Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

So here we go. My first ride report, hopefully the first of many!

So Im just doing a brief introduction on my experience on riding bike, I think many might share the same experience as a novice.........

As some of you might know I purchased my BMW F650GS Dakar about 2 months ago. Not owning a bike in the past 12 years and not riding much (occasional dirt bike with a friend or when I still had a quad bike) either I took the first 3 weeks of owning the bike to just get back into the feel of things. Getting comfortable rather quickly, all be it only on the road so far, I felt confident in a short trip.

Quick chat with my girlfriend (I would say semi experience pillion rider, no offroad pillion experience) and we decided cool, lets do this.....

Now, with the GF (Chevonne) and me never been on the bike together before we decided to do a quick trip to Eden on the Bay one morning for breakfast. Reason for this...... Does she feel comfortable with my riding capabilities and do I feel comfortable with her pillion capabilities before we hit the long road. Short and sweet answer, we were both very happy and felt confident.... I didn't even care that her foot got hooked on the pannier and she pulled the bike over with me at the beach! Hahaha, first trip, first "fall" I see it as a blessing.....

No onto the planning fase of this trip. I had got my first weekend off in months, And we decided not to travel too far. Being a forum member on BMWMOTORADCLUBCAPE I posted a enquiry for a trip to Robertson and some suggested routes for novice riders. Here I got some great tips and responses and I have to make a big mention to GEELKAMEEL for his input. This kind soul sent me maps, routes distances etc. All very detailed (I don't have any fancy navigation equipment and wasn't sure on reception etc.) Very very grateful GEELKAMEEL, thank you.

The route: (see attached picture)
N2 to Botrivier
Van Der Stel Pass to R321
Koppies turnoff to Rooihoogte Pass
Turnoff Scherpenheuwel
Parralel to Breede River into Robertson

All and all if I did my calculations correctly it was about 220km (ish) I think a good stretch for a first trip.

The plan was as follows;
Get up at 7am Saturday morning and pack the bike
Be on the road at 8am as we needed to stop at Flying Brick first to get her a proper bike jacket and I wanted some tire levers, tubes etc. (rather safe than sorry)
From there head straight to Botrivier where we can have our first stop and stretch of legs......

And here is where it start.............Do not leave Chevonne in charge of packing, anything, no packing at all! We wake up nice and early, I want to start packing the bike, Chevonne informs me, she still needs to pack the luggage. Ok, no problem lets get it done. Luggage done, I enquire about snacks and water for the road as we can stop and have a nice picnic etc. Um, Chevonne informs me, sorry. We have nothing. Hmmmm we are already starting badly.

Right, bike is packed and its 8:15 am, time to head to Flying Brick to pick up some bits. Decided on Flying Brick as they were having a special on their jackets. Got there, however Chevonne didn't like any of the jackets but I got all of the stuff I wanted for the bike (tubes etc).

Off to another shop around the corner, TracMac??? I think. Spend ten minutes there.....Looking for a jacket....... Nope, nothing she like! Urg! Cry me a river! Jy kan teen die tyd al n eier in my hol kook want ek wil net blerrie ry! But, safety first, especially when it come to my Naartjie Pit (Chevonne). So she mentioned this jacket I showed het on a picture and she like that, turns out its a Spirit jacket. Great! Hop on, and off we go to Spirit. Get there, she finds one she like, she is happy and now Im really flippen happy, cause now we can gooi! Fill up the bike in Montague Gardens and head straight for the N2.

Now, when we decided on this little trip we didn't realize that its a long weekend! So the N2 is buzzing with cars now as its 09:40am already! Now Im even more irritated and as this is definitely not fun, but I quickly get into a different mindset and just focus on the great trip we are going to have. Yeah, that was short lived, on the N2 just before Somerset West I get a nudge in the ribs and notion from Chevonne......WIMPY on the left hand side! Seriously! I caved in and decide to stop at WIMPY. Two reasons for that...... 1. We had no padkos, 2. Naartjie Pit needs to be fed, otherwise iy will be grumpy....

Anyways, Wimpy done and we are off again.

First we head over Sir Lowry's Pass, somewhat scary with all of the traffic. But absolutely beautiful views. It was slightly windy and I had to battle the bike here and there but nothing serious. Most of the way to Botrivier we were doing 90-100km/h, the speed felt very comfortable for both of us and allowed us to still look around a bit.

First stop was Botrivier, I first drove to where I thought the Van Der Stel Pass started just to ensure we were indeed on the right track, then we headed back down the road to the Botrivier Hotel. Didn't really take pictures there, but wow, what a awesome little pub they have. Feels like your in a time capsule dating back to saloon days! By that time it was starting to get rather hot, so it was definitely time for a beer or two. Naartjie Pit decided to stick to a Coke Zero, just incase she needs to navigate for me......

Now up until this time, I haven't mentioned to Chevonne that I have NEVER ridden on gravel with this bike or have I in the past 5 years, never mind with a pillion! Why would u want to let her worry without due cause....yet. So with me being rather nervious and not really knowing the condition of the Pass first hand we straped ourselves in and made our way onto Van Der Stel Pass.

The Pass has a very nice gravel road, some loose gravel with a bit of sinkplaat here and there, but easy to navigate. Very quiet also, we drove past 3 cars in total. The views at the top are amazing and you drive under/through some massive trees that truly makes you feel alive and grateful. We made a quick stop at the top for "selfie" and rode on.

