Secunda To Kaapse Hoop

258km...

It's been 4 month since our last trip. We did promise that we will visit Kaapse Hoop very soon. Well it's Friday, the bikes are packed and we are ready to go. But before we tell you what a great weekend it was let me refresh your memory about this little town's history.

Situated 1486m (4878ft.) above sea level on the highveld escarpment. Kaapsehoop was originally gained fame as a gold mining town once known as the Duiwels Kantoor - the Devil's Office - towards the end of the 19th century, when gold was discovered in 1882 in a small creek running through the town. This led to a portion of the original township layout being cancelled and opened up for gold prospecting. However, the earlier better-paying discoveries of gold at both Pilgrim's Rest in 1873 and Barberton in 1881, followed by the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand in 1886 (later to become the town of Johannesburg), coupled with the meagre returns obtained at Kaapsche Hoop led to the town going into decline.

Great, let's hit the road. As you may have read from previous reports, the road between Secunda and Bethal is still under construction but good to ride. The only pain is the road through town to get on the Middelburg road. Then from Bethal to Middelburg it's the coal trucks that you have to watch out for. They will turn into the road without looking so take care and slow down where you see a truck crossing. From just before Middelburg you turn right onto the N4 to Nelspruit. The only thing on this road is the speed traps that can be a pain but most cameras are from the front so no problem for the bike. The toll gate again is ridiculous, will leave it at that. From the toll gate you keep right to Waterfall-Onder and then through the tunnel. It's always "LEKKER" to rev the bike in a tunnel. At Sappi mill you turn right to Kaapse Hoop. This road is breath taking.

We stayed at Carin's Kaya and I will recommend it. The accommodation is great with a picture perfect view. There is a center braai in between the two chalets. The chalets are fully equipped with everything you need. The only thing we had to bring was towels but with our limited space they supplied it as well. Thank you very much for a great weekend.

Friday night we ate at the local restaurant, had a few drinks and then off to bed. Saturday morning we got up at 7 and it was a perfect blue sky day with no winds what so ever. From Kaapse Hoop we took the road to Nelspruit. Filled up all the bikes and took the N4 to Malelane and then turn right on the R38 to Barberton.

We were a bit early at Pappa's restaurant and had to wait for 10 o'clock before we could order. But the wait was worth it. After breakfast we to a drive to Saddle Back Pass. The bottom piece of road is starting to break up but still ok. As I have mentioned it before, please take care on the road. There are a lot of corners that has gravel on it. We took pictures and then some more pictures.

From there we took the road back to Nelspruit and then to Kaapse Hoop. Kaapse Hoop is famous for the Pan Cake place so we had to go there. With pan cakes on our plates and coffee it started to rain. The timing was perfect. The rain stopped as we finished and then we took a walk to the end of the world, well I call it that because I'm sure if the earth was flat it would have took like that. If you visit Kaapse Hoop make sure you take a walk to the edge of the world, it's worth every step.

Not long after we got home it started to rain again and the hail started and it was big, golf ball big. That lasted about and hour and it cleared up for the braai. The rest of the evening we had a great time.

Sunday morning we got up and it was overcast and cold. Our plan is to go the long way road home. From Kaapse Hoop to Nelspruit and then to Dullstroom through the Long Tom Pass. The Long Tom Pass was packed again with mist so it was a slow drive to the top. At Lydenburg the sun was out and from there the road was uneventful to Secunda.

It was a great weekend and I would like to say thanks to all that came with it was great.

See Ya On The Wire...