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Lots of s(miles) at BMW Bike Fest

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<b>CAPE HOSTS BMW BIKE FEST:</b> The 2013 BMW Bike Fest, hosted by  the Cape’s BMW MCC Club, proved to be a resounding success.
<b>CAPE HOSTS BMW BIKE FEST:</b> The 2013 BMW Bike Fest, hosted by the Cape’s BMW MCC Club, proved to be a resounding success.
Goudini Spa in the Western Cape played host to the 2013 annual BMW Bike Fest which saw 350 BMW motorcycles on display, writes DAVE FALL.

Goudini Spa, just outside Rawsonville, Western Cape was the place to be over March 22 - 24 for the 2013 BMW Bike Fest.

The annual event takes place in different corners of South Africa and in March 2013 it was the turn of the BMW MCC Club under the leadership of Dawid de Bruin and his Cape Town team to play host – and they didn’t disappoint.

350 BMW BIKES ON DISPLAY

With the entire Spa taken over by Beemer bike riders (and of course, a fair few with pillion passengers) total bike count proved 350 BMW machines with a grand total of 501 attendees.

The event proved a real success with riders coming from just about every corner of the country, as well as Namibia, ready to sample some of the best bike tar and dirt routes that the Western Cape has to offer.

Rider had their choice of routes such as Bain’s Kloof Pass and arguably one of the greatest passes the Cape has -Du Toit’s Kloof, along with Michells Pass/Theronsberg Pass (Ceres) and of course Franschhoek Pass – to name but a few.

Perhaps the most popular bike attending would have been the GS Adventure type (1200’s) – and their riders certainly would not have been disappointed with the selected dirt routes found in and around the Cedarberg area; Overberg, the Swartland as well as the Karoo.

Plenty of riders I talked to had opted for the celebrated coastal route of Clarence Drive taking in Rooi Els/Hang Klip/Pringle Bay/Betty’s Bay with the opportunity of stopping for lunch in Kleinmond. I certainly did! 

While it was always good to know that bike recovery facilities and a roving first aid ambulance were in attendance, happily not needed.

NOT FOR THE 'VERTICALLY CHALLENGED'

My bike of choice for the three-day event was a GS ‘1200 Adventure*’. At this point I have to say in my next life I want to be at least 1.8m tall as it would make holding the bike up at robots that much easier.

I did learn that a lower seat pack is available for those like me who are vertically challenged!

Back at the ranch, each afternoon a timed gymkhana event sorted the men from the boys, the eventual winner being a young rider from the Durban BMW MCC, Craig Webster. His riding ability was plain to see: quickly and safely from start to finish!

Of course, the whole idea of a long weekend such as this was first and foremost to ride and enjoy the pleasures of the beautiful Cape routes and then relax in the evening with like-minded bike souls and a couple of beers.

Here the Cape MCC excelled with their hospitality and superb evening entertainment on offer each evening. A good time was definitely had by all!

*A big thank you to BMW Motorrad and Donford Motors, Stellenbosch for the use of a BMW 1200GS Adventure bike for the duration. It’s safe to say this bike can go just about anywhere – anytime!
 
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