RIDERS DIGEST - HOG Africa

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RIDERS DIGEST - HOG Africa
Your guide to rallies, events,
                                            THE LIFESTYLE, THE LEGENDS

                                        ®
                                            RIDERS DIGEST
      H.O.G.® member news,

                                   H.O.G.
         views & interviews in
              Southern Africa.
    Sponsored & Published by
            H.O.G./H-D® Africa
  Editorial & Photography
        editor@hogafrica.com                Exclusive Southern Africa H.O.G.® publication      2018-03

   IN THIS ISSUE
International female ride day
   2018 KiDS blanket Run
      Potjie Kings 2018
    gOLD rAND 1903 Rally

  PERSONAL STORIES
  mY jOURNEY TO fREEDOM
  dAD’S 1ST bREAKFAST rUN
  abcS OF TOURING winner

                                                                                    KiDS BLANKET RIDE 2018
                                                                                       Photograph: Proshot
RIDERS DIGEST - HOG Africa
News from H.O.G. Africa                                                                                                       12th International Female Ride Day 2018

               WHAT’S ON
        WHAT’S NEW                                                                                                                      Cancer has touched us all. Once a year, lady riders all over the world roll with

“
                                                                                                                                        rainbow colours, laugh through the tears and roar our support for those fighting the
                                                                                                                                        battle. In May, lady riders across South Africa gathered to salute cancer survivors.
       Since taking over this region from Sue Nagel in April, I       AFRICA REGION CHAPTER DIRECTORS’ WORKSHOP
       have had the fortunate experience of meeting most of                                                                             Our wings represent those who lost the battle, but live on in our hearts.
                                                                      The Africa Region Chapter Directors’ workshop in June was a
       our region’s Chapter Directors and many of our H.O.G.®         very interactive and participative event. I was able to share     200 ladies led the Gauteng chapters’ charity ride for Cancervive, hosted by H.O.G.
       members at several events across the region.                   my vision for the region with these capable chapter officers      Pretoria. In the Western Cape, 52 riders from Tyger Valley and 25 from Cape Town
H.O.G. Africa is an exciting region! Our chapter rides, events,       and to guide and assist them in the daunting task of leading      joined together to celebrate their support in style. IFRD is sponsored by H.O.G.
socials and rallies are regular and well-organised. Our               their respective chapters.                                        Africa and supported by all Harley-Davidson® dealerships in South Africa.
members and customers are passionate about the Harley-                This workshop also presented a unique opportunity for
Davidson® and H.O.G. brands. I’m impressed with the volume
of fun and educational activities being presented by our
chapters on a weekly basis.
                                                                      all Chapter Directors to meet and share their experiences
                                                                      and identify best practice ideas that will lead this region’s
                                                                      chapters into 2019. We were honoured by the presence
                                                                                                                                        12th International Female Ride Day
FREE SKILLED RIDER TRAINING                                           of representatives from the Island chapters of Mauritius
                                                                      and Reunion. I’m very fortunate to be working with a great           Photographs                                                                            Submitted by:
My initial focus is to fulfil one of Sue Nagel’s departing                                                                                  courtesy of:
                                                                      regional team. I salute you all.                                                                                                                         Sonja Van Der Sandt &
wishes - to present skilled rider training free of charge to ten                                                                            Diana Amaro
dealerships and chapters in South Africa, reaching about 300     THE ROAD AHEAD                                                                                                                                                  Sulette Thompson
                                                                                                                                            Mike De Kock
members in 2018. This is sponsored by H-D® and H.O.G. Africa. I look forward to an interesting, action-packed second half                    Elma Eloff                                                                         Editor: Angelique
                                                                                                                                          Gerhard Grobler                                                                              Dermit
 • Chapters Completed: Tyger Valley, Cape Town and Pretoria. of 2018 with many more chapter rides, socials, events and                       Irina Mink
                                                                 rallies. I will also continue with my quest to deliver skilled rider                                                                                             FULL ARTICLE
 • Number of Trainees: 80 members                                                                                                          Jose Rebordao                                                                        + EXTRA PHOTOS
                                                                 training to another seven chapters and some 210 members.
 • Trainers: two supporting chapter trainers were accredited,                                                                               Chania Rens
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               www.HOGAfrica.com
   one in the Western Cape and another in Gauteng.               I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many
                                                                 chapter volunteers who give up their personal time on a daily
AFRICA BIKE WEEK™ 2018                                           basis to deliver top class planning and execution of their
I enjoyed five days at 2018 Africa Bike Week™, meeting           Chapter’s events Without these volunteers, the success of our
many of our local Harley-Davidson dealership staff, H.O.G.       chapters and H.O.G. Africa could not be achieved. Well done
members and H-D customers. What a great experience - a well and thank you all - your efforts are appreciated.
presented event that celebrated our favourite brands. It was     See you all soon, ride safe and don’t forget to have fun!
a good opportunity to meet up with old friends, and make
many new friends who share our common passion for great          Luis Da Silva
motorcycles.

