Local places 4th at Roof of Africa motorbike competition

Kevin Peters is not the average 46-year-old.

Seldom do men of his age swing into the saddle of an off-road motorcycle and challenge the elements in Lesotho.

For Kevin however, that challenge was too good to pass up.

Almost 15 years after he completed his fi rst Motul Roof of Africa, he again undertook the gruelling cross-country journey and considers himself blessed to be fit and strong enough to still compete.

“It’s a privilege to ride. You go up and down from freezing to boiling hot; you see what the Lord has created.”

Recalling his experience with Roof of Africa 2018, Kevin enthuses at how one could never see the countryside from a vehicle as he did from the seat of a motorcycle.

He smiles when talking of seeing clouds and then being within them. Although many of Kevin’s fellow competitors were half his age, he described them as accommodating and ‘good guys’.

“It’s a very different experience when you’re working, because you get home and you’re tired; you have less energy when the day ends than younger guys.”

For three days, Kevin had to cling tightly to the handlebars and saddle, and let his machine carry him across rugged terrain during hours of intense riding.

ALSO READ: Demi-Lee has the fighter’s spirit

Yet he believes in taking the proverbial bull by the horns.

“If you don’t make time and you don’t realise life is short, you miss these chances.

“If you always delay you’ll one day be too old.”

Reflecting on his performance at Roof of Africa, Kevin says he was surprised to finish in second place in his division on the last day and end fourth overall.

To him this is a blessing from God. He credits fellow Newcastillians Hendrik and Paul Grobler for encouraging him with jibes of ‘kom, oom!’ and his wife and daughter for pushing him to enter and accompanying him to Lesotho.

“I actually gave up off-road motorcycles for about 10 to 12 years after my last Roof of Africa and we got into horses. My son then got a motorcycle and the bug bit again,” he laughs.

While work commitments left him little time to train, Kevin still competed in races such as The IMPI Challenge, which helped him gauge his fitness levels.

He is also a regular at the Grey Goose parkrun.

Speaking on his ethos as a competitor, Kevin admits he always rides fully cognizant of having to return to work after a race, whatever his physical condition.

“There needs to be a balance between taking risks and riding safely.

“If I’m not back at work on Monday the workshop has to stay closed,” he adds with a smile.

ALSO READ: Newcastle woman charged for attempted murder after recording herself strangling son

Contact us

WhatsApp: 082 874 5550

Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za

Make sure you follow us for regular updates: