Sutherland Winter Tour

We all gathered at the Engen garage at plattekloof on a bright and warm sunny Friday morning and after a quick cup of coffee, had a riders briefing and Jeremy kindly offered to sweep for us. We set off for Worcester on the N1 and arrived there via Du Toits Kloof Pass for a very much needed cup of hot coffee and for some, a “smoke”, as we came over the pass on the Cape Town side, the temperature was around 16c BUT as we approached the short tunnel on the other side, the temperature dropped to 4c. We then continued on through Robertson, Bonnievale (for me this has always been a fantastic scenic ride through to Swellendam. We then went on the N2 to the Suurbraak turnoff. Just before the turnoff we stopped for petrol and a “smoke break” for those that smoke. Tradou pass was as fantastic as always and I led all of us on a leisurely ride through the pass in order for us to enjoy the scenery. Lunch at the Country Pumpkin in Barrydale is always fantastic as was the service and the usual Hannepoort (free) on arrival. We departed for Montague where we met up with Alvin Kushner and continued up Koo Valley to the “T” junction on the N1. From there we could see the snow blanket on the Hex river Valley Mountains. We then continued to Touwsrivier for fuel. We arrived at Matjiesfontein at about 17h.00. After parking the BMWs on the front porch Sutherland: Hotel front porchand a quick shower and change of clothes, we headed for the Pub. Some of the group went on the “bus tour” of Matjiesfontein (all 7 minutes of it). At 7.00pm we all went and had a real 3 course meal and the company around the table was absolutely brilliant. Then it was back to the pub for more merriment. Saturday morning saw sunshine and a great day ahead of us. The group went on a walking tour of Matjiesfontein and the wonderful museums there. Some of us opted for some coffee at the one and only coffee shop there. We then departed for the 112 km ride to Sutherland. Near Sutherland, we stopped to have a look at the snow around us. In Sutherland we split up as we were all staying in different accommodation. Alvin in his wisdom elected to stay in a caravan park in a “tent”. We all said that he was being foolish in staying in a tent in that temperature and I even offered him accommodation but he insisted on sleeping in his tent. We heard that Ronnie had also pitched a tent next to him. (Suckers for punishment) All of our group as well as some of the “dirties” took a ride that afternoon up to SALT (Southern Africa’s Large Telescope) 14 kms out of Sutherland. There was also snow up there on the shadow side of the plateau. After a quick power nap that some of us had, we headed to the restaurant for dinner that night. Geoff had organized a restaurant – Jupiter, for the 48 of us for diner and I must say that the owner did extremely well to have 48 diners (all steaks, done to perfection) ready at the same time. (He did inform me much later that evening that his maximum that he had catered for before was 24) Well done.Sutherland: Theresa, Adrienne, Tony and Brian Sunday morning at 06h30 the temperature was -4c and there was frost all over the BMWs parked outside.SutherlandSutherland: 07h00 Sunday morningSutherland: Sutherland looking north with not a soul in sightSutherland: Looking south with no one in sight at 07h00 Quite a few of us had a leisurely breakfast at the Sutherland Hotel. Alvin, Tony (2) Vanessa and myself left for the N1 as Sarel and Theresa stayed on for a while as Theresa wanted to “see Sutherland” before they left. At Touwsrivier we refueled and left Alvin, Tony and Adrienne and Vanessa continued to Cape Town. All in all a fantastic winter tour to Sutherland albeit no snow to speak of but fantastic weather and a very scenic route.