The Docks - Koo Valley

How does a restaurant get the name, The Docks, in the Klein Karoo? Well, the owners always wanted a restaurant near the sea. When they did get around to buying a restaurant, which was unfortunately not near the sea, they decided to call it The Docks. The family joke is, “We are just waiting for high tide”. This stunning establishment belongs to Lawrence’s (Hermanator) family. He was kind (brave) enough to arrange that this establishment would host us for a “day ride”. Larence's familyLarence's family But wait I am getting way ahead of myself. For the last half of the year I have been trying to put together an on-road ride. At first I tried to find a date that would also accommodate the off-road crowd. This led to one excuse after the other why this ride kept on being postponed. Finally I took the decision to arrange a ride on 16 December, with any luck a few people would be available to join us. The feedback was extremely positive. At one point I was even worried that too many people would be joining the ride for the limited seating. The DocksThe Docks However, I should probably have been more worried about the rain – in mid December. It was reasonably clear that there would be “some” rain on Sunday. With some luck the weather forecasters might even have been right (for once), rain over night, clearing up in the morning. Yeah right! Obviously some club members are not as trusting of the weatherman. As I pulled in at Engen, I immediately recognized LMG, aka Abel. Abel has previously described himself as “Lang Maer Gat”. At 6 foot 10 inches (2,08m), and not over weight, he may well describe himself as LMG. I should also point out that he already did 120 km just to get to the starting point! Abel, nice to have met you. Hope to see you on more rides. Nine bikes, 10 people gathered at Engen. Short, Medium, TALLShort, Medium, TALL Parow to Paarl saw mild precipitation (translation, it never stopped raining). Half way up the pass the fun started. The cloud cover turned into thick mist, eventually Jane’s motorcycle head light just become a dim glimmer – she was only a few meters behind me. The "friendly" man in pinkThe "friendly" man in pink After the pass, a few riders (who will rather remain un-named) started having “fun”. Over a warm cup of coffee at the Shell outside Worcestor the culprits promised to behave themselves. Johan and Tracey now also joined us. The weather finally played along – for a few kilometers. We will have to go back to the Koo Valley when the weather is better. It is strange how such a rainy ride can still be a very positive experience. Keisie in the rainKeisie in the rain At The Docks some “liquid refreshment” helped to dispel the cold – from the inside. The waitress was an absolute star! Only a few minutes after we indicated what we wanted for lunch, the starters arrived. Lovely soup, followed by a carvery plate. Finally, ice cream with chocolate sauce. Main courseMain course Some of the riders left early, while we waited for another cup of coffee. The remaining 6 bikes went through the pass towards Ashton. We encountered a hoist that was busy recovering a Toyota. Fortunately we were only delayed for a very short period. Tass "on a string"Tass "on a string" While refilling in Ashton it was decided to do the Robertson Bonnievale route, since the weather had cleared up. As we got closer to Robertson, it was clear that Bonnievale was still experiencing heavy rain – thus we headed straight for Worcestor. Well, as straight as the traffic allowed – back roads via Rawsonville. After the weighbridge, my fellow riders again succumbed to the “need for speed”. Looming rainLooming rain Greta and I pulled in at the Trout Farm, to relieve some pressure on the bladder. Imagine my surprise when we met up to group after only a few kilometers. Wolfgang had experienced a flat tyre. Fortunately we had a carpenter that wears a pink shirt and that loves to sniff glue and play with rubber in the group. We had almost finished the tyre repair when Stellenbosch Motorrad (Donford?) came past us. With a series of hand gestures they did confirm that we were sorted out before they carried on. Thanks Donford. Pink mechanicPink mechanic Just to round off a wet day, the rain came back in full force. Again visibility was a problem over the mountain. By the time we got back onto the N1 the rain was behind us. Now it was just a matter of negotiating the traffic. Yes, at Kraaifontein there was another motorcar accident. Again we had to stop while the ambulance made a U-turn on the N1. The freighting thing is the number of cars that drove without their lights on. Conclusion. The weather did not play along for this day ride. Yet, everybody had a stunning time! Hopefully we will do this route again, soon – with better weather.