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RIDERS DIGEST - HOG Africa
Africa Bike Week™ 2018                                                            Africa Bike Week™ 2018

                                                                                                                                                  ABCs of Touring Winner
East London roared with high-spirited riders and their motorcycles during Africa
Bike Week™ 2018. For bike enthusiasts there were demo rides and free lessons, and                             BIKE WINNER
our favourite stunt rider Patric Botha showed off his amazing motorcycle moves.                               Stacy Moore -
                                                                                                              who had simply
Daily shows entertained and shocked with trail-bike, BMX and skateboard stunts,                                                                   CORRIE VAN RENSBURG - the 2017 Winner of the ABCs of
                                                                                                              “popped in for
with an early evening fireworks display that set the night alight.                                            a visit” - took                     Touring - is just not a “stay-at-home” guy. Despite having won
                                                                                                              home the Harley-                    the competition several times, winning takes second place to
After an afternoon of shopping and excitement, we settled down at the main stage
                                                                                                              Davidson® Street                    his love of riding!
for a full programme of live entertainment from top South African bands - from jazz
                                                                                                              Rod™. “I can’t
and country to pop and contemporary. The night wasn’t over until the grown-ups                                                                    “It’s addictive,” Corrie explains. “Once you start looking out for
                                                                                                              wait to take it for
squeezed themselves into the kiddies’ train for a midnight ride!               >>                             a ride. Thanks                      the missing alphabetic points, it’s hard to stop!”
                                                                                                              so much ABW                         His ever-patient wife Meisie Van Rensburg has no problem

Africa Bike Week™ 2018
                                                                                                              for this amazing                    with Corrie taking off for the open road - she fully supports her
                                                                                                              opportunity.”
                                                                                                                                                  hubby’s adventurous spirit.
                                                                                                                                                  Having travelled South Africa extensively, Corrie decided there
                                                                                                                                                  were other places that needed closer scrutiny from the back of
 The main stage
                                                                                                                                                  a bike. Despite predictions of inclement weather, he booked a
 was packed every                                                                                                                                 plane ticket for the USA where he crossed the Southern States
 night and when                                                                                                                                   on a Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® to accumulate all the
 the music for                                                                                                                                    points required to win!
 the young got
 too much for                                                                                                                                       Read all about Corrie’s AMERICAN ADVENTURE at www.HOGAfrica.com
 older ears, the
 Harley-Davidson®
 Hospitality Bar and                                                                                                                                                                             My best USA
 Jack’s Bar were                                                                                              The ABW 2018                                                                       experience:
 the place to go for                                                                                          Custom Bike Show
                                                                                                                                                                                                 The Tail of the
 late night parties.                                                                                          was a treat for
                                                                                                                                                                                                 Dragon - a biker’s
 There was no                                                                                                 enthusiasts who
                                                                                                                                                                                                 dream ride
 shortage of food                                                                                             admire unique
                                                                                                                                                                                                 with 318 curves
 and entertainment                                                                                            paintwork and
                                                                                      Photographer:                                                                                              on an 18km
 venues with plenty                                                                                           craftsmanship.
                                                                                      Mike De Kock                                                                                               stretch. The road
 of variety to satisfy                                                                                                                                                                           passes through
                                                                                      See more photos
 taste buds.                                                                                                                                                                                     mountainside
                                                                                      on the website
                                                                                                                                                                                                 wilderness, often
                                                                                                                                                                                                 with a rock wall or
                                                                                                                                                                                                 hill on one side and
                                                                                      Nora-Jean, a Harley®                                                                                       a sheer drop on the
                                                                                        enthusiast from                                                                                          other. Next to the
                                                                                                                                                                                                 sculpted Dragon,
                                                                                      Gauteng, gives us her
                                                                                                                                                                                                 is the grim “Tree
                                                                                      perspective of Africa                                                                                      of Shame” with
                                                                                        Bike Week ™ at                                                                                           twisted motorcycle
                                                                                      www.HOGAfrica.com                                                                                          parts dangling
                                                                                                                                                                                                 from its branches.

