Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Sunday 27^th March 2011 dawned warm and bright, the run up to Melbourne’s F1 GP season opener was working up to the start and this distracted me somewhat from my ride prep.

In fact I left sans neck brace, which had me feeling somewhat naked all day.

A special thanks to the 23 bikes and 5 pillions that all arrived bang on time, by 08H00, no latecomers at the Engen 1-Stop on the N2 outbound before Somerset west.

This was the third beginner’s ride of 2011 and I’m sorry for the 7 wait listed folk who did not make it to get on the ride….. Despite 4 last minute cancellations between 17h00 Friday and 19H00 Sunday.

A thank you too to the two gatecrashers who I appeared and I asked NOT to join us. I had enough on my plate as it was.

Sean Hidden was doing his very first ride as a ride leader and we synced GPS receivers and discussed last minute confirmations before the briefing started at 08H15, while coffees were sipped and even… a Red Bull.

No one spoiled the day by making mention of Friday’s abysmal cricket match.

Briefing over we saddled up and rode off in discipline order, me realizing I had not done the usual introductions of riders, for this I apologise.

Donovan of BMW ON CALL had sent his team to shadow us and see what a club ride was like and what it was all about.

So Floris and Wendy in the X5 and trailer, Stacey and Gassant on their 1200GS’s joined the group.

Gassant’s wife Tougieda gamely riding pillion.

This was to be a first off-road for more than just our club riders.

Anneke had already left in the Jeep & trailer and was waiting for us before Houwhoek.

Traffic was not a problem, but the blustery wind was.

On Sir Lowry’s Pass Jean felt overwhelmed so she pulled off and trailer-ed her bike with the On Call team, spending the day with Floris and Wendy in the X5.

At the turn off onto the Teslaarsdal road on Shaw’s pass we stopped to set tire pressure and have an off-road tuition session.

Then Leon Lee acted marshal and split us into two groups, myself leaving with 12 bikes and the Sean following 5 mins later.

Rene swept for my group with BMW following and Tony Schlee swept for Sean with Anneke and the Jeep following.

The strong winds scouring very very dry roads left us with a pebbly not smooth surface and made for interesting riding.

The Hemel en Aarde valley is very dry at this stage of late summer.

But we made good time- that’s never above 80kph really and lots of dust.

We stopped for a break at Klein river crossing, leaving only when Sean brought his group up.

The ride was a good mix of tar, gravel, tar, gravel through really nice scenery on roads we have not done often and some awesome vistas.

We arrived at Evergreen restaurant, Stanford bang on the button.

I had taken the orders back at Engen and phoned them through while on the march.

Then I called when we were 20 mins out.

Because someone never waited at a turn, the group got split up and the good thinking of Francois got the stragglers back on track.

Well done!

Then it happened again!

Nonnie and her Zim team- Brian, Dickson and Twaydai looked after us and made us feel very welcome.

They took orders for drinks, then asked who was eating  what (Hamburger 5, Fish n Chips 11 or Babotie 7).

Then went off and returned directly with the food.

Very impressive.

Hot plated food with sources.

We tucked in and chilled while chatting.

An hour after arriving I took off with my group. With lesson of waiting at turn-offs learned, we had no more issues.

The ride back had no wind at all.

Traffic was light and the mix of gravel, tar, gravel worked very well.

We had no incidences, no side stands, falls or break downs.

Everyone rode brilliantly, within their envelope, pushing it now and then towards the end as confidence levels rose.

I was really proud to see the happy smiling faces as we stopped atop Sir Lowry’s pass view point.

BMW On Call had enjoyed their ride and promised to visit the club meeting.

Everyone had learned something and those about top go on trips- Namibia Tour and the West Coast Tour, had filled up their bucket of experience some more and were feeling more and more confident.

Some had come straight off a training course and used this ride to put it all into action and this really helped them.

Special thanks to Stan, Graham, Geoff, Rene, Tony, Sean who did so much to assist with their experience and casual calm.

Well done to the first timers, I hope you all found the outing worth the while.

Thanks to all for safe riding and for having fun.

Well done to Sean and Sandy for leading the group safely and getting everyone back safe n sound.

The next beginner ride, similar format, is on April the 8^th, watch the mail and forum for details.

Please send me your photos to be uploaded.