We are an outdoor and lifestyle family company based in Randfontein South, Gauteng. We have been in operation since 2015 hosting and facilitating themed camps and monthly hikes in and around South Africa and Lesotho. Our family is also based in Lesotho.
Over and above hosting outdoor events, we are also motoring enthusiasts contributing content (vehicles and motorbikes) to various media houses, namely:
The Annual Lesotho Cultural Tour came about as a result of our love for travelling and our Basotho culture. We then thought it would be befitting to offer travelers an experience like no other. Our tours are not average, or what is currently being offered by other tour operators, who may not know the people, the culture and the language of the Mountain Kingdom. And the fact that we are jealous of where we come from, we are ever so willing to showcase what Lesotho and its humble people has to offer.
The cultural tour started as a bike only event last year, but due to demand we have had to include cars, hopefully to win them into motorbiking.
The first Annual Mokorotlo Cultural Ride Lesotho – 2022
We left Gauteng on Friday morning to arrive in Lesotho in the afternoon. After crossing the border, we had lunch at Qhanolla Lodge, Botha-buthe. And when the food had settled, we headed towards our lodge, called Mamohase Home Stay B&B to check in. The road to the lodge from the main road is about 2 kilometers of gravel, which is rideable even with a road bike.
Prior to a home cooked dinner, we gathered around the fire and the local men entertained us with traditional music and praise songs. All this happened while we enjoyed a choice of either traditional home brewed beer, or the most sought after Maluti Premium Beer.
The following morning, after a traditional breakfast, we headed out towards the district of Maseru, where we had lunch. In Maseru we visited the Thaba Bosiu Cultural Village tour, which gave an in- depth history of the Basotho nation, how it came about, their culture and heritage. Enroute to our lodge for the evening, we did a tour through the Sani Wines vineyards and enjoyed some horse riding from the community of Ha Ntsi, Nazareth. Our lodge for the night is situated a few kilometers up the road, where we checked in and prepared a braai. Sunday morning, after breakfast and before heading for the border on our return back home, we visited the local chief.
You’ve heard of dancing in the moonlight, but now Sadac Adventure Travel – the southern Africa adventure bike travel specialists – have partnered with Muddy Face Tours to give you a unique opportunity to ride your adventure bike by moonlight.
The Moonlight on the Move Adventure – proudly sponsored by Motul – will see riders head from Johannesburg to Botswana’s iconic Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, a lunar landscape in northern Botswana that’s so flat and so empty, you can see the curvature of the Earth.
“We’re excited to have this opportunity to show riders the beauty of Botswana and combine one of our signature adventure rides with a festival that we know people will absolutely love,” commented Treffon Smith of Sadac Travel. “Muddy Face on the Pans is an unmissable event, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with my fellow riders,” he added. After departing Motul SA’s Kyalami headquarters on Wednesday 28 June 2023, riders will cover approximately 1 980km of tar and dirt roads, with all the dirt road stages on either orange or red graded tracks. The journey to the Pans is not a guided ride, but an organised and facilitated/supported ride. Participants can choose to break up into smaller groups and navigate their way to the rendezvous point indicated on each day’s track.
The supplied GPS tracks will lead riders to a yet-to-be-revealed location in the Pans for the 3-night Muddy Face on the Pans Festival – the ultimate music and riding lifestyle event. With a night at a safari lodge to break the journey in each direction, the Motul Moonlight on the Move Adventure promises 6 days and 5 nights of awesome riding action and entertainment.
The route to the Pans will consist of a combination of tar, gravel, twin tracks and cattle paths, with adventure bikes of all brands (as well as 4×4 support vehicles for partners) welcome. Routes will be available as GPS downloads to all confirmed participants.
On arrival at the Pans, the true adventure begins. Riders will be sleeping under canvas – if they sleep at all. The clue is in the name – this is a moonlight adventure. Timed to coincide with the full moon, Muddy Face on the Pans will see the Makgadikgadi Pans (which were once the bed of a vast inland sea) transformed into a silvery-blue wonderland. Riding at night across an endless landscape, with your lunar shadow in hot pursuit, is an experience not to be missed. There is something magical and mysterious about the Pans at night making this a ride to remember.
