Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Sunday 8 November was the perfect day for riding and there were a zillion bikes out - all making the most of an exquisite spring day.

I started my day checking the route.

On Saturday, I called Froggy in Stellies and asked if he'd like to bring  his neighbour, Rikus for a bit of kilos-under-the-belt gravel riding.

I love the story of how Rikus listened to Froggy regaling them around the fire of his bike rides in SA for many monhs. 

For Rikus this was just interesting talk until he saw the series "Look what you're Missing" screened on the DSTV Ignition channel 189.

He suddenly realised that there is a vast adventure waiting every day in a vast country, to be explored in the wonderful company of fellow adventurous spirits.

So he joined the BMWMCC forum, went down the road to the BMW Motorrad delaar in Stellies and bought the R1200GS Adventure,  and all the ATTGATT.

The day he took delivery if his bike, we also wne t to training  on packing a bike for an adventure.

A week later he did an intro course offered by the BMWMCC and then he booked on the next  Country Trax Intro to offroad riding course.

But he had fearfully far to few kilos under the belt.

I just loved his enthusiasm and sense of enjoyment of this lifestyle.

So I promised to take him on some rides where we had no other distractions.

Sunday was perfect.

I fuelled up amidst a score of superbikes. All sporting tattoos, long hair, lovely biker chicks and leather.

I mounted, Andy style while pulling off, a little  ahead of them.

They caught me up at the red traffic light below Sir Lowry's Pass.

I was surrounded by bikes and they treated me to an intimidating, throaty chorus of revving motors.

Motors screaming up to and onto the rev limiter.

Then they laughed as a group.

Within seconds of the light changing they were mere specs disappearing in a screaming roar of sheer testosterone up the mountain, and I was still in first gear.

Soon I was joined at the RV point by Froggy n Rikus.

We discussed a basic route plan and then we went off sedately, 80 kph up the pass and on to the Kromco facility, 29 kms on the N2.

There we turned off right on the Valley Road.

3 km of gravel.

I decided on a new strategy, and before the gravel we re-grouped and I informed them we would ride for 3 kms on the gravel in tar road mode.

so they can feel the gravel under them and how he bike behaves on tar settings.

So when we stopped later after a bit of gravel riding,  we dropped tire pressures and reset engine mapping and ride heights and ABS and ASC settings.

All with a ten minute explanation of rake angle, lengthened contact patch, suspension talk, damping talk, All the stuff they had just done on the intro.Blah blah blah

We discussed ATTGATT and ride comfort.

5 km later we stopped to compare the bike's ride and Rikus said he immediately felt more confident and comfortable on the off road settings compared to the tar settings.

We then followed to the Highlands road.

Riding slowly- 40 to 60 kph, getting the feel of the changing surfaces and gradients.

Lots of weekend traffic, many people in cars out taking in the country feel and air.

It was awesome.

10 km later we stopped to have a break and discuss the different road conditions, experiences and some do's n dont'ts.

Then as we descended, we stopped again so I could tell Rikus to ride down the hill with hands very loose almost not in contact with the bars to feel how well the bike follows a line and does not drift off or whip the bars.

At the R44 we went R and on the 10 km to Kleinmond where we had a lunch and drink before riding the Clarence drive back home.

It was a great ride, cars coming up behind, us puling over to let them through, wonderful weather, a frolicking whale in the bay, and meeting Andre and Mariette out on a brunch ride with Friends.

Many superbikes coming p on our 6 at speed and zooting past at speed, clearly enjoying their ride.

Back in time to see Jorge Lorenzo come home as champion in MotoGP for his 3rd title whilst Rossi through protests of Marc not overtaking but allowing Lorenso to while he held off Rossi. some of which Lorenso admitted to.

Washed the bike down and let it airdry.

Great ride with great guys.