It started to rain on Saturday evening, which everyone is thankful for, despite the fact that there was a ride on Sunday morning.
Sunday morning was cloudy/overcast with very damp road surfaces. So, it was off to Damelin, Mowbray to meet up with the members that are not fair weather riders.
Upon arrival at Damelin, there were already a couple of members waiting. Just before 8 o` clock, Mandy asked for her rain pants and John van der Spuy was seen to be assisting Heather to put on her rain pants.
At 8 o` clock I called everybody together and gave the briefing on the route and the restaurant. I then phoned the restaurant to give them the total number of people for breakfast. The manageress informed me that it was not raining in Darling.
All the helmets, gloves were put on and the bikes were started and off we set, turning left into Liesbeek Parkway, right onto the N2 and left onto the M5, proceeding cautiously past the vehicle that had tried driving through the cement barrier on the centre island. All the necessary emergency vehicles were on the scene and had closed off the extreme right lane on the M5.
The ride continued along the M5 and onto the N1 and along the service road past Century City, turning onto the N7, all the way to the turn off to Melkbosstrand. Proceeding all the way to the R27/ West coast road and turning right heading towards Atlantis and Yzerfontein.
At the turn off to Yzerfontein the ride turned right towards Darling. All along the route there were a few spots of rain, but nothing to worry about. About halfway to Darling, it started to rain and was still raining when we arrived in Darling.
Now it was trying to see the street names and the restaurant through rain splattered visors and just before we were about to leave Darling, there was David Jacoby with his Go Pro in his hand, standing on the corner right outside the restaurant. A quick right turn into van der Stel street and another right turn into the parking area at the back of the restaurant and we all parked under the shade clothe, having to wait for one car to pull out of the parking area.
Upon checking that everybody had arrived, I noticed that John was missing, but Heather was in the parking area. It turned out that John went looking for an ATM. After about 20 minutes John arrived back at the restaurant and we all settled down to order our breakfasts.
Shortly afterwards Johnny and Niki de Quintal arrived by car from Malmesbury. Having ordered and received our breakfasts, champagne glasses were set out on the tables and the champagne was poured, courtesy of Johnny de Quintal. I was not too sure whether the champagne was to wish all of us a prosperous New Year or it was to celebrate Luderick and Helewese 34th wedding anniversary. Probably both, it was enjoyed and appreciated by one and all. Thank you Johnny and Niki.
Having finished our breakfasts and settled our bills per table, it was time to head home. Everybody deciding on different routes towards their respective homes.
Thank you to those who joined the ride with such inclement weather. I believe some riders got home dry and some others got rather wet, including me, but I was going home and was able to get out of my wet jeans.
There were 18 members and 3 visitors in attendance.
9 bikes and 3 cars.
The next ride is to Bertha`s restaurant, Simonstown on Sunday 21st January 2018.
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This post was written by nomads