Once again a beautiful Autumn morning with clear blue skies and no wind. Paul Barber on his Harley was already at Damelin when we arrived. Soon other members arrived including Jan and Sonet Schoeman all the way from Piketberg, who brought along visitors Jerry and Bianca from Durbanville. After a head count and explaining the route to the members/riders we set off onto the N2 up towards the M3 and left onto the M3, all the way to Steenberg Road, turning right onto Steenberg road and then left onto Ou Kaapse Weg, all the way over the top through the burnt mountainside, noticing that even the road signs were burnt. Down through Sun Valley turning right onto Kommetjie road where I pulled over to find out where the rest of the riders were. Arthur Parish said that the back of the pack had not been with us since the beginning of the ride. The Chairman, who was Tail end Charlie phoned me to tell me that our visitors had had an accident on the N2 involving a m/bus taxi pulling across from the centre lane to the left shoulder just after the Main road off-ramp. Luderick, Helewese, Mike and Jenny stopped to assist and Luderick proceeded home to collect his LDV/bakkie to collect the bike trailer in Thornton. In the meantime Susan James`s cellphone had gone off about her shop alarm going on the blink, so she went off to sort that problem out [no thanks to load shedding]. We set off again, turning left at Ocean View, again turning left at Soetwater, getting stuck behind a truck with two skip bins on a trailer through Misty Cliffs and Scarborough, fortunately it turned off just before Red Hill were we turned left up over Red Hill, turning right into the Main road into Simonstown, turning left into Wharf road to Bertha`s restaurant. Susan had managed to rejoin us at the bottom of Red Hill. We were seated at the patio/balcony, wondering where Jan and Sonet had got to, as they were not with us at Fish Hoek. About 20 minutes later Jan and Sonet arrived. I asked him what happened and he said that he had turned back and then was confused about Suikerbossie and Ou Kaapse Weg. Remembering that they do come from Piketberg. At least they did arrive at the venue. Various hot coffee`s and tea was ordered and then it was different breakfasts on order. Whilst waiting for our food to arrive the mood was jovial and lighthearted. Everybody having filled the hole in their stomachs, paid for their breakfast and then went on their way to go and watch Superbikes, Formula 1, IPL cricket and any other previous commitments. David, Tracey, Mandy and I turned off to Kirstenbosch to attend the plant fair that is held once a year. Danii, Mandy`s daughter followed us in my car, just as well, because I bought raffle tickets at the plant fair and they drew my name as the winner. My prize comprised of a canvas mounted photograph of Smitswinkel Bay Beach and mountain towards Cape Point, by Deidre Castle Manuel, a bottle of Wolftrap white wine, a meal voucher for the Square restaurant at the Vineyard Hotel, 3 vouchers for the Spurs and a bunch of Proteas, apart from the photograph all of the above was in a well-built wooden box. As previously mentioned Danii was in my car so all my prizes went home in the car. All in all a very pleasant morning to arrive home in time to watch the end of the second race of Superbikes and then IPL cricket and then the Moto GP.
There were 24 members. 4 visitors. 15 bikes and 3 quads/cars
BMW 2. Harley Davidson 2. Honda 3. Kawasaki 2. Suzuki 4. Yamaha 2.
Until the next ride on Sunday 3rd May which will DEPART at 08h30 for Gabrielskloof on the N2 just beyond Botriver.
Stay safe out there.
Ian Sinclair
Club Captain.
PS. As a result of the accident Jerry has suffered broken Ribs and Bianca a broken bone in her hand. We all wish them a speedy recovery.
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This post was written by nomads