Lockdown breakout

Follow what you are genuinely passionate about
and let that guide you to your destination.
– Diane Sawyer

Roads, tracks and routes are by their very nature, objects of design and purpose. No matter the quality or state of disrepair, at some stage they were identified, planned and implemented as the best or most logical route between 2 points.
Many of South africa’s roads have been built on the game tracks, founded over millennia. Trampled, established and upgraded by users such as Elephant, horses, wagons and even modern day vehicles over the recent past. The quality of this network of roads – once haled as the best in Africa, is but one of the many victims of the disdain, neglect and indifference of our current “regime”.

Hence the logic behind the emerging “adventure” riding trend. The obnoxious impudent among us, would suggest- it is the “aging bikers” market that accounts for the popularity of the BMW Gs range. I contend the move from super bikes to adventure in this country, is in direct proportion to the degradation of our roads. But most importantly – it is “ what we are genuinely passionate about”.

Clearly even most KTM riders agree with me. As was evidenced by the flurry of final preparations. and the mandatory last minute ktm maintenance ritual undertaken at my house this morning. Steve’s overheating issue and Piers starting problem, conspired to delay the departure by some hours. Whilst all the while my sole trusted Gs was chomping at the bit. In pristine readiness, I might add.

But soon we were ripping up some fun, on the remnants of the roads we selected. Mostly gravel and some sandy 2 track options, had us all recounting and demonstrating, blind rises, tight corners and close calls sat every stop. On previous occasions I had discovered a “poaches entrance” to a national park. Which gave us access to some really cool adventure tracks. A Mpumalanga parks board “welcome” sign now stands guard over this hole in the fence. Evidence of their determination and effort to stamp out the scourge of poaching. Sadly these roads were so overrun by thorns and disrepair, they were almost impassable. Perhaps the most effective anti poaching tactic yet. Erik discovered a ditch so deep that not even the 100 or so horses his 1190 harnessed couldn’t pull him out of it.

For some obscure reason, the cops still think lockdown is real. Their presence, assisted us with our route selection, from Loskop to Tonteldoos. At the next roadblock, they took some offense to our avoidance tactics, but with as little effect as the first.

Soon we were all enjoying a burger at Pete’s place. Upon who’s wall I joined the ranks of the gravity delinquents. When next you take a dump there check it out – above the porcelain throne now stands;

The tame man said!
By Sean van Rij
June 2020

The time has come, the tame man said, to speak of many things!
Of bikers dreams, of open roads, the thrill of fear and surge. Of Getting lost – ourselves to find, on things as fast as wings!

The disrepair of the Steenberg pass is evidenced by some nasty potholes. One of which delivered a brutal attack on my Gs Archeilles heal. The infamous “silver rod”. Which evidently, can render even such a noble steed – lame and immobile. I relegated myself to coffee duty whilst Org and the boys resolved to repair it for me.

All too soon we were indulging in Aunty Debbie’s delicious cuisine, at the best lodge in the whole wide world – Gunyatoo. All to soon the boys started to bleed off to bed. Rather early I might add, evidence I thought – of a day well spent.