Eventually you reach the R321, tar road leading to Villiersdorp. As we approached Theewaterskloof Dam we got some amazing fotos, but you immediately feel sad, so little water is left and it gives great perspective in how much trouble we are in regards to water. Quick few photos and we took to the road again. Darted through Villiersdorp and took the turn off, that said Koppies.

Rooihoogte Pass (blink and you will miss it) quickly becomes gravel, however sections where of a white chalk substance. Played all types of mind games on me. There is a few loose sections but nothing crazy, however the bike keep pulling to one side.... Very strange I thought and adjusted speed again, however going faster made it worse and a slacked down to about 60km/h. Here it was better but I was still fighting the bike. I stopped as Ive been paranoid about getting a flat tire the whole trip! Nope, tires are fine. So moving forward if the bike pulled to one side I would place some weight on the otherside peg and steer the bike and that went allot better and felt more comfortable. About halfway down this road we stopped and a few farm worker houses where there was some big trees for a water break and stretch some legs. Both of us being very unfit in regards to riding bike we stopped often as possible. Scenery on this section was very much farm land and there was only 1 bakkie that passed us. Still a very beutifull landscape and we enjoyed it!

Eventually you hit tar again and we quickly got to the Scherpenheuvel turn off. No real markers here, however the day before I looked on google maps and GEELKAMEEL notes came in handy. A good piece of dirt road here, we could easily cruise at 90-100km/h on this section. You then hit tar again for a large part. Last section of gravel before you end up right against the Breede River was probably the worst of the day. A few potholes here and there and some very loose gravel at sections. However for me as a novice rider it was perfectly ok. However, it did I my first scare on that section......

By that time I must admit I was getting a bit tired, being overly cautious as the last thing I wanted is a fall on our first trip and that would be the end of our couples trips, gripping too hard on the handles (doing everything wrong!). I did see a few sections in the road (gravel) that was a lighter colour but didn't really think anything of it......until I hit one, sand........very very loose sand! Oh boy, between trying to control this semi tank slap and Chevonne crushing my rips I got a massive freight. Luckily not traveling too fast I just dropped a gear pinned the throttle and let the bike do the rest. Coming out safely from that tiny little freight I made sure to avoid ANY and ALL sand patches!

Last gravel stretch had some amazing views with the dirt road infront of you looking like it will never end. Amazing!

We hit the tar road again and not long the wind came up thick and fast! Holding on for dear life and my Naartjie Pit tucked away behind me, I wrestled the bike in a straight line while it felt I was leaning the bike enough 'to take a hairpin corner on a superbike racing on Killarney! However........We got to Robertson, over the bridge at Breede River (not being so Breed there) and headed to our guests house we booked at. At this point, believe it or not...it was 4pm!! (how the hell did we ride so long!)

We stayed at Gubas de Hoek guesthouse. Very good value for money. Off street secure parking. Braai facility, communal kitchen and a pool. Tip: Take the LOFT rooms, much nicer views and more private. We checked in with complimentary bubbly, that went down very well with Chevonne as that is one of her favourite drinks. We didn't even unpack or shower, made our way to the pool where there was some good outside seating. Opened a bottle of bubbly and rested there for a good hour! I must say, I was beat and very surprised that I was so tired.

Quick shower and we headed off to Four Cousins restaurant on the GS. Now, Me and Chevonne work in the Hospitality Industry. Me at a 5 star property in Stellenbosch and she in a 4 star property in Bantry bay, and I can tell you that the food was amazing and excellent value for money! We wined and dined a bit (we were there at 7pm already) and headed home at about 9pm. We were beat! Dead on our feet! Got to the room, and passed out!

Next morning we crawled out of bed at 8;45am, ready for breakfast at 9am (remember, Naartjie Pit cannot be hungry at any point of time, laat ons eerder nie haar moer koer nie....). Very enjoyable breakfast for a guesthouse and it hit the spot! Packed the bike and set off. First stop was the garage, refill Jolly Jumper (The bike is named Jolly Jumper after Lucky Luke's horse). From there we headed out made a quick turn at Silversands as I wanted to show Chevonne where we had holiday as a child. Then back on the open road for about 2 minutes..... and I spot a board saying Graham Beck out of the corner of my eye. Now like I have told you before, Chevonne loves her bubbly, toe weet ek sommer - hier kom n ding....

I thought I would be nice and show her the sign....I wait for the shot in the ribs as direction to turn off.........nothing, well that's interesting! And as I near the entrance I slam on the brakes last minute and I can feel Naartjie Pit on the back of the bike jumping for joy! We stopped and had one of their tastings, and purchased some bubble for her.

Back on the road heading to Worcester as I have family there we made a quick pitstop by them and ofcourse a cold one! From there heading to the tunnel, decided to go over the tunnel (would just be stupid not to) and stopped at the top for some fantastic scenic shots. From there it was a straight shot N1 to Durbanville. By this time it was extremely hot! And I was tired of cars everywhere and was ready to call it a day. We arrived home safely, went and collected our dog from my dad whom was baby sitting, everyone home, safe and sound!

All and all a awesome first trip! I think very insignificant VS some of the ride reports on here! But for our maiden trip it was a great success, no issues or flat tires. Chevonne LOVED it, and I was very happy about that. As its another thing we can do together. She loved it so much that getting her a bike is on the cards (my senuwees gaan dit nie hou nie!).

There was some rally or bike run on that weekend so we came across many many bikes! What I really enjoy about the biker community is the camaraderie and how courteous everyone is! Everyone greats you, makes way for you or vise versa. It feels really great to be a part of such a community.