16 July, Tuesday: Kremetart Cycle route

After chatting to Allan who does a lot of cycling in the area, he recommended we do not cycle the main road. There is an annual cycle race in Louis Trichardt called the Kremetart Cycle which Allan suggested as an alternative which is a loop around the Soutpansberg mountains. We got on our bikes in 5 degrees, and now we understand why the route is called Kremetart. Kr in english is baobab and the route was just absolutely beautiful. On our right we had beautiful game farms with these magnificent baobabs sticking out the mixed thornveld landscape. On our left we had again, stunning game farms on the slopes of the Soutpansberg escarpment with more baobabs scattering the landscape. We flew past on the bikes, with a lovely back wind behind us, we managed to complete 75 km before lunch in 3 hrs. It was an amazing ride which we all thoroughly enjoyed. The mountain, which we were relieved was next to us rather than infront of us was spectacular and from where we were riding, we could see how the vegetation was changing on the slopes. We turned left, just passing the town of Vivo, going around the mountain, heading back to LT and then we got hit by the front wind. All of a sudden there was this change in landscape. On the otherside of the mountain, the bush was covered in baobabs and now this side, there were none.

Today was my 7th day of cycling in a row so after suffering in the front wind for a bit, I decided to give my legs a rest. Chris and Dad however, feeling strong after his few days of rest in Zim, continued cycling until 120 km!!! Chris best ever, what a man!! We liked the McMurtries so much we decided to stay another night. They kindly hosted us again saving us from getting to Tzaneen in the dark. And this gave us the opportunity to do the Kremetart route. Once we finished off the riding for the day, we made our way back to the McMurtries keen for a hot shower and a warm bed.

Cycled: Kayla and Tim = 101 km, Chris = 121 km

Time: 4:40 hrs; 5:20 hrs

Ave speed: 22 km/hr

Ascent: 600 m