07/09/2026
**Day 2: To Hell and Back 🏍️🌧️**
Light rain greeted us at Damsedrif but Hestelle's breakfast and strong coffee sorted that out fast. The reserve itself is still closed after the flash floods wrecked the roads. Our plan was always to ride in and out to support the Baviaans community, so that's exactly what we did.
On our way to Willowmore by Sleutel the gravel had turned proper slippery and the bikes started sliding around in the 10°C chill, but every rider got through clean. A fuel stop and hot coffee got the spirits going again. With our plan dirt road now wet and slippery, we ducked onto the old single-lane cement road between Willowmore and Steytlerville instead, a little piece of history under our wheels. Built between 1952 and 1954, back when cement was actually cheaper than bitumen, which had to be imported at the time. Decades later it's still there, one lane wide, still doing its job.
That road delivered us straight to the Royal Hotel in Steytlerville for lunch. The rain broke right on cue, and we ate on the stoep like kings. Lamb curry and bobotie: unreal.
From there it was smooth sailing via Cockscomb Road into Addo — big skies, big scenery. Chrislin African Lodge welcomed us in with warmth to match and dinner sealed the day: that kudu potjie was definitely a winner.we 😋
Tired, fed and happy. Tomorrow it's Zuurberg pass back to Steytlerville.
