Sutherland Winter Tour

Brian M's picture
We all gathered at the Engen garage at plattekloof on a bright and warm sunny Friday morning and after a quick cup of coffee, had a riders briefing and Jeremy kindly offered to sweep for us. We set off for Worcester on the N1 and arrived there via Du Toits Kloof Pass for a very much needed cup of hot coffee and for some, a “smoke”, as we came over the pass on the Cape Town side, the temperature was around 16c BUT as we approached the short tunnel on the other side, the temperature dropped to 4c. We then continued on through Robertson, Bonnievale (for me this has always been a fantastic scenic ride through to Swellendam. We then went on the N2 to the Suurbraak turnoff. Just before the turnoff we stopped for petrol and a “smoke break” for those that smoke. Tradou pass was as fantastic as always and I led all of us on a leisurely ride through the pass in order for us to enjoy the scenery. Lunch at the Country Pumpkin in Barrydale is always fantastic as was the service and the usual Hannepoort (free) on arrival. We departed for Montague where we met up with Alvin Kushner and continued up Koo Valley to the “T” junction on the N1. From there we could see the snow blanket on the Hex river Valley Mountains. We then continued to Touwsrivier for fuel. We arrived at Matjiesfontein at about 17h.00. After parking the BMWs on the front porch Sutherland: Hotel front porchSutherland: Hotel front porchand a quick shower and change of clothes, we headed for the Pub. Some of the group went on the “bus tour” of Matjiesfontein (all 7 minutes of it). At 7.00pm we all went and had a real 3 course meal and the company around the table was absolutely brilliant. Then it was back to the pub for more merriment. Saturday morning saw sunshine and a great day ahead of us. The group went on a walking tour of Matjiesfontein and the wonderful museums there. Some of us opted for some coffee at the one and only coffee shop there. We then departed for the 112 km ride to Sutherland. Near Sutherland, we stopped to have a look at the snow around us. In Sutherland we split up as we were all staying in different accommodation. Alvin in his wisdom elected to stay in a caravan park in a “tent”. We all said that he was being foolish in staying in a tent in that temperature and I even offered him accommodation but he insisted on sleeping in his tent. We heard that Ronnie had also pitched a tent next to him. (Suckers for punishment) All of our group as well as some of the “dirties” took a ride that afternoon up to SALT (Southern Africa’s Large Telescope) 14 kms out of Sutherland. There was also snow up there on the shadow side of the plateau. After a quick power nap that some of us had, we headed to the restaurant for dinner that night. Geoff had organized a restaurant – Jupiter, for the 48 of us for diner and I must say that the owner did extremely well to have 48 diners (all steaks, done to perfection) ready at the same time. (He did inform me much later that evening that his maximum that he had catered for before was 24) Well done.Sutherland: Theresa, Adrienne, Tony and BrianSutherland: Theresa, Adrienne, Tony and Brian Sunday morning at 06h30 the temperature was -4c and there was frost all over the BMWs parked outside.SutherlandSutherlandSutherland: 07h00 Sunday morningSutherland: 07h00 Sunday morningSutherland: Sutherland looking north with not a soul in sightSutherland: Sutherland looking north with not a soul in sightSutherland: Looking south with no one in sight at 07h00Sutherland: Looking south with no one in sight at 07h00 Quite a few of us had a leisurely breakfast at the Sutherland Hotel. Alvin, Tony (2) Vanessa and myself left for the N1 as Sarel and Theresa stayed on for a while as Theresa wanted to “see Sutherland” before they left. At Touwsrivier we refueled and left Alvin, Tony and Adrienne and Vanessa continued to Cape Town. All in all a fantastic winter tour to Sutherland albeit no snow to speak of but fantastic weather and a very scenic route.

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Brian M's picture
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Joined: 2007/08/13
Apologies to all, I need to correct some errors (finger problems) BMWs on porch was Matjiesfontein not Sutherland. It also should read - At Touwsrivier we refueled and left Alvin, Tony and Adrienne at the fuel stop and Vanessa and I continued to Cape Town. Brian
Geoff Russell's picture
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Joined: 2007/09/25
Thanks for the report and pictures Brian. Certainly sounds like you guys really enjoyed your "extended" ride to Sutherland. A great pity that there was so little support for the "road" group Club Members. Hopefully we will fill the upcoming "all the passes" road ride to Oudtshoorn that we are arranging.

