The Primovino, er sorry, Primavera road bike tour started with a bang today. Not literally – thankfully – but a solid 4h30 covering about 130km. I realize that the previous entry might have made it seem like it started yesterday, but in reality, that was just like riding to the start of a race.

Conceived about 10 years ago by Bruce and Sarah Ravenhill, they convinced Steve and Di (Daytrippers Bike Tours) to put together a luxury road tour package. And it has become a popular event on the calendar, even attracting Jeff from Chicago, USA. Fortunately, not a Big Mac sized American!

At the start – Erinvale, Somerset West

As befits a deluxe tour, the first days route snaked around the coastal mountains following Clarence Drive which leads from Gordon’s Bay,mast Rooi Els and through Betty’s Bay to Kleinmond. And what tar! As good as Austria despite not being tended by The Four Yorkshire Men.

Oh yes, the views were of course magnificent. Perhaps not as important to a cyclist as the quality of the tar, but appreciated nonetheless. Definitely not as important as the tailwind the kept the average speed up into the “wow, I’m an amazing cyclist” territory.

Lunch was, appropriately, at the classy Rivendell restaurant at the 90km mark. The table would not have been as jolly if we knew the the Gods of cycling had switched the wind and we were about the prostrate ourselves at the alter of Headwind the Terrible. But, not knowing this, we had a delightful meal!

And, about 2 hours later Headwind the Terrible delivered us to the Misty Waves Hotel on the cliffs of Hermanus. Little is remembered of this section, although from a cycling point of view, we notched it up as “good training” which is cycling speak for a hard ride!

And what might you ask of the reference to a whale in this entry’s title? Eventually, maybe I will spot the sea creatures Adrian keeps claiming to see. At 90% heart rate I not sure he can be trusted on this!

And now I am off for some Primo Vino!