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RIDERS DIGEST - HOG Africa
H.O.G. Gold Rand 1903 Rally                                H.O.G. gold Rand 1903 Rally

                                                                                                        Our rally charity was “The Young Tigers
                                                                                                        Football Club” which is popular with young
                                                                                                        adults in the area.
                                                                                                        Thanks to a generous last-minute donation
                                                                                                        from the N.G. Church Kempton Park North,
                                                                                                        we were not only able to kit out “The Young
                                                                                                        Tigers” with matching shirts, shorts and
                                                                                                        caps but also present a hugely-appreciated
                                                                                                        R10 000 cheque.

                                                                                                        SEEN AT THE RALLY
                                                                                                        After a lazy lunch at Fouriesburg Country Inn
                                                                                                        where the Charity hand over was conducted,
                                                                                                        one rider had a flat whitewall tyre (clearly
Editor/Photographer: Angelique Dermit        It might be rusted                 Less travelled roads    too exciteed for a pre-ride inspection that
                                             and held together                  are discovered by       day!)

TREASURED MEMORIES
                                             with wire, but                     riders at every         Sue Nagel, Customer Experience Manager
                                             this beauty is still               rally. The route via    for Harley-Davidson® stepped up. Working
                                             its owner’s most                   Heilbron taken          with a valve extender from our well-
H.O.G. Gold Rand 1903 rally                  prized treasure.                   by the rally riders
                                                                                was not only
                                                                                                        prepared Head Road Captain, Sue proved
                                                                                                        that while she might not be the master of
When William S. Harley and the Davidsons decided to build                       more scenic than        the treasure hunt, she is a pretty handy
their own motorcycle in 1903, they could never have thought                     the better known        motorcycle mechanic!
that more than a century later that idea would become an                        Frankfort route,
aspiration for millions of motorcycle riders.                                   it also had fewer
                                                                                potholes! Getting       One event on the programme that received
Thus the 1903 legend was born; in celebration the Gold Rand                     a little lost is just   universal compliments was the “Gold Rush”
Chapter included this significant date as their Rally identity.                 another adventure       treasure hunt. A special prize in the car
Earlier this year, Clarens in the Free State came alive to the                  when you’re with        category ensured that families could take
roar of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles as riders streamed in to                   the pack!               part in the fun of guessing the [wrong]
attend the 1903 Rally.                                                                                  answers and looking for keyrings in every
                                                                                A well-scheduled        available hiding spot.
1903 had it all - good food, good music, great roads and                        rally programme
exciting biking adventures combined with the tradition of                       left ample time to      Participants were elbow-deep in soap suds,
charity run made this rally exceptional. There was glamour                      spend with friends.     spit and polish preparing for the Concourse
and glitz for the ladies, the company of old friends and new, a                                         judging. Later that evening at a glittering
concourse with prizes and a treasure hunt!                                                              themed gala dinner, jubilant prize winners
                                                                                                        received their sparkling silver trophies.
The Harley® biking brotherhood gets together at rallies to                      READ THE EXTENDED
share their passion for our amazing machines and to tell hair-                      ARTICLE AT          Best Overall winner: Ramiro Chadinha
raising riding stories. Several Harley Owners Group® Chapters                   www.HOGAfrica.com
                                                                                                        Weber braai: Janine Tredger
gathered as one at the event, enjoying nostalgic tales of
                                                                                                        Service voucher: Peter Scheepers
challenges met, sights seen and roads travelled.           >>

