As this Sunday was Father’s Day, it was up early to see which fathers were going to go on the ride and then dash off to their luncheons with their families.
Upon arrival at Damelin, there were already a few members waiting for our departure at 08h30. At 08h30 I called everybody closer and wished all the fathers Happy Father’s Day and the mother’s for Mother’s Day, as we do not have a ride on Mother’s Day. I then briefed the riders on the restaurant and the route we would be taking.
At about 08h40 we left Damelin heading out onto the N2, turning left onto the M5 and onto the N1. We stayed on the N1 in the right lane all the way to the Klapmuts off ramp. At the stop sign we turned left away from Butterfly World, heading towards Agter Paarl and Wellington. The roads were reasonably quiet and any vehicles we came across, they politely moved onto the left shoulder to allow us to pass them safely. I gratefully waved my thanks to each one of them.
Soon it was time to turn left onto the Paardeberg Road and make our way towards our breakfast venue. Turning left into the venue we had to stop as the gates were not open. We had stopped outside the gates at09h15. Yet their opening times are from 08h00 Sunday to Monday. There was also a group of pedal cyclists waiting for the gates to open. I was about to phone the restaurant when the gates opened. We entered the premises and found parking in the motor bike parking area. Unfortunately, the bike parking area was not big enough for all our bikes, so a few of us had to park on the compacted gravel area.
Upon entering the restaurant, we were ushered to the outside area at the back of the restaurant, which was not in the sunshine. Here it was very cold, and the tables and chairs had puddles of water on them. I had to ask for a towel to dry both tables and chairs. The waitress brought two tea towels, which did not dry the tables and chairs very nicely but suffice for the time being. The reason for the water was that the roof over this section had holes in the metal sheets covering the area. Plus, there had been overnight mist in the area. Added to this the knives and forks had been wrapped in serviettes the night before and the serviettes had become damp and you could not use them. I had to ask for more serviettes.
The coffee was served up in enamel coffee pots and we had to pour our own coffee into enamel mugs. The coffee was terrible tasting. They had to make extra coffee pots as the first lot had been used up. We had booked the restaurant for a buffet breakfast, unfortunately our breakfast was served individually on enamel plates. So, by the time the food arrived at our tables it was going cold. We had to ask for butter and jam to put on our bread. The bread was the only bit of food that was worth it. It was farm baked.
Needless to say, everybody ate their food in a hurry, before it got any colder, paid for their meal without a tip and had left the venue by 10h30, to meet up with their families for lunch.
We will definitely NOT be going there ever again.
There were 18 members, 3 visitors, 14 bikes and 1 car.
The Annual economy ride takes place over the weekend of Saturday/ Sunday, 17th/18th August 2019. Starting at the Masekane Service Station, Bosmansdam Road, Milnerton and ending at Elands Bay. The accommodation is bed and breakfast. Prices range between R650 for a double room up to R840 for a sea facing room. The Saturday evening meal is a set 3 course meal which will be paid for by the club. If any other food is ordered off the menu it will be at the members own cost. The closing date for booking accommodation is 31st July 2019. No late bookings will be accepted after the 31st July. Please put your name on the economy ride list as soon as possible if you are partaking in the economy ride. SMS or phone me on 072 5409 470. The list will be at the July monthly meeting on Monday, 8th July.
Sunday, 15th September 2019 is the Marsh Memorial Homes Children’s ride. I am looking for 22 bikes to take the children and 2 Carers on the ride. I am also looking for 3 to 4 car drivers to take the regular pillions, once we have collected the kids at the home. Please put your name on the list as soon as possible if you can help out on the 15th September 2019. Either SMS or phone me on 072 5409 470. The list will be at the July monthly meeting on Monday, 8th July.
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This post was written by nomads