Up early this Sunday morning, a quick shower, get dressed, pull my car out the driveway, pull my bike out from the driveway, put my car back in the driveway and set off for Mowbray. I was extra early at Damelin College, being the first to arrive at 07h25. Soon more members arrived and at 08h00 I briefed the riders about the restaurant and the route. We put on helmets and gloves and started our motorcycles and off we set.
Leaving Damelin parking area we turned right onto the N2 and left onto the M5, over Koeberg interchange and onto the N1. The roads department were busy with grading the extreme right lane, which was coned off from Maitland until way past the Parow turnoff. So, it was riding in the middle lane until we were able to move over into the right lane. We stayed in the right lane until just past the Engen 1 stop service station. Then we took the off ramp to Klipheuwel and turned right over the N1, heading towards Stellenbosch. At the intersection of Bird and Adam Tas streets we turned left and then right into the R310, Helshoogte road, proceeding at the speed limit up the hill until we had gone past the speed enforcement camera, then we increased the pace to ride over Helshoogte pass with its wide lanes and sweeping corners. Once over the top our speed was reduced due to traffic in front of us, plus the 9 speed humps going through the little village of Pniel.
At the end of Helshoogte road we turned right onto the R45, Paarl/Franschhoek road. Riding slowly through Franschhoek, where all the awfully expensive sports cars had gathered, along with many super bikes. At the end of the main road, Huguenot road, opposite the Huguenot Monument, we turned left to proceed over Franschhoek Pass, with its very sharp U bend corners, with them turning left and right and narrowness of the tarmac. Once we were over the top and at the bottom of the pass, crossing the river the road flattens out and we rode past the edge of the Theewaterskloof dam. At the T junction, we turned right to ride over the bridge crossing the Dam, and Bill and Barbara Cox joined the group on their BMW, as they stay in the area.
This road is the Main road between Villiersdorp and Grabouw, R321. Riding cautiously after the sign warning one of sand on the road. Having got to the section where the sand normally is, it turned out to be our lucky day as there was no sand on the road. Up went the speed, only to slow down a little further for the little farming community, where you have the locals walking in the middle of the road towards you and then stepping out of the way to his left, our right, without looking behind him for oncoming traffic. Once that inconvenience was past, we upped the speed limit until the intersection of the Main and Oudebrug roads, turning right to ride through Grabouw and then turning left into the parking area of the Orchard Farmstall, where they have parking at the rear for motorcycles, with cement slabs embedded into the grass for the side stands.
Waiting for us at the farmstall was Warren and Bryony Herman and their 2 girls, who had gone through by “car.” We dismounted our motorcycles and climbed the stairs to the bar/braai area where seating had been reserved for us. Hot, cold and health beverages and breakfasts were ordered.
General chatter got started, until the food arrived, then it went slightly quiet, while we all enjoyed our respective meals. At the end of our meal, we all sang Happy Birthday to Luderick, as it was his 70th Birthday. There were also quite a few birthday wishes under the comments column in the ride register.
Each individual table sorted out their food bill and then handed the cash to Harold, who then went down a steep flight of stairs to pay the total bill. Then everybody started to leave and head off to their respective homes via alternative routes.
Thank you to all the members and visitors who attended this ride, it is greatly appreciated by myself and the Committee. There were 15 members, 7 visitors, 14 bikes and 1 “car.”
The next ride is on Sunday, 21st February 2021, going to the Saggy Stone Brewing Company, on the R304, Stellenbosch.
On Sunday, 28th February 2021, there is the Blessing of the Bikes, meeting at the Biker Church, Brackenfell Industria at 07h00, to depart at 07h30, to ride to the Berg River Dam Wall.
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This post was written by nomads