Day 1: Cape Town - Port Alfred
Nobody managed a good night’s sleep prior to our early departure from Cape Town and everybody was dealing with a whole host of emotions from excitement to downright scared! It was still a shock to the system as the alarm went off at 0430. We pulled on our biking gear and headed down to the lobby of the Cullinan Hotel where the management had prepared breakfast of toasted sandwiches and strong coffee, just what the doctor ordered to lift the heavy blanket of sleep. It was a fairly muted departure from the hotel, although Noeleen was rushing around taking photos. All 6 bikes and riders pulled away, in the dark and headed out on the N2 on the first of an epic 50 day adventure of a lifetime. Although we have fitted a comprehensive communication system whereby not only can we talk to each other, over distances of up to 20km we can also listen to Ipods and make telephone calls. However as we headed out of CT everything was quiet as everybody contemplated the road ahead. The first days route took us along the south and east coasts of South Africa to Port Alfred a mammoth 1,035km ride, rather daunting for the first day. We took a small detour off the highway at Gordon’s Bay and rode along the coastal road through Hermanus before reuniting with the N2 at Riviersonderend. Our first stop was at Swellendam, a sleepy quintessential Cape Dutch farming town in the shadows of the big Cape Fold Belt Mountains. Bacon and egg sandwiches and a full tank of fuel later, we hit the highway again. At Mossel Bay, we took another detour off the highway, this time heading north to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich farming capital of South Africa, passing over the Robinson Pass at 915m above sea level, a true bikers road with plenty of winding, fast sweeping bends. There were beautiful vistas of the mountains and fields of ostrich. We continued on back roads, before rejoining the N2 highway at Humansdorp. We passed by Jeffrey’s Bay, the surfing capital and famous for its ‘tubes’, then on past Port Elizabeth. We finally reached our destination of Port Alfred at 18:30 an epic 13 hour journey. The last hour was rather nerve racking, speeding along in the dark! We were all extremely happy to have survived the first day, although tired, in one piece and no bike problems, apart from some gremlins with the communication system. Mark, Grant and Craig were staying in their house in the mariner while Paul and Rob were hosted by Les. A quick shower and then we swapped the bikes for a boat as Rob, Paul and Les sailed down to the Bristow household for a braai. "The longest, most strenuous day I have had in a long time!" - Grant
Craig at 5:30 in the Morning
Grant at 5:30 in the Morning
Mark at 5:30 in the Morning
Paul at the first refueling stop.
Mark and Grant taking abreak
Rob, rider and bike in perfect harmony!
Mark, Grant and Paul refueling empty tanks.
The majestic mountains of the Cape Fold Belt.
A break to allow team members to catch up on the Robinson Pass towards Oudtshoorn.
Paul receiving his second rabies shot from Mark, Craig grimmacing in the back ground.
COMMENTS
clones - the lot of you
I suspect you have more money than imagination
by Adrian Thackwray on June 11 2009, 16:53
Find this comment inappropriate? Report it
It saddens me to see that Adrian finds the fact, that 6 highly intelligent , very successful and accomplished men, who are fund raising for disadvantaged children, having fun, bonding and exploring Africa, are deemed `clones`??!! I wonder who the . .more
by Noeleen Bristow on June 12 2009, 09:30
Find this comment inappropriate? Report it
If only Mr Thackwray, could put down his knitting long enough to read the daily diary, he`d soon learn, it takes spunk , stamina and spirit to do what the Boyz`re doing! Also courage, mental and physical strength - the real stuff, real men are made . .more
by Charlene Voget on June 12 2009, 15:02
Find this comment inappropriate? Report it
Nothing wrong with being a clone - as long as you're cloned from good stuff.
Before reading the comment I also thought it a bit weird that they all have identical bikes & gear - could at least mix up the colours a bit. Looks like a great trip.
by Wolf on June 17 2009, 11:42
Find this comment inappropriate? Report it
These "clones" are wearing 3 different coloured suits and driving 2 different coloured BMW bikes. Maybe they are testing the BMW bikes, but they still look sexy!
by Leo on June 18 2009, 05:37
Find this comment inappropriate? Report it