Comments

Neil Terry's picture
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Joined: 2007/07/01
Padlangs,thanks again we J & I both felt this was one of the finest,I`ll try & post a bit more later. The "little sprint" prior to Wolf`s puncture was Quite Something...methinks Cheesy would have enjoyed it,even at his age !!!!! Where the pics ..short med long? SEE them now,they were incomming as I was typing.
JohandeJager's picture
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Joined: 2007/10/03
Thank you to all for a really nice ride. Cheesy - hope you enjoy Prince Albert. Hermanator - you should have had the Dakar out!!! Neil - you look nice in Pink... Jane - Thnx for the ride. Padlangs - well organised and glad to know that your bike's oil was not a serious problem. Corne - Thnx for the ride back. LMG - MAN you are one TALL man, I agree there is something wrong ito your bike's fuel consumption.... To all of you guys; MERRY XMAS and a AWESOME 2008. Keep it SAFE !!

Johan de Jager "It's all about the ride, nothing else"

Padlangs (not verified)
The following were posted under the Trips and Tours thread of Koo Valley - after the ride. I have moved (copied) the info here, indicating in each case who posted it. ChristoE - I think the rain is over. The rest of the day should be nice biking weather. Nice and cool. Enjoy.... Kobus - Well I'm glad I was not the only one calling it wrong. Kobus JdJ - Kobus, Like they say: Do not quite your day job.....he he; just got home from this trip and TRUST me it was WET AS IT CAN BE... Awesome road, just a pity 1 could not enjoy the view as at times it was hard just seeing the road infront... Keep it SAFE !! Hermanator - 'Ello Lads and Ladettes, Glad to hear you got home safetly. Looking forward to everyone else checking in to say they got home safetly. Christo (Padlangs), thanks for a great ride and thanks to the others who, despite the foul conditions, were tempted by the mouthwatering lunch in Montague. We were having a nice dry ride home, seems we were between fronts, and then Wolf (gang) went and had a blowout on the N1 just before Du Toits Kloof pass. Enough time spent frittering around with it to allow the storm to catch up. The ride over Du Toits Kloof was not pleasant where, at one point, we had to have our hazards flasing just to see each other in the mist. But hell, a great adventure, the most delicious meal ever, great company and a nice spa bath when I got home. Now that's a day of living. Thanks all, Lawrence Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safetly in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadsides, loudly proclaiming WOW, What a RIDE! Niel Terry - Those that missed this ride sorry ,you missed a GREAT ONE !!! Yes it was wet VERY wet yet what an experiece ,riding to ,and over Du Toit`s kloof nice and smooth , yet nice pace,THEN some silly old duffer decides the pace in the rain is a little slow (possible incontinence problems)so shoots in just behind my back wheel trying to prevoke,as a good club member I remained on station ,he then shot passed all incl. Padlangs & Greta ,this time a bite.. Jane shot out & followed I the had to follow to keep & eye on things @140-180 in the wet!!! to Worcester Shell-Steers for coffee, where Johan & Tracey joined us. LMG - Today, for the first time in my life, I stopped next to the road, got off my Beemer, went down on my knees and thanked the Lord. Honestly! Between the Lord and ABS my life was saved. After I’ve turned towards Ceres from the N1 two bakkies were in front of me. We were doing about 120kms. The next moment the driver of the first bakkie realised she had to turn towards Slanghoek and locked the brakes of her Bantam. The driver of the second bakkie overreacted and also locked her brakes. The next moment, there were a Bantam and a Corsa sliding sideways in the road. Of course this happened on a wet road in the rain. It was a hell of a smash. Both bakkies were written off. Fortunately nobody was “fatally wounded.” There was also no oncoming traffic which could have turned the whole affair into an even bigger gemors. Only the Lord will know how I’ve succeeded in missing the accident. I don’t think I was more than 10 meters behind the second bakkie. Their luggage was also flying all over the place. I can only image what would have happened if I’ve left the tar and neutralised my ABS. I’m still a bit shaky! In all, I should thank Padlangs and all the other members of the club for a very great and interesting first ride. Though it was raining, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and the conversations. Niel Terry - LMG I found it a most amazing ride ,seems yours was much much more so. Jane & I really enjoyed meeting yourself and Corne. Hope we all ride together again soon.A Toyota Tazz had gone off the road outside Montagu..CT side. Hermanator - CAGERS AND DARWIN Sadly, the roads were littered with the ineptitude of drunk and inexperienced drivers. The Toyota Tazz outside Montague was a wreck as it was dragged out of the gulley by a crane. Too much dope, and the dope behind the wheel felt he was invincible. We had way too many of these on the N1 after the tunnel that, by the time Wolfgang peeled off, trying formation riding was simply becoming ridiculously dangerous. Looking forward to the fodies, Lawrence Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safetly in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadsides, loudly proclaiming WOW, What a RIDE! JdJ - LMG I'm glad that you are safe my friend, these things happen so damn quick.... As we came into CPT there was an accident on the N1 where the BMW involved was on the far left off the road into the rugby field of the shool on the left....(just after the old oak bridge)as heading in to CPT. The amount of drunken drivers on the road today was insane, we also havd our fair share of this. It was very nice meeting you and I am looking forward to the next ride together. Keep it SAFE !!
Padlangs (not verified)
LMG, we are very glad that you are safe. It is at these times that you realise just how valuable ABS is - not forgetting the grace from above.
JohandeJager's picture
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Joined: 2007/10/03
Neil's new bike to go with his shirt....?? Jane - is there something we should know? Neil's..??Neil's..?? Keep it SAFE !!

