Breakfast Run to Opstal Estate Worcester Valley
Club Captain : Luderick & Sue
Tail end Charlie : Carl
First at the venue : Tail end Charlie
Saturday 5th November offered weather which ideally should be categorized as Winter?, south easters pumping away encouraging one to remain indoors with temperatures plummeting to a chilly maximum of 20°c. It’s no small wonder then that I spent a great deal of time deliberating about Sundays ride.
It was however time to remove the dust sheet from the Triumph and get back into the swing of club activities. So come Sunday morning, we wisely filled the bikes and headed off down to Damelin. On arrival Kevin was seated on the concrete steps and you’ll never ever believe who accompanied him. It was none other than James Bower, what a surprise - you could have knocked me over with a feather!! Lovely to see you James. Now it’s a strange thing that happens after or during a full moon and this is one of the strangest – John Lee arrived on his Repsol to join the Nomads on a Sunday run. John Lee?? Yes, I kid you not – in person – the real McCoy – the genuine article – the bona fide man from Woodstock who bases his entire life upon the numbers 69 - John Lee! Super to see you John, you really have to do this more often you know. Then lastly but certainly by no means least – Mel Hawtrey arrived with a couple of yachting visitors whilst his wife preferred to stay put under the duvet. Was this an omen or did it simply dawn on her just what miserable weather laid ahead.
But by now there was an ever so faint rain hovering about with weather predicted at 20°c and strong south easterly winds on the horizon, something to look forward to, I certainly don’t think so? But the Nomads turned out in style with Harry returning from the Cobra to take off with the rest of the crowd from Damelin to Worcester. Sue chose to stay on at the campsite and it was up to our Chairman Luderick to lead the ride through to Wellington where Sue would take over the reigns.
A pretty straightforward route leaving from Damelin and riding on the N1, direction Klapmuts, taking a left at the stop street and travelling through Agter Paarl until Wellington, here we met up with the Nomads (Laura, Mike, Sue and Sue with newly wed youngsters in tow) who had attended the Cobra Rally. Time for a leg stretch, chat and ciggie break then off to tackle the notoriously curvaceous Bain’s Kloof Pass. On entering the pass, I could swear blind I spotted Tracy Lee and Bonny – hi you two, you should have joined us to the breakfast venue. The pass was pretty sheltered with a few drops of rain here and there, just enough to leave one’s visor in need of a damn good wash!
The overhead black clouds however were determined to make their presence known and just before the turn off to Rawsonville the heavens opened and down it came. Taking no prisoners the wrath of winter rain left no-one untouched, everyone getting suitably wet. But there was still a stretch before the Opstal Restaurant and this was to be found past Goudini Spa on the Slanhoek Road. Now, some of us rode straight there without any detour and some of us didn’t – and those who didn’t experienced some gravel riding, but not throughout choice.
On arrival at Opstal Estate, we were met by Yvonne who’d travelled through by car, an incredibly wise move I’d say. Well as they say, all’s well that end’s well with Nomads and visitors sharing one big happy table seated and ready for breakfast. The kitchen staff produced platters of blueberry muffins, huge slices of toast, vetkoek with bowls of grated cheese, an array of konfyt and pots of tea and coffee. Breakfast consisted of sausages, scrambled eggs, cheese topped tomato slices, bacon and home made hash browns. Plates were warm and they delivered the meals timeously with the chef making her appearance and presence know. The service – excellent. The food – scrumptious. The atmosphere – warm and friendly. The turn out – 26.
There didn’t seem any point in hanging about after breakfast and just after twelve, we got back on our bikes and rode home. I know Graham was trying to cajole folk into meeting at Lanners Landing for “tea”? We decided to ride back over the du Toitskloof Pass which was interrupted by the “Stop/Go” marshals but got us home nevertheless.
Sue – once again, a winner of a venue suggested by Peter and Jacqui Cowman. A lovely day, a super outing albeit a little colder than we anticipated.
