Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

This report is based on a first time beginner on gravel .

I chose to have a laid back trip as there was too much stress in the work environment. I did not want a trip with speed. So I joined Geoff Russell’s group. Yes you heard me correctly.

We all gathered at the Engen 1 stop at Joostenberg. After a meet and greet Geoff gave a quick talk. Now most of us know Geoff very well so the following should concern you. He said two things in the same sentence which was that “this will be an easy ride with lots of breaks”. He even told the ladies that they will have a 5 minute break in Ceres to go to the loo. Now we all know what 5 minutes mean in Geoff vocabulary. You will just have enough time to unzip before you have to leave again. So I giggled as I climb the stead thinking how much fun today going to be.

We left and took the N1 over Du Toits Kloof pass. At the other end Warren’s group caught us but he had to wait at Rawsonville turn off so that we can pass and create a bit of a gap. We took Slanghoek pass which by the way was picture perfect. We came to Ceres and I immediately rushed off the gents. It took me less than 15 seconds to unzip, do my thing and back onto the bike ready to go. So now I sit back and watch for the fun to begin. To my amazement Geoff’s helmet was off and chatting along. I thought he is going to catch us out but no he let everyone get ready before setting off.

We set off towards Touwsriver. By the intersection for Sutherland we turned and headed towards Sutherland. Now most of you know that if you are not listening to your partner on the comms, listening to your MP3’s or you start having conversations with yourself (or is this only me..lol). Now this whole time on the road I am thinking of Geoff and his patience he has shown so far.

The conversation started like this – it looks talks and feels like Geoff (I touched him on a few occasions to make sure) but this is not Geoff. Now the debate is getting heavy here inside the helmet. Luckily for me it got interrupted on a few occasions due to the road conditions which were quite good but the dust. It was white fine powder. We had one or two or three ruts and potholes but the pace was fairly good.

We stopped about 5 km after the new Eskom power plant in the middle of nowhere and on a bend which I only saw afterwards. This was a lunch/tea break. Guess how long was this break..+-20 minutes. Can you believe this.

While we enjoyed ourselves a KTM came passed and greeted us. Next moment I hear skidding and then a water splash. Now I had to go see. Just beyond the bend was a lekker pool of water. He made it through. A minute later a yellow gs650 came passed. He was so excited to see us that he never saw the water. Did this okie hit the anchors but alas it was too late. He committed and made a nice tidal wave the engulfed him completely that the song “yellow submarine” came into my head instantly.

Now have you see some of us go instantly green in the face. This was supposed to a relaxed ride. Now this body snatching person called Geoff politely says – guys do not panic as this is nothing. Just keep your speed at a slow pace. DO NOT SPEED through it. Yeah right.

I said I will go through first and take some footage. The first portion was 10 cm high and now you think you have the right line. Next moment you dive to 500 cm. The first reaction is that I am no poephol and will not stall the bike or fall over so open that throttle. Boy o boy was I wrong. That wave kept on coming with no end in sight. I made it through soaking wet. Even my poor sheep (blue sheep skin) on the seat was drenched.

I jumped off and got the camera ready for the next suckers. While recording I said to myself do not fall. This was for one main reason only. I do not want to swim after another man’s bike and get more wet than what I was. Everyone took a line and made it through. You guys must have seen the body language and facial expression of everyone that came through especially on point of no return. Some waves where quite spectacular. Even the impersonator got lekker wet. I will try to put this video on YouTube and link it here. Bear in mind I was just a little too far but you can see the captures quite clearly. Lesson of a GoPro..go much closer as the lens is near sighted.

Do you see him

Yes I got wet

Did this pillion get wet??

Standing up did not help

He took it all for her

This lady(Anne-marie) was hot and bothered on the other side but not anymore

What dry river bed

We departed in good spirits and as if someone lit a firecracker under our behinds. The pace was very good and we reached Matjiesfontien in record time. We turned towards Laingsburg to refuel. This was our second major stop for the day. Subconsciously I believe Geoff was in there somewhere and he was going to catch us out. I refueled and ordered 2 small burgers from Steers. Even told the lady behind the counter not to bother with the wrappings as I will not have enough time to unwrap it and still eat it. Swallowed and jumped back onto the bike ready to go. No we have some time to spare is all I heard.

