A crazy ride in the South African Swartberg mountains almost broke me and my bike

The "Die Hel" canyon was on the top of my bucket list for South Africa! But my bucket list was long and I had way too many big rides on the program, so I squeezed in Swartberg pass, Die Hell and Meiringspoort into one day. Way too much as all three deserved time to enjoy and stop for plenty of photos. But the heart wants what it wants and I had the choice of skipping Die Hel or do it all in one day! Die Hel lies at the end of the massive Gamkaskloof canyon. Entry point is just after the top of the Swartberg pass and the track will take you though the most incredible scenery on a challenging 4x4 road that constantly throws rocks, sand, water crossings and steep hairpins at you, with little space for mistakes as there's only space for one vehicle and the almost vertical drops threatens to swallow you up.
#motovlog #fortheloveofwheels #motorcycleadventure #southafrica #motorcycle #motorcyclecamping #solorider #Gamkaskloof #diehel #Swartberg #advrider #Africa #overlanding

[@ragweed3524]

Omg what a day! It almost broke me just watching. What a beautiful country...thanks for letting me ride along in my arm chair. Honey and you really took a beating but oh how fulfilling it must have been when the day was over. Great video Henriette! 27:37

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

It was definitely a tough day - the next day I did the Baviaanskloof in the rain... a ride you would also do in at least 2 days. After that I needed repair myself! 😄

[@ofentsemelato6735]

Meiringspoort is one of my all time favourite biking passes. I don’t mind riding down 1300km from Pretoria to ride that 25km a few times. Swartberg/Die Hey pass is one of the reasons I’m thinking of swapping my road bike for an adventure bike!! You got to experience the best of what our country has to offer bikers. Congrats!!!!

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Yes, you definitely get to see some pretty amazing parts of ZA as soon as you leave the tarmac. Your country is incredible!

[@charliesadv8493]

Ofentse, you will never look back if you make the switch. Can do so much more and some much more places with an ADV bike

[@advmatt1250]

Wow, absolutely gorgeous scenery and to find a cafe at the end was incredible

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

I know, I was so happily surprised 😄🏍🔥

[@chema1546]

Ok 👌👍 Henriette

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Thanks Chema.

[@Rudibeata]

Oh Henriette, what a journey, what a life. Everything what You are doing is alright. It´s a pity, I am to old for this. Enjoy Your life. Stay safe, best regards from the north of Germany, Near by DK.

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Thanks a lot. It sure is cool. Greetings to Northern Germany 😊

[@mtnair3]

Henriette, What a beautiful ride. Thanks

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Thanks a lot Ken

[@BlackThor15]

What an awesome video Henriette, truly amazing scenery, thanks for sharing!! 👍👍

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Thanks a lot Nelio 😊

[@jojoellensohn3513]

Spectacular ride Henrietta...... Swartberg, Gamkas, De Hel, Prince Albert and then Meiringspoort - I just L.O.V.E. them all (although I drive in the relative comfort of a 4x4 Cruiser) 😂🤭 Absolutely gorgeous to re-live that route through your eyes/camera... 🌺🥰 Thank you so much for sharing 🌺

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Thank you for watching! ZA is so pretty!

[@jojoellensohn3513]

@@ForTheLoveOfWheels - love this country so much Returned 7.5 yrs from Switzerland when I retired, bought a 4x4 Cruiser which I then kitted out for camping and she & I have toured all over 🌺 Keep safe 🥰🌺

[@maki.wabiker]

I signed up for this content. Well done lady ❤

[@nichojele]

Very nice, I feel like I'm also on the bike😎 awesome music👌

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate that!

[@tonyiandiplock5825]

Good going girl that's a huge ride in one day so nice to see you enjoying S.A.

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Love SA 🥰

[@kalwebwalya4083]

U had nice time in southAfrica!

[@ROTV-DanLockhart]

Cool video Henriette! Stunning views!

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Thank you! 🥰

[@davericketts9101]

Brilliant videos Henriette. I needed a drink after watching you riding down into that valley with that cliff edge so close to you. Thanks for sharing.

