There was much discussion over the previous night's dinner about who was "man " enough to cycle up the Swartberg Pass , the steep off -road 7.5 mile mountain track was an hour and a half climb and a very fast descent. The was no option of doing one way and not the other, as the bike trailer could not go up the mountain. All the men bar one were going and none of the ladies. The men left at 6am the plan was to drive them to the foot of the mountain 13 miles from lodge . Our leade Mike came back to pick up the ladies and a picnic breakfast to have on the top of the mountain, the plan being the ladies got the nice on-road 13 mile cycle to the lodge.

The morning was exceptionally chilly and as the bus ascended the mountain track the winds were getting stronger. Unfortunately there was a straggler "wally" Graeme who thought he was a bit of a mountain biker, had all the gear, baggy trousers , baggy t-shirt and baggy beer belly. He had already broken one bike coming down a track too fast, but he was slower than me going uphill. The rest of the men were at the top and now getting very cold when the bus with the ladies and breakfast found Graeme struggling . He however was not going to give up but he was going so slow the ladies got out and walked, giving Graeme a little push up to help but still walking up was quicker than Graeme who eventually arrived at the summit. To give him credit it was exceptionally hard and very windy so they all did very well. It was very cold and blustery at the top so the picnic breakfast was held inside the van. The B&B lady had prepared an excellent breakfast of savoury muffins, sweet muffins sandwiches, yogurt.

We returned for coffee at the cafe where our bikes were parked where a different climate awaited us . We could now strip off all the multiple warm layers of clothes and enjoy a downhill ride in warm sunshine.

The temperature was now getting up to 30 degrees and a dip in the swimming pool was needed on return. By the way, the "wally" broke another bike on the way down..........
The hot weather was perfect drying weather, so smelly cycling gear was washed and hung over the balcony and dry in no time.

We were booked for lunch at a game reserve just down the road. Most of us had eaten so much breakfast that we weren't particularly hungry but a sandwich a drink for both us only cost £10 and we sat by the lake and spotted a giraffe on the far side. South Africa is such good value.

The Cango Caves were very close, and they are a major attraction so some us opted to visit them in the afternoon, whilst others decided to laze by the pool.
The caves were a lovely cool temperature out of the soaring heat, and an excellent guide took a group around the vast underground network which had some magnificent limestone features. It was a very entertaining hour underground and well worth the trip. There was time to chill on our balcony before the sun went down, and we departed for more food.......