Waking up early for the Sunday ride, the weather was perfect for riding our motorcycles. Not too hot and very little wind. Off to Damelin to meet up with fellow members who were going to Kleinmond to support the firefighting services, after the devastating fires from 2 months ago.
Arriving at Damelin, Mandy and I were first there, shortly afterwards the usual members arrived. At 08h00 I briefed the members on the restaurant and the route. Then it was time to put on helmets and gloves and start up our motorcycles. Leaving Damelin, we can only turn left onto Liesbeek Parkway, then we turned right onto the N2, and as usual the second half of the group of bikes got caught at the red traffic light under the N2. Proceeding slowly along the N2 until the second half of the group caught up to us going past the Athlone power station.
Increasing our speed so as not to annoy other motorists and travelling in the right lane all the way through Somerset West/Strand area and onto the last traffic light on the N2 at the base of Sir Lowry`s Pass, where the ride turned right onto the Gordon`s Bay road towards Gordons Bay and Clarence Drive. Just before Clarence Drive, Warren and Bryony Herman (visitors) were waiting for us on their BMW. Warren is the nephew of member Neville Herman. At Clarence Drive we turned left and proceeded through Gordon`s Bay towards Rooi Els. Shortly after leaving Gordons Bay we started to see the fire damage on the mountainside, that came through the valley from Betty`s Bay.
After Rooi Els, where the road levels out and one can see across to the mountain on the left and Pringle Bay ahead, all you saw was burnt landscape. Riding into Betty`s Bay one could really see the devastation that was caused by the fire. Houses burnt to the ground, some with only the chimney standing. Another house burnt to the ground with the wooden driveway gate untouched. Other properties had the veld burnt all round but no damage to the houses.
An ex-colleague of Mike and myself house burnt to the ground, but the garage which was attached to the house did not burn. He had all his tools in the garage.
Upon entering Kleinmond, I started to look for the traffic escort which had been promised to us, but as luck would have it, there was none, and we found our own way to the Hoofpad pub and grill. Waiting outside was Ian and Hayley Peters who had gone in their new rolling cage/LDV. Their excuse was that Ian`s bike had a slow puncture and he had not had enough time to fix it.
We parked our bikes in the parking area next to the pub and sat ourselves down at the tables on the stoep/patio overlooking the Main Road. Orders were taken for coffees and teas and breakfasts. Unfortunately, the service was extremely slow, and the coffee was not of the best brew. Apparently, the family owned pub did not have eggs and bread and they had to go and buy these items quickly.
No comment from my side. Mandy and I only had our breakfast once everybody had finished their food and had paid and were leaving the pub. Once we had had our food we paid and left, returning along the coastal route to see the fire damage in the opposite direction.
Harold and Mads also arrived in their new rolling cage, Harold having had major surgery recently did not feel up to riding his new bike with Mads as pillion.
Thank you to everybody who attended the ride and supported the firefighting services of Betty`s Bay and Kleinmond. There were 19 members, 6 visitors, 14 bikes and 2 rolling cages.
Once again, a certain member went direct to the venue and did not inform me that he was doing this. PLEASE, PLEASE fellow members either phone me or sms me on 072 5409 470 if you are going direct to the venue. It does help with the catering and with a little bit of luck the service might be slightly quicker. You can also WhatsApp Mandy on 083 611 4481 before the ride starts.
The next ride is taking place on Sunday 17th March 2019 and is going to Swartland Vissery in Malmesbury for their delicious fish and chips.
Categorised in: Uncategorised
This post was written by nomads