Cape Town to Margate for Africa Bike Week

This story is part of our guide to riding in South Africa. In this article Tim Booysen rides from Cape Town to Margate for Africa Bike Week, then heads home solo through the Drakensberg, the Free State and Route62.

Read more stories from the Harley Riders’ Guide to South Africa.

From the Cape Town Chapter to a dream ride

MY DREAM BEGAN just over two years ago when I purchased my first Harley-Davidson – a well-used 1200XLC Sportster Custom. After doing a few rides in the Western Cape, I entertained the idea of riding to my birthplace of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Joining H.O.G. and upgrading the bike

A year later, I joined the Cape Town Chapter of H.O.G. and met a wonderful bunch of people with a similar passion for motorcycling. I attended the training sessions and joined most of the rides and rallies arranged last year, including the Flag Parade for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

At the end of the year, my dearly beloved wife, Heather decided to join in the fun. She joined H.O.G., becoming a ‘Lady of Harley’ and came on a few of the rides. She also attended the 2011 Route62 rally in Oudtshoorn. We agreed that we needed to upgrade the Sporty. After analysing our situation, we traded in the old faithful for a 2011 Heritage Softail Classic.

Riding from Cape Town to Margate

The realisation of my dream ride became possible with the chance of attending the 2011 Africa Bike Week in Margate, KwaZulu-Natal at the end of April.

I set off on the first leg of my trip from Cape Town in cold drizzly weather and headed for Knysna via the well-known Route62. I stopped to thaw out at Country Pumpkin, Barrydale, where every biker gets a complimentary cup of coffee and tot of port. I continued on via Oudtshoorn and the Outeniqua pass to the overnight stop at Knysna.

A dawn run east through Port Elizabeth and the Transkei

I met up with Edwin ‘The Legend’ Nicholas at Knysna at 5am for the second part of the trip to Margate. It was a rather harrowing task, trying to keep up with the flying Edwin in pitch darkness and I welcomed the rising sun a while later. We enjoyed our first cup of coffee at a Port Elizabeth petrol stop. What an absolute pleasure to ride on two Heritages through some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere.

After riding through the Transkei, we finally arrived at our destination at 7:30pm after an exhilarating ride of 1250km in 14½ hours.

Africa Bike Week in Margate

Africa Bike Week is a rally to blow your mind at its sheer size. At the annual Harley-Davidson® Africa Bike Week, 180,000 motorcycling enthusiasts, families and H.O.G. members, including 20,000+ motorcyclists, descend on the well-known tourism holiday town of Margate.

The solo ride home through the Drakensberg and the Karroo

After a few days rest and relaxation, I set off solo back to Cape Town. I took the route through the Natal Midlands Meander including a stop off at Howick Falls.

The route took me over the Drakensberg through OliviersHoek Pass, then through the Golden Gate nature reserve and the stunning Maluti mountains to the overnight stop at Ladybrand, Free State.

Rain, roadworks and a significant detour

The second part of the home trip was where the ‘fun’ really began. It had been raining for several days in the region, so I had to make a significant detour. I set off at 7am, fully clad in Harley rain gear, amidst a deluge of such biblical proportions that at one stage the water came over the floorboards and into my boots. To add to the challenge were the many kilometres of road repairs and stop-go sections. I soldiered on with the trusty big V-Twin not missing a beat, through rain, mist and a bit of sleet to finally get to Colesberg via Bloemfontein at noon and finally some sun.

After navigating past more roadworks and heavy trucks to Middelburg, the ride was an absolute pleasure through the Karroo to Graaff-Reinet, Aberdeen and on to the delightful village of Willowmore to feast on succulent Karroo lamb-shank washed down with fine red wine.

Back on Route62 towards Cape Town

The third day was most pleasurable, captivating mountain passes, sweeping curves, good weather and very little traffic. The Heritage just loved this! I got back on to Route62 which took me via Huis Pass to Barrydale and then on to the breathtaking Tradouw pass to Swellendam. From here it was back on to the N2 highway, over Sir Lowry’s Pass and finally back to Cape Town.

The Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic has won my deepest respect. To travel 4,177 kilometres through some very tough conditions, most of it solo, and have no bike problems is highly commendable. This has been my dream ride come true.

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