Explore off-road and the LDBA way
Sometimes the best ideas are created when one is in a quiet, mindful space. The Lowveld Dual Bike Adventure (LDBA) is one such concept.
It came about while owner and organiser, Rika de Bruyn was travelling through the Badplaas area. This was in 2012. Since then the event has snowballed drawing as many as 141 participants in 2014 and also winning the 2014 Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) Award in the category for small business enterprises.
The demand for this type of activity dictated that Rika, now with Mark Taylor as the on-board route specialist, also organise smaller or mini-events. The recent event at Alkmaar Farmstay, attracted 15 participants from as far as Secunda, Mozambique and Johannesburg. This is not a competition and all brands of bikes are welcome.
The routes allow for exploration of the Lowveld via farm roads, public gravel roads, water crossings, humongous rocks/hills and caters for all skill levels – even riders with pillions.
This particular event offered 220 kilometres on the Saturday.
With safety being such an integral concern of Rika and Mark, regular checkpoints ensured that nobody got left behind. And talking of left behind – Wanda Sippel of Alkmaar Farmstay ensured that the tummies were well catered for to endure the strains and pains of such an event.
“It is our intention to organise one small weekend event every quarter, and then of course, the annual big event which also offer rides and routes into Mozambique and even Swaziland.
The intrepid bike-crazy Get it Lowveld photographer and lone explorer of faraway Africa, Nicolene Olckers, also attended this event riding a BMW Dakar. This is what she had to say: “Extremely well organised. Awesome routes. Firm but user-friendly route management and constant route communication and back-up and, yes, a learning experience. Can’t wait for the next one!”
Rika concludes, “This mini-event was like a bottle of good vintage red wine! A great weekend and meeting more special friends. Well done to all the veterans riding like youngsters, with the age group probably looking like it’s been an event for pensioners only – except me of course, ha-ha!”
The pictures certainly make you ask yourself, “Why did I not attend?” Indeed, why not? For more info visit www.ldba.co.za
Photos: Nicolene Olckers
