BMWMCC Cape – Pensioners Run 1 February 2012. A midweek all tar ride open to all.
First of all, I must apologize, I sort of stole this idea off Jacques Botha and Geoff Edwards, but I reckon it’s such a good idea, it’s worth whatever punishment comes my way. 
So the first ever official BMWMCC Pensioners Run will take place on Wednesday 1 February, which just happens to be my “naming day” so perhaps I’ll take the day off and go with. 
So what is a Pensioners Run I hear you asking? Well, it’s a ride exactly like a breakfast run; only it’s for lunch and happens in the middle of the week on a Wednesday.
Now although it’s called the Pensioners Run, it is in fact open to anybody who is able to join in the fun, from actual Pensioners to anyone who is for instance on leave, “off sick” 
, or is a boss and is just able to take a few hours out of their day for a bike ride. Not forgetting reps that don’t seem to work much on Wednesday and Friday’s anyway. 
In fact, instead of taking someone to talk business on the golf course, take them on the Pensioners Run; it’s a good networking opportunity as well. 
I reckon we would also welcome pensioners on all sorts of bikes. You unfortunately cannot force your suppliers to ride BMW (yet). So the first ride will be invitational as well.
The idea is to leave Cape Town at about 10H00, or after the peak traffic rush, have a nice ride for lunch somewhere, and be back home, at the office or where ever before the afternoon traffic rush.
My dear old friend Geoff Edwards has kindly agreed to put together some routes and destinations and as he is an official pensioner, the name for these rides is quite apt.
The departure will be from the usual meeting venue in Plattekloof and I am sure Geoff will let us know is due course where we are going on the first ride.
So, if you’re free, or can make yourself free, come and join Geoff on Wednesday 1 February. There is no better way to relieve office stresses that getting some wind in your face on a motorcycle.
If it's a success, we can look at putting together more frequent mid week rides. Enjoy.
I am afraid that I cannot take any credit - the idea was all Jacques'. I mentioned to Warren how good Jacques' unofficial ride was and here we are with an official one.
I quite like the "My dear old friend Geoff Edwards"!!
We should be moving that day, but I'm taking a rain cheque.....
Du Toit
I will most certainly diarise this and do my utmost to keep this appointment with myself. Only a crises with my clients will keep me away.
thanx a ton for this
I'm going with, Okkie also promised to join. Please book me 2 places for Lunch WEDNESDAY!!
If I am given the ok by the doc on the 30th I will come..!Maybe Belinda as well.
The first pensioners run, on 1 February 2012, will be up to the West Coast Fossil Park near Langebaan. Check out their website http://www.fossilpark.org.za/index.html
At the Fossil Park we will be given a guided tour of the diggings, the laboratory and the museum. After the tour we will have lunch at the coffee shop. Those who do not wish to eat at the coffee shop are welcome to pack a picnic and eat on the shaded lawns on site.
Wendy, the person who organises these things at the Park, will send me a menu and asked that we indicate who wants to eat what to ensure that they have sufficient stock on hand. When I receive the menu I will post it.
The cost for entry to the Park plus the guided tour is R50 with the lunch being extra.
I would have liked to have left at 10:00, arriving at the Park at around 11:45 but Wendy says that it is unbearably hot at the diggings at midday so the plan is that we will leave at 09:00, shoot up the West Coast Road, tour the diggings at 11:00, eat lunch at 12:00 and head back to Cape Town at 13:30 via Hopefield, Malmesbury and Durbanville, hopefully arriving before rush hour.
I will do the run on Monday or Tuesday next week so that I can be sure of the timing when we actually head out.
I have been to the Park twice and find it absolutely fascinating.
Ahhhh....Take the old Fossils to the Fossil Park. A splendid idea but don't leave the live Fossils with the dead one's please!!!!!
We had about 32 people with us on the trip.
This is definitely a trip not to be missed.
So many people travel that way and do not even know it is there.
May all that join you have a great time as we did.
Off all the people that went only 4 or 5 of us knew about the place.
Even if you are still on your way becoming a Fossil i can assure those going they will be amazed at what interesting world renowned Site they will be visiting.Been their a few times myself and intend joining the ride.
The Lotto has pledged a big amount towards the Park and the facilities are/will be upgraded over the next year or two as i understand it.
to confirm no run on 1 February 
Okay 9am is probably even better for me as I can still have appointments in the afternoon. the earlier the better.
If the ride is 1st March, Belinda and me are definitely in. Although Belinda is not the Fossil, I am...!
Definately 1 February 2012, 09h00 at the Engen Garage / Wimpy in Plattekloof.
@ Chris, there will hopefully be regular mid week rides from now on, so you can use your Fossil Status to apply for discount .
Geoff did correct it...I saw the Tippex on his screen....it was just not apparent to the rest of you !!!
Hi Folks,
Here is the gen for the first all tar pensioners ride.
Rendezvous: The usual place Engen/Wimpy, Plattekloof Village Shopping Center, corner of Gert van Rooyen and Plattekloof.
Date: 1 February 2012
Time: Briefing 08:45
Departure 09:00 sharp
Destination: West Coast Fossil Park http://www.fossilpark.org.za/index.html
Route Out: Along Plattekloof to the N7 - N7 until Melkbosstrand Rd (R304) - down R304 to the R27 - along R27 until just past the Weskus One stop and turn right towards Langebaanweg Airforce Base - at T junction turn left onto R45 - after around 2km the Fossil Park is on theleft. The distance is about 120km.
Route Back: Down R45 to Malmesbury - onto N7 to Cape Town. Home in time for tea. Distance around 150km.
Guided Tour: The cost is R50 including entrance to the park. The tour includes a visit to the diggings, the laboratory and museum. We will have to ride a short way on a good gravel road to get to the diggings from the visitors centre. I will collect R50 from everyone at the rendezvous to make things quicker and when we arrive at the park.
Lunch: There is a small restaurant at the park that can cater for 22 people. They ask that we place orders before going on the tour so that the food will be ready when we get back. You are also welcome to pack a picnic. If we are a small group then we can order fromtheir a'la carte menu but if we are going to be a large group we will have to indicate what we would like to eat a couple of days in advance to give them a chance to prepare due to the limited capacity of their kitchen. For this reason I ask that you indicate your intention to come on the ride by Sunday evening 29 January.
If I have left anything out please let me know.
Do you guys actually know that you find certain gravel roads easy (and I have heard this numerous times) etc and then only to find patches which catch one unawares.
In beginners terms, how hard is this gravel road!! Me and gravel are not best of friends
..........it may as well be tar.
Just imagine it is black.
Lyn, the road is only a couple of hundred meters but just too far to walk. The first time I used this road it was with a road bike and until then I had never riden on gravel before. I found it easy and after seeing you ride on the Biedouw Valley trip I am sure that you will also find that to be so.
But if you would like a lift from the visitor's centre feel free to ask. That goes for anyone else too.
