Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

GRIN FACTOR - 5 Firstly, thanks to everyone for being on time! Sunday started as I came skidding in with seconds before the 9h30 departure time. Everyone else's watches are FAST! It was a pleasure to have a few new additions to the ride. Jean Pierre and his better half as well as the esteemed Dr Govender. Thanks to Atlantic chaps for letting them know about the ride, their company was great. The mob gathers, Don't know why Wolf is smiling, must be a good day! Given that we were determined not to ride motorway, Wolfgang led us "round the houses" out of Plattekloof and through Durbanville. Leaving Durbanville we came across a police road block checking the criminals with no number plates and licenses. All this while cars with buckled and wobbling wheels are simply waved through. Idiots! Wolfgang continued leading until we got to the Perdeberg road where I rode to the front and took the lead. The roads were fantastic and the cool temperatures made for a really pleasant day to be in the saddle. With 3 hours to make Ceres, we took our time and took a short photo break coming over Bains Kloof. With loads of sand washed across the road, one had to be most cautious when negotiating the tight and twisty road. The riders coming up Bains Kloof The views from the pass were fantastic. Snow still peppered the mountains while the river was in strong flow. Several waterfalls cascaded over the cliffs and if ever there was a good feeling, this was it. Bains Kloof Crowd At the foot of the pass we stopped in at Calabash for a coffee and tea break. Very hospitable, they didn't even charge for the coffee. 800ST While there we decided that before joining the Michells Pass (before Ceres) we would give Andy a few minutes to get ahead and take some photo's. You'll see that my little digital camera simply isn't up to the task. Coming up Bains Kloof From Calabash we had an hour to reach Ceres (12h30 lunch booking) so with no pressure we were able to take it nice and easy, although every time we were offered a series of twisties the blast was very welcome. Another part of the crowd coming over Bains Kloof Michells pass always g/tees a great ride. The 800ST was fantastic and as we all came in one after another, everyone had ear to ear grins plastered on their face. Lunch was at the Ceres Inn (ex Herberg). When we stopped to call the restaurant their seemed to be some confusion when I said we're outside. How could we be outside, yet in theri garden a smattering of BMW's littered the car park? As a coincidence, this was the mob returning from Matroosberg who happened to arrive five minutes before us. After booting the filthy rabble :-) out of the clean restaurant we were offered a great meal at excellent rates. Cliff, Alvin and James who had been to Matjiesfontein for the weekend arrived in Ceres while we were having lunch and it was good to have them join us. James, Cliff, Wolfgang, JP, JP's missus who I won't try to spell It was great couple of hours spent chatting to friends and guests and an unexpected pleasure as Rusty, Gis and their two young'uns arrived. A great family who always complement an event. Brian and Roz, Johannes, Lorna and Andy After lunch, Brian and Ros on their beautiful new 1200RT left with Andy to take the long way home via the Touws River road. Those left went back over Michells Pass before joining the Slanghoek road to take us back to the N1 via Goudini. (Oh, someone never saw the sign which forced the group to have to make a U-Turn - darn small sign :-( ) The low-level flight along the slanghoek road was fantastic, although the side wind can be a bit scary when you're at speed. After passing a frustrated camera operator on the N1 we took the Du Toits Kloof pass as the final stretch for the afternoon. It was good to have a few bikes at sport touring pace and we made short work of the pass, waiting at the foot again for everyone to join. From there, we all made our individual way home, although the ST was looking for some gas as we slipped into Engen Winelands. A great day in excellent company. Thank you to all who made it, we hope you enjoyed the day too. Cheers Lawrence p.s. More pics to come