Introduction to gravel roads day ride into the Overberg - GREYTON Sunday 8th September 2019
Booking: Book online here
Due to ride group sizing and catering you DO NEED TO BOOK
This is ot a arrive and ride event.
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.
Spring has arrived & allows you to answer that yearning for adventure, the Lucerne and canola are vibrant in their yellows and purples.
The Sout and Klein rivers are in flow vibrantly chuckling and even the mighty Riversonderend waters are swollen with 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 9th September 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.
Booking: Book online here
No fees for pillion
Any make of bike welcome
Please email the EFT payment remittance to lrouxmm@eskom.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.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for asking. I have now added it to the calendar.
The forum post and the newsletter will be created 4 weeks before the vent.
Any earlier creates havoc with serial cancelers who book when they see it without consulting their own calendar and cancel close the event when they realise they have double-dated themselves
You'll get a newsletter with invite and see the forum post in early October.
Hope to see you on a ride soon
100% thanks!
Still time to book, I am going to call it on the 4th September and close the booking online and firm up the list.
On this trajectory, we will form two groups and we have some new ride leaders leaning the craft taking a load as well.
Spring has really truly arrive din the Overberg and bursting with pride and eager to display for you.
This is a very pillion friendly ride.
If you enjoy this ride and you cna cope then set your sights on an upcoming ride to Cederburg Oasis.
Welcome to the non club members and no BMW bikes. Great to have you along.
Booking: Book online here
I have had two cancellations so there is now some space on this ride.
Excellent pillion friendly ride.
This ride will be followed up in a October with an intermediary ride to the same location but over more challenging terrain- not suited for absolute beginners, and at a quicker pace, action packed and great for the more seasoned rider.
So dust off your gear and bike and come out ont the beginners ride now, 8th September so your bike and bod are more gravel ride fit for the next ride
To avoid confusion, Only booked riders admitted and catered for on this ride.
Hi there,
We are on an overnight trip on Saturday in Caledon, and would like to meet up with the group at the Hemel en Arde road near the Teselaarsdal turn off on Sunday morning.
What time do you think you will be there (ball park).
We have booked and paid the Club for 2 x bikes with pillions.
Thanks.
Hi Martin,
I responded direct to your email address.
Thank you and well done to Carl for leading his first ride.
Excellently done.
Thanks to all the riders.
20 bikes,
6 pillions.
The met was very challenging and shade was a challenge too.
the mercury hovered around 36-37ºC
However, once we turned down into the Bot river valley and onto the van der Stel Pass, we were blessed with 26ºC which felt awesome after the dry heat and little wind.
Everyone home safe.
Big thank you to Andy and Carl for arrangements and leading.
Feedback from members .... they appreciated this opportunity to ride off road and look forward to next one.