Rhodes Village Biking Trails: Stitching the Dragon's Tail

The advent of sophisticated and capable on/off road motorcycles has given rise to a new kind of traveller, the "adventure-tourist". Collecting mountain passes is an avid pursuit of these riders. A cursory glance at survey maps reveal that the Drakensberg range starts in the vicinity of the Barkly Pass on the R58 between Barkly East and Elliott. Making these (routes) passes even more attractive routes for the adventure tourer is the fact that only the Barkly and Kraai River Passes are tarred. Another positive for the city dweller is that these roads carry relatively little traffic.

Being located in the southernmost section of the Drakensberg range, Rhodes is central to a number of mountain passes and is 60km from the nearest asphalt surface. Other roads in the area are gravelled of which some are well maintained whilst others are more challenging. The Naudesnek Pass on the R396 between Rhodes and Maclear, at more than 2500m, is the highest altitude pass in South Africa . Some 50 km to the south of Rhodes is the lesser known " Bastervoetpad Pass ", an absolute gem.

Slightly further south one finds the Barkly Pass. Others within easy reach are the Carlisleshoek and Bidstone Passes which access the Tiffindell Ski Resort from the south and western sides. Slightly further to the west is the Lundeansnek Pass on the R393 to the Sterkspruit/Herschell district. The nearest border post into Lesotho at Telle Bridge is accessed along this road. Joubert's Pass, a detour from the R58 at Lady Grey joins the R58 again between Lady Grey and Barkly East shortly before the Kraai River Pass. Other less spectacular passes in the area are the Bottelnek and Espachsberg Passes . The scenery nevertheless makes any of these routes well worth travelling.

Contact us and let us assist you with planning your route into the area; perhaps, including a pass or two on the way here. We will also let you know what the prevailing conditions are. Numerous routes radiate from the village to fit one's time or distance inclinations. Routes can be planned as loops or destinations. Leave your kit in Rhodes and travel outwards daily, returning to warm dry beds, hot showers and scrumptious meals. For example, for the more adventurous, travel to the top of the Naudesnek Pass and turn of before the descent and head towards the Tenahead Lodge. From there, continue along the Lesotho border patrol road passing the Cairntoul Police Station. Continue along the track and eventually emerge on the Rhodes/Tiffindell road. A visit to the resort or returning directly to Rhodes are the options at this point. For a less challenging route, Rhodes to Tiffindell and returning to Rhodes via the R393 to Moshesh's Ford and then the R396 to Rhodes is also a great ride.

Two-up riders can happily leave their spouses in the village where they will be entertained. Other activities include sight-seeing, fly-fishing, birding, flower tours or just chilling.

A less well-known secret is that the centre of the universe is located in Rhodes . Day trips up and down the escarpment and "cross stitching" the area will provide you with a quilted experience of note.

Contact: Tony at 082 894 3946 , email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

or Dave at 045 974 9290, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it