Sunrise Junky

Many people ask about our ability to get up so early to cycle. When that alarm chimes off at 4:30am from the cellphone, I'm often in a deep and peaceful sleep and the intrusion is nothing more than a violent violation... and it doesn't help when various objects are knocked from my bedside table as my hand flaps around in a vain effort to silence the chiming disturber of the peace.

But after I've left the house in silence and the morning chills have woken me sufficiently, I am reminded why I do love the morning rides....and in truth, I have become a bit of a sunrise junkie. Every sunrise is different. So, armed with my mobile phone, I have managed to snap a few of these sunrises and early morning views that many people don't get to see (all pics taken on a Samsung Galaxy...):

The Mother City slowly wakes
Some mornings the wind blows a gale, making the ride extra tough and the conditions a bit more "raw"...
Another look at Cape Town in the early Summer light
We do realise how fortunate we are and often stop to lap it up and recharge the Soul...

One thing us early riders always comment on on these types of mornings is how so many other people are busy with a congested commute into town...and we're just free; looking down onto the rivers of headlights slowly snaking their way into the city.... Then we realise that the early alarm was worth it.

Camps bay after an early rain - thank goodness for great coffee shops that let us warm up again before we head back Down South.

Sometimes the morning can break grey and gloomy. Here the Tokai trees loom above one through a thick mist.

Ascending Chapmans Peak in the morning - especially in Summer - is a feast for the eyes.

False Bay can also put on a spectacular display when the sun breaks over the distant Helderberg Mountains.

Table Mountain is one of the best places to ride - and is especially peaceful in the early morning.

Sometimes a quick shower can result in flowing streams all over Cape Town. This Tokai river makes the ride quite a challenge - especially since there are no bridges!

One of the most surreal experiences - watching a cold front move in over Cape Town from Table Mountain. 

Rocky challenges the day as the dawn breaks over False Bay

When a Black South Easter blows, Cape Town can be unpleasant...especially after the fifth day! Here an angry cloud boils over False Bay on a cold Summer morning.
The early morning cyclist also sees so many natural sights - porcupines; penguins...and the lesser spotted Baboon spider. This juvenile one (size of my hand!) was crossing the road near Simons Town.

Early riding also means we can quickly access rougher parts of town - here I was cycling through a tougher district of Saldanha Bay...

You don't need to be religious to appreciate this. But after enough sunrises you do get a sense of the pure magnificence around us. 

Twakkie looks down on the City as the dawn breaks.

I tried to take a photo whilst riding - but these buggers don't slow down much! But the overall effect is pretty good as we ascend Smitswinkel under the presence of the dawn.

Ascending Red Hill means we get to see Simons Town harbour as dawn breaks over False Bay

Going up to the Mast is never easy - but when you break through the clouds and summit at the same time the sun breaks through the horizon, then its all worth it...