Entrance to Seweweekepoort.  

My mojo still in tacked

We left and went in the direction of Witteberg towards Seweweekspoort. I did tell you about the debate going on inside the helmet. Boy did this other guy get moerig and flustered. Geoff was beamed up and they replaced him while they are experimented on him in their spacecraft.

We arrived at Seweweekspoort. Had a quick pee break and something to drink and we were off. What I can say is stop bitching about this country. We do live in the most beautiful place on earth. The man upstairs came to us last and corrected all His mistakes that He did in other countries. The sun was at the right angle and the weather was just perfect.

We reached Calitzdorp to early for Geoff’s liking so he took us on the back road towards the Cango caves. The roads where good and the pace slowed down a bit.  Scenery..well pictures will never justify it. We hit the tar road and reached Oudshoorn +-4.30pm. Thirty seconds later the roadies arrived and about 2 minutes later the second half of Warren’s group arrived. Well he will tell that story.

We had a quick beer or two at  the local pub and went our way to Kleinplasie where we set up camp like myself or  booked in a tuin huisie. Supper started at 7.30pm. Now if you want to gain weight just join us on a trip like this one. These guys forgot to stop cooking. There was everything of everything even pudding.

Supper

More

and more

After feeling and being a stuffed pig I and like other departed for our night rest. Unfortunately I did not sleep well. I stayed next to Kyalami until 2 am. Then the church choir started at 4.30 am. But as it may this is all part of sleeping outdoors. Strangely the lions (Rob, Hein and Kevin) within my campsite did not bother me. They did try to outbid each other on one or two occasions .

At 6.30 am most campers were up and packed up ready to go. We had very little to eat for breakfast. How on earth can a person survive on 3 different kinds of porridge, freshly cut fruit, 2 different sausage; scrambled egg, pap with smoor, 2 pieces of toast, bacon and something that looked like a tart with some high cholesterol ingredients in. Topped up with some juice and coffee. Seriously the food and service was excellent.

A non cholesterol breakfast

After breakfast our group left first with some falling off and some joining us. We went in the direction of Herold/Bianco next to the train line and through the farms. The dust was not so great so early in the morning especially the sun being at that perfect ankle of blindness.

We arrived swiftly at the back end of George. Geoff told us about the Montagu pass and how careful we should be. We entered the pass and all I can say is…..We stopped at the end of it to make sure everyone was Ok. The road was a bit tight on a few occasions especially when an X5 want to pass you with no space to move. Scenery..well you need to go yourself to experience it.

We continued towards George CBD where we had a first incident. Conrad had a fall but luckily it was on slow speed with no real damage. Next it was Tinka who lost a bit of concentration on the one bent and pressed the front breaks a tad hard. Handlebars were slightly bent but with a telephone pole and with Geoff at the helm it was quickly resolved. DO NOT DO THIS AT home is my advice.

We hit the tar and went to Mosselbay where we turned inwards by Riversdale. Again the scenery was good. We stopped in the middle of nowhere and had a quick break (yes it was longer than 5 minutes). Temperatures was not 26 according to my iphone weather but 35. We left and Michael ?? were next with a small incident. He over cooked the corner and went straight into soft sand. Also no damage except for the ego .

We popped out close to Malgas where we refueled and blew the tyres up. Time ran out for us. Too much fun I reckon. We said our goodbyes as the group split into two. Southern suburbs guys led by me took the N2 straight home. Geoff and the rest went via Ashton/ Robertson home.

At the top of Sir Lowry’s pass I pulled in for a final break before heading home. This is where I saw some loony guys just jump of the cliff for no reason at all but for adrenaline. Two Para gliders showed us how it is done. Must admit I am sh!t scared of heights but had envy in me. They are seeing the world at greater heights.

Jumper

We departed into a heavily congested traffic but with bikes we showed them how it is done. Came home completely exhausted. Went to bed at 7.30pm. Did my head hit the pillow..I will never know

To all the guys who put in the effort for this type of trip is all I can say is thank you.

Sorry I never had time to take photos but the video footage looks good.