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Adorned with layers upon unsuitable summer layers, sleep came in spurts, interrupted by biting cold. My feet, despite double socks, were slowly becoming icicles, itching to become one with the falling snow.
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On our trip to the Eastern Cape in April 2021, we booked an overnight stay in a town called Bethulie, to break the long journey. Bethulie, on the eastern side of the Gariep Dam, on the Southern-most tip of the Free State and close to the Eastern Cape border, is largely a sheep and cattle farming town established in 1829. It has the longest combined road and rail bridge in Southern Africa, which was completed in 1901. Bethulie also contains the site of one of the largest Boer concentration camps. The town came to some prominence when screen writer and actor Patrick Mynhardt, it’s most famous son, published his book called, “A Boy from Bethulie”.
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This feels like Botswana, I said to Kanti as we slowly drove north-east on the tarred main road. He in the back seat, me behind the wheel, windows open, guarding against the lurking Covid-19. Cutting through the Dinokeng Game Reserve, about 50km north of Pretoria, with unfenced bush on either side, the road was like that out from the Chobe reserve in Botswana. Big game like elephant were just as likely to step out from the bush, though at about 21 000 hectares, the carrying capacity of the reserve requires their active management. Impala and zebra however made their crossings with familiarity. I wondered if the lions of the reserve ever lolled on the edges of the road or crossed it. There is an incongruity of tarred main road and wild animal that at first is confusing, then seamless – like that in northern Botswana.
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After a douse of Med Lemon, I slept like a baby needing the rest. Many had come on this trip carrying a sniffle or three so a recovery ride did not get the full vote. Several decided to run while others belatedly chose to cycle.
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This is my third Jock Cycle tour with each one significantly different. The first started and ended in Barberton over 3 stages in one day. The second started and ended in Nelspruit over 3 stages each on a different day. This edition also starts and ends in Nelspruit over 3 stages but on one day. The most common aspect is the tough mountainous route and relentless rolling hills.
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