The Roggeveld Tour
Bike SA|August 2020
There’s really only one time of year to cross the dry husk of earth that is the Tankwa Karoo, and that’s mid-winter. And, for me, there’s also only one road to do it on, the Rietfonteinpad (east from Tankwa Padstal) which later joins the R356 (‘the forgotten highway’) to Sutherland. At least this is what I’m thinking as I smugly enjoy a cup of flask coffee in the windless and sunwarmed conditions in the middle of nowhere.
Nick Yell
The Roggeveld Tour

After coaxing myself out of bed and into the wildly frigid temperatures outside, I’d finally left home around 9.30 am this morning. Sir Galahad (1990 Honda XRV750) was freshly serviced and was also sporting a new Continental TKC front tyre which I was hoping would help me cope with the loose-surfaced and muddy conditions I expected along the way.

The most enjoyable stretch of dirt track thus far this morning has been the Katbakkies and Skittery Passes. I never tire of this crossing from Op-die-Berg to the Tankwa, the gnarled and pitted rocks of the Skurweberge, Swartruggens and other ranges twisted into grotesque statues always get my imagination thinking of warring giants turned to stone.

Travelling through the Koue Bokkeveld earlier, surrounded by these unique rock sculptures, my thoughts migrated to the Afrikaans writer and poet Izak Wilhelmus van der Merwe — better known as Boerneef — a name that was casually thrown my way by veteran travel journalist Richard van Ryneveld when I told him of my route plan before I left.

As a result I’d printed out an excerpt of one of his poems I discovered in Tim Couzens’ Battles of South Africa (David Philip, 2004) which I read during my lunch stop. As Couzens says by way of introduction to Boerneef’s unique understanding and feel for this rockhard landscape: “These places that he knew were stone-hard, stonecold, stone-sober and his poetry (excerpt below) — so much more concise and allusive than prose — was the same.”

Bu hikaye Bike SA dergisinin August 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Bike SA dergisinin August 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

BIKE SA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
A Ladies Perspective What a Surprise Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX
Bike SA

A Ladies Perspective What a Surprise Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX

I’m sure as everyone knows by now there is little that compares to my BMW K1200S and out of the 13 different bikes I’ve been lucky enough to ride over the 18 months I’ve been riding, I finally came across one that I’m almost certain I’d swap my bike for…

time-read
4 dak  |
June 2022
Goodwood's 79th Members Meeting - Hunting, Shooting and - Racing
Bike SA

Goodwood's 79th Members Meeting - Hunting, Shooting and - Racing

For that’s what marked the 79th Goodwood Members Meeting aka 79MM, held this year on April 9-10, which this time included two thrilling motorcycle races, each with a blanket finish which in Race 1 saw less than a second covering the first four bikes home.

time-read
10+ dak  |
June 2022
MIDWEIGHT PUNCH - TRIUMPH TIGER SPORT 660
Bike SA

MIDWEIGHT PUNCH - TRIUMPH TIGER SPORT 660

The Triumph brand seems to be going from strength to strength worldwide. New models are seeing the light of day in various sectors, and here in South Africa there is a carefully planned dealer expansion program in action.

time-read
7 dak  |
June 2022
Isle of Man TT-winning ABUS NORTON NRS588 GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Bike SA

Isle of Man TT-winning ABUS NORTON NRS588 GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Exclusive track test of the last British bike to win the Isle of Man Senior TT in 1992, after what's widely considered to be the most exciting race ever held in the Island

time-read
10+ dak  |
June 2022
NORTON ROTARY RACERS HISTORY - Rotary Race Record
Bike SA

NORTON ROTARY RACERS HISTORY - Rotary Race Record

For eight successive seasons the world’s first - and so far only - Rotary-engined racebikes swept to serial success on British racetracks. Here’s a timeline on their ebb and flow.

time-read
7 dak  |
June 2022
MOTO MORINI'S Alberto Monni - INTERVIEW
Bike SA

MOTO MORINI'S Alberto Monni - INTERVIEW

Exclusive interview with Moto Morini's CEO Alberto Monni, responsible for directing its ride along the comeback trail since its 2018 takeover by Zhongneng Vehicle Group/ZVG

time-read
9 dak  |
June 2022
KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX - Surprise Package
Bike SA

KAWASAKI NINJA 1000SX - Surprise Package

I’ve recently written in my Editor’s note bemoaning the lack of available Sports-Touring motorcycles nowadays.

time-read
5 dak  |
June 2022
DRYSDALE HISTORY PART 4/5: 25 YEARS ON FROM CREATION OF FIRST 750-V8
Bike SA

DRYSDALE HISTORY PART 4/5: 25 YEARS ON FROM CREATION OF FIRST 750-V8

2002 1000-V8 Bruiser mega-Monster was a Naked roadster with added muscle - the answer to the question of how to out-max a Yamaha V-Max!

time-read
4 dak  |
June 2022
GODIER & GENOUD KAWASAKI 1000 - Enquring Excellence
Bike SA

GODIER & GENOUD KAWASAKI 1000 - Enquring Excellence

Exclusive track test at France's Carole circuit of what's arguably the first motorcycle of the modern era - the title-winning Kawasaki Endurance racer built in 1975 by Frenchmen Georges Godier and Alain Genoud

time-read
10+ dak  |
June 2022
Unnecessarily Fast, or Unnecessarily Dangerous?
Bike SA

Unnecessarily Fast, or Unnecessarily Dangerous?

“The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” This truism comes from boxing, but applies to all walks of life. Innovative MotoGP superstar Marc Marquez, however, adds a new twist.

time-read
4 dak  |
May 2022