When adventure calls, bikers say, ‘Let’s ride’

This popular event, now in its fourth year, has drawn more than 150 entries, which makes it the biggest of its kind in South Africa.

The organising team comprises Rika de Bruyn (owner), Denzil Lawrie, Mark Taylor and Treffon Smith, and considering the extent and the various routes involved in this adventure, the team pulled off another winner this year, which would not have been possible without its many sponsors and volunteers. “You rock,” said Rika.
For the skills challenge on the first day, Denzil designed an A and B route offering various challenges for both experienced and novice riders alike. The object of the various challenges is to test the rider’s balance and technical ability.

This then obviously includes very tight turning manoeuvres up and over various man-made and natural obstacles. Each section within this challenge offered five points with deduction of points every time the rider put his/her foot down. Now let me tell you, dual-bike riders do not fall, they put their bikes down. And yes, many did exactly that because it is not as easy as it looks.

On the Saturday the event launched into the longer distances offering riders a chance to visit some of the most spectacular scenery Mpumalanga has to offer. These routes, explored and designed by Mark, included both tar and gravel travel and eventually took riders to lunch at Hippo Hollow and back to Bundu.  “I started planning these during December 2014 and covered nearly 5 000km in the process. This year we used some enduro routes, cattle paths and more with the intention to make it possible for all participants to ride the longer distances.
“I may add a ‘black’ route next year for the really hard-core adventure riders who, by the way, prefer bikes pushing 700cc or less.

“Adventure bikers are exceedingly self-sufficient as far as breakdowns en route and maintaining their bikes, and it is always wonderful to see how they just get to it when there is a flat tyre or mechanical breakdown. No mess, no fuss, just an awesome bunch to work with.”

The longer routes into Mozambique (optional) to Macaneta, or the Prawn Route as it is referred to, was well supported this year. At Tan-a-Biki permits and permission was in place for riders to ride on the beach which of course proved to be but just one of many highlights. “Adventure riders are by nature eco-friendly,” said Rika, “thus also truly responsible under all circumstances.”

One of the other highlights of the event was an auction held on the second night. Well-known Dakar exponent Riaan van Niekerk played auctioneer and raised some R14 000 for the Jinda Child and Youth Care Centre. For owner and organiser of the event, Rika, a call from Alfie Cox to congratulate the team on the success of this event, proved the cherry on the top. Many participants have already booked their places for the 2016 event. And although the national adventure calendar is extremely populated,” we have plans to perhaps do a LDBA twice a year” said Mark.

Visit the LDBA’s Facebook page to read what participants thought. Two events per year – hmmm, not much of a choice is there?