Adventure Riders Cape Town : 2014

(write up by Davide (Nav), pics and captions by Ang)

With the end of the year and high summer approaching, we planned the ride to take advantage of the cooler conditions near the coast in the heat of the day, so we did a clockwise loop through Franschhoek, Botriver and Kleinmond.

We met at the Winelands N1 bright and early, and headed off on the gravel Protea road through the farmlands. Ang, myself and Paul on his new XT was joined by friends Greg on a BMW800 and and Rob on a older Honda XR600 - with a kick start nogal - made up the 5-rider group.

We did a little exploring on the Eenzaamheid road which was new for us, but quickly made our way to Franschhoek past the inevitable cycle race(s) which seem to take over the mountain passes from November to February, culminating in the Argus Cycle Tour in Cape Town on the 2nd Sunday in March. I have ridden bicycles for many years, and am very glad to have moved on to KLR's. The bunches, inexperienced riders, wind, hills and not to forget the sheer effort required is something I really don't miss.

The wind picked up and was blowing a gale over the top of the Franschhoek pass and was quite cold. We hit the gravel again just after the dam and made our way along the picturesque and scenic Van der Stel's Pass to Botriver. Breakfast at the hotel was the usual - they don't have a menu, you simply order breakfast and take what you get. Fortunately the food is excellent, and we shared the venue with a large group of vintage car enthusiasts who were doing an extended rally through the South Western Cape.

After breakfast we made our way up the old Houw Hoek pass which is a narrow 2-track path against a mountain bike event going the opposite way. Some near-misses but all ok. Ang decided to park her bike in the undergrowth at one tricky spot, and I realise how important momentum is when tackling these sections. To get going is a mission if you stop.

After that, we took the Valley road over Highlands to Kleinmond and Clarence Drive. The roses in the Valley are in full bloom and it is very green with new foliage on the trees. A very special place, and we are fortunate to be able to stay in this beautiful area. We stopped just after Rooi-Els for a breather and made our way home through a windy, but cooler coastal route. Another great day in the saddle!

Safe travels everyone

The route

the group at the meeting place - Engen N1 Stellenbosch

A welcome cuppa before we set off

while the boys caught up on all things bike, I got creative with my camera

Paul on his XT 660 on the Eenzaamheid gravel road

looking rather Eenzaam

but not for long, as he meets up with the rest of the guys up ahead

Greg, like all BMW riders, doing it standing up

Paul & Rob

the Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek
did you know? The three high arches symbolizes the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. On top of the arches is the sun of righteousness and above that, the cross of their Christian faith.

situated on the Van der Stel Pass road, Goedvertrouw is unfortunately not open for breakfast early on a Sunday morning

just chilling

The Nav on Van der Stel pass near Botriver

next up was Paul

hot on Paul's wheels were the twins Greg (GS800) & Rob (Honda 600)

looking good Paul

The Nav - next stop Botrivier

The twins in hot pursuit

his & hers - thankfully they got the Americano right.... ooh eh eh

Next stop for me, was somewhere in the middle of the old Houw Hoek Pass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zq8TVQLDK8

decided to buy a plot

Paul and the Nav to the rescue

try as I might, I just could not pick up my KLR, thanks guys!

The Nav slip sliding up the hill to get my KLR to even ground

regrouped

leg stretch on Clarence Drive

Rob being social

Paul taking no chances and holds on to his XT as the wind gusts through Clarence Drive

Paul's boots collecting flora from the old Houwhoek Pass

Greg on his GS800 - love the colour!

Man & machine - Rob next to his beloved Honda 600R

It has been a few weeks since we last rode out on the bikes, and they demonstrated their displeasure by battling to start, despite both having new batteries.

We met up with the rest of the group (myself and David on our KLRs, Paul on his new Yamaha 660, John on his KLR and Sias on his GS1200) at the N2 1-Stop near Somerset West at 7am, and proceeded to head up Sir Lowry’s pass in gale-force wind and over to Peregrine farm-stall where we turned right off the main highway towards Highlands road. The area is demonstrating how good it can look with many rose hedges in full bloom and new thick green foliage on the trees. We hit the gravel at Highlands road, and stopped briefly at the top to admire the windswept, but clear view.

Our route took us past Karwyderskraal and Paardenkloof down a few tricky roads until we stopped for a brief breather in sight of the Caledon wind-farm. The blades are 54m long, and it is a brain teaser to calculate the speed at the blade tips at around 20rpm.

The farm across the way stocks a herd of bontebok and there were a number of young off-spring strutting their stuff. Breakfast awaits, and we hit the road past Krige before getting into Greyton at around 10am.

Breakfast was at the “usual” Oak & Vigne which is the best in Greyton, and after a lazy meal we headed back via Franschhoek to Cape Town. A minor incident at the top of the pass saw John’s parked KLR deciding to throw itself over onto Paul’s new XT660 which then followed the domino effect. Admittedly this was greatly assisted by the stiff breeze, but Paul made a desperate lunge to catch his bike, and wound up with a nasty cut in his hand. David pulled a hammie in the same pursuit. Methinks Thululah (Paul’s KLR) is sending a message!

The trip home was breezy to say the least, but a good day was had by all. Thanks to the Nav for a most enjoyable route, Sias and John for joining us and Paul for providing some of the entertainment!

Till next time, safe travel everyone
Ang