Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Sunday 10^th April- the  day of the 3^rd Durbanville to Paarl beginners ride organized by the BMW Motorcycle Club, Cape.

72 km from Durbanville to Paarl and 62 kilometres home.

Thanks to Peter Ohanlon for leading the second group, The Gillespies for helping with admin and treasury, and BMW on call for coming along to get some off-road voyager miles.

I enjoy these rides because you can actually see the confidence levels raised as the kilometers are put under the belt.

The huge response the beginner rides attract is a sure message of the need to provide biking enthusiasts with a well organised ride with other enthusiasts. And also that there are so many riders not yet ready to go tearing off with experienced riders.

I learnt so much on this particular ride about successful organisation. Things I wish I new before hand.

Previously, I always knew 90% of the riders joining rides.

On the last two beginners rides, I knew 15% only, the rest were really 1^st timers.

Which is great.  And I’ve learnt to take nothing for granted and to spell out the arrangements very clearly so that riders who’ve not been on the forum much can understand what the expectations should be.

The trip filled op quickly and I asked the experienced riders to let me wait list them to give new riders the opportunity, so thanks guys and gals for making room.

We had a great group, 4 no shows who all let me know at very short notice and 4 arrivals who were responding to an invite and did not know they had to actually book to be on the ride.

My very great thanks to our stalwart roadies, John and Desire, who collected all the money and did the admin. You two rock, Really ROCK!!

For some reason we ran to the minute and both groups made steady progress, starting on time, briefing on gravel, we even had a towing workshop.

It was a hot day so very welcome to get airflow again once we got going after stops.

Everyone did what had to be done at turns and not one got lost or past by a turning.

The roads are very dry and the views from up on Paarl mountain were exquisite in the clear morning air.

Apart from one 800 rider with a few kilos under the belt had 2 side stand incidents but gamely continued

Not a single bike took the chicken run and every one took the challenge of Jan Phillips mountain drive in their stride.

Breakfast was fine, served plated, not buffet, and nice and quick, Strangled eggs, fried tomato, bacon and homemade bread toast.

Bottomless coffee and lots of ice water.

We returned to Durbanville alternating tar, gravel, tar and said our goodbyes at Fisantekraal 4-way.

Thanks to everyone who came along and you made the morning a really rewarding trip.