Bombing Chappies – The Ride

After a whole week of blissful weather we could only hope that it would last till Sunday.  If you have been around the blog, you would know that I’ve been up for getting a few riders out to Hout Bay to cycle up Chapmans Peak.

After being inspired by the post from FGS, the urge simply became too much to resist.  We finally set a date, got a few interested names (more than expected tbh), and set out up the mountain.  The weather did not in any way disappoint. It was a hot cloudless day, light breeze and the water was that amazing crystal blue like you see on postcards of places you’ll never get to.

We met at 9ish just outside Chapmans Peak hotel. Major props to Gavin and David who friggin cycled in from town.  Fortunately I live in Hout Bay, so my legs and my Sunday lie-in where preserved. (smug!)

I’ve done this ride a few times before, and although it is quite a tough ride up, having 5 other riders to tackle it with kinda makes it a breeze.  I was really surprised at how easy the assent was.

The stoke was instant – Mettie hollering “King of the world!” and the biggest dumbest grin ever on his face! Gavin was proving his super-legs again, racing up every incline and then laughing at us panting and cursing our way up behind him.

[View with PicLens]

Great photo op at the Peak (see group shot) and then the speedy descent down the other side of the pass. The long smooth turns on the Hout Bay side of the pass become steep short bends with sheer cliff faces as you head down towards Noordhoek. I think because it was such a perfect day, there were a few more cars on the road, and although we did get a good few high-speed rolls in, it would’ve been more fun to have no worries of negotiating huge tour busses on a 5ft wide path carved out the side of the mountain.

Still one of the best things about living in this place is being able to drink water straight out the mountain streams. Catching a breather before heading back, we found a little stream. Purest water ever! Little things hey?

Major thanks to Dave Mackay for taking some awesome pics, and the 5 who made it out for the ride.  To those who were mysteriously absent (Flagg, I’m looking at you!), or too hung-over (Malan!) You missed out. Get there next time!

I know Cammo Dave is up for some long distance rides around the peninsula, and I know Gavin will be in on that just to kill us all up the hills again, so watch this space!