Goose
Registered user
Well it's been a while now since arriving back in Cape Town............ so much to do and having to sell the house as well.
Finally have some time on hand to post a RR of a trip that I've recently been part of.
A bit of background here.....
A good friend of ours, Michelle has been living in the UK for quite a number of years. We managed to touch base while I was in Orpington, and I discovered that she'd been converted and was now an avid biker..... commuting in London. Not bad for someone that's never been on 2-wheels.
She came to stay with us for a few days in Petts Wood and arrived on her super little Yamaha XJ6....
............ but although I loved the bike, I was adamant that I wanted to get her to "taste" a Dual Sport bike
So after lost of chats and sending her Trip reports both from SA and Europe, Michelle finally called us up and said that she'd decided to visit her mum in SA for a 3 week period............ AND would I be able to help her with getting hold of a GS to rent.
He only requirement was that I would join whatever trip or ride was planned.
So a good mate of mine, own a company called CAPE BIKE TRAVEL and it just so happens that his company supplies the GS's to Charlie Boorman for his SA trips. A quick phone call and explanation of Michelle's riding qualifications and ability - and he suggested that she rides the BMW F700GS, which he had available with a few scratches... and that it would be ideal for her in case she had a tumble (especially as she'd never been on dirt before!)
The deal was struck for a 7-day rental including Insurance and unlimited km's for the princely sum of only £50.00 per day
Planned arrival date in Cape Town was the 14th March - collecting the bike the following Tuesday. I planned the first day as a trip around the Cape Penninsula - just to allow her to become used to the GS, second day was arranged together with a group of the offroad riders to take her on a day's training on dirt............ and then the 3rd day would be the start of a 5-day excursion that would include sights on tar as well as dirt with some technical riding thrown in.
DAY - 1
On Tuesday morning the 18th March – I collected our friend Michelle from her mum’s home in Tableview to collect her BMW F700GS from Cape Bike Travel in town, for her 1st EVER bike trip/ride in South Africa.
As previously mentioned – Michelle’s an accomplished UK rider that commuted in London (something even the most experienced riders would avoid) – however she’s never ridden a DS-Bike before, never done long-distance touring ..... with a pillion..... and NEVER done Dirt riding before.
THE ONLY CONCERN was that Michelle in her wisdom, invited her 21yr-old nephew to join us on the trip as her pillion.........
.......... for someone that had never ridden dirt, about to learn to ride a new bike...... phew..... we were concerned indeed and threw some hints to try to get her to change her mind! Needless to say – we had no luck!
Michelle was super-excited to say the least when I collected her from her home – all kitted out to collect her bike.
FIRST stop was the Tableview seafront for that “post-card” pic........... the one we hope ends up on her UK Facebook page!
............ and of course, since I did a BikeSafe course in Kent and could not resist a pose to tease some of the chaps........
We then rode through to town where we did all the necessary paperwork for the bike.
Michelle had a case of butterflies and felt that the GS was far bigger than what she was used to, BUT that maybe it was not big enough to carry the two of them....?
Just no way would she be able to handle a 1200GS........ so we just flummux’d THAT idea........
After all the formalities was done – it was time to get acquainted with the bike and to get her leg over....
............. and off we went with the first actual stop (for more scenery pics) on the Signal Hill drive. This was also perfect to do a few manoeuvres to see whether she could handle it – close enough to the Rental company if we needed anything.
I think the smile’s starting to say it all....
Next we headed for the Llundudno area with the aim to eventually end up in Simonstown for lunch.
Girls LOVE shopping.............. and Michelle spotted the Curio-stalls along the route... but overshot the parking area, which gave me a chance to stop and get the camera going!
FIRST DIRT then .... looking good!
View shot... hell you have to run with the timer going off.....
Next stop was the beachfront area in Houtbay.
Thankfully the wind ensured that a lot of the sand had blown onto the road area... which provided a nice backdrop.
Chapman’s Peak is always an absolute pleasure to ride and one has to be careful to concentrate on the road, rather than the view as a few of the bends can catch you out really quickly (as Michelle found out.....)
