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STACI’S BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST RUN


[Words & photography by René]

  • Date: Sunday, 19 October 2008
  • Time:8:00am
  • Meeting place: Caltex Garage, Doncaster Road, Kenilworth
Good morning, sunshine!

A somewhat chilly Sunday morning got off to a caffeinated start at the Caltex garage, where, one after the other, the early risers turned up, pretty much almost on time. There were a few occifers on the scene as well – seems like that’s their hang-out for Sunday morning doughnuts and coffee. Mother Nature, also decided to make a special appearance, and she had other plans for us, much to the birthday gal’s dismay. Of course, yours truly was once again blamed for inclement weather - nothing unusual. The original Sea Point – Camps Bay – Hout Bay route had to be diverted, due to strong winds, and heavy fog rolling in thick and fast from the direction into which we would have headed. Speaking of natural phenomena making appearances, guess who the wind blew in with a fashionably late entrance at precisely 8:32am, just as the engines were warming up to go. And no, it WASN’T a Rose. It’s ok, Blee, we understand. Glad you could make it; good to see you again!
Righto, saal op!

New route

Heading down the M5 south towards Sunrise Circle, everyone was hoping for less wind and more sun, that’s exactly what we got! The Main Road from Muizenberg was a tad slow, what with roadworks going on and all. (Is any part of Cape Town NOT under construction??!) Anyway, the sea was flat, the whales were frolicking, the scenery picturesque, and the road, well, the road was ours for the taking. Somewhere near Fish Hoek, we pulled over very briefly to wait for he who had no petrol… (Yes, dot dot dot).

On the subject of fuelling up, it was soon time for a bit of a break, and as we made our way into the town of Simon, it was like a case of ‘first place we see’, and so ended up at Bertha’s for some brewsky’s, and one actual order of breakfast. We were eveeeentually joined by Ryan and friend, who seemed un-amused at Staci’s request for ‘Happy Birthday’ to be sung. Thirsty thirsts, and a hungry hunger now taken care of, we could chop on. We left the jetty in a very much civilised manner, so yes, we CAN in fact go back to Bertha’s one day (that’s also if you don’t mind forking out R14.50 or thereabout for a small beer.) They were biker-friendly, but not that biker-friendly.

We carried on past Boulders, and made our way towards Cape Point. The scenery just got better and better. I certainly expected to see some primates along that stretch, but they must have gone away for the weekend, as there was not a troupe in sight. That’s what we thought, until somewhere along the way, on a road high above sea-level, la idiot in a big-ass bakkie with about 50 people in the back, almost caused a ka-plinks because of the driver’s stupidity. DN!

Anyway, there was a still lot of road ahead, and this is where it started getting bumpy. Literally. So much so, that a p-break was urrrgently needed. Next stop – somewhere in the mountains near a braai / picnic spot called… oh crap, I forget the name. But this site is similar to Tokai Forest, smaller, more isolated, and by mid-morning on Sunday, it was fairly empty. For a break from the norm this Summer, we should make a day of it out there some time. Only thing is, and be warned, the roads up there are really in a sad state. By the time we got down to Kommetjie, with our kidneys in our ankles, and spleens in our throats, it was also clear that we’d need buns of steel if we ever went that way again! Cool seeing our ‘brothers’ in biking, the Phantom Knights, on the road as well – hope they had a good run.

The final stretch

Ou Kaapse Weg was a nice smooth cruise again, as we made our way towards the southern suburbs ending off at old faithful, Tokai Forest, for the birthday girl’s birthday braai. Cheers to Mickey and Stef for getting the spot secured and the fire started. A very relaxed afternoon, with cold beverages, good music, food and great company, after a safe and incident-free run, was enjoyed by those who attended.

And then the slaap-derm was stirred, and so it was curtains ...

Oh, one more thing ... "My naam is Pieter, en DIT is my plaas!" Thanks Nazeem ... I mean Pieter, for carving this line into our skulls all day ...

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