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RIDERS DIGEST - HOG Africa
KiDS Blanket Run 2018                                                                                                      KiDS Blanket Run 2018

                                                                                                                 continued from page 8

                                                                    Changing Lives
                                     Photographer:
                                     Jose Rebordao                                                               From 7am on a cold, crisp morning,
                                                                                                                 Chapter Officers, volunteers and

                                                                    one blanket at a time
                                     Photographer:                                                               riders started to line up outside the
                                     Flip Labuschagne                                                            Johannesburg Harley-Davidson
                                                                                                                 Dealership.
                                     Photographer:                  Winter on the Highveld can be a bleak
                                                                                                                 After the riders’ briefing, Konrad de
                                     Dieter Wiese                   time for people and animals. The K.i.D.S.
                                                                                                                 Beer (Head Road Captain – H.O.G.
                                                                    blanket run is organised every year by
                                                                                                                 Johannesburg) gave the signal and
                                                                    the Johannesburg H.O.G. Chapter.
                                                                                                                 hundreds of bikes started their engines.
                                                                    With the support of all the other H.O.G.®
                                                                                                                 Assisted by Gauteng Traffic department,
                                                                    chapters close enough to participate
                                                                                                                 the Marshal team led by Konrad and
                                                                    and long standing sponsors of the
                                                                                                                 Pieter de Koning (event organiser for
                                                                    event including Harley-Davidson®
                                                                                                                 H.O.G. Johannesburg) led 650 bikes out
                                                                    Johannesburg – the riders collect as
                                                                                                                 onto the road in pack formation.
                                                                    many blankets as possible and distribute
                                                                    them to organisations who assist at-risk     Due to the popularity of the charity ride,
                                                                    children, families and animals.              Menlyn Shopping Centre was selected as                                 Photographer:
                                                                                                                                                                                        Joe Pieterse
                                                                                                                 the finishing point. Together with Hard
                                                                    The ride was supported by Emer-G-
                                                                                                                 Rock Cafe, H.O.G. Pretoria organised
Photographer:                                                       med medical response vehicles, Hard                                                                                 Photographer:
                                                                                                                 parking, access, food and drinks and                                   Proshot
 Chania Rens                                                        Rock Cafe, Mix FM and Gauteng law
                                                                                                                 staging for the event end point.
                                                                    enforcement and traffic officials to
                                                                    provide clear access throughout the          All too soon, the pack left the freeway                                Photographer:
                                                                    route. On the big day, the staff from the    and filed patiently into the Zone, paying                              Proshot
                                                                    Johannesburg Dealership all came in          the mandatory “entry fee” of at least one
                                                                                                                                                                                        Photographer:
                                                                    early to ensure that riders had access to    blanket to be donated to charity.                                      Pieter de Koning
                                                                    facilities on the day, and worked hard to
                                                                                                                 Hard Rock Cafe was buzzing as the riders
                                                                    co-ordinate all the activities related to
                                                                                                                 settled in for a day of entertainment
                                                                    the ride.
                                                                                                                 with great live music from Miss Heidi &
                                                                    As is customary, several riding groups       The Bar Room Bandits, Cindy Alter, Dirty
                                                                    and organisations came through               Moonshine and the Dixie Hillbillies.
                                                                    to support the ride, and show
                Photographer:                                                                                    By the end of the day, 2 950 blankets
                                                                    Johannesburg how big bikers’ hearts are.
                Dieter Wiese                                                                                     were collected at Pretoria Harley-
                                                                    While there are always a large number of     Davidson with the assistance of the
                                                                    Harley® owners at the event, it is open to   Pretoria H.O.G.® Chapter. That’s 2 950
                H.O.G Pretoria                                      all road legal motorcycles and the sheer     people and animals that will survive
                Photographers Corp
                                                                    variety of motorcycles that turned out       the winter a little easier this year! To the
                                                                    on Sunday 20 May was amazing.          >>    participating H.O.G. chapters and bikers       In the Western Cape, H.O.G. Tyger Valley, together with Harley-Davidson Tyger Valley, Table
                Photographer:                                           SEE THE FULL ARTICLE + EXTRA PHOTOS      of Gauteng, thank you for your kindness        Bay Mall and the Blouberg Rotary Club, arranged a ride on Sunday 13 May to collect blankets
                Flip Labuschagne                                                 www.HOGAfrica.com               and generosity - and see you in 2019!                           and raise desperately-needed funds for the less privileged.

