The Outriders has recently joined the Friends of the Blaauwberg Conservation Area (BCA), which falls along the West Coast. The historic Blouberg (Blue Mountain / Blouberg Hill) is part of the conservation area, which extends from the Atlantic Ocean between Bloubergstrand and Melkbosstrand eastwards over the Blouberg down to plains east of the hill. <?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> The Friends of BCA is a non-profit organisation. They depend on membership fees to cover the costs of running such an organisation (this is not high, but there are costs to be covered). Members are not only the eyes and ears to warn the managing authorities of activities or threats that could harm the BCA, those that are still active can contribute to the management of the conservation area by joining hack groups, etc. So, as proud new members of the Friends of BCA, we have been granted permission to cycle up the Blouberg Hill, which is not open to the public. This is an exclusive cycling opportunity that the club has contributed towards on our. For this reason, the ride is essentially for paid up Outrider Members only. NON MEMBERS WILL HAVE TO PAY R30.00. Ride details are as follows: Date: Saturday 29 June Option 1: +- 40km leaving from the Total Garage on the West Coast Road at 8h00 Option 2: ? +- 60 km leaving from Lifecycle at 7h30 The plan is for the Option 1 riders to meet up with the Option 2 riders at the Total Garage. The full group will then continue out on the West Coast Road and turn onto the N7 link, up to the Morning Star turnoff, which is where the begins. We then start the ride at the back of and up the Blouberg Hill. The terrain isn?t that technical and the sand will generally be quite hard (there is a 3km detour in soft sand if you are feeling strong at that point). Once at the top, we will obviously catch our breath and admire the exclusive view, before we head back down to coffee at the Total Garage Farm House. Please feel free to drop me a line if you would like any more info, or are keen to join. Mrs CMrs Colonel2009-06-18 01:34:29
