Day 4 - Masakala to Mhalekolenyane



Queens Mercy Plains

Day 4 is traditionally a short day at around 56km. After leaving Masakala rural guest lodge one heads down off a ridge towards the main road running into Matatiele. A few kilometers on after turning off the main road we headed onto the Queens Mercy plains/wetlands. It's a spectacular sight looking out across kilometers of grass plains to the snow covered mountains in the distance.

It's also some great mountainbiking and lunch at the Queens Mercy store was a welcome relief after a warm mornings riding. After leaving the store we again headed up a mountain.



Nontlanhla


   From there it's another short stretch to get onto the ridge from where we bombed down the mountainside on steep hair raising goat tracks followed by a fast rolling "sleep pad" - a wide drag strip track made by the locals when they drag wattle firewood off the mountain.



We crossed more rolling hills, another river and then joined the road up to the Mhalekolenyane rural guest lodge. Nontlanhla makes the most amazing vetkoek for tired and grinning riders alike every year. Hot vetkoek and honey - Wow AWESOME !!!