“No other riding experience compares to stirring up dust on the Makgadikgadi Pans by moonlight,” commented Ross Branch, organiser of Muddy Face on the Pans. “As a Dakar Rally competitor, I know the sense of freedom that riding in the desert can bring. This festival will let adventure riders and spectators feel that same thrill,” he added.
Of course, riding isn’t the only nocturnal activity on offer. With local bands including Sunset Sweatshop and Flying Bantu, plus tunes from DJ Bad Brad, festivalgoers can dance until dawn. The entertainment will also feature interactive drumming sessions, fire dancing and multiple competitions for spectators.
The freestyle motocross display riders will provide plenty of thrilling action, with optional extra quad bike hire and scenic helicopter flips completing the line-up of awesome opportunities.
“As Motul’s distributor in Botswana, the Pans are our backyard and we can’t wait to welcome riders from South Africa to this stunning landscape and to the Muddy Face event,” commented Anthony Lambrechts, GM of Team Agencies. “The Pans are beautiful, but also harsh – fortunately, Motul products have got what it takes to help riders conquer the terrain and temperatures,” he added.
“Motul is proud to sponsor the Moonlight on the Move Adventure – it’s an experience that’s completely in tune with our commitment to helping people to get the most out of owning offroad vehicles,” commented Mercia Jansen, Motul Area Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa. To secure your place on the Motul Moonlight on the Move Adventure, email bookings@sadac-travel.co.za
To learn more about Motul’s product range and how they can help you get optimum performance from your vehicle in even the most challenging conditions, visit https://www.motul.com/za/en
ABOUT MOTUL Motul is a world-class French company with 170 years of experience in the specialised formulation, production and distribution of high-tech engine lubricants (for two-wheelers, cars and other vehicles) as well as lubricants for industry via its Motul Tech division.
Since its inception in 1853, Motul has been recognised for the quality of its products, commitment to innovation and involvement in competition, and is also acknowledged as a specialist in synthetic lubricants. In 1971, Motul was the first lubricant manufacturer to pioneer the formulation of a 100% synthetic lubricant, derived from the aeronautical industry and making use of esters technology: 300V lubricant.
Motul partners with many manufacturers and racing teams in order to further their technological product development through experience gained in motorsports. It has served as an official supplier for teams competing in iconic Road racing, Trials, Enduro, Endurance, Superbike, Supercross, Rallycross and World GT1 events, including 24 Hours of Le Mans (cars and motorcycles), 24 Hours of Spa, Le Mans Series, Andros Trophy, the Dakar Rally and the Roof of Africa.
AN INTERNATIONAL MASS RIDE TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL FEMALE RIDE DAY
Unlike Alice, you don’t need to believe six impossible things before breakfast to enjoy an International Mass Ride on Saturday, 06 May 2023. The ride is in honour of International Female Ride Day (IFRD) and will end with an Alice in Wonderland-themed picnic at the Avianto Clubhouse in Muldersdrift, Gauteng.
Join in for a safe, smooth-riding and fun event, with various departure points all around Gauteng and each group led by an experienced lady rider.
The IFRD first took place in 2007, with this year being the 17th edition. The aim of the IFRD is to stage a globally synchronised motorcycling and scooter ride for women that encourages all women to ‘JUST RIDE’.
It provides the ideal opportunity for women to act as role models to the global community of women who ride, to raise awareness of the growing numbers of women who own or ride motorcycles, and to celebrate the achievements of women in motorsport.
The International Female Ride Day has a successful track record of unifying women across 120 countries around the world. In addition to these serious goals, the IFRD is also about having fun and making friends in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere.
That’s where the Alice in Wonderland theme for this year comes in. The Muldersdrift picnic will be hosted by Alice and her friends, including the Mad Hatter, the March Hare and the Queen of Hearts.
“We’re all about encouraging women to find more reasons to ride, and what better opportunity than a fancy-dress picnic?” commented Kerry Puzey of Biker’s Warehouse, one of the organisers of the IFRD Mass Ride.
