Toefflibueb or the bikers are in town

Yesterday afternoon I heard the sounds of hell. At least I thought so. When I got out into the garden I saw them coming. Like a long shongololo winding down the road from Titanic Rock they rode into the valley. The first group of riders I wasn’t able to identify – riders on mostly black iron beasts. Roaring down the hill. Then the next group a half an hour later. Louder, bolder and very Harley Davidson. This time I could read their club name on the back of their vests – Hells Angels South Africa. Not the usual visitors to Clarens. But today they are leading the charge and the whole town is vibrating from the sounds of the bikes. A true symphony of steel and hot wheels. And I felt like I had to get the old mean machine out on the road as well….

The only problem: I don’t own anything close to a Harley Davidson. I own a 150ccm scooter. I bought it a few weeks ago and got it licensed a few days ago. I am not a hardened biker – I am a member of the Sons of Arthritis.

But first thing first. The first scooter-like thing I ever rode was not a scooter it was a Vélosolex. No roaring cylinders, no big, fat tires. A Vélosolex is in fact a motorised bicycle. And it was forbidden fruit because my parents did not allow me to e v e r ride such a thing. But when you are 16 and you are sent to France’s Bretagne to learn the French language, then naturally the first thing you try is to get your hands on one of these archaic kind of motorbikes. Plus: 600 km away from home there was no risk of getting caught. And anyway, this was nothing near a devilish mean machine. It was a bicycle with a 0.7 hp (0.52 kW) lawn mower motor mounted onto the front wheel. Very French.

Needless to say, that I found a rental and spent 4 weeks celebrating my new found freedom including a case of slippery road and the subsequent injuries.

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No Harley Davidson followed the Vélosolex rental of 1976 into my garage. But our move to Clarens opened my eyes for the wonderful landscape that can be experienced by motorbike – or scooter for that matter. No hurries.

The area features some of the most awesome scenic rides in South Africa. The road between Clarens and Fouriesburg shows the beauty of the Free State and is a must for touring riders. From Clarens into the Golden Gate Highlands National Park is another rewarding trip.

So come and experience the Eastern Free State on your motorbike, e-bike or mountain bike. All kind of bikes welcome.

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Never too old – never too crazy. Stay tuned. Come and enjoy.

BTW: I got caught. To this day I have no idea how they found out, but they did.