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Haha! Well cheers to you! 🍻

[@phiriclement9615]

Greetings from Zambia Enjoy watching your videos I need one motorbike

[@jonsey156]

Excellent episode !

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Thanks a lot 😊🏍🔥

[@jontyknine]

you are blessed wow :)

[@shimmerjaysondelalu]

Nice grip riding through the mountains you are brave and that close call with the car that was something. Safe journeys 🇿🇲

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Thanks a lot! Ush yes, that encounter was scary!

[@charlesphiri4150]

I just love your videos' so impressive. I love traveling and you such an inspiration to me

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Oh, thank you so much for that comment! 😊🏍🔥

[@able-u7r]

The way you move mmmh it's so amazing but this must be God's grace

[@altheaaurielrishworth6349]

Thanks for the ride🙂 I am so glad that you are on your bike and I am watching. But what an adventure , what a life, you go Girl. God tur. 🏍

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Thanks for coming along dear 😊🏍🔥

[@johnsalimadv2019]

Love this video , greeting from jakarta , Indonesia

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Thanks a lot John!

[@johnsalimadv2019]

@@ForTheLoveOfWheels safe ride

[@bat159]

You’re a very brave and daring woman. You remind me of my granny she killed a lion.

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Oh wauw! What a compliment! 🥰

[@drabbit61]

Good to see you still on the road (did you rtn to Europe?), this was a long ride, great, beautiful. Thanks for taking us H.

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

This was December last year. Right now I am Denmark hoping to return to Kenya in 1-2 weeks. A few practical things are holding me back. Apparently even an adventure traveller has to adult once and a while! 🙈😬🏍🔥

[@drabbit61]

Hi. Did u rtn to Scandi? Anyway, good to see u n honey on the road.

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

@@drabbit61 Yes, I shortly left the Honda in Kenya to recover from Malaria and Dengue fever and some other fun African stuff. But I'm good now and soon ready to return.

[@ericsa2636]

I think I understand your awe driving past those towering cliffs. As I understand from guys from DTU whom I've worked with, the highest mountain in Denmark is just about 300m high!

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Hahaha! So true! 😄

[@tiongechidengu]

Noraly is in malawi Aka ithcy boots are related . ❤❤❤

[@JackHumphrey]

Great video! I've always wanted to see the complete route. Another amazing rider did this trip but you showed more of the route I think.

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! 😊🏍🔥

[@zweispurmopped]

You are the second to take me down to Hel, Noraly went there last year, too, but left on a different route, I think. Those insane cliffs ere new to me. And what a sight they were, that must be overwhelming to see in real life! 🤩 …and you confirm a worry I have. So adventure riding is tough on your back? With the battle damage mine already took I guess I should lower my expectations a bit then. Maybe to extreme-scrabbleing or power-duck-feeding at the city park's pond. 🤔😒

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

I definitely important that you are comfortable on your bike. I find the upright position on the Honda is working really well for me. But I broke my back when I was a kid, so I always struggle a bit with back issues. But nothing that stops me apparently :D

[@zweispurmopped]

@@ForTheLoveOfWheels Wow, okay… A broken back hardly ever gets back to full health. With me, it's four vertebral disks that took damage from the loads they had to cope with.

[@michaelchipepo3121]

Take me with u one day am from zambia ndola

[@able-u7r]

December 21st, This was last year?

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Yes. I've been on the road for more than two years now 😊

[@charliesadv8493]

In 3 weeks time (22 March), me and a friend will be riding the Swartberg Pass. 2nd time for me

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

Enjoy! It's so pretty. Will you do Die Hel as well?

[@MpumeleloNyoni]

Are you avoiding Zimbabwe ?

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

It was still closed due to Covid when I was close.

[@belsnickel5538]

Entering the pass from Prince Albert is just, for a lack of a better descriptive word, biblical. It is one of those views that burns into your memory and is difficult to capture on camera.

[@ForTheLoveOfWheels]

That is so true! Biblical is not wrong!