Sunday dawned bright and sunny and it was off to Damelin normal time as this ride was going to be leaving at 09h00 and I needed to inform early arrivals that the departure time was only at 08h00 and also that the end venue had changed. Originally the ride was meant to go to Shunting shed, Botriver, unfortunately for them they cancelled on Saturday afternoon. Their loss.
Kevin Farrow was the first to arrive at 08h30, John Lee arrived shortly thereafter. Soon more members arrived. At 09h00 I briefed all the members about the restaurant venue change and the route and off we set. The route was pretty straight forward turning right onto the N2 towards the airport and straight through Somerset West up and over Sir Lowry`s Pass, past Grabouw and up and over Houhoek Pass.
We continued past Botriver and Gabrielskloof wine estate restaurant, where we have been before, continuing over the sweeping bends past the very brown wheat fields. There seems to be very little rain in this area as well, the only few green spots were where there used to be a river flowing in the winter season.
Crossing the Baths River, 2 kilometres before Caledon we turned left onto the Genadendal, Greyton road. About 10 kilometres from the N2 on the Greyton road the local authority had been resurfacing the road. The new tar/bitumen had been recently laid and it looked very fresh and sticky and there was every possibility that the resurfaced mixture could have lifted and got stuck on the bottom of our bikes or kicked the mixture onto the following bikes. The road had been resurfaced from the left towards the centre line, leaving a gap of about a meter between the new surface and the old surface. I chose to ride on the old surface. Checking my rear-view mirrors, I noticed that the rest of the riders had chosen to do the same, riding in single file.
Continuing along the Greyton road, the R406, we proceeded through Genadendal, riding cautiously past the horses grazing on the side of the road and then it was time to slow down as we entered the little town of Greyton. Over the speed bumps and stopping at the two stop signs in the Main Street and finding parking right outside the restaurant. Having dismounted our bikes, we all entered the restaurant to find Henry and Antoinette already seated. Cappuccinos, coffees were ordered and then it was checking out the menu. WOW. What a choice. Ranging from beef or chicken burgers, full English breakfast with all the trimmings, 2 or 3 egg omelettes with 2 or 3 fillings at no extra cost. Tramezzini with chips, bobotie parcels. A trip well worth doing. Delicious food for value of money.
Soon it was time to pay the bill and set off to our respective residences and other engagements.
There were 18 members. 11 Bikes. 1 Car.
Thank you to all those who attended this ride.
The next ride will be the Chairman`s Champagne breakfast at Ocean Blue restaurant, Victoria Road, Camps Bay, on Sunday, 18th February 2018, departing Damelin at 08h00.
The following ride is on Sunday, 4th March 2018. It will be a sunset ride to the Thirsty Oyster Tavern, old harbour, Gordons Bay. Departing Damelin at 16h30.
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This post was written by nomads