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RIDERS DIGEST - HOG Africa
H.O.G. Rider Chronicles: My Journey to Freedom                                                                             CONTINUED: H.O.G. rIDer Chronicles

                                                                                                                                                                                         Dad’s First Breakfast Run
Jenny Eve is Road Captain and Chapter Manager of H.O.G. Gold
Rand. She is an inspiration to all lady riders, proving that Marshal
and Safety Officer positions are not just for the boys!
Jenny is a petite blonde and stepped astride her first motorbike
at 50 following some major life changes. With the support of
her friend Kate Rheeders and her chapter buddies, she overcame
the initial fears and physical fatigue of handling a big bike and
persevered to become the confident, capable rider she is today.
Follow her journey...

My Journey to Freedom                                                                                            continued from page 10

by: Jenny Eve

“
                                                                                          Kate and me at         My Harley® love affair
                                                                                          the start of of
     The age of 50 dawned with the big D! My BFF, Kate                                                           With growing confidence - and top speed of 90km - our                     This is a personal perspective - my Dad’s first time on a bike -
                                                                                          our many bike                                                                                    and what made it special for him, was that it was a Harley®!
     Rheeders saw me through this difficult time and so                                                          passion for biking grew rapidly. Then we heard a radio advert
                                                                                          adventures!
     when she decided she wanted to relearn how to ride a                                                        for a new Harley-Davidson® 750 Street® for R750pm.
                                                                                                                                                                                         Author: Brian C. Mathiesen - April 2018
     motorcycle, I decided to tick it off my own bucket list.                                                    WOW! We could actually own a HARLEY®?                                   Submission by: Erik Mathiesen
     And so began the adventure of a lifetime.                                            This photo earned
                                                                                          us the opportunity     In the showroom I was blown away - my feet could actually               Editor: Angelique Dermit
I had never ridden before. We started sensibly enough with                                to represent           touch the floor! New Owners evening arrived and we were
a day’s training at a local riding school. Kate took to it like a                         Benoni in the                                                                                  “It was April 2015 and my son Erik was getting married to
                                                                                                                 greeted by friendly faces at H.O.G. Gold Rand Chapter.
duck to water, me, not so much! But, being impulsive and                                  Caxton Amazing                                                                                 Stephanie. I had travelled up from Still Bay, to spend time with
adventurous, within a week, we purchased ourselves a Big Boy                              Race - “Ekurhuleni     My first ever ride was a nightmare. After 70km I wanted to cry          them before the big day.
200cc and 250cc which we rode up the road and to the shops.
                                                                                          Heritage”.             and leave the pack. My head was pounding, my bum numb. I
                                                                                                                                                                                         “The first of many special outings they planned was joining
                                                                                          We spent seven         kept to the short rides after that. My fellow H.O.G.s continued
Our first real out ride was 30km to Que Sera. Well, I have never                                                                                                                         their Sunday breakfast run with H.O.G. Johannesburg. This was
