TransAlp 2nd Birthday ride in the Cape South Africa

[droffarc]

Well, What d’ya know! My TA is 2 years old!

I bought it to explore the roads around the Western Cape and that is what I do.

Off I went along the N1 to Butterfly world – Klapmuts and then to Simondium in the shade by the church.



Then over Franschoek pass for another stop on the downward side.
Past the now fuller Theewaterskloof dam
and through Villiersdorp and on towards Worcester. Going out of Villiersdorp I passed a row of shiny Hardly motorcycles, the riders all spending money at the restaurant thingy.
At de Hoop I broke from tradition as I took a right onto gravel going towards



Hammanshof but took the left at the Y at Weltevrede and as I was about to rejoin the R43 the carnival cavalcade of cruisers passed on their way to Worcester. It was not long and I had caught up with them and dropping a gear sped past the cruisin’ group. I then took a left to explore the gravel at Kwagaskloof when they droned past me again.
Here I found that the gravel turned to cement for a distance and then to gravel again as I looped back towards Villiersdorp.




I passed Klipbokkop – a 4x4 academy.
And did a little exploration at High Africa.
A bridge under the R43




and back again



I took the Over-Hex road and took a right to Memel.

This led me to the R60 Worcester to Robertson road where I did a short left toward Worcester and then a quick right at Over-Hex.

A little further along the N1 I explored a little gravel road between the canal and the railway line and the N1.



Then back towards Over-Hex on the old road I found another interesting gravel road that took me to Boschkloof.



And a bit further along another dam



Some interesting paths here.









Back on the N1 to Worcester and on home via Slanghoek and Rawsonville for a fuel stop and then a high speed ride over Du Toit’skloof pass where I tootled a pair of GS riders along the side, having a break.

In a nutshell:
Two years and no trouble at all. 44000km – one front tyre, one set front brake pads, one chain two rear tyres, two rear tubes, two licences and a partridge in a pear tree – oh and a hell of a lot of petrol not to mention all the smiles. One speedo drive replaced under warrantee.
One fall on right side due to slippery mud – right front fairing cracked and replaced - insurance, (one right hand clavicle broken and healed). One almost drop to the right hand side – rescued within inches but the mirror shattered on touching a wall.

As usual more pics at

http://droffarc.wikispaces.com/2006Bday_run

[Recycler]

Cheers!
Rub our noses in it with all that sunshine.

[Breeze]

Looks like you'll never run out of trails to ride on... not to mention sunshine!

[lootch67]

Glad to see you had a proper wet winter Droffarc - the Cape certainly needed it and looks absolutely stunning. Thanks for posting. Just one question - how do you manage to find all these roads? One day you're gonna meet an irate farmer with a 12-bore

[droffarc]

... how do you manage to find all these roads? One day you're gonna meet an irate farmer with a 12-bore

Easy, lootch, I have a roving eye and often turn back to check out a road that I have sped past.
As for the Farmer, well, I have the policy that if there is a sign saying "Keep OUT" or "Private Property" and especially "Tresspassers will be SHOT" I turn around respecting the privacy of the owner.

I can always claim that I did not see the sign or that I am lost and am very sorry. I also make a point not to ride too fast kicking up dust and being noisy.

In one instance a Farmer did approach me and I respectfully asked him if I was on the right road to the Guest House - and that worked

[Chad]

sigh.. its just totally stunning out there .trail riders heaven

tis good to hear the TA is giving sterling service

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Another brilliant post with fantastic pictures and clear blue sky .

Cloudy, windy and cold 'ere

Phil

[african twin]

Aww man........... that's made me seriously homesick!!!!!!!!!

I grew up in , as much as I hate to admit it, Bellville and later worked in Paarl at Paarl Nurseries, I managed the wine farm called Joostenberg - you'll probably know the dams right beside the N1 just after the Stellenbosch turnoff and I also later managed Avondale farm, just up from the Paarl Golf Course. A very good friend of ours was the Nature Conservationist on the Hottentots Hollend Reserve that includes Theewaterskloof.

Those pictures that you posted really made me homesick for the first time!!! I've been over here for coming up for 6 years and haven't been back yet!!

Stunning photo's - send 'Groete' to the good 'ol Cape!!

Cheers,

Peter

[Zonkelnut]

dagse Africa Twin. Ja nee, die ou plekke is maar lekker ne?

[african twin]

dagse Africa Twin. Ja nee, die ou plekke is maar lekker ne?

Wat praat jy nou!! Geniet die sonskyn jong, dis al donker hier teen vier uur - en dis sommer kak!!!

Geniet jou kersfees en nuwe jaar, en mag die voorspoed jou verveel!!