Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

 20 September started as a fresh and slightly chilly morning.

 Revs of excitement was in the air as we pulled in at the N1 Engen Winelands.

 Neels, our leader (Kaptein) arrived ‘promptly’ on time and captivated all our attention with his charming briefing (mostly in english )

 This was quite a big group with 22 bikes and 32 riders; Neels and Anna-Marie had their work cut out for them!

We were promised beautiful scenery and unforgettable memories accompanied by tons of fun!

Morning Briefing  

And so the journey began…

 The absolute thrill that spirals through ones soul as you start out for a journey with some of your favourite people on one of your favourite machines is unexplainable. (I’m sure most of you know what I mean!)

 The sight of 22 bikes following one another over the Du Toitsbergpass in perfect unison, was a breath-taking moment.

 A fresh and slightly chilly breeze met us as we descended the pass.  The snow on the tips of the surrounding mountains towards Worcester was a very welcoming and calming sight.

We continued on the tar to Montegue where we filled our tanks and some of us our bellies.  From there the Oubergpass was our destination.

Considering all the recent rains, the gravel looked exceptional.  There was no ‘STUFF’ for Tony to worry about.

It’s a pity I can’t say the same about the Anysbergpass…

Nice Gravel Road 

 We were almost through Ouberg and confidence was high as was eagerness… Unfortunately Gerit misjudged a corner and took it too fast.

Hein found Gerits’ bike next to a bush alongside the road with Gerit lying behind the bush.  It seemed as though Gerit (who was in a lot of pain and putting on a very brave face) had broken/fractured his arm and had a few scratches on his face.

Luckily we had our very own on-scene paramedic!  Johan had been a paramedic in the past and quickly set Gerits’ arm for him while we waited for our backup vehicle.

 Bike Down 

Situations like this prove what the BMW Club is all about – everybody lent a hand and helped out as much as they could.

 We had a fantastic back up vehicle support. Mike was there ASAP and assisted and supervised the loading of the 1200 onto the trailer. They set off to hospital in Worcester.

 There was a bit of a nervous atmosphere all round which Neels tried his best to eliminate as he cracked one or two of his jokes! 

 Once everybody had taken a second to breathe and relax, we once again set off toward our destination.

 Travelling speed seemed to slow down instantly as the road started winding with sharp turns and tons of “stuff” everywhere.

 After a very tricky detour Zack and I found ourselves alone with no rider to be seen behind us.

 This Way

 We stopped to wait for Carel and Ilana as they were behind us last.  After quite a few minutes of waiting we decided to get off the bike and take in the beautiful scenery which surrounded us!  It was becoming very hot very fast, so we decided to de-gear. There were all sorts of amazing creatures (goggos!) all around us just going about their daily lives and making their own unique sounds. Quite amazing when you took the time to take it all in…

 Eventually Oom Hans Ambulans arrived only to inform us that nerves were running high between the riders behind us and that Carel, Ilana and our super sweeper John Carr had stopped to assist a few riders that did not master the tricky sand and ‘stuff.’

 SOME SAND

NO Road Left

We stopped for lunch at the Anysberg office and managed to stretch our tired limbs.  From there on it was smooth sailing, except for our ride leader nearly having biltong on his bike!!  A buck had jumped in front of him and nearly knocked him over! (Straf dop!!)

 Anysberg Office 

We took the beautiful farm scenery back roads to Ladismith and re-grouped there, filling our tanks.  Most of us downed a few well deserving cool downers.  At this stage whispers started forming… A certain question was going around… It had been a few hours since we had seen our back up vehicle!

 WHERE’S MIKE??  Was the question of the day!

 Neels confirmed that Oom Mike would arrive shortly, which he did, after making sure Gerit was safely in hospital with his family.

 Ladismith

The fastest route was taken to Rooiberg Lodge where we were welcomed with open arms and loving hospitality.  There was time to freshen up and settle down in our very cute and quaint lodgings.

 Rooiberg Lodge 

BOMA

We all got together at the Boma (braai area.)

 Unfortunately Shaun was a bit late and also short of a beer…or three, as he had extra washing to do. Yes, you guessed it!  Beer on the back of a bike…through Anysberg pass  now we know it’s not a good idea…His and Sunés’ clothes were soaked in beer! He redeemed himself by washing all his and her clothing!

 The evening was filled with fun, laughter, jokes, great food, smiles, sarcasm, straf doppe and the exchanging of lots of stories and many opinions!

 Lekker Kuier 

Some went to bed early and some went to bed late… And then there were those that got locked out of their room and didn’t have a bed at all…!!  Poor Zack had to look for another bed as I had unintentionally locked him out of ours when I went to bed early.  Lo and behold there was an empty room and bed where Zack made himself at 'home'

 At 2:30am I realised he wasn’t ‘home’ yet and decided to ‘hunt him down’ as I had last left him with the hero of the day, Carel.  And… the twins together are just mischief waiting to happen!  I found Zack sleeping soundly like the angel he is not and took him ‘home!’ !

 We were served with a scrumptious breakfast the following morning accompanied by a spectacular view.

 Our Breakfast View

Listen everybody

At the briefing, Neels informed us that two riders were leaving us for their own destinations.

 Sadly we left the Rooiberg Lodges’ superb hospitality behind us.  Many wished for a longer stay.

As we passed Van Wyksdorp, a very unique lady was seen by a few riders; she had white sheets wrapped around her body and was barefoot on the side of the road... many claimed that she was a ghost?! This is yet unconfirmed…????

 20 Adventurous bikes headed toward Gysmanshoek pas. The rocky climb was slightly nerve wrecking but not as much as the exhilarating descend!!!!

 Only once we reached the bottom did we realise that the entire valley had burnt down!

 To top that off, Robert and I were quite disturbed to see a random guy walking in the burnt down valley with a towel flung across his shoulder… This guy informed us that he was going swimming… WHERE is he going swimming Robert asked… Where…? There where everything was burnt down… Where was he going swimming…? That remains an unanswered question…

 Gysmanshoek Pas

Burned

From there we took the back roads toward Suurbrak.  After a very fast and seriously fun ride we stopped to regroup.  There we were given the choice on democratic vote as to which route we wanted to finish off with. Majority voted to go through Tredoux Pass to Barrydale for lunch.

Diesel and Créme

A superb lunch was served at Diesel and Créme. Chitter chatter and stories of the “lost lady ghost’ was shared by all.

After lunch, the fastest route was taken back to our beautiful Cape Town.

 The last few enthusiasts stopped off at the Du Toitskloof Lodge for a relaxing sundowner.

 After a bit of debating and discussion, Andrew had one thing on his mind to prove; not a single F800GS had fallen on this trip! Only the 1200 gangs had bought some property! Yes, we are proud…

 Thank you to all for a super time filled with many fun, scary, interesting, happy, adrenalin-filled, exciting, heart in throat, beautiful scenery and unforgettable memories… as was promised!