Fletcher's Cloud Blog

It was an early start as we left my cousin’s house at 07:00 as there had been a mix-up with the accommodation at the B & B.

However no harm done and the gruelling "trek" back home began.

By this time, there had been some changes made to the packing order. I had acquired a backpack and the two panniers that were on my bike were ditched. Since this was my idea, the "creative packing" was left to me. So Michaela was now carrying the laptop on her back, with a thinkbike jacket around to promote visibility (so NO she is NOT a HUNCHBACK :P)

Jansenville

This was the first stop and the designated breakfast spot. After spending a little time here and enjoying a well earned breakfast, we set off again for Graaff-Reinet. So far so good, making good distance and time.

Graaff-Reinet

Just a short hop away from Jansenville is Graaff-Reniet, the first sort of civilised town on a way back. However, this route is quite pleasing for those of you (like me), MAD or should I say STUPID enough to try this trip on a superbike, there are some great twisties and you can really get a little throttle happy here. Lets just say that I achieved a new top speed on the bike, those of you who know me will know my previous record, still a little higher than the last one. The only limiting factor is that I had a backpack and the bike was willing but so was the wind. :(. Now making better time and not having to fight with Murphy, who must have forgotten about us for which we are grateful, we were off yet again with Noupoort in sight.

Noupoort

Again this was a great stretch of road with less of those boring straight roads, twisties are king and there was an abundance of these. Even the MONSTER was getting some fairly decent lean angles with a PILLION, this is not something you see every day. A quick fill-up and we were off yet again. A quick sprint to Colesberg was needed, the chosen late lunch spot.

"Spot who has been riding in a straight line for a LONG time"

Colesberg

The most eventful thing on the way back thus far, was the lunch spot. The chosen lunch spot was NOT LICENSED, so no beer or the like, which would have gone down really well at this point (Only ONE, BOTTLE AND THROTTLE DON’T MIX). The service was also NOT the world’s best, but the arrived food quickly enough and was warm and that was all that was required. Next stop, Springfontein, I hate the small tanks on bikes.

Springfontein

We all know this road, STRAIGHT, LONG and BORING. Guess what, this has not changed. So we travelled the short distance and did the time. We filled up and once again hit the road (my hand still hurts :P) for the last time for this day. Final destination: BLOEMFONTEIN.

Bloemfontein

With the final stop in sight, the taps were opened and the average cruising speed was picked up and thanks to some motorists, we were alerted about those nuisance things called traffic officers and their DAMN RADAR GUNS. Thanks once again one and all. Finding accommodation should have been easy, but it was far from easy. Anyway, after riding around and finding a lot of "full" places, we eventually found a lodge, however there was only one chalet. 4 people in one chalet, bit crowded, but a plan was made and an early night was had by all.