BREAKFAST RUN TO
DE HAVEN OOST, RAYTON

It was a surprisingly mild winter's day for our 106 km ride out to Rayton, near Cullinan. 27 bikes and their warmly attired, leather clad riders all eager for a lovely long ride out into the country led by Karl, our Pacesetter for the day. Leader of the Pack was Dennis D. with Dean as Sweep. Biker Buddy on duty and wearing his blue and green jacket proudly was Basil. Many other Biker Buddies were there too just enjoying the ride for a change. Thanks to all the Marshals for getting the pack there safely as usual.

The route went something like this :
...where we usually turn right - we turned left - and rode and rode and rode.... but seriously now the route went down South Road, into Marlboro Drive, and south onto the N3. A quick left off onto Modderfontein Road and then the pack diligently followed the R25 northwards passed the suburbs of Founders Hill, Van Riebeeck Park, Birchleigh and Norkem. A right turn to Bapsfontein (still on the R25), passed the Serengeti Estate... (and home of the New Zealand All Whites during their "brief" stay at the Football World Cup). After a left onto the R51 the pack took the unorganized detour onto the M6 heading back towards Pretoria to cross the N4 Highway on the Mamelodi Road before turning right onto the R104 to the venue.

The entrance to the venue was loose stone and sand and must have caused a few serious heart palpitations for some. It was NOT a short entrance either. Everyone managed extremely well and we had no incidents ....(that we know of... hopefully those few were wearing brown undies)! A friendly pony even came out to greet us as we arrived, obviously not in the least bit phased by the loud noise of the bikes.

Along the way we lost Jeff and Warren - I think they got bored and stopped off for their usual cigar smoking ritual as they indicated to the rest of the pack that they did not need any assistance. Unfortunately our multi-tasking photographer whizzed by in his attempt to keep up with the pack in his little red sportie and did not manage to get a photograph of them. They did not reappear at the venue.

Nikki, Nick and Ashley were either doing the Diskie Dance (or were part of an impromptu chorus line) at one of the main intersections, giving the bikers a much needed giggle with their dance routine and direction-pointing. If truth be told, we did get a little lost, but not for long, and the added kilometres just added to the fun of the whole outing. The venue was very different - let me say real "arty-farty" metal fantasy here.

The service was good and the food great. It was a very different breakfast to the usual bacon, eggs, toast and coffee stuff we are routinely fed.

The winter scenery in the countryside is vastly different to that in summer. A couple of donkeys with their thick, fuzzy winter coats huddled together for warmth in corner paddocks. The fat cows were trying really hard to soak up the weak rays of the sun for some comfort from the chill. This thin winter air offers very little warmth unless you are wearing your over-tight thermals and a nice thick black leather jacket like the HOGS!

Instead of the lush green fields of mielies and cabbages we are so accustomed to seeing on these rides, we were greeted with the "burnt-earth" syndrome. Vast tracks of land all burnt black, sporting a few lines of silver grey ash here and there, or just lying fallow and dry, almost "broken!"

Every now and then you got a strong whiff of piggy-poo or cow-crap circulating in your helmet! (I have definitely grown more hair since yesterday)! Occasionally a pungent grey smoke cloud would waft lazily across the road, the remnants of the previous crops being cremated unceremoniously in preparation for next season's fertile crops (and healthy green veggies on children's plates to make them gag once more).

It is definitely another world "out there!" But one I wouldn't hesitate to visit again and again and again.

Now that the Football World Cup is behind us we hope to see more riders making use of, and enjoying, these organized Breakfast Club Runs. Not sure where we are going next Sunday but you can bet I will be there rearing to go.

Lyn

PS: I've finally figured it out- calories are those little buggers that get into your wardrobe at night and sew your clothes together.

Punnies:
Those who jump off a bridge in Paris are in Seine.
Dijon vu - the same mustard as before.
When two egotists meet, it's an "I" for an "I".