August 16, 2010 -

Start at the Vioolsdrif border post with South Africa. Head N orth and at the shops and filling station pick up the dirt road to Rosh Pinah. Rosh Pinah is a mining town, but there is a selection of very comfortable B&Bs to overnight at in the town. As the road starts, you will ride on good quality flat dirt for about 15km to 20km, moving between the new Orange River wineland farms. As you move closer to the river gorge, the road undulates and becomes more interesting. Lots of different sections (loose gravel, smooth hard-pack, thickish sand) but nothing too daunting for intermediate riders. Beginners should ride carefully. The scenery along the river is really stunning - not your Alpine pine trees and buttercups, but a harsh African desert rock with scintillating blue skies in backdrop, and the river itself a lush contrasting oasis snaking its way lazily down the impressive valley.