2014-02-02 Malmesbury, Mooreesburg, Langebaan, West Coast National Park

The Nav planned a ride along the West Coast as relatively moderate to warm weather was expected. We met up with the group at the usual spot in Table View (Stuart, Ben with a pillion (Kath) and Erich.  A Zambian chap was intrigued by the group of riders and scooted towards us for a chat with us on his little scooter.  He was fascinated by our motorcycles and told us that his scooter was his mode of transport and he wished that he could join us.  After filling up, we waved him goodbye and set off on our adventure.

The route took us from Tableview through Blaauwberg, Botterberg and Kalbaskraal on the old road to Malmesbury for breakfast. Cherry Lane changed their hours and is now closed for business on a Sunday.  We weren't too upset to have to turn back to the Wimpy, where you can most always be assured of good value and great service.  We caught up on riding stories over breakfast and the Nav pulled out his maps to get some more route ideas from Ben and Stuart for our upcoming Namibia trip.

After breakfast we continued on through some gravel to Morreesburg and down to the tarred R45 to Langebaan where we stopped for a welcoming cooldrink at Pearly's on the lagoon.  It was very windy and the kite surfers were out in full force.   Wonderful to see so many people out and about enjoying what nature has to offer.  From there a leisurely ride through the West Coast National Park (a wild card avoids the R37 entry fee), followed and we made our way back home on the R27.  The wind was something else but sometimes to be expected when travelling along the West Coast.  I suppose it could've been worse, as riding close to coast more often than not means sand.... 

Today, the challenge was wind, something that I thankfully don't struggle too much with.   

All in all 363km with only around 70km on gravel. 

The Route 

The Nav contemplating whether he should take our Zambian friend's scooter for a spin...

on second thoughts....... 

Our lawnmower's fuel tank is bigger than this one

Ooh eh eh.. now where do i put da petrol in?

Honey, I shrunk the kid...  

Groupies

Cath using her arms to slow Ben down as we wait for Stuart and Erich to catch up

He's here, let's go! 

Wimpy at Malmesbury for a hearty breakfast

Erich honing his 'stand up' skills on the gravel on-route to Mooreesburg- SUCH FUN! 

PLEASE can we go straight?  yayyy, we so do! 

Re-grouping and taking in the splendours of the Swartland, the gateway to the West Coast 

Erich sporting his new helmet

Big smile from Ben and Kath

Stuart putting his foot down

and there goes Erich.... still standing......  

my two TRUE weaknesses

made you wait, made you wait.....  this is what happens when I see a windmill! sorry guys!

The Nav seeking some relief from the sun...
I almost mistook him for a traffic cop - always lurking behind bushes they are.... 

Next town Mooreesburg

Refreshment stop at Pearly's in Langebaan
Did you know?   Langebaan has some intimidating wind speeds and as such have managed to sustain a large kite surfing community and establish itself as a leading town playing a vital role of the enrichment of the sport.

The Nav enjoying a coke float as Survivor Stuart, Erich and I entertain him with our biking tales

Cheers everyone, here's to enjoying yet another day of fun in the sun with our biking buddies

Ben reflecting

My FAVOURITE view!  minus the sand....

Law abiding citizens

Did you know? The West Coast National Park lies 120 km north of Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is 27,500 hectares (106 sq mi) in size. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the R27 coastal road, and runs from the town of Yzerfontein in the south up to the Langebaan lagoon. The park is particularly well known for its bird life and for the spring flowers which occur in the months from August to October, especially in the Postberg flower reserve section of the park.

We're in!  Wild Card holders get in free otherwise have your R37 entrance fee ready

Could Kath be the next Nav? 

Birds of a feather flocking together?  KLRs to the right... everything else to the left

The azure waters of the Langebaan lagoon has lost its allure -  low tide only thankfully

and off we go.... 

Till next time.  

Safe travels everyone 

-Ang-
4 wheels moves the body, 2 wheels moves the soul

2014-01-19 Franschhoek, Botrivier, Highlands, Kleinmond, Clarence Drive

Happy 2014 everyone!  I cannot believe that another year is behind us but the good news is that many planned rides are lying ahead of us... always something to look forward to with the Nav constantly planning new routes for us!  

I was rather excited to wake early for our first longer ride in 2014. A bigger group than usual with Yvonne, Buds on their GS1200's, their daughters Kaylie and Robyn each on their own 800 BMW's and their exchange student guest Stefan on a borrowed classic Kawasaki 550 Zepher, joining the usual group consisting of myself, the Nav, Eish and Stuart.  For once the KLRs were out numbered but NOT out manouvred....

Our first stop was in Franschhoek for breakfast, then over the Franschhoek Pass, past Theewaterskloof Dam and onto the gravel Van der Stel's Pass winding up at Botriver. Yvonne, Robyn and Stefan took the tar road, and the more adventurous riders met up with them somewhat later in Kleinmond at the harbour for a welcoming refreshment. 

The railway track on route presented us with some riding challenges, then down the beautiful River Road and Highlands road where we said good-bye to the gravel.  We met up with the rest of the group at Kleinmond harbour.

Clarence drive is always spectacular, and was over too soon.  The N2 and now a very windy Baden Powell saw us home safely at 2.30pm.  What a fantastic day with a great group of people. We covered +/- 300kms with 30% being gravel.  A great idea (txs Ang) to do a coastal ride as its always a lot cooler riding along the coast rather than inland when the temperatures soar in summer.  Not always as many exciting gravel roads but I was chuffed that with the exception of myself and the Nav, the railway track in Botriver was a first for the rest of the riders who ventured with us up the two track path.  Always so exciting when we find new roads to venture on.  This track is a MUST for all adventure riders, whether you are a beginner or an old hand at the tricky bits. 

300km's with spectacular roads and scenery.... yummy!

We met up with Paul 10km before Franschhoek.  Talula (Paul's bike) waits patiently.

We managed to lose Yvonne and Kaylie and waited for them to catch-up.  Good thing they are connected via fancy phones and ear pieces!

Boere breakfast.  That is Stefan in picture who is a guest from Belgium riding a borrowed Kawasaki 550 Zephyr.  To his left is Yvonne, Buds, Stuart, David and yours truly.  Opposite sits Kaylie.

Boere breakfast at a French restaurant.  Makes sense to me!

Paul taking the turn-off to Botriver

A brief stop at a river along the way with the down-sized group.  Such fun!  Stuart????

The start of the railway track.  There were some sandy bits.  It was Robyn's first ride off-road on her bike which she got 2 days before (a F800).  Much respect!

and there she comes..... well done Robyn!

There was a really tricky section where the bigger bikes struggled a tad, but with an bit of an adrenaline rush we all got up without incident and stopped at the top.

Now you know why they call it the railway track - complete with bridge!

Paul posing :)  nice ride Eish!   check out Paul's you tube post
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APSAWDTvk-w&feature=youtu.be

The River Road.  Check the view.  Stuart???

Now just the view

Turnoff to the Highlands road.  David's bike clocked 44444.4km, as usual we took a left!

Pausing at the T-junction - Father & daughter in view... Stuart???

The view from the top of Highlands

Found him!!!!!

Kleinmond overlooking the harbour.  Double thick chocolate milkshake for us, Paul ordered a curry milkshake - watch those carbs....

The view with the bikes all in a row.  Which KLR looks the happiest??? The car guard describes himself as the mayor of Kleinmond.  He did well out of us.

Departing for Clarence Drive and home

All in all a wondeful day and soooo good to be back on the KLRs which earns more respect every time we ride them.  

Till next time, safe travels everyone.

Ang
4 wheels moves the body, 2 wheels moves the soul