2001 Biking South Africa

Day 26, Wednesday, July 11
12km before Swellendam to Caledon
120.2km @ 15kph

No wind – hallelujah! Stunning scenery – manicured rolling hills in browns and greens against a backdrop of blue-grey mountains. Riding the N2 – grateful for a wide shoulder. A day of ups and downs only – literally. We were either doing 5kph or 50kph. Hell on our knees and nerves. Despite our growing tiredness (I think we’re both pleased our trip is nearly at an end) we persevered – and were rewarded by making it to Caledon just after sunset. In good time for long hot showers and dinner out. Another successful, safe day.    

Perfect road, perfect scenery, perfect cool clear wind-free day. Downside: for every downside, there’s an upside – immediately, in other words, every downhill was followed immediately by a commensurate climb. We were doing either 6kph or 36kph – all day.

Stunning mountains were ranged on our right, jagged against the sky, and hills of incredible manicured smoothness ahead and to the left, that have been mowed or planted with something green and beautiful. On the roadside, flowers in yellow, lilac and cerise. There was a field of sheep only slightly darker than the chaff on which they were chewing – quite a sight.

The Breede River, the first real river we’ve seen since the Vaal / Orange(?), was fullish and running strong.

We saw a sign early on in the day that declared “Agulhas 97km”; 25 minutes later we saw the same sign again, which was a little disconcerting.

We had our lunch break at Riviersonderend having averaged 14kph; we left there at 14h11 with less than 50km to go.

Weatherwise we went from really chilly this morning, to warm this afternoon.

As the sun slipped behind a hill in front of us, there was light still coming through a valley, just a stray beam highlighting the green green green on our right.