Taylored Trips – Xterra Trip to Elgin/Grabouw

We seldom need a second invitation to take one of the most scenic drives

that the Fairest Cape has to offer, so when Donna told us that she is competing in the cycling leg of the Xterra Triathlon as part of the Skynamo Team at the Elgin/Grabouw Country Club, we were in!The drive took us through Paarl, on to Simondium and through to Franschhoek.

Paarl

Simondium

We were concerned that the Franschhoek pass was still closed from the fires that had been raging through the mountains in

the area but it was open. The fire had moved over into a valley to the east of Franschhoek.

Two helicopters can be seen in the pic on top as they make their way to the smoking valley in the pic above

Look at the devastation the fire has caused to the mountains

Theewaterskloof dam is at 77% and the water is still above the pump station so if we have good rains this winter, we should be ok.The apple season is in full swing and the orchards through Vyeboo

m are hanging heavy.

Apple orchards in Vyeboom

As the road descends out of Viljoen’s Pass, the beautiful Grabouw valley lies before you with the Eikenhof Dam right ahead. The Elgin/Grabouw Country

Club can be seen on the opposite shore. Just a pity about yet another devastating fire in the foreground.

Eikenhof Dam with country club on the opposite shore where the Xterra took place

When we got there, things were already in full swing

and it was nearly time for the front runners to arrive at the finish line.

The bike-lot was already quite full and it was an eye-opener to see just how many people were competing in

this challenge.

Bike-lot

To put things into perspective, this pic was taken at 11.06am and these bicycles are from competitors that have already completed the 1.6km swim and the 27km

cycle legs.We waited until 11.22am when our hero arrived, looking very cool and fresh as a daisy. You would never say that she has just completed a 27km cycle, (“nogal baie tegnies”, we heard one of the male competitors with a shredded front tyre tell a friend as he arrived).

Donna Taylor

The look of admiration and acknowledgement on this guys face says it all.

Camaraderie from a fellow competitor

Xterra South Africa

All in all, a fun event was had by most and I’m sure they will

probably all be back next year.After all the blood, sweat and tears, we made our way to the must-visit Elgin Railway Market just down the road. The detail of the art deco styling is amazing and it’s really something to see. Since our first visit, in April last year, they have added a

few finishing touches and the place is looking quite spectacular. See “Taylored Trips – Elgin Food and Wine Festival” on WordPress.com for more on this stunning venue.

Elgin Railway Market

I see they’ve added a heater for the coming

winter months.

Heater/radiator

The drive back the way we had come was, as I mentioned at the beginning, one of the most scenic drives available and

we were happy to see that the smoking valley east of Franschhoek was no longer smoking and the fire-fighting helicopters were parked at the Franschhoek Monument. Job done at last!

The fire-fighting helicopters at the Franschhoek Monument

All that was left

for us to do after a long, hard day was to sit back and charge our batteries in the beautiful little town of Franschhoek and admire some art.

Café des Arts

Until next time, “Keep on Tripping!”