Not often we get to play on the glamorous side with rich and famous of Cape Town, but a few of us pulled in to Vida e Cafe for a pre-ride coffee in Camps Bay last Thursday. That with the excuse of ‘admin in CA’ and a swim in the sea… Neither of which happened. But before I write about the ride, I best write about my wheels… New ones too.
(The belated Christmas gift – In Santa red)
With no warning at all, Mason’s Bike Inn called on Wednesday to say a box with my name on has arrived. It was destined to change the squeaking front wheel, change my image, even change my climbing ability for the better. But above all, inspiration doesnt come easier than with a glossy out the packet setup.
(Merido – master mechanic at Mason’s)
The Euro’s especially love their coffee. I’ll happily tag for a good muffin, as the drive from The Bosch is more than lengthy enough for breakfast to be a distant memory.
(Dylan van der Merwe, Fraser Cartmell, and Silvio Bundi at Vida in Camps Bay)
(Pity bout the Giant messing a great photo. Haha. – My new Tarmac in front, Sauser’s Roubaix on the right)
(2006 Cape Epic winning pair – Silvio Bundi and Christpoh Sauser)
We rode from Camp’s Bay, over Suikerbossie, through Houtbay, Noordhoek, Black hill to Simon’s Town, toward the point, Scarborough, Noorhoek, and back. Good humour starting out, until some aggressive gusts up Chapman’s Peak prophesied the torment to come.
(Chapman’s Peak road on the right - looking back at Hout Bay)
On the False Bay side, the wind was vicious, unrelenting and at times, I had sense of humour failure. But the boys were pushing by this stage, and there’s a wheel to hang on to or a lonely ride home. So one grits and hangs. Toward Simon’s Town the beach sand made for a facial, in the one ear, out the other, but the three Euro’s reckon the winds not much of a factor. Its just like climbing they reckon, just put it in an easier gear, and do the usual wattage. Eish. A mind shift of sorts.
(Christoph Sauser profiling the beach just past Scarborough)
Fun and games eventually came to play on the route back up Chapman’s Peak. My legs were still fragile after the Totasports Challenge in Kleinmond and I shamelessly sat back. But Sauser, Bundi and Fraser started putting the lunch bill up for grabs a the top. Fraser hadnt concentrated on the way down earlier, and hit the nitro a fraction earlier…
(The Noordhoek side of the Chapman’s Peak climb)
(The small summit with the big view)
Another miserable day in the life of some full time fools…
(The drive made worth while – only the photo doesnt show the gale force wind – Dylan and Silvio)
(A small video clip from the ride. Taken from my nornal little Sony T33 while riding, so very raw and shaky)
One Response to "Camp’s Bay Ride"
Miserable day, I wish I could have one of yours. Don’t try to soften the gorgeous location with a bit of gale force wind because you will not get any sympathy. Remember if it wasn’t for that added wind the Americans with monstrous vehicles would move in and it would be like a California highway.