FROM BOTTOM OF BRICKMAKERS KLOOF HEADING IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION TOWARDS 14TH AVENUE WALMER
Fred Kohler
Charles Du Toit
John Mc Gillivray
Darryl Smith and friend George
Vinance
Peter Giddy
CHARLES POWERS THROUGH THE FAST FLOWING RIVER ON A WIER
SATURDAY 20.08.2011
I spent the afternoon cleaning my Mountain Bike in preparation for a bike ride on Sunday morning. I am so stoked on this ride. I check everything on the bike: Gears, Brakes, chain, tyres etc. I purchase some more Slime green in case I need to refill the tubes. The last time I rode the Mountain bike was for the Redhouse river mile triathlon in February. It was still full of that mud and grime. But by the end of the afternoon I had it all cleaned up and looking spiffing.
Spoke to Patrick; his family has had a bit of flu. So many people are at the rugby stadium. The All Blacks play Springboks at the Nelson Mandela stadium today as part of the Tri Nations. SA beat the All Blacks 18-5. Only one try scored by the Kiwi's. Streets are quiet until just after the match. At this time the town becomes alive and we can hear the music from the stadium. Only praise for the PE Crowd and the vibe in the city.
Sunday morning.
I set up the bike rack. I thought of cycling to Charles' house but woosied out of that. I give the tyres one more final pump, wipe the bike down one more time and am ready to go.
I arrive at Charles' house. He is ready to go. Fred is first, I passed Darryl and George as they rode to the start. Vinance and John follow shortly afterwards. We ride to 6th avenue to fetch them and then down Upper Valley Road to the bottom of Brickmakers Kloof.
FRED DISCUSSES THE TRAIL
CHARLES AND DARRYL BEFORE WE START
We enter into Baakens Valley amid slushy wet grass and mud. Almost immediately we have a sharp climb. The recent rains have eroded the dirt road and the cycling becomes a little technical. We regroup at the top. I am puffing and panting. Fred goes off ahead. I follow and find myself in trouble as the track is muddy, dongas and rocks. I bounce and weave expecting to fall any minute. Charles is behind me and sees me on the brink of a fall as I bounce off some loose stuff on the track. But I manage to stay on board and make my way to the river crossing. Fred uses the pavestones to carry his bike. John rides through and I think that this looks okay and so I follow.
Fred explains that getting the bike wet means that the bearings and stuff can get full of mud and difficult to clean. We follow Fred up the next steep section which is also pretty worn away with the rains. I lose traction and have to push. I find the group waiting on the top. Charles elected to take the Low Road and we meet up in a few minutes. Bouncing down hill is fun but also takes some nerve.
The next section sees three River Crossings at the Wiers. I still chose to ride across as I try to stay with the group. We exit the valley at the bottom of Target Kloof and make a left turn into the road. Across the bridge in Target Kloof we follow Fred down the grassy section. Fred suggests that the river is breached and that we should turn around to Alcock Road. I am relieved when George finds a way across the stream as I did not find cycling up to 7th avenue an attractive thought.
VINANCE SURVEYS THE VALLEY
JOHN MCGILLIVRAY AT THE TOP OF A HILL
We carry the bikes across the stream and then cycle along the pathway, cross the river again and end up at what I know as Dodds Farm. When we get to the main Wier, Fred and a group go down and around. I and some others chose to use the top of the wier where we carry our bikes when the wash is strong. The recent rains have made the force of the water coming down more than I am accustomed. As I climb anything that even looks like a hill I find myself pushing. I hear the sound of gears changing behind me and try to move aside for John and the others who have more skill and strength than I have.
DODDS FARM 9TH AVENUE WALMER
We regroup at the bottom of 9th avenue before cycling up the hill and along the back of the last of the houses. The first bit is a little tricky and you have to be careful or you could end up tumbling down the hill. Charles and I are at the back and we carefully make our way along this path following the Front group. Charles takes a tumble. More adrenalin than pain. Not a steep area -- just bushes and thorns. I keep cracking my chins against the pedals. Mountain bike pedals are spikey and not fun to encounter. I see that I am not the only one with leg scars.
The fast group get a way ahead of us and must have been a little concerned because Fred comes back to look for us. Fred gives me some advice: stand up when cycling down hill as this gives you a little more control over the bumpy and rocky sections. I try it and find that he is right.
A little further on we regroup again at Dormy place at the end of 14th avenue. Here we split up. This path takes the cyclist to Profiles Gym. Fred, Vinance and John press on while Charles, who has been having trouble with his Cleats, George, Darryl and I make our way back home along the tar roads. At the top of 8th avenue Charles and I ride to his house while Darry and George cycle home through Target Kloof.
By now we all have dirty bikes, dirty clothes and we shoes. Just riding through the Wiers will wet your shoes, but if you have to push then you will have wet and sandy feet. I try to keep my bike free of the sand but I am aware of a grating noise coming from the wheels and brakes.
We have been out for nearly 2 hours and I am glad that we can relax. I load up the bike and drive home. As I arrive at home my three grandchildren: Jessica, Joshua and Danny ask if they can have a bike ride. So off we go again through the streets of Mill Park. The 4 of us shouting at each other to be careful of cars. Daniel does not have brakes and uses his shoes to stop. It is unnerving for me. But I love being with this little group of children.
JOSHUA, JESSICA AND DANIEL AFTER OUR RIDE
Last time I did a trail ride, I put my bike away and did no maintenance. This time I spent 30-60 minutes cleaning and preparing the bike so that I will be able to say "YES' at short notice. It has been a great adventure for me. I hope that we area able to do this again sooner than later.
Thanks Fred and Charles for taking time to put this together.
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