                                                                                          glorious weeks on      to encourage me to build saddle time and I closely followed
been so terrified in my life! My teeth were gritted, shoulders                                                                                                                           a first-time for me, and what an exhilarating adrenalin rush it
                                                                                          our bikes exploring    their advice. A sneaky adjustment in the grips allowed me to
and hands ached and when a truck came past, I thought I                                                                                                                                  was being whisked 25km along the open road and through
                                                                                          Ekurhurleni, racing    improve my reach and ride more comfortably.
would die for sure.                                                                                                                                                                      traffic from Monaghan farm to Sandton on the back of Erik’s
                                                                                          again the best ...
                                                                                          and won a trip to
                                                                                                                 Africa Bike Week™ was followed by Big Five’s Mojadji, Gold              bike.
My immediate thoughts: “That’s it, I am selling the bike                                  Mauritius!             Rand’s Swazi and Bloemfontein’s Greystone Rallies. Weekends
tomorrow, what a dumb thing to do at my age!”                                                                                                                                     “We had gathered at the Sandton Harley-Davidson®
                                                                                                                 became a blur of activities. I found riding a great de-stressor.
                                                                                                                                                                                  Dealership in Rivonia Road. What a wonderful group of guys
The following Sunday Kate and I rode to Harties. It took                                                         Yup, I was hooked on Harley! I joined the Marshal Core as a      and gals, each the owner of a magnificent Harley-Davidson®
most of the day with many smoke break stops, coffee                                       S.R.S.T. (Safe Rider   Biker Buddy, then accepted the appointment of Ladies of          motorcycle - mean machine, each one brighter and bigger
and encouragement. We spent the night, due mainly to                                      Skills Training)
                                                                                                                 Harley® Officer. I talked my sister and her husband into joining than the next. They warmly welcomed Erik and Stephanie and
                                                                                          has made me a
exhaustion, and rode home the next day in icy wind and rain.                                                     H.O.G., and then met the man of my dreams - now my fiancé - immediately made me feel part of the family as well.
                                                                                          better and more
We began doing short rides to visit friends. I stalled at traffic                         confident rider.       at the Gold Rand Chapter.
                                                                                                                                                                                  “I totally looked the part with my leathers and helmet, and I
lights, dropped my bike in my own driveway and went                                       I took advantage       Then - fatal mistake. I sat on a Harley-Davidson® 1200 Custom meekly had to admit that I was only Erik’s pillion. After coffee
through three left and one right mirror. There was great                                  of every safety
                                                                                                                 Sportster® and a new love affair began!                          and donuts and a rider’s briefing, we got under way.”
                                                                                          course the Chapter
excitement when my Dad drove alongside me on Great North
road to check my speed – a whopping 75km per hour! >>
                                                                                          offered!                      Follow the rest of Jenny’s adventure at www.HOGAfrica.com                More on Brian’s first breakfast run at www.HOGAfrica.com

