The Big Dog Runs: Cape to Jacobsdal and Back for a Wedding Weekend

My cousin invited me to his weeding near Jacobsdal, which lies in the Free State between Kimberley and Bloemfontein.

I left on Thursday morning, stopping at Just Bike Tyre to get some new tyres for my bike. I opted for a set of Mitas E07+.

Leaving in the pouring rain, I crossed the Du Toitskloof mountains soaking wet and not being able to see much at all due to the mist and downpour. I stopped at the Ou Meul outside Rawsonville for a hot chocolate and pie. From there I hit the N1 to Touwsrivier. At this point the sun was out and the weather perfect for riding. I rode next to the train track until I got to the Witteberg road. That took me all the way to Laingsburg. The road was a bit eroded but very fun to ride.

From Laingsburg I went on the N1 for a few kilometers and took the dirt road to Vergenoeg, joining up with the road between Floriskraaldam and Prince Albert. Almost all of the farm gates were closed so by the time I got to Hugo in Prince Albert I was quite sick of opening and closing gates.

I had a lovely evening with Hugo and Caro and left the next morning heading to Rietbron after filling up in town. I took a bit of a detour north but this allowed me to ride a dirt road that I have not taken before. This road was scenic and fun to ride which made the detour worth it.

From Rietbron I went via Nelspoort to Drie Susters, Richmond, De Aar, Hopetown and Jacobsdal to arrive at the venue next to the Modderrivier late in the afternoon. I camped on the grass on the riverbank for the next two nights.

On Sunday I rode to my other cousin's farm on the north western side of Mokala National Park, where I spent the afternoon recovering from the social activities of the previous two days.

Monday I left at 06:30 and rode home via Douglas, Prieska, Carnarvon, Fraserburg, Sutherland and Ceres. It was a long day of riding - around 1000km.

I met up with a friend in Ceres for a quick coffee before hitting the last stretch home on the tar.

I am a bit disappointed with the tyres I fitted – the Mitas E07+ Dakar rear caused wheel vibration (even though the wheel was balanced correctly) and the front did not track well at all on the sandy sections.

Overall it was an action packed weekend that I enjoyed immensely.