Bredell resident celebrates his riding journey of five decades
Marius van der Merwe is a senior citizen who fell in love with bikes at a young age, and that love still burns today. He has been riding bikes and travelling the country for over 50 years and doesn't plan to stop anytime soon.
Marius van der Merwe is a motorbike enthusiast whose love for iron horses started at 11.
Now nearly 70, the Bredell resident says his love for motorcycles and riding is stronger than ever.
And he intends to keep going until he can’t anymore.
“I started riding at 11 when I got a ‘help my trap’ 25cc for free.
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“It was in pieces, and I fixed it. I rode it on the deserted dirt roads on the Natal South Coast until the police caught me riding underage and unlicensed.
“They confiscated the bike immediately,” he said.
Marius has ridden big bikes (750cc and more) for nearly half a century, travelling more than a million kilometres.
He used to ride with his ex-wife until they separated many years ago. He has ridden on his own ever since.
“The best rides are the spur-of-the-moment ones. No planning, just riding with the wind. Also, I have made a point of not going to the same place twice.”
Marius enjoys the wind and open road because it gives him a sense of freedom, and he plans to keep riding as long as his health allows.
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“I am almost 70 and not on any medication. I think I only had a cold once or twice in my life, and I have never smoked a whole cigarette ever,” he said.
“I can write a book on motorbike riding.
“In February, I rode through the eastern Free State, the south Western Cape, the southern Cape, the Eastern Cape and back to Johannesburg. I travelled over 6 000km.”
In August, Marius embarked on another epic adventure.
He rode through the Western Cape and Namaqualand, travelling over 5 000km.
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He rides in any weather with his 1 700cc Harley Davidson Electroglide Limited (2010 model).
He said it was heartbreaking to see the rapid deterioration of roads.
Marius says he wants to be remembered as a man inspired by wisdom and experiences to leave behind for those who follow.
“Knowledge is to know what to say. Wisdom is to know when to say it,” he said.