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RIDERS DIGEST - HOG Africa
Battle of the Potjie Kings 2018                                                                                                       H.O.G. EVENTS

  Nine teams from the Western Cape
 went head-to-head in the 3rd annual
  “Battle of the Potjie Kings”. Luckily
  we enjoyed splendid weather with
    plenty of sunshine and minimal
 wind, providing the ideal conditions
   for cooking up the perfect potjie.

    Each team gave it their all and
   presented their potjies in unique
  style. Pots ranged from traditional
 Moroccan to lamb knuckles to curry.
              What a feast!
                                                                                 WIN A TRIP TO STURGIS!
                                                                                 Experience the biggest Harley®-only

   3rd Battle of the
                                                                                 rally on the continent! The first 250
                                                                                 H.O.G.® Members to register for the

    Potjie Kings
                                                                                 rally, will get lunch at Muisbosskerm
                                                                                 valued at R280 absolutely FREE,
                                                                                 compliments of H-D® & H.O.G. Africa!

HDCCT Ladies’ Team team snatched                                                 The rally destination is Lambert’s Bay
the title of Potjie Kings for 2018.                                              - a picturesque fishing town 280kms

                                                                                                                             High flying with H.O.G. Big Five
Congratulations on a well-deserved win                                           north of Cape Town. Expect awesome
for an authentic Moroccan potjie with                                            live music, exciting outrides, superb
dried apricots, followed by a Moroccan                                           food, Harley Games, competitions and
dessert of semolina cake, with hints of                                          a tattoo artist! The charity raffle prize
                                                                                 is a trip for two to Sturgis 2019!          H.O.G. Big Five Chapter was delighted      In stately, uniform ranks we proceeded
orange and pine nuts.
                                                                                                                             to officially open the popular annual      down the runway and executed a skilled
H.O.G. Breede River Chapter won the                                              H.O.G. Cape Town Chapter reviews progress   Lowveld Air Show in May 2018.              U-turn, while the skydivers’ plane flew
“Best Dressed Table” award. The judges                                           at the 2017 West Coast Rally charity                                                   overhead. After a final turn and runway
                                                                                 recipient - the Hermanus Nightshelter.      At 10am, 54 motorcycles were given
lounged on a carpeted floor around                                                                                                                                      crossing for spectators to have their final
                                                                                                                             permission by Air Traffic Control to
a small table in an incense-scented                                                                                                                                     glimpse of our motorcycles, we left the
                                                                                                                             approach the runway. In parade
Moroccan curtained booth.                                                                                                                                               airfield to park the bikes neatly in front
                                                                                                                             formation, the pack of Harley® owners
                                                                                                                                                                        of the H-D® Big Five exhibitor stand.
A special mention went to H.O.G. Cape                                                                                        from various local motorcycle fraternities
Town who competed for the first time                                                                                         led by the Big Five Chapter, roared down We were complimented on our opening
and went all out with their décor too!                                                                                       the runway, and precisely aligned their    sequence and were proud to represent
                                                                                                                             motorcycles facing the crowd.              H-D® to the big crowd. It was an exciting,
Winner of the Team Spirit award was
                                                                                                                                                                        fun filled and sky-rocking day for the
H.O.G. Tyger Valley - who had their fires                                                                                    Engines were silenced as we waited for
                                                                                                                                                                        whole chapter!
burning before 7am!                                                                                                          the parachutists to land in front of us.
Thank you to our judges, Durbanville
                                            Submission: Ash Vos
                                                                                                                             Timing was calculated to the second.       Article submission: Oskar Rottcher
                                            Photography: H.O.G. Tyger Valley                                                                                           Photography: Delva Lubbe
Craft Breweries and hosts Tyger Valley      Madeleine May  Liesl Strauss              WWW.WESTCOASTRALLY.CO.ZA              As parachutists landed with a massive
Harley-Davidson® and H.O.G. Chapter.                                                                                         South African flag, the V-twins roared.    Editor: Angelique Dermit

                    12                                                                                                                          13
RIDERS DIGEST - HOG Africa
H.O.G. Rider Chronicles: Thunderbike, Fury & the vw bATTERY                                                                                                 OUR H.O.G.
                                                                                                                                                                             rider COMMUNITY
                                                                                                                                                                                    sAFEty

                        Submitted by: Dr Terence Milne (aka General Lee)               Photographer : Elke Milne

                       Thunderbike, Fury & the VW Battery

                      “
                       A long read on the perils of buying a motorcycle “voetstoots” and sight unseen...

                               Christmas 2016. There we were           Our West Coast adventure begins
                               in the quaint German town of
                                                                       Volker and Petra arrived on Swiss Air on
                               Gerderath enjoying a traditional
                                                                       rally departure day. No time for sleep!
                               White Christmas at the “Haus” of
                                                                       Our route would take us to Kimberley in
                               fellow bikers Volker and Petra.                                                      continued from page 14
                                                                       a Highveld summer heat wave.
                       Over a magical Christmas Eve dinner,                                                         Westward ho!
                                                                       On Day Two, with the ladies sensibly in
                       Volker made the memorable decision                                                           Riding the last stretch on the N7 we
                                                                       the air-conditioned car, bikes and riders
                       to buy a Harley® - and stated our first                                                      passed the drought-stricken Clanwilliam
                                                                       endured baking sun. On Day Three we
                       adventure with his new bike would be                                                         Dam, hooked a right and reached
                                                                       awoke to a freezing wind and a 30o                                                          Tips and advice for all riders from our H.O.G. Training Officers.   Editor: Angelique Dermit.
                       Lambert’s Bay for the West Coast Rally!                                                      the small hamlet of Lambert’s Bay
                                                                       temperature drop. Our summer riding

