Cayenne Dealership opens in Capetown

I'm searching for a good, comfortable pair of touring boots;

These were the best boots I have ever had, they weren't actually motorcycle boots but were made by Bronx Leather, I bought them maybe fifteen years ago for R250 and wore them to pieces. I had them resoled twice and eventually the gear lever wore a hole in the top but I loved those boots, they were comfortable for all day use and were high enough to keep the wind off my legs. By the time I had worn the soles for the third time they were done and I had to get rid of them.

So it was that I visited the grand opening of the Cayenne dealership in Paarden Eiland last Saturday, mainly in the hope of buying a new pair of boots, but also to see what bikes were on sale. Special offers were advertised.

It is a beautiful showroom, spacious and light with a large variety of different new and used motorcycles on show, a large well stocked clothing and accessories department off to one side but unfortunately no boots that suited or fit me.

I spent quite a bit of time trying on various boots and the young lady who served me was attentive and helpful, obviously keen on making a sale and I was sorry to disappoint her.

I bought a cup of coffee and wandered around for about an hour admiring the beautiful machines on sale; from Hyosung and SCF to MV Augusta, Aprillia and BMW and many more in between. There are entry level machines, scramblers and super bikes to suit every type of biker and indeed while I was there the brass bell mounted on the wall was rung to announce a sale.

The place gradually filled up while I was there and I am sure they will do well, I was tempted to buy one of these to run a small taxi taking old ladies to the supermarket and back, maybe I will do that it could be fun.

If anybody knows where I can get a decent pair of boots let me know, and go and give Cayenne a visit, lots of biker eye candy.

Lady bikers get together for Agape house in Vredenburg

Sunday dawned cold and slightly wet but that did not deter the ladies, many of whom drove up from Capetown to support "Agape", a home for abused or neglected children in Vredenburg. The call went out for local ladies to assist and Mercia, first lady of the local chapter of the Mohicans posted the request on social media.

Apparently the home does not get government finance but depends on donations and local support so there is always a need for anything from clothes and shoes to food and blankets.

The Meeulanders' own Monica was there and soon bags of clothing and food were being ferried in much to the excitement of the children.

Another wonderful initiative from western cape bikers. Photos by Kareen Neethling. Well done ladies, this sort of thing most of the time goes on unnoticed but it happens all the time, wherever there are bikers.

Madiba Day cheer in Soweto

Meeulanders donation to hospice

I am extremely proud to be associated with this fine motorcycle club and if you have been reading this you will have read that our last President, Divi DeVries passed away last year. During his leadership in 2016 money was collected through various charity initiatives, some of which was earmarked for the Vredenburg hospice.

Due to his illness and his untimely passing the club was thrown into a bit of turmoil and the donations were not done, last week his first lady Carlo made the appointment with the hospice for Wednesday at 12h00, a time which suited them but which precluded many members from attending due to work commitments.

As I am now retired I took great pleasure in riding through to Vredenburg and did not expect many members to be there but amazingly eight other members were able to attend.

Carlo made the presentation to the chief sister; R5,100 which included a substantial amount that had been donated by Divi personally. It was very happily received and they assured us it will be put to good use. We all know the sterling work performed unselfishly by hospice.

Well done indeed to those members who were able to attend, and to those who were not able know that your club was well represented. More good work performed by the biking community.

Bikers doing good work in their community

The west coast chapter of the Mohicans motorcycle club, which has grown considerably since they were established, recently hosted a braai for the residents of Huis Wittekruin, the retirement home in Vredenburg.

Elderly residents were treated to a delicious meal prepared by members of the club which was then served in the dining room.

Members of the club also donated a large quantity of toiletries to the residents, many of whom cannot afford small luxuries.

One of the ladies at Huis Wittekruin wanted to go for a ride on a motorbike so a helmet was found and she was assisted onto the back of Mercia's bike and taken for a little ride, something I am sure she will remember for a long time.

 "Put your feet here and hang on tight." A memorable occasion for this lady.

 Well done indeed to the President and first lady; Alex and Mercia and to the members of the Mohicans Motorcycle club for this initiative, I've said it before and you'll here me say it again and again; bikers are good people.

Winter blanket run, a bit late but better late than never

We managed to co-ordinate the winter blanket run with this morning's biker church service, a month late due to a mix up with the West Coast Motorcycle Association's sleepover last month but it is now winter and the blankets will be welcomed by those in need.

It was cold and wet this morning when I saddled up for the (thankfully) short, 13km ride through to the church in Vredenburg, it was raining slightly and the temperature was a low 12,5 celsius (55f) but even so it felt great to be out on the bike, I must say that the RT is running very sweetly and I was enjoying myself in spite of the conditions as I cruised up the relatively quiet road.

I arrived at the church just before 08h00 and although there were more cars in the parking area it was good to see quite a few motorbikes.

Meeulanders Hein and Gerda arrived at the same time as I did, they rode a bit further from Saint Helena Bay and Gerda said she was reluctant to get off her warm pillion saddle, I don't have heated seats, only the handlebar grips but that seat was very comfortably warm to the touch.