Michelle wondering why she’s not done this before....
Aiming the "point & shoot" digital over my shoulder is an art..... whilst riding........
Noordhoek Beach with Kommetjie in the distance......
Nerves and riding makes one build up a good appetite and it was not minutes later that Michelle needed sustenance ....... Noordhoek Farm Stall was around the corner and their food is always delicious.
Ladies and their salads......
Biker-chick eating................. nothing lady-like here..........
............. what’s this green stuff............?
Food done & dusted – time to hit the road.
Riding down towards Scarborough............
Fortunately I own a WILDCARD ............ what a pleasure and as it’s a “Couple’s-card” I managed to get M into the Cape Point Reserve for free!
NOTE - If any of you visit South Africa and plan to do the Game Reserve or National Park thing........ seriously look at getting hold of a WILDCARD - www.wildcard.co.za - not only are you supporting the Conservation effort - but the card allows you FREE access into all the SANPARK Reserves throughout South Africa and offers a 25% discount on accomodation inside the Parks as well.
Looking towards Smitswinkel Bay............. we stopped for a pic or two and was also rewarded with one of the locals posing...
We decided that a visit to the Cape of Good Hope was definitely a must..............
.................. to join the tourists!
Lovely being a tourist in your own country!
Next we changed plans and headed towards Buffels Bay.....
...... where we found more locals...........
With this perfect ............. Peek................
............. a – Boo being done by one of the youngsters
.... someone’s enjoying the ride............
Sea Fisheries Inspector on duty.................
Time was moving on, so we headed to Simonstown and decided to cut across Ou Kaapse Weg back to town so that we’d have time to discuss the upcoming trip.
Arriving home after 1st day.......... Michelle super chuffed with herself and very excited!
Perfect sunset ending a perfect day.........
Unfortunately our planned “Training Day” on the Wednesday was cancelled due to serious rain – none of us felt like spending the day in mud.. so the decision was made to “wing-it” on the trip that started on the Thursday........
Day 3 to follow.........
Finally have some time on hand to post a RR of a trip that I've recently been part of.
A bit of background here.....
A good friend of ours, Michelle has been living in the UK for quite a number of years. We managed to touch base while I was in Orpington, and I discovered that she'd been converted and was now an avid biker..... commuting in London. Not bad for someone that's never been on 2-wheels.
She came to stay with us for a few days in Petts Wood and arrived on her super little Yamaha XJ6....
............ but although I loved the bike, I was adamant that I wanted to get her to "taste" a Dual Sport bike
So after lost of chats and sending her Trip reports both from SA and Europe, Michelle finally called us up and said that she'd decided to visit her mum in SA for a 3 week period............ AND would I be able to help her with getting hold of a GS to rent.
He only requirement was that I would join whatever trip or ride was planned.
So a good mate of mine, own a company called CAPE BIKE TRAVEL and it just so happens that his company supplies the GS's to Charlie Boorman for his SA trips. A quick phone call and explanation of Michelle's riding qualifications and ability - and he suggested that she rides the BMW F700GS, which he had available with a few scratches... and that it would be ideal for her in case she had a tumble (especially as she'd never been on dirt before!)
The deal was struck for a 7-day rental including Insurance and unlimited km's for the princely sum of only £50.00 per day
Planned arrival date in Cape Town was the 14th March - collecting the bike the following Tuesday. I planned the first day as a trip around the Cape Penninsula - just to allow her to become used to the GS, second day was arranged together with a group of the offroad riders to take her on a day's training on dirt............ and then the 3rd day would be the start of a 5-day excursion that would include sights on tar as well as dirt with some technical riding thrown in.
DAY - 1
On Tuesday morning the 18th March – I collected our friend Michelle from her mum’s home in Tableview to collect her BMW F700GS from Cape Bike Travel in town, for her 1st EVER bike trip/ride in South Africa.
