Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

I’m bikeless and work is slow; the GSA is in for repairs to a failed pinion bearing and replacement thereof as well as its driveshaft.  So, by way of an introduction (I joined in June), I thought I would share some of the good times we have had on the “beast” since we bought her new in December 2009.  Also to whet the appetites of those that are lurking on the web site (as I did for months) and vacillating about a purchase (as I did for months). This is not the royal “we”- no, my wife does not like allowing the GSA out without her riding pillion.

I got used to the new bike by taking it over the tarred Boland passes.  I dropped it on the first day at the outlook on top of du Toitskloof, which in a strange way broke the ice and I became more assertive with her.  Soon the gravel roads were calling and I had a full day tuition with Ronny Desodt on gravel roads.  Best thing I did: there was no stopping after that.  The only pimping to the bike: a lower seat from Touratech (I fell over too often when not finding the right spot for my feet at a stop), an amber headlight protector and Pivot Pex as a gift to myself after successfully completing the intermediate Country Trax course.

and the winner of the shovel is..

So, where have we been with the beast?  A favourite loop is over Sir Lowrys Pass, right at Peregrine Farm Stall over the top along a corrugated gravel road to Arabella.  Turn towards Hermanus and into Hemel en Aarde Valley, past Die Bos Dam and along the Karwyderskraal road, turn right and stay right to eventually come out on the N2 at Gabrielskloof.  You can also stay in the Hemel en Aarde Valley and pass Babylonstoring mountain to come out just outside of Caledon.  Turn right on the N2, take the first gravel road to Greyton appr. 12 km east of Caledon.  Have lunch in Greyton and work your way back along gravel to Theewaterskloof dam.

We’ve been along the south coast to Vleesbaai which went like this: Hermanus, Gansbaai, die Dam, Elim, Bredarsdorp, de Hoop, Malgas, Witsand, Vermaaklikheid, Stillbaai, Gourits and Vleesbaai.  Came home via Robinson Pass to Oudtshorn, turn left towards Calitzdorp, in and out of Seweweeks Poort, via Garcias Pass to Riversdale, right off the N2 over Tradouws Pass and finally home via Robertson.  The homeward journey was all tar except for the stab into Seweweekspoort.  What can I say: it’s just beautiful, you are sharing it with your significant other and the journey is definitely the goal (despite seeing 40+C during this year’s hot February)!

Malgas on the way to Vleesbaai

Seweweeks Poort

We “stole” 3 nights recently: N2 as directly as possible to George.  Leave the N2 towards George at the last exit.  Turn right at Pine Lodge and hit the 7 passes road to Knysa.  Took us a bit longer than anticipated: 2hours but a real treat.  Then on to Stormsriver to a place called  “The Fernery” (www.forestferns.co.za).  The last 7km along a deeply potholed forest and farm road where cows have right of way!  Used the lodge as a base: turn east along the N2, onto R62 to Kareedouw, do the “Jourbertinia Loop” – appr. 40km of sheer beauty crossing the Kouga River twice (without getting wet).  Had lunch in Joubertinia and on to Uniondale and over Prince Alfreds Pass back to Plettenberg Bay and Stormsriver.  We got back to the lodge in the late afternoon, tired but happy with a wonderful, satisfied feeling intensified by a shared bottle of red wine and a good meal.

7 Passes Road

Joubertinia Loop

Joubertinia Loop

Prince Alfreds Pass-lekker

The Fernery

Our latest conquest has been parts of the Cederberg: Katbakkies, the R355.  A second trip was to Cerderberg Oasis, the road down to Algeria and along the Olifants River on the gravel road to Citrusdal.  Turn left in Citrusdal and go over Middelberg Pass back to Op die Berg, Ceres and home, once again, via Bainskloof.

Katbakkies -feel the freedom-

THE Cederberg

Middelberg Pass

There have been others:  on the road Villiersdorp to Worcester turn right just after the pass with the hairpin bend.  You are on gravel and within 10 minutes in a landscape that seems remote and is typical Karoo.  Don’t go into Robertson, but turn right before the Breede River towards McGregor and find Strykhoogte Pass. 

Villiersdorp-Robertson

Strykhoogte Pass 

And so it goes on; with the help of the Club we will hopefully meet many like-minded people and discover that we have barely scrapped the surface of available GRAVEL.