Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

The Nuy Valley breakfast run …….. The weather forecast kept on changing during the preceding week, the biggest change being the amount of rain to be expected on the day. Then there was also the issue of a run on Fathers day. To be quite honest, I did not expect to see too many people on this run. 6:30 on Sunday 17 June I looked out the bedroom window, clear skies!! Absolutely perfect weather. At Engen the bikes kept on arriving, one after the other. At exactly 8:30 the drivers briefing was held and 5 minute later 16 bikes and 22 people set of for a lovely ride. N1, over Du Toits Kloof pass, with a few “rossis” having fun. Did you know that Rossi now rides a GS? As we approached the turn off to Rawsonville the wind started acting up. In Rawsonville the “Bolander” (Chris van die Westhuizen) and Suzette joined the group. Just before Worcestor we turned right towards Villiersdorp. A few kilometers later a left turn onto R60 and then a right took us towards Robertson. Another 6 kilometer and another left turn, straight to the restaurant. What a stunning facility. In good weather there are a number of stables out in the open air. There are also three indoor areas. The area where we were seated (the smallest area), can easily accommodate 30 people. When we walked in two pots of tea and two pots of coffee were waiting for us. Each table also had a jug of fruit juice. The table with an assortment of porridges, fruit salad and jogurt got its fair share of attention. In due corse a buffet table with bacon, scrambled eggs, sausage and tomato, etc., etc. was unveiled. These platters were also regularly swapped out with full platters. All in attendance agreed that the food was excellent and the service was top notch. When the time came to pay, nobody could believe the price. R40 per person, that is the total for the food and drinks!! During breakfast the Bolander was telling us about his previous track day. He is thoroughly convinced that it is a worthwhile investment. I was going to do the Auto Atlantic training day that was postponed because of the bad weather. I pointed out that I do want to do a training day – but only if it would be in good weather. At this point Suzette made a very interesting statement: “Dit is seker ook belangrik om te leer om in die reen te ry.” (Or words to this effect). The more I think about it, the more I realise the wisdom of her words. Part of me do want to do a “dry” track day and yet, as a daily commuter I spend so much time on wet roads ….. Dankie, Suzette, ek sal weer gaan kyk na die datums. The value of these days that BMW puts together for us cannot be stressed too much. Back to Nuy Valley - I took my mother to Nuy Valley Restaurant last Saturday for lunch – absolutely excellent food and service. If you drive through Worcestor, the turn off is about 15 km outside of Worcestor in the direction of Robertson. The Restaurant is about 7 km down this road. They do many functions, such as weddings. Enough advertising, lets get back to the “after” ride. When Di got ready to leave I asked which way they were going, she replied: “We are going to McGregor”. When I asked how they intend getting there, Di looked at me, smiled and said: “padlangs”. Nou wat sal ’n mens nou sê? Brendan, my wife and I joined Dave and Di towards Robertson. In Robertson D&D turned of towards McGregor, while we carried on and then turned of towards Bonnievale. But wait, I am getting ahead of myself, in Robertson I wanted to stop and take a photograph of the “boom-mense”. You know, that new species that sits on a fold up chair under a “boom” and take pictures of people that drive at “speed” and then they want you to pay for these poor quality pictures printed on pink slips. Do you think one would be able to get a hunting permit for this new species of wild life? If you have never driven the road from Robertson to Bonnievale, put this on your “to do” list. Stunning scenery, with a few nice mountain passes. From Bonnievale towards Stormsvlei. Just a word of caution, don’t look too hard for Stormsvlei. It is only 4 or 5 buildings, if that many. Then you get to the N2, a right turn and you are on your way home. Riviersonderend and Caledon. Strong Wind By now the wind was not playing nicely at all. Suddenly the fuel gage was falling quicker than the rev counter could rise, the mildly enthusiastic speed probably did not help too much. By Botriver we had to do an emergency fuel stop. Having been forced of the N2 it was only logical to go back via Rooi Els. The attached photo tells the full story of the wind. I use my bike every single day. So the wind does not normally worry me too much. It was only when I felt how tired my body got, that I realised how strong it had been. Back in Bellville, Brendan joined us for a coffee at my house while we watched some super bikes. Not to long after that the promised rain made its debute. Brendan got into his ”wetsuite” and made his way home. Another 400+ kilometer breakfast run successfully completed. A big thank you to everybody that helped to put this lovely day together.