Dirt and Trail July 2020

When Glenn asked me to write this article, he
asked that I put in a bit about what you would
need to take along on such a long trip and I
thought about this…..
A real
Giraffe in
Aus...
I think what everybody wants to hear is tools, spares, a
tent, sleeping bag, blow up mattress, food water, extra fuel
etc. etc. etc. The only advice that I can give is that unless
you’re a BMW mechanic, the fancy spares and tools mean
nothing.
The best thing I ever done was to throw away the
massive bag of clothes that I had on the back and replace
it with a cooler box. A tent is important, as Australia has
lots of critters that like to bite or sting you. Definitely,
netting for your face to keep the flies away and long sleeve
shirts and pants. Extra fuel on the bike is a must and food
for a maximum of 2 – 3 days, as it is readily available.
After returning in December 2019, I realised my
passion is motorcycling adventure, after the last 3 years,
of adventure touring. And with that passion I started a
motorcycle adventure tour company called Adventure
Africa Motorcycle Tours (www.aamotorcycletours.com)
and then the Corona virus hit!
I will not give up and hope to continue someday soon in
the future to showcase South Africa and Africa to clients
on adventure bikes.
As I’ve stated in this article, adventure riding allows you
to meet so many people, so are much less fortunate than
what you are and that we are so insignificant in the bigger
picture of things. When you ride long distances solo, your
emotions play havoc with your mind. You get excited,
you get depressed, you get hungry, you get thirsty, you
get cold and sometimes you have no shelter from nature
and sometimes you must eat what you can get. Yet, it is
an adventure that we do because it is exciting, however,
these emotional factors and circumstances are some
people’s daily lives. For this reason, I hope to make a
change in people’s lives, by riding my next trip from Cape
Town to the Netherland’s, to create awareness for people
that are less fortunate than myself.
About the Author:
Roland is the third half of the Adventure Africa
Motorcycle Tours outfit. He started riding in 2017 and the
bug bit him something fierce. He has travelled all over SA,
Namibia, Zambia, Bots, Zim, Malawi… and the Aus trip
was a lifelong dream.
In between, these guys are arranging trips locally
in and around JHB. Hook up with them@ www.
aamotorcycletours.com
He and some friends are planning a ride from Cape
Town to Cairo against poverty. Follow him at www.
facebook.com/rideagainstpoverty
www.aamotorcycletours.com
74 DIRT & TRAIL MAGAZINE JULY 2020
The flies in
the Northern
Territory
are unreal.
The net was
possibly
my most
important
item of gear.
The day the
Springboks
won the world
cup...
GET IT.
READ IT.
LOVE IT!
SA’S MOST LOVED
ROAD & TRACK
MOTORCYCLE
MAGAZINE.
READ IT AT www.motomedia.co.za