It was a gloomy and damp morning, the dim images of passers-by vanished into the mist like fading memories. Two warmly clad figures were prominent through the café window, illuminated by the warm glow of an incandescent lamp, as they huddled over a cup of steaming coffee.
No! This is not a coffee bar in the back streets of mid-winter, 19th Century London – it is Wymoth and Anne, on a summer’s morning in South Africa, waiting patiently at the Blockhouse Wimpy Bar for other crazy motorcyclists to arrive. And so they did, until we had 17 bikes ready to roll at 09H00 as planned.
We left in a light drizzle and under severe threat of heavier rain. The threat soon materialized and we had to stop for the over optimistic few that didn’t already have their raincoats on. We were quickly under way again and, although, we had fairly steady rain for most of the way to Clarens, we had a very pleasant ride at a sedate pace, without incident.
In Clarens we were welcomed to the Artist’s Café by James, who had our separate dining room reserved and waiting. By common consensus, it was decided that we would not visit Sandstone, the Steam Engine Museum, because everyone was damp and wanted to get to the hotel to change into something dry. A phone call to the Museum confirmed the decision was the right one as Leigh of Sandstone reported that heavy rain was falling in Fickburg and the roads were consequently in a ‘mess’.
A much more leisurely visit to Clarens was possible as the rush to leave was no longer necessary. The food and service at the Artist’s Café was good and we all lingered for some time before making our separate ways to the Fouriesburg Country Inn. The rain had subsided and most of us, that timed it correctly, arrived relatively dry.
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Everyone gathered in the hotel lounge and pub, later in the afternoon, where (besides a drink or two) we got to know the new members and the infrequent club participants that were with us. The Fouriesburg Country Inn lived up to its usual high standard of food and after a really good meal most of us retired quite early. Breakfast was arranged for 07H00, which was well attended, and everyone was ready to leave for the Drakensburg by 08H00. The weather was once again threatening and besides a few pessimistic suggestions we left determined to carry out the intended ride. Unlike the day before the weather did improve and, although it remained mainly overcast, it became bright and even the sun graced us with its occasional presence. |
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There were two sections of ‘stop and go’ roadworks on the road passed Sterkfontein dam but, besides that, the road has been repaired and is in a reasonable state. The view of Sterkfontein dam under the strange light effect created by the cloud formations yielded staggering shades of green and blue and with the mountains in the background it was truly a ‘postcard’ picture. We stopped at Little Switzerland to stretch our legs and have a drink and besides the leader (i.e. the author) briefly driving passed, the trip was essentially perfect. We stopped a short while later to refuel in Bergville and then proceeded to Monk’s Cowl. As we approached Monk’s Cowl the mountains seemed to approach us at twice the rate and soon we were in their midst. Most unfortunately the cloud cover shrouded the normally spectacular view of the mountains but the fresh air and ‘nature’ were adequate compensation. |
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We split up at lunch time and those of us that went to Thokosiza ‘complex’ had a lunch in pleasant surroundings. We passed the Waffle Hut a few kilometres further along the road back to Winterton and, as arranged, the others were waiting. We passed by slowly, without stopping, and most of the others joined in. We stopped in Bergville for refuelling but the garage was extremely busy, it seems like Natal’s taxi’s gather at the Bergville Filling Station on Saturday afternoons. We moved on to little Switzerland, a few kms up the road, in separate groups. Although most of us met there, small groups left on their own for the trip back to the hotel.
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After a clean-up and change into dry clothes most of us met in the lounge to watch rugby (and have a well deserved drink after a reasonably long day’s ride). We had a somewhat subdued local crowd in the bar and lounge as the Sharks dominated the Cheetah’s and by the end of the game the hotel seemed to be inhabited entirely by BMW Motorcycle Club Members.
The hotel had organized a lamb spit-braai for the Club in the Lapa behind the dining room. The braai was excellent (as it always has been) with all their usual trimmings such as the famous ‘vetkoeke’ and ‘potbrood’. Once again, most of our members allowed their signs of age to interfere with the threatening party and we retired relatively early to get a decent night’s sleep in preparation for the ride home. |
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After a ‘nourishing’ breakfast a photo-shoot was arranged to capture the unusually high number of lady riders we had amongst us.
Six in all – Anne, Pat, Therina, Ariana, Sally and Natasha.
It is indeed an achievement by these ladies, breaking the mould of perceived convention. |
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Most people formed their own groups and chose various routes home. After an incident free weekend it was surprising to have two unfortunate, but far from serious, events in a very short space of time. A new member, Peter Brinckman, had the side cover of his GS fuel tank fly off the bike after a passing truck created a sharp gust of wind. Wymoth was quickly to the rescue, with his seemingly bottomless repair kit and had Peter’s side cover secured back on the bike with cable ties in no time at all.
Not far down the road we found Manie stopped on the side of the N3 with a puncture. Once again Wymoth whipped out the bottomless repair kit and produced the necessary puncture repair goods. Manie performed the operation quickly and efficiently. Then it was the previous victim’s turn to spring into action, Peter stepped in to assist with his marvellous little compressor. The tyre was pumped to its full pressure and we all went happily on our way.
Far too quickly, the weekend had come to an end and all that remains is to say a special thanks to all the members, new and old, that attended and contributed to a wonderful weekend. A special thanks to Anne who was our TEC. Also thanks to the Fouriesburg Country Inn who always go out of their way to ensure we enjoy our stay.
John Balsdon