I am sure that the weather deterred many people from getting out of their warm beds and indeed while we were in the church the rain came down harder, the pile of blankets was not as big as last year but people will be able to take blankets in during the week.

The plan had been for bikers to ride around to Langebaan for breakfast, only some 30 kms but I decided to forgo that and headed home in the rain to a hot cup of coffee and a change of clothing.

I don't particularly mind riding in the rain, if you are a biker you will definitely do it often and I have, but the warmth and comfort of my home was only 13kms away and that was the better option right then.

There were thirteen Meeulanders at the church as well as members of other local clubs; the Mohicans, the Clique and Ancorr among others. Bikers are a good bunch of people.

July breakfast run, yet another good one!

This lovely picture by my brother Gerrie Pieterse shows many bikes already parked outside Juffoeshoogte when we arrived, the folks were already enjoying hot coffee and chatting and as we waited for the allotted hour for "kickstands up" more and more arrived until sixteen members and three visitors were ready for the ride.

As we saddled up to ride out this lady begged for a photo with Murray's big orange LT, much to the group's amusement she promptly climbed on so that her boyfriend could take a picture. That bike does attract attention.

In our customary tight staggered formation we cruised up the R45, I set a moderate 130 to 140kmh in order to keep the group together, it was cold, 13,5 celsius as we rode to the R311 leading to Moorreesburg. It would not get any warmer than 16,5 later in the day. At that stage there was no wind and we were dressed for the cold, I was thoroughly enjoying myself.

Our first stop was in Moorreesburg for our "tea break" at the service station, some needed to smoke and some needed to pee.

 

Anton warmed up with his flask but Johan had brought along a very tasty cream liqueur which we were all soon happily consuming.

 

Time to move on, thirty kilometers to Piketburg along the National road, the N7. Gerrie, Louis and our new member Bardo wanted to hit the twisties at speed so they headed off on their hooligan mission, the rest of us cruised along in a more sedate manner, still breaking the law but not by so much.

 

Arriving in the town we easily found the "Farmhouse Pub and Grill', owned and run by a biker who is in fact an ex member of the Meeulanders, he knew exactly what a biker breakfast should be.
 

We found Frans Nieman busy in his kitchen and he produced this excellent breakfast for the extremely reasonable amount of R35! The bar was open and reasonably priced so it was a very happy bunch of bikers who settled down for a warming meal.

You know you're in a biker restaurant when the owner's bike is parked in the dining room! We sat and chatted for a while and then gradually the people moved out, as is our usual custom riders are free to do their own thing on the way home but most opted to meet at the "Wielhuis pub" - the home of the Clique in Velddrif.

The newly re-surfaced 86km long road from Piketburg back to Velddrif is now a pleasure, whereas before we used to ride at 80kmh because of the extremely harsh bumps, it is now quite comfortable at 140kmh which we did, or even more which the hooligan group did! It was very cold on the last section of the road, with a bitingly cold wind crossing the open ground so it was a chilly bunch who gathered in the pub for an absolute bloody final drink (or two) before heading home.

 

Floors and Murray contemplate leaving, and the Meeulanders had just welcomed new members Bardo and his wife (she had not been able to join the breakfast run due to family matters) into the club at the previous week's meeting, so it was good to have him along.

I have no hesitation in recommending the Farmhouse Pub and Grill in Piketburg to other bikers for a breakfast run, it is great to support a fellow biker and the price is exceptional. Give Frans a call on 0714608944 and tell him I sent you. We'll definitely be back.(Click on the pictures to view them full size).

A cold start to a good day out on the bike.

I had decided to start the Sunday, the day of our regular monthly breakfast run, early this time by joining the dedicated group of riders who regularly take part in the "Sunrise cruise.", this had been initiated by the WMA (Westcoast Motorcycle Association) as a sunset cruise originally but for some obscure reason it was changed to a pre-dawn ride.

Winter is just around the corner so this probably won't continue for much longer, all the more reason to check it out, at least that is what I was telling myself as I climbed out of bed at 04h45. Janet turned over and went back to sleep, "I'll go on the breakfast run," she declared adamantly, "not both!"

In the chilly pre dawn I headed along the 13km stretch to Vredenburg, the temperature showing a very low 10 celsius. Johan was already at the garage when I arrived with Henrico pulling in at the same time, by 06h00 the other six, including one member of the Clique, Wayne, were ready to ride. In a tight group consisting of seven Meeulanders and Wayne we headed back to Saldanha where Johlene joined us in the parking area next to the beach,

some drank coffee and some sipped from pocket flasks, Old Brown Sherry is a favourite in cold weather, we chatted, listened to good music and waited like a bunch of Pagans for the sun to rise in the east.

which it eventually did as it thankfully does every day, I was home by 07h30 drinking hot coffee. Some from the group would also be on the breakfast run in a little while and it looked like it was going to be a good day.