Registration is essential and the R50 fee affords riders participation in the Mass Ride, entrance to the wonderland ‘after-party’, a goodie bag and a picnic hamper. Once you have registered all the details will be shared including route and start point information and you can pre-order awesome IFRD merchandise and your picnic hamper. If you’re not in the mood for a picnic you can grab a pizza on the day from the Avianto Clubhouse. A cash bar will also be available to quench those parched from the ride.
Partners are welcome to participate and dressing up is definitely encouraged, with prizes for the best outfit. There will also be lots of chances to win lucky draw prizes.
“International Female Ride Day is all about celebrating the growth in female motorcycling, keeping the momentum going and encouraging more women to ride motorbikes and scooters,” commented Mercia Jansen, Motul Area Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa. “I’ll be leading one of the offroad groups myself and doing my bit to encourage ladies to take part. I’m excited for this chance to demonstrate the passion, fun and camaraderie that can be found on two wheels,” she added.
To register for the IFRD Mass Ride and picnic or to learn more, visit www.ifrd-sa.co.za
Share and follow all the fun on social media using #FemaleFocusForward #IFRDSA and #IFRDGauteng
Motul is a world-class French company with 170 years of experience in the specialised formulation, production and distribution of high-tech engine lubricants (for two-wheelers, cars and other vehicles) as well as lubricants for industry via its Motul Tech division.
Since its inception in 1853, Motul has been recognised for the quality of its products, commitment to innovation and involvement in competition, and is also acknowledged as a specialist in synthetic lubricants. In 1971, Motul was the first lubricant manufacturer to pioneer the formulation of a 100% synthetic lubricant, derived from the aeronautical industry and making use of esters technology: 300V lubricant.
Motul partners with many manufacturers and racing teams in order to further their technological product development through experience gained in motorsports. It has served as an official supplier for teams competing in iconic Road racing, Trials, Enduro, Endurance, Superbike, Supercross, Rallycross and World GT1 events, including 24 Hours of Le Mans (cars and motorcycles), 24 Hours of Spa, Le Mans Series, Andros Trophy, the Dakar Rally and the Roof of Africa.
4B Trevor and Sharon Binder – VMC – 1942 Harley Sidecar – 27th Overall 710 Seconds (4)1A Phillip Kuschke – Kuschke – MTFCSA – 1923 Ford Model T – NS (3)36C Leslie Youngman – CVMC – 1934 New Imperial Model 30 – 36th Overall 1509 Seconds (5)45C Catherine and Andrew Lewis – CVMC – 1976 MGB Roadster – 2nd Overall 128 Seconds (4)
The 35th Fairest Cape Tour attracted a varied, and very interesting, field of rather rare and exclusive machinery. Centralized at Goudini Spa competing crews had to negotiate two days of scenic driving that included the iconic Franschhoek Pass and Bainskloof Pass. Two of the greatest driving routes in South Africa.
Gavin Walton proved that consistency counts by bringing his 1966 BMW R60-2 home first with a minute error of just 88.
Proving that men are better navigators that women Andrew Lewis and Catherine Lewis topped the car entries with a fine second overall position in their 1976 MGB Roadster on an error of 128. The third step of the podium, fortunately, also claimed by a car crew with Andrew and Annelie Murphy on 154 with their 1979 Mercedes Benz 450 SLC. Ronald and Pam Gush in fourth spot with the 1934 Austin 10 on an error of 159, a total they shared with fifth placed Bruce Stuart on the much more modern 1995 BMW Z1000GS.
The top six rounded off by the lovely 1937 Chevrolet Coupé of Harvey and Tess Metcalf on 160. Mike and Glenda Ward an interesting combination in seventh spot as they were aboard a 1985 Suzuki GS750 with an error of 171. Nick and Sandra Middelmann eighth overall in their strikingly beautiful 1963 Porsche 356 on 185.
Adrian Denness ninth aboard his 1954 BSA B33 (there just had to be something with the No 33) on 203 and the top ten completed by lady rider, Bev Jacobs, aboard her 1975 Honda Supersport.
