Introduction to gravel roads day ride into the Overberg - GREYTON Sunday 7April2019

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Andyman's picture
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RIDE IS FULLY BOOKED WED 3 APRIL

Introduction to gravel roads day ride into the Overberg - GREYTON Sunday 7th April 2019

Hi there to all riders, rusty on riding gravel or new to riding on gravel.

Gravel riding is what adventure biking is all about, exploring places close to Cape Town that beckon you back for more.

The BMWMCC has organised another enjoyable club gravel road ride.

70% of the ride on gravel roads

30% of the ride on good old familiar tar roads.

 

Autumn has arrived allows you to answer that yearning for adventure, the Lucerne and canola has been planted.

The Sout and Klein rivers are now a mere late summer trickle of their former vibrant chuckling selves and even the mighty Riversonderend waters are in much need of fresh rain.

This ride is a fantasia of color and smells and far horizons.

 

If you have recently done the off-road training, this is a must ride event.

This ride is suited to riders new to gravel roads and is pillion friendly.

This is a beginners ride; we will not ride fast.

Total distance is 280 kilometers.

Back home at 17H00.

 

Fuel & lunch for own account.

 

 

 

DATE     : Sunday 7th April 2019

Costs     : no charge for paid up BMW MCCC members.

                 R50.oo fee for non club members. (club dues not paid or not registered).

Where   :  meet at 08H00 – the BP on the N2 on the far side of Somerset West.

BookingBook online here

No fees for pillion

 

Bank account details:

  • First National Bank
  • Branch: Long Street
  • Branch code: 201709 (Standard Bank users must add 2 zeros at the end)
  • A/c no: 50060098602
  • A/c name: BMW Motorcycle Club Cape
  • Ref: Your Name&Surname +”Subs” or "Join" or both

Please email the EFT payment remittance to     treasurer@bmwmotorradclubcape.co.za .

Any dual sport bike welcome.

Not suited for scramblers

 

At 08H20, riders briefing, route plan and departure at 08H40.

We will split into groups of 10 riders, with experienced riders leading and sweeping.

Some of you have done this before and now when you do it again, you will be surprised how some 'dicey' parts that scared you seem so tame the next time round.

We will ride- irrespective of the weather.

 

Join us to build up kilometres under the belt or just to enjoy our exquisite back yard.

We ride N2 up Sir Lowry’s pass bypassing Grabouw & Elgin.

Over the Houwhoek Pass through Bot Rivier and then hook right through Caledon.

All on tar.  There will not be a back up vehicle.

Now we descend into the Hemel en Aarde Vallei turning left onto the gravel- Terslaarsdal road.

 

We adjust tire pressure and suspension for gravel and an off-road briefing

We will split into groups of 10 bikes to keep us manageable, and increase rider enjoyment.

It’s a magnificent road and a very beautiful ride which pillions will just love as they are feasted to brilliant vistas of the rich spring colors of the bread-bin of the Southern Cape.

PILLIONS TO PLEASE USE CAMERAS!!!

After snaking up to the N2 we cross and head up to lunch stop in Greyton.

 

After a relaxed lunch we ride out West on tar to Genadendal, then gravel road.

6km further we turn right at Middelplaas on good gravel, past Helderstroom prison at Sunnyside, tar over Eselsjag pass and L to gravel and the Draaiberg road to Botriver via Van der Stel pass.

 

Top up, say goodbyes in Botriver and then run for home.

Plenty stops to adjust gear, bikes as needed to make your ride more comfortable and photograph the awesome scenery.

 

Mountain passes on the route

Sir Lowry’s pass- tar  http://mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za/find-a-pass/western-cape/item/160-sir-lowry-s-pass-n2.html

 

Houwhoek pass- tar  http://mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za/find-a-pass/western-cape/item/93-houw-hoek-pass,-n2.html

 

Eselsjag pass- tar (not yet on this website)

 

Van der Stel pass – gravel  http://mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za/find-a-pass/western-cape/item/268-van-der-stel-pass.html


Make use of the many short stops to check adjustments to your clothing, gear and even your bike.

There is a lot to be said for ‘tuning’ yourself and your bike into good riding trim to make it a more enjoyable and comfortable outing.

 

Andyman
Anyone can ride a bike fast....   But can you ride your bike real slow???

Andyman's picture
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Some pics from previous rides.......

The briefing at the start of the gravel

 

Shaws pass, gateway to the Hemel en Aarde Vallei, where engine mapping and tire prep is done.

 

long sweeping roads over undulating land through the bread bin of the W Cape

 

Lovely good roads

waiting to get through a gateway

 

The vistas are super

 

 

Andyman
Anyone can ride a bike fast....   But can you ride your bike real slow???

Andyman's picture
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Thank you all.
RIDE IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

This is all the venue cna accommodate and still provide good service.

 

 

Andyman
Anyone can ride a bike fast....   But can you ride your bike real slow???

Andyman's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/22

Thanks very much to Pete O'hanlon and Steve Jones ofr leading the two peletons on this lekker ride, and to Anna Marie for arranging the excellent catering.
Glad ot hear everyone enjoyed the ride and ahd a good time.

This ride is very popular and we had four people wait-listed.

Please post some photos on this thread, so we all cna share in the ride a bit from an armchair.

 


The next beginners ride is 9th June - in our back yard- Durbanville to Paarl. 81 km of sheer easy gravel fun.
Watch this space- its already on the online booking, but the brief will come out in May.

Andyman
Anyone can ride a bike fast....   But can you ride your bike real slow???

Henk Smith's picture
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Joined: 2019/04/02

What a great ride!

A big thank you to the Leaders, sweepers and organisers.

The road/route was well chosen and perfect for (us) beginners.

Very happy to hear the one incident turned out ‘ok’. 

There was also a chain which came off, without incident and well done recovering /coping in what was potentially a very dangerous situation. 

A bee sting in Greyton served as a reminder to always pack some antihistamine/Texa & a drove of horses showed us who really owns the town!

Lunch was just perfect and the pace back home was picked up just enough to get the energy up 100% again.

Looking forward to more!

 

~2014 R1200 GSA LC K51~ *Nellie*

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Joined: 2018/09/19

 

Andyman's picture
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Thank you for the feedback . Looking forward to the June, Paarl beginners ride.

Andyman
Anyone can ride a bike fast....   But can you ride your bike real slow???