Club Captains Breakfast Run 2005
Club Captains Champagne Breakfast - Ruitersvlei Paarl Valley
Sunday 11th December 2005
Club Captain : Susan James
Tail end Charlie : Roy Cowney
Numbers : 42
My dedicated better half is still recovering from recent leg surgery, so this meant one thing and one thing only. I was either going to travel to the aforesaid venue in the car with Carl or tackle the route by myself. Being sure to fill the bike with petrol choice number 95, I toddled off to Damelin to be met by three other Nomads, one of them being Mark P. Finding just the tiniest piece of sunshine, I nestled down on the front steps waiting for the rest of the Nomads to appear – and they did, but in dribs and drabs.
Krog arrived in his car, family in tow, then an influx of bikes appearing quite suddenly with Kevin, Ludy and Helewese, Mike and Jenny and names to numerous to mention all clocking in at the same time! Harry and Sue arrived just after eight as did Devin and Lisa.
Now I know that from Damelin to Paarl Valley isn’t that far, and wondered which route we’d be taking? – but wasn’t quite ready to hear the words from Susie - SIR LOWRY’S PASS!! Man alive, we’ve been having the most hectic gale force winds just lately and the last place on earth I wanted to be was on that confounded mountain. Be that as it may, that was the route so without further ado it was on with the helmet and onto the bike.
This would be our 2005 Club Captains swan song. Over the past five years, Sue has led the Nomads on approximately one hundred and ten rides?? That alone is quite some feat, notwithstanding the very fact that in this mans world Sue was our first lady Club Captain. Sue fell into this position with ease and led the Nomads over Passes, territory unknown, dusty roads (sometimes not through choice?) tar roads, bumpy roads and through an entire season of changing weather. On some rides, just nine folk would arrive but the show would go on without Sue ever batting an eyelid. This was her designation and stick to it she would. The heavens would open, there would be gale force winds, but the Club Captain would arrive with destination on hand. But as with all things, change happens and now it’s time for someone else (Graham Johnson) to take the reigns.
So it was onto the N2 through to Somerset West, up and over Sir Lowrey’s Pass, taking a leftie at the Grabouw Farm Stall and a slow ride through their tiny village dotted with folk on their way to church, stopping at the Theewaterskloof Dam for a leg stretch. (Theewaterskloof Dam was built in the 1970s, it is the largest dam in the Western Cape. The dam was built to improve the water of a tangle of rivers including the east-flowing Riversonderend. The brownish colour of the water accounts for the name of the dam Tea-water –ravine, just in case you didn’t know?). It was here that we were witness to a couple of adrenalin hungry motorcyclists racing back and forth across the bridge, and no they were not NOMADS. Next in line was the ever pleasant Franshoek Pass where the completion of a film shoot had just taken place, then through to Suid Agter Paarl and finally our destination – Ruitersvlei Wine Farm in Paarl Valley.
The cobble bricked drive way to the wine farm was old and had lifted from it’s original pattern which was now in a state of disarray. However, once over this muddle of an entrance, the parking was plentiful offering welcome shade from the mid morning sun.
In the front garden of the lawned Wine Farm were scattered wooden tables and chairs offering guests the option of being inside or out. Taking full advantage of the glorious weather, most folk chose the latter, ordering champagne and fresh orange juice to quench the thirst. I was told that the restaurant section had just recently been opened and they were preparing for a spit braai lunch. Perhaps this had something to do with the haphazard manner in which the Nomads breakfast was prepared? Tiny paraffin burners placed under stainless steel platters in an attempt to keep breakfast hot for forty two folk? That certainly wasn’t going to cut it – plus their incredibly lame excuse for no bacon was that the first people who got there, ate it all?? Well in that case, and this suggestion came from Mark P – put someone behind the counter to serve it! The scrambled eggs were rubbery, the boerewors had been pre-cut into bite size pieces, toast was scarce and there was absolutely no sign of tomato at all ever.
The tea was good, the coffee was hot, the champagne was cold and the ride was exciting. But as far as recommending the venue, personally it’s not something I’d do in a jiffy before they clean up their act.
Riding home was a breeze and I use that term loosely as by now the wind had re-appeared. I chose to take the back roads home through Philadelphia and up on to the N7. I must thank Roy and Patty who sat behind me then led me through to Ruitersvlei – Pat said it was the first time she got to see so much scenery. So you see there is one benefit about being Tail end Charlie after all!! – thanks guys.
Sue, thank you. You were Ab Fab. Ok Graham . . . . . . your turn!
