

We arrived at Allendale at 18:12 and after 108 km with 2,644 meters of climbing!

FC 2026 Dag -1

 

FC 2026 Dag -1

 Laas nag gesukkel om aan die slaap te kom. "Butterflies in the stomuch"! 06:30 wakker geword en myself reg gekry vir "shuttle" wat my 07.30 kom optel. 

Fiets en sak is al Saterdag klaar gepak. Lekker ontbyt van Weetbix en 'n "Strawberry smoothy" om bessies in yskas op te gebruik. 

Shuttle is op tyd en reis lughawe verloop redelik wanneer oggend verkeer in ag geneem word. Ek is voor 09:00 op die lughawe en die in weeg verlooop glad. Nadat ek my fiets by "bulk baggagde" afgegee het, bederf ek myself met 'n "Bomba Enegia" van Vida en gaan dan deur die hek na die wag area. Ek mrt 'n plek waar ek my selfoon kan laai en 'n bietjie opvang met die naweek se sport. 

09:55 gaan staan ek in die ry, neem my sitplek in "wees rustig" vir die vlug. Ek "chiil" lekker en wanneer ek my oë uitvee, begin ons daal Durban toe. Buite skyn die son en is dit 'n lielike dag. Ek het ook nie te veel wolke oppad gesien nie, so dit lyk of ons in goeie weer gaan begin.

Ons land net na 12:00 en ek moet so 10 minute wag vir my fiets en dan vir Earl Pmb Shuttle om my op te tel. Hy kom 12:43 daar aan my 'n motor wat te klein is vir die "bike box"! Sy bussie het enjin probleme. Haal net daar die fiets uit die boks en sit los in die motor en san is ons oppad Pmb toe. 

Ons kom so om en by 14:30 by die Sleeping Bao aan wasr ek twee van my ry maats, Mike Roy (Buffalo Herder) en John Bowen raak loop. (Buffalo Herders) is ouens wat ons deur die Baviaans Natuur Reservaat vergesel om ons teen die buffels te beskerm). As gevolg van die baie reën ry ons vanjaar die Baviaans mis, dus het Mike besluit om die FC aan te durf. 

In "geboek" nommer op die fiets en nou "chill" tot aandete. Sal vannaand hopelik vroeg in die bed kom en lekker slaap.