There were beautiful motorcycles and and cars and some even changed identity from entry list to startline (Triumph Spitfire actually looks good as a Daimler) and as always a few did not make it to the start or finish.
Trevor and Sharon Binder needed little introduction aboard the 1942 Harley Sidecar and the parents of Brad and Darryn enjoyed every kilometer enroute to 27th place overall. Watching the 1948 MG TC of Brian and Carol Wallace going up Franschhoek Pass really made one appreciate the guts of those who dared going on events such as the Targa Florio.
Riding the older motorcycles and cars also add another perspective as the only similarities between the three pedals in a Model T and current cars is the fact that there are indeed three pedals! Motorcycles with gears on the wrong side, variable timing and some even with “live” lubrication makes one wonder how the rider finds the time to still navigate on a vibrating schedule (even if it is at 40km/h).
Oh yes, did we mention no speedo or rev counter either. Suspension, well, let us just say they did not believe it was of any value back then. Brakes, never heard of her either? But the dirty grin at the end said it all and the result was something that had to be printed, position not so important.
Do not believe that for a second – there were frail male ego’s at stake here!
Better believe it, they will all be back next year!
Brad Binder – 2022 DJBev Jacobs – 2022 DJBrian Lange 2022 DJDarryn Binder – 2022 DJHans Coertse HD – 2022 DJTrevor Binder – 2022 DJ
Gavin Walton scored his fifth overall win on the DJ Rally for pre-1937 motorcycles on March 11-12. This year’s win follows victories in 2009, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
This was the 51st regularity trial for motorcycles that would have been eligible for the road race between Durban and Johannesburg, which was staged between 1913 and 1936. Riders are required to stick as closely as possible to average speeds set by the organisers and are penalised for early or late arrival at the control points, with the data being collected by the electronic loggers carried by each rider.
The 2022 edition of the DJ had attracted an entry of more than 100 riders. The 700 km course from the start in Hillcrest, outside Durban, on the Friday to the finish at the Benoni Northern Club the next day followed the general route of the original road race. The 2022 rally took its usual toll on the old machinery with only 58 of the 84 starters being classified as official finishers of the two-day event.
Walton, who says this year’s win was the toughest of his five, rode to victory on his trusty 1936 500cc AJS once again. He has only ridden one other motorcycle on the DJ and that was a 1929 500cc OHV Ariel loaned to him by Hew Hollard for this first DJ in 2005. Walton not only won overall, with 228 penalty points, but also had the lowest score on Day 1, from Durban to Newcastle, and the third lowest score on the second day, from the overnight stop to the finish in Benoni.
Walton, who retired from the synthetic diamond manufacturing industry in 2015, now concentrates on restoring classic motorcycles and running his business in Springs retailing replacement parts for British motorcycles.
Gavin Walton’s brother, Kevin, also kept the family flag flying high with a fine fourth overall on a 1931 500cc BSA. Kevin was also fourth on Day 1 and fifth on Day 2 as well as winning his class in his BSA’s age category.
Second overall was Mike Ward on a 1935 500cc Velocette, who had won the DJ in 2004 and is usually at the sharp end of an extremely competitive field. Martin Kaiser took third place on a 1935 500cc Sunbeam. Competition was tight with only 238 seconds separating Walton in first place from Neville Nicolau and Samantha Anderson who share ninth position.
The entry of South Africa’s two MotoGP riders, brothers Brad and Darryn Binder, attracted a great deal of public interest. This was the second successive year that they have competed in the DJ Rally, and they have completed the course on each occasion. This year Darryn finished 21st on a 1936 500cc Ariel, with Brad taking 45th spot on a 1935 500cc Sunbeam.
Their father, Trevor, a DJ Rally regular, had to retire during the first day due to a problem with the rear brake of his 1925 600cc Indian, Repairs were carried out in Newcastle, and he rode the second day with his sons, putting up an impressive performance, collecting only 357 penalty points on Day 2.
Unfortunately for the large crowd at the finish in Benoni the Moto GP duo made a fairly quick exit after reaching the final control as they did not want undue exposure to possible Covid-19 infection before flying out to their next race in Indonesia. They did manage to meet and greet some fans and signed memorabilia for them before leaving.