Committee: Ride Captain

Underground's picture
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Joined: 2008/02/25
Well Brian, when I had to pull out of Plattekloof Engen on Friday morning, it was very hard to say Goodbye, Ohhh how I wanted to just tag on to the back of the pack, Great trip report, looks like a great ride, And if it is on next year I will be going! Geoff as for the all passes, hmmmm missed it last year so this year sounds like a plan. Keep your feet on the pegs, and your hat on - Safe riding to all
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rynet's picture
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Joined: 2008/03/17
Thanks for the report and photo's Brian . Nice to have seen you and your impeccably clean bike at Sutherland :) The off -roaders ' bikes were full of mud and grime , yikes I am not looking forward to cleaning it ;) ''"4 wheels move the body,'' ''2 wheels move the soul"''
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Brian M's picture
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Joined: 2007/08/13
Here is a photo of the lucky group on the Sutherland Winter Tour taken at Matjiesfontein.Matjiesfontein: Alvin is trying to convince us to move over there as it is closer to his BMW  RTMatjiesfontein: Alvin is trying to convince us to move over there as it is closer to his BMW RT
Tony's picture
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Joined: 2008/08/24
Wow, what a lotta fun we had this "weekend" Adrienne and I had an absolute blast riding with our fellow "roadies" - Brian, Jeremy, Dale, Sarel, Theresa, Vanessa and Alvin. Nothing like a handfull of motorcycles, a few good (new) friends, excellent weather and the open road! We "detoured" back via the Koo Valley (from Touwsriver to Montagu) on Sunday. Koo Valley (R318 )Koo Valley (R318 ) We then stopped at Cafe Fresh in Montagu for lunch. For those who headed straight back to Cape Town - eat your hearts out - excuse the pun. Ploughmans and BurgerPloughmans and Burger From here a short hop took us to Swellendam, where we slept over - hey, there's nothing like taking Friday and Monday off work! :). Monday we took a leisurely ride home via Bredasdorp - Napier - Stanford - Hermanus (quick stop for an early lunch) - Gordon's Bay - D'ville. Unfortunately its back to work tomorrow. Oh well, there always the "All Passes Tour" to look forward to. PS Recommended reading for the next tour - don;t ask, you had to be there :-): Freakonomics - Steven Levitt Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely Tony and Adrienne We should learn from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn. ~Author Unknown

Jeremy Martin's picture
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Joined: 2008/10/14
Dale and I were only able to join the Matjiesfontein part of the trip due to family commitments on Sunday (koek en tee met ouma en die ander terroriste). Brian's ride was, as is the norm, fantastic. The food at the Country Pumpkin was yummy yummy. Lunch in BarrydaleLunch in Barrydale Friday night in the pub after the bus tour was amusing to say the least. John, the pianist, had us all singing and laughing till the tears rolled. John, the intrepid comedian/tour guide/pianistJohn, the intrepid comedian/tour guide/pianist On Saturday morning we took a leasurely stroll through the little Karoo town, it's got a fascinating history. Proof we was der!Proof we was der! Many times over the years, we've travelled by train to Jo'burg and beyond, and from the train not far from Matjiesfontein is a little hill with 2 monuments on it. I've always wondered what they were, and on Friday afternoon when we shot past this hill on our way to Matjiesfontein, I thought that I can't miss the opportunity to finally find out what they were. On the way back to Cape Town, Dale and I stopped at the not oft visited Monument sight...and to our surprise found the grave of the founder of Matjiesfontein. The monuments up on the hillside near the graves are for some long-ago Brit general who died during the Boer war. There is also a good few grave sites with only a nameplate on it, no dates. Logan's graveLogan's grave All in all, a good trip was had by all, I think. It's just a real pity that we weren't able to make Sutherland.. oh well, theres alway next year!!
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