Honda Quest True Adventure 2018
Honda Quest True Adventure is a challenge designed to give adventure motorcycle enthusiasts a once in a lifetime experience with the ultimate motorcycle, The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin, fitted with Rumbux Full Spec Endurance Protection Bars. View
Meet the teams:
Day 10
Honda Quest 2018 Winners are…
But first, the day broke clear and warm and with almost no wind for a change at the camp!
Today would be the shortest and easiest of Honda Quest but no less nerve wracking. The finalists would know who had won only once they arrived for the victory ceremony back where it all began at Kaleo Guest Farm.
It was an emotional entry to the grounds that seemed such a long way off from Bootcamp only a month ago.
After a short round of introductions and interviews with the media and Honda Dealers, the serious and most important bit began.
Hardy had some very kind and inspirational words for Barend and all those from Honda, as well as the support crew and competitors.
Barend Fouche’ from Honda SA was then up. He made the point that the competitors have now just joined a very select group who can call themselves Honda Quest Finishers. He had this to say about the role Honda Quest serves,
“The core part of our business is to sell motorcycles, so besides changing 14 people’s lives, why do we do it?
The simple answer is to help us introduce or convert people to the Honda Africa Twins.
Honda Quest generates interest and excitement through having you guys live a dream. Your journey has and will continue to touch, move and inspire people to go out there and make a difference in their lives.
I look forward to you continuing to help me get more people onto our bikes and living their Adventures.”
Then, with all appropriate thanks given, just like that he called on the winning team;
Team 2: Mojaki Rammoneng and Claude Deyzel.
It was an emotional and unanimous decision. They richly deserved to be the winners and for their efforts, they both get to keep the very bikes they rode the competition on.
Roll on Honda Quest 2019
Honda SA
Specialised Adventures
Kalon Films
Nomad Bike Bags
Expedition Medics
GoGravel
Rumbux
Metzeler Motorcycle Tyres SA
Lumina Learning UK
Day 9
Sting in the tail!
Today was the Postal Route from the Tankwa side. A challenging route especially for big bikes.
Honda Quests final full day was to be worthy of being called a Quest day. At just over 130km, one of the shorter days but it had everything on offer – thick sand, steep rocky climbs, river crossings, magnificent vistas and drama.
Setting off after a last swim from Die Mond, we made our way north to cross the upper Doring river. A few took an early bath crossing the slippery rocks.
Temperatures already high were still climbing as we made our way through the tough sandy stretches and up Karretjies Pass. One bike going up is not much of an issue, but the track was quite tough once the first 5 or so bikes were through. Once all were through safely, temperatures of 48 degrees were seen.
With this level of heat and exertion, actively managing dehydration and heat stress is critical. On the whole trip with the high temperatures, the contestants were drinking on average at least 6 liters a day, often more.
There were two biggish falls and many punctures (again, a defective tube issue and not the riders fault) but nothing the teams couldn’t shake off or deal with.
Just before Eselbank a refreshing dip into the waterfall of a tributary to the Keurbosfontein River was welcomed and needed.
With the setting sun, we rode into Kromrivier campsite to be welcomed by Barend Fouche’ and Cassels Madingwane of Honda SA and the Specialised Team.
Tomorrow, the final day of Honda Quest 2018
Honda SA
Specialised Adventures
Kalon Films
Nomad Bike Bags
Expedition Medics
GoGravel
Rumbux
Metzeler Motorcycle Tyres SA
Lumina Learning UK
Honda Adventure Motorcycles
Day 7 (Rest Day) & Day 8
The pace and intensity of Quest takes its toll on both Competitors and Support Crew. The Rest Day is both a tradition and a very much needed break in the relentless pace of the competition.
“Rest Day” is a little misleading as there are still chores to be done; most importantly, as all the bikes were brand new at the start, the critical 1000km service has to be performed. All the contestants, whilst on Boot camp, were given training by a Honda master mechanic to complete the task.
Besides the servicing and washing, an afternoon ride was planned for a very technical climb to the top of a local lookout point was abandoned due to the extreme heat – in the high 40’s! Even catching a late afternoon snooze instead was a tough ask – there wasn’t much escaping the oppressive heat.
Later, the contestants were asked to present their nominations for a worthy Humanitarian Project. The money they pledged was matched tenfold by Hardy de Kock from Specialised Adventures.
Mojaki Rammoneng from Team 2 was the deserved winner for a worthy project that provides Sanitary Pads for school girls who don’t have access to them. The problem forces many girls to miss school over an embarrassment.
Day 8
Essentially, the day was sold as a quick paced liaison to the Cederberg via the Tankwa. The reality was far more fun and spectacular. From the guest farm, a quick technical trail saw some having to pick their bikes up from a quick tumble.
From there, the back roads to Merweville and onto Rammelkop pass to Sutherland kept us busy.
We had been experiencing quite a few punctures through no fault of our own – the tubes clearly had a small defect. The net result was a competition between the instructors and competitors where whomever had the most punctures by the end of the trip would be buying the beer. It wasn’t looking good for the instructors; 5 of the first 6 belonged to them.
Once off the mountains behind Sutherland and onto the Tankwa Karoo proper, it was a quick enjoyable ride to the Tankwa Patstal, an Iconic little stop with a great history that is very welcoming of Adventure Riders. (Their ginger beer is highly recommended!)
Riding into the setting sun, we at last entered the Oasis called Die Mond. A quiet, picturesque small spring fed lake that our tired and dirty bodies were immediately dumped into. It was a proper Quest day that delivered far more than expected.
It was mostly an early evening for all as the next day was to be the sting in the tail!
Honda SA
Specialised Adventures
Kalon Films
Nomad Bike Bags
Expedition Medics
GoGravel
Rumbux
Metzeler Motorcycle Tyres SA
Lumina Learning UK
Honda Adventure Motorcycles
Day 6
If one thing has been a constant it’s the wind. Although not nearly as ferocious as in previous night’s, we were grateful to be protected somewhat by the camp in the valley called Perdekloof in the Tankwa Karoo National Park.
Setting off, the first climb for the day was Ouberg Pass offering a view far across the