Wayne Harley, curator of the Franschhoek Motor Museum, was a very happy man at the finish in Benoni as he completed the demanding route riding the museum’s 1926 350cc AJS that was the winner of the 1936 Durban-Johannesburg handicap road race, ridden on that occasion by Cranley Jarman, of Nigel, This was the last year that these races were staged before the authorities deemed this type of racing dangerous for both the competitors and other road users as traffic between the two cities increased over the years. The last time this motorcycle took part in DJ Rally was in 2002 when restorer Hew Hollard rode it.
“The bike performed faultlessly, and it was a privilege to have had the opportunity to ride this piece of South African motorcycle history on yet another DJ Rally after a 20-year absence,” commented Wayne Harley.
“The 2022 DJ Rally proved a tough test of man and machine, as it has over the years,” commented Hylton Allison, the Clerk of the Course who headed up a committee with members from various clubs to organise this prestigious international event on behalf of the Vintage and Veteran Club of South Africa. “One problem we have each year is the deteriorating condition of the roads, which are tough on these old bikes, while this year we also had to contend with a civic protest in Pietermaritzburg which required competitors to deviate from the planned route to avoid the blocked roads. Thankfully, there were no accidents.”
RESULTS Overall: 1, Gavin Walton (1936 500cc AJS), 228 penalty points; 2, Mike Ward (1935 500cc Velocette), 258; 3, Martin Kaiser (1935 500cc Sunbeam), 271; 4, Kevin Walton (1931 500cc BSA), 277; 5, Ralph Pitchford (1934 500cc Norton), 324; 6, Ryan Duncan (1934 500cc Norton), 357; 7, Ryan van Heerden (1936 350cc Velocette), 436; 8, Allan Cunninghame (1936 500cc Velocette), 439; 9, Neville Nicolau (1935 500cc Norton) tied with Samantha Anderson (1929 350cc AJS), 466. Day 1: 1, Gavin Walton, 132; 2, Martin Kaiser, 134; 3, Mike Ward, 151; 4, Kevin Walton, 170; 5, Ryan Duncan, 197.
Day 2: 1, Ryan van Heerden, 87; 2, Ralph Pitchford, 93; 3, Gavin Walton, 96; 4, Rikki Maizey (1935 500cc Velocette), 99; 5, Kevin Walton tied with Neville Nicolau 500(107).
Other awards: Best performance by a pre-1926 motorcycle: Bill Lance (1925 600cc Indian). Best performance by pre-1930 motorcycles: Up to 350cc: Samantha Anderson (350cc AJS); 350-500cc: Tony Lyons-Lewis (1928 500cc Norton); Over 501cc: Howard Marks (Ariel); Sidecar combination: Brian Lange (1928 1000cc AJS). Best performance by pre-1936 motorcycles: Up to 350cc: Ryan van Heerden (1936 350cc Velocette); 350-500cc: Kevin Walton (1931 500cc BSA); Over 501cc: Gawie Nienaber (1935 750cc BMW); Sidecar combination: Adrian Hollis (1936 600cc Sunbeam). Best performance by a lady rider: Samantha Anderson. Best performance by a first-time rider: Achim Bergmann (200 cc DKW). Best Ariel: Grant Vacy-Lyall (1931 500cc). Best Norton: Ralph Pitchford (1934 500cc); Best Velocette: Mike Ward (1935 500cc); Best Triumph: Kevin Kohler (1934 350cc; Best BMW: Gawie Nienaber (1935 750cc); Best Sunbeam: Martin Kaiser (1935 500cc). Oldest motorcycle to complete the course: Hans Coertse (1924 1000cc Harley Davidson). Oldest rider to complete the course. Rod Thomas (82 years old riding a 1928 350cc OK Supreme. Youngest rider to compete the course: Darryn Binder (24 years old riding a 1936 500cc Ariel). Club team: Vintage Motorcycle Club (Mike Ward, Ralph Pitchford, Ryan Duncan). Most DJs completed: Tony Lyons-Lewis (38 DJs and this year he rode a 1928 500cc Norton CS1).
FIM AFRICA 