                                                                                                                                                                Breathe in Energy, Breathe out Stress
                       Eventually Volker found a baby blue             jackets and cut-off gloves made this         (population: 6 210, vastly increased by
                       Dyna® 2003. The bike was 1 600kms               weather change very noticeable.              the Rally influx).
                       away, but with a leap of faith the deal                                                      We found our way to the harbour and
                                                                       Fury and Thunderbike crossed the                                                         What is the first thing new riders do               Tips to reduce anxiety
                       was struck. The bike duly arrived -                                                          Rally tent and stabled our bikes at our
                                                                       African Karoo, with suspicious ease. We                                                  when releasing the throttle? They hold
                       minus baffles and silencers - and was                                                        seaside home for the weekend.                                                                   • Eat something [small] prior to your
                                                                       passed through the isolated town of                                                      their breath and pray not to drop their
                       christened “Thunderbike”. Yes, it had a                                                                                                                                                        ride, stay well hydrated and wear
                                                                       Williston and the majestic Vanrhyn’s Pass.   So the Rally played out: seafood and        chrome in front of the whole chapter.
                       battery - the notorious battery that led                                                                                                                                                       comfortable, non-restrictive gear.
                                                                       As we entered Vanrhynsdorp - with just       outrides and music and dancing in the
                       to the entire saga.                                                                                                                      Breathing evenly during stressful riding            • Breathe and relax - don’t ride faster
                                                                       170km to go of our 1 500km trek - Volker     big tent. Sunday arrived all too soon.
                                                                                                                                                                situations is next to impossible. Even                than your comfort zone. Own the
                                                                       disappeared from my mirrors. A quick         Thunderbike was raring to take on the
                                                                                                                                                                experienced riders tense up and breathe               road - you have as much right to be
                                                                       U-turn on the main street, and there was     1 500km return trip, but like us all, the
The famous                                                                                                          battery had enjoyed the sea air a little
                                                                                                                                                                shallowly - it’s a natural response to                there as cars and trucks.
                                                                       Volker with only his right leg keeping the                                               threats, anxiety or even anticipation.
Volkswagen                                                                                                          too much. It wasn’t going anywhere.                                                             • Loosen your grip on the handlebars,
                                                                       air cleaner and carb housing attached to
  battery                                                              the engine. The pistons were not happy.                                                  By holding your breath, your oxygen                   relax and lower your shoulders.
                                                                                                                    Read the rest of this hilarious tale
                                                                                                                                                                intake is restricted due to increased               • Keep your mind on your motorcycle,
                                                                       As it happened we had rolled to a stop       about the mechanical mishaps of our
                                                                                                                                                                tension in your muscles that could even               the road, other motorists and your
                                                                       just a block from the Co-op where we         memorable cross-country trip.
                                                                                                                                                                cause you to lose consciousness. Other                surroundings. Life isn’t about the
                                                                       were able to pick up imperial and metric                                                 symptoms of a panic attack include fast               destination, it’s about the journey!
                                                                       tools, aftermarket parts and even some                                                   breathing, hyper-focus, hyper-alertness,
                                                                       original American spares.                                                                                                                    • If you feel dizzy, briefly tense and
                                                                                                                                                                and a rapid or fluttering heart rate.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      release your upper leg muscles
                                                                       I learned a lesson in motorcycle                                                         If you find yourself in a situation where             to increase blood flow. Pull over
                                                                       maintenance (nothing Zen about it).                                                      you are anxious, consciously remind                   somewhere safe and walk around.
                                                                       The pomp-joggies from the local garage                                                   yourself to take deep, steady breaths               • Find your riding pace and don’t get
                                                                       looked on with interest. At this point the                                               to keep your head clear and your body                 pushed by impatient motorists to ride
                                                                       battery looked just fine.              >>                                                ready to respond appropriately.                       on the rough shoulder of the road.

                                             14                                                                                                                                        15
RIDERS DIGEST - HOG Africa
Information is the best available
at the time of publication. Please
     advise us of any errors.

Thank you to all our chapters
for articles and photographs!

 Sponsor: H.O.G./H-D Africa
   Publisher: Dianne Volek
  Editor: Angelique Dermit

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RIDERS DIGEST - HOG Africa
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