Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

I had to conduct a funeral on a farm not far from Eendekuil on Wednesday at 15:00. I learned from the family about the route to the farm and for me this was new territory. I checked the wheatherman and decided to go there on the bike. The road there was from Brackenfell to Piketberg - then a lovely road from Piketberg, directon Elandsbay, passed the offturn to Eendekuil, right turn on the Het Kruis rd to Sandberg, and then gravel, until I had to turn right again on the Paleisheuwel rd, direction to the N7. The farm Ou Muur is on this road, about 3km's after the turn off. I departed from the farm at 17:15, took the direction to N7, and then came back to Eendekuil, with another 12km's gravel road to family of mine on a farm, where I stayed over for the night. Next morning, after breakfast, back via Piketberg home. So, the route, easy, about 50km's of gravel, the rest tar. Why interesting for me? Well, the route was new to me. After heavy rains in that region, I was really unsure about the terrain. I was alone! Therefore the frantic search for getting at least a pump for inflating after gravel sections and for possible punctures. I see myself as inexperienced, never rode sand before, and mud etc while alone made me a bit tense. Plus I was on no holiday and had a deadline to honour. I think the lone riding on gravel was my biggest concern! Had to take a suit (incl tie shoes and blazer!), and overnight clothes with me. My experience: Drizzle from B'fell to Malmesbury, and a lekker coffee at Piketberg, after departing at 11:15 from home. I don't mind riding alone on tar, and enjoy "being a bit on my own." A Strongish North Westerly wind from the front was with me. From Piketberg I enjoyed this, for me, a new road, and will visit again! The first gravel after turning off to Het Kruis, was OK, after I let the air in the tyres down. I could enjoy the handlebar raisers wich I fitted for the first time. After turning into the Paleisheuwel rd, things was quite wet. I had to go through a "driffie" (but that was pudding after our Cerestrip a while ago!) Funerals are never fun. But what a privilage to be part of people's lives when they have to deal with the borderline experiences of life, and what a privilage to be asked from the city to come out to this beautifull landscape and share with them a part of their story. This farmer's house is on the foot of a hill, and the rains was so heavy this season, that the underground water lifted his swimming pool about a foot out of the ground! Potatoes are the source of income here. The sports started after my departure! The sun was starting to settle behind the hills and the clouds. And not far gone, I started encountering sand patches - with the sun in such a state that I could not make out exactly what I was seeing! Well, al I remember from my introductory course and from reading all the forums etc, was "stand up, look up, and open up!" But really, I did not want to fall! Once I had to stop and regain my composure. Then the next thing - for about 10 km's there was a tractor (padskraper) working the road! and the loose sand from this was never ending! I made it at about 70 km/h, standing, sitting, opening up, and looking up!(no, not alone praying at that moment, but also sweating despite the cool wheather! - also laughing aload in that helmet for what may happen any second if I loose control!) At one stage there was a car coming from the front, lights on already, when I had to go left, hitting a deep patch of sand - sitting! but knew that if I stand up now and maybe loose it at 70km/h, I can end up in front of the oncomming car! My feet was wide away from the pegs then and the bike was doing a dance underneath me like mad! And then it was all over! Tar! Luckily the sand was not all dry! A short gravel piece to my family's farm. Fortunately the mud patches was covered with newly laid gravel. Wonderfull to visit with family you don't see every day, red wine, good company, waterblommetjiebredie, and liqueor(?) to end the day in bed at about 12:30 in the morning. Next morning I took the same road to Piketberg. Phoned home to say I am on my way, put on my rain clothes, as well as getting the air back in the tires. The rain was really pouring around Malmesbury with a strong wind from behind. Lorries make it difficult to pass when they make absolutely showers behind them in such weather. In Malmesbury I stopped again to put some stuff on my visor so that the water can run off. I came via Durbanville mainly to get out of the way of the lorries on the N7. My visor missed up in the heavy rain, and when I lifted my visor a bit, the rain blowed in from behind. Safely home. SATISFACTION! I saw on a book cover something John Wayne apparantly said something like: "Courage is to fear the unknown, but to saddle up anyway!" I saw this after my trip, but it sort of summed up my little trip. I think Charles you have a farm in that area - and I hope your neighbours get THEIR problem sorted out so that you can enjoy your piece of paradise there!? Lessons: I definitely learned again that it is unsafe to travel alone on gravel. I am glad that I slept over and not drove into the night on my way back. Yes, I must do the next level course! It is good to visit family and friends as part of the journey! And can somebody please tell me about a wheatherman who is accurate? Mine was not for this trip. How does one make sure not to mist up in your helmet? I actually enjoy riding in rain. I enjoy the GS1200! Thanks for sharing!(please forgive the spelling and grammar - I usually only use "english in self-defense")!