Padlangs

Most of you know me as Padlangs, just because I only ride tar roads. Truth be told I have done MANY kilos on dirt – with road bikes. Nowadays I am not interested in riding on dirt with 2 wheels – thus the title of the thread. But I have read most of the off road trip reports. Such stunning scenery! Then I even rode backup for JR on the Warmwaterberg trip. So what do you do when you have your own reasons for not riding dirt on two wheels, but LOVE the scenery? In May 2007 we did a trip to Augrabies in a car, on a few occasions we started out on a dirt road to see something, but had to turn back as the road was to bad for a car.

===Friday 13 Feb 09:=== * Registration from 11:45 * Cash bar opens at 12:30 * Swimming pool open whole day * Gymkhana to start from 14:00 (polo field) * Exhibitor hall opens 14:00 * 1st Round Skills Challenge to start at 15:30 * Weekend briefing 18:45 * Wine Auction NC Estate Wines from 19:30 * Spitbraai & Chicken braai with 3 salads to start from 19:45 * Live entertainment to start 20:00 ===Saturday 14 Feb 09:=== * Registration opens 06:00 * Breakfast (for campers only) opens at 06:15 * Various off road outrides leave NC from 7:15am (for red route, the other rides 30 minutes later).

On Sunday morning there was "some"cloud cover in Bellville. As we rode to Engen we literallydrove through the clouds as we passed over Plattekloof hill - drops on visor and all. However once we got Engen the warm smiles and friendly greetings quickly displaced the cold in the air. We set of along the N1 towards Franschoek - just to get to another roadblock. At least this time there were two "blocks/areas". Bikes were pulled over in the one area and cars in the other area (space permitting). They were actually busy issueing a ticket to one of the cars. Well done to the "boys in blue" ....

Elim visit - 24 May 2008
Once again Tanya lifted the hearts and spirits of many.
Words cannot describe this trip
Thank you Tanya "you lifted us all up"

The morning started nice and EARLY. Not for the ride, but to see the first Grand Prix of the season. By 7:00 Greta commented on the perfect weather. By 7:40 I got worried, we were the only bike at Engen, and then the bikes started arriving one after the other. Needless to say that when Jane arrived on her bike that had been “Terry”-fied, it was the center of all conversation. A "Terry"-fied Honda By the time we got to Travellers Rest in Riebeeck Kasteel, we were 19 bikes. As always at this establishment the tables were set with juices waiting for us. It was not long before the coffee was poured. The “civilized” part of the breakfast (meusly and jogurt) just does not do it for some of the men, and definitely not for Corne. He just could not wait for the “proper” breakfast (bacon and eggs) to be served.

Meet at the Engen, everything you need to know will be discussed at the meeting point. The map to the meeting point and other information on what to bring is at these links: * [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/node/1 General Club Ride info and map to meeting point] * [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/faq#41n65 Frequently Asked Questions like 'What to bring and wear?']

Meet at the Engen, everything you need to know will be discussed at the meeting point. The map to the meeting point and other information on what to bring is at these links: * [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/node/1 General Club Ride info and map to meeting point] * [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/faq#41n65 Frequently Asked Questions like 'What to bring and wear?']

How does a restaurant get the name, The Docks, in the Klein Karoo? Well, the owners always wanted a restaurant near the sea. When they did get around to buying a restaurant, which was unfortunately not near the sea, they decided to call it The Docks. The family joke is, “We are just waiting for high tide”. This stunning establishment belongs to Lawrence’s (Hermanator) family. He was kind (brave) enough to arrange that this establishment would host us for a “day ride”. Larence's family But wait I am getting way ahead of myself.

2007 has been a busy year for the club, with many rides. Breakfast runs, Nelson’s Creek, Sutherland and also the annual tour to Oudtshoorn, not to mention the numerous off road rides. What better way to round of this year than a DAY ride? This will be a tar ride with all bikes welcome to join us for a day ride through the KOO Valley. 8:00 start from Engen Plattekloof, with a breakfast stop along the way. After De Doorns we will turn right to get to the KOO Valley. With any luck Niel will take care of the “Rossi squad” in the many twisty sections. Hopefully they will then wait for us to regroup. Lunch could be had at any number of places, depending on the stops and mood of the day. This would be at least 400 km for the day, with multiple stops for those that need to “rest”.