Wow, what a lovely morning for riding our bikes. Clear skies, a little breeze and not too hot. So off to Damelin College in Mowbray to meet up with the other members who had got up early to enjoy riding their bikes. Upon arrival at Damelin, there were already quite a few members waiting for the ride to get underway. All I had to do was to remember which members were going direct to the venue, as they had their grandchildren for the weekend.
At 08h00 I briefed the members on the route and where the off-road riders would break away to do their bit in the dirt. Helmets and gloves on and bikes started up, it was time to set off.
The route turned right onto the N2, left onto the M5 and onto the N1 all the way to the Klapmuts turnoff, turning right and crossing the N1 past Butterfly World, turning left onto the connecting road towards the Franschhoek/Paarl road. At the end of this road having crossed the railway line we turned right towards Franschhoek. The ride continued into Franschhoek, passing all the other bike riders having coffee/breakfast at the restaurants on the main road. As we were entering Franschhoek, there was a familiar Aprilia working his way past our group. It was Ray Bergman, who was on his way up Franschhoek Pass. At the T junction at the Huguenot Monument, we turned left and stopped under the trees, for a smoke break and to let the off riders get ahead, as they would be taking a little longer to do the off-road section.
Having let the off-road riders go, Ray stopped on the opposite of the road and came over to greet us all. After 15 to 20 minutes, we set off to proceed over Franschhoek Pass on route to Grabouw. The roads were very quiet with minimum cars and bikes out. 3 or 4 Sunday riders going in the opposite direction. Through all the tight hair pin bends, out onto the flat section past the Theewaterskloof dam, which is not looking very impressive. All the dams in the Western Cape need lots and lots of rain and snow to bring the levels up to overflowing. At the T junction, we turned right away from Villiersdorp crossing the dam towards Grabouw.
Riding through the orchards and vineyards we were soon approaching Viljoen`s Pass. One very tight hairpin bend, up over the mountain/hill and down through the apple orchards to the T junction turning right to proceed through Grabouw. Once through the Sunday traffic of Grabouw, we turned left into the Orchard farmstall and rode through to the rear of the venue and parked our bikes on the sunken slabs specially placed there for all bikers. Having survived our little bit of off road getting from the tar road to the parking area, we proceeded up to the pub for our breakfast.
Orders were taken for cappuccino`s, coffees, teas and juice and breakfast. Most of the members had the Orchard breakfast, which was very fulfilling. After about 40 minutes the off-road riders arrived and they joined us in the pub area. John van der Spuy requesting a bucket of ice for his left thumb, having wrenched it on the off-road section. Robbie Geugis, who led the off-road contingent had no idea what had happened. I wonder if we will ever find out.
Champagne glasses were brought out and the champagne was poured, and the chairman then stood up and thanked everybody for attending the rides during the year of 2018. Thereafter everybody enjoyed their breakfasts and general conversation.
Everybody having finished their breakfast, it was time to set off home, with the majority heading up and over Sir Lowy`s Pass. At the bottom of the pass at the sand trap to stop TRUCKS whose brakes have failed, there was a Mercedes Benz 4×4?? Station wagon stuck up to its axle’s half way down the sand trap. I wonder how the female driver managed to do that and how and when she eventually got her vehicle out the sand trap.
In attendance there were 22 members, 4 visitors, 16 bikes and 2 cars.
A huge THANK YOU to the club for paying for the breakfast and from my side another huge thank you for attending the ride.
There were 5 riders who did the off-road section ably led by Robbie Geugis.
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This post was written by nomads