We greeted the Free State after a late start in Aliwal North. Saying goodbyes to hosts as friendly and accommodating as the De Beers is never easy.
As we climbed the long, flat hills out of the Orange River Valley we realised how our average speeds were increasing, The flat, undulating Free State was going to be much easier than the Karoo. The road to Zastron felt like a see-saw. You would shoot down the long downhills and glide halfway up the otherside frantically finding the right gear to keep your momentum over the top. Then down again, then up, all day.
The R26 route is scenic but not that bicycle friendly, with lots of potholes on the verges and no emergency lane within the yellow lines. Luckily it is not to busy and your life does not feel threatened by traffic.
Even though you still keep an eagle-eye your rearview mirror and keep shouting, “INCOMING”, at the sight of a vehicle, just a warning to each other to hug the shoulder of the road. On the call of “INCOMING TRUCK!!” you get your arse off the road completely.
This code has been used since day one and seems quite efficient even on the worst of roads.
In Zastron we were told to go to the Maluti Hotel and speak to Eben Swanepoel about accommodation. He has joined the ranks as an “Accommodation Guru” in the Pedal2Peak team. Eben put us up and fed us, a thing he does for most cycle tourists, and also rallied up accommodation in Wepener and Ladybrand.
He really made the first leg of the Free State an absolute heaven.
Our stays at Lord Frasers Guesthouse in Wepener and Three Fountains View Guestlodge near Ladybrand were unbelievable and thank-you all for your support and kind reception to two sweaty, sunburnt and possibly crazy cyclists.