As previously mentioned – Michelle’s an accomplished UK rider that commuted in London (something even the most experienced riders would avoid) – however she’s never ridden a DS-Bike before, never done long-distance touring ..... with a pillion..... and NEVER done Dirt riding before.
THE ONLY CONCERN was that Michelle in her wisdom, invited her 21yr-old nephew to join us on the trip as her pillion.........
.......... for someone that had never ridden dirt, about to learn to ride a new bike...... phew..... we were concerned indeed and threw some hints to try to get her to change her mind! Needless to say – we had no luck!
Michelle was super-excited to say the least when I collected her from her home – all kitted out to collect her bike.
FIRST stop was the Tableview seafront for that “post-card” pic........... the one we hope ends up on her UK Facebook page!
............ and of course, since I did a BikeSafe course in Kent and could not resist a pose to tease some of the chaps........
We then rode through to town where we did all the necessary paperwork for the bike.
Michelle had a case of butterflies and felt that the GS was far bigger than what she was used to, BUT that maybe it was not big enough to carry the two of them....?
Just no way would she be able to handle a 1200GS........ so we just flummux’d THAT idea........
After all the formalities was done – it was time to get acquainted with the bike and to get her leg over....
............. and off we went with the first actual stop (for more scenery pics) on the Signal Hill drive. This was also perfect to do a few manoeuvres to see whether she could handle it – close enough to the Rental company if we needed anything.
I think the smile’s starting to say it all....
Next we headed for the Llundudno area with the aim to eventually end up in Simonstown for lunch.
Girls LOVE shopping.............. and Michelle spotted the Curio-stalls along the route... but overshot the parking area, which gave me a chance to stop and get the camera going!
FIRST DIRT then .... looking good!
View shot... hell you have to run with the timer going off.....
Next stop was the beachfront area in Houtbay.
Thankfully the wind ensured that a lot of the sand had blown onto the road area... which provided a nice backdrop.
Chapman’s Peak is always an absolute pleasure to ride and one has to be careful to concentrate on the road, rather than the view as a few of the bends can catch you out really quickly (as Michelle found out.....)
Michelle wondering why she’s not done this before....
Aiming the "point & shoot" digital over my shoulder is an art..... whilst riding........
Noordhoek Beach with Kommetjie in the distance......
Nerves and riding makes one build up a good appetite and it was not minutes later that Michelle needed sustenance ....... Noordhoek Farm Stall was around the corner and their food is always delicious.
Ladies and their salads......
Biker-chick eating................. nothing lady-like here..........
............. what’s this green stuff............?
Food done & dusted – time to hit the road.
Riding down towards Scarborough............
Fortunately I own a WILDCARD ............ what a pleasure and as it’s a “Couple’s-card” I managed to get M into the Cape Point Reserve for free!
NOTE - If any of you visit South Africa and plan to do the Game Reserve or National Park thing........ seriously look at getting hold of a WILDCARD - www.wildcard.co.za - not only are you supporting the Conservation effort - but the card allows you FREE access into all the SANPARK Reserves throughout South Africa and offers a 25% discount on accomodation inside the Parks as well.
Looking towards Smitswinkel Bay............. we stopped for a pic or two and was also rewarded with one of the locals posing...
We decided that a visit to the Cape of Good Hope was definitely a must..............
.................. to join the tourists!
Lovely being a tourist in your own country!
Next we changed plans and headed towards Buffels Bay.....
...... where we found more locals...........
With this perfect ............. Peek................
............. a – Boo being done by one of the youngsters
.... someone’s enjoying the ride............
Sea Fisheries Inspector on duty.................
Time was moving on, so we headed to Simonstown and decided to cut across Ou Kaapse Weg back to town so that we’d have time to discuss the upcoming trip.
Arriving home after 1st day.......... Michelle super chuffed with herself and very excited!
Perfect sunset ending a perfect day.........
Unfortunately our planned “Training Day” on the Wednesday was cancelled due to serious rain – none of us felt like spending the day in mud.. so the decision was made to “wing-it” on the trip that started on the Thursday........
Day 3 to follow.........
:
Looking forward to Day 6 and beyond