Johan de Jager "It's all about the ride, nothing else"

Neil Terry's picture
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Joined: 2007/07/01
Looks like the aunties from Putsonderietsomtedoen crochet club made a bike warmer,how.. how... no thank you. It`s enough to make me go black or blue or anything.
Neil Terry's picture
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Joined: 2007/07/01
Padlangs as a surprise it was well worth the wait!Lovely views great pass, and the rain turned aplenty ridden section into the great RT Challenge, far from detracting it enhanced the ride.I don`t see the club having a ride cancelled because of rain again!
Padlangs (not verified)
Neil made the following comment about the service at The Docks - The Docks even went so far as to Tumble-Dry a wet shirt ,some gloves a rain jacket and...,this was all neatly set out just prior to departure.The old duffer who ordered double ice cream (sore gums?) and thought his rice was being served without curry paid happily.
Padlangs (not verified)
Neil, how about we NOT give that "other" place any more free press? The Docks, now that is a whole other story - EXCELLENT service. The "elderly" gentleman was a little flustered when he recieved nothing more than a plate full of rice. The REST of Rene's foodThe REST of Rene's food Cheezy decided to have rice and curry, instead of the standard 3 course meal. They first brought his plate of rice. After some laughter another plate was brought out - currie in a "hot" pot with an assortment of side dishes. By now he had made such an impression on the lovely waitress that she brought him a "slightly bigger" bowl of ice cream. Good dessert to round of a lovely mealGood dessert to round of a lovely meal
ckloppers (not verified)
Thank you all for the ride :-) Enjoy the holiday season and RIDE safe! Corné Kloppers 0849130391 ckloppers@gmail.com
wolf's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/20
Mad and crazy were some of the words used when they saw us driving in the rain. The weather frog must have fallen off the ladder when the SA weather bureau made its forecast. Nevertheless it was a beautiful route and ride, which we must repeat on a sunny day. I want to thank all of the guys that participated for a great company and for assisting me with the puncture repair. The tire has made way for a new one so I can keep up with the 400cc Honda again. Have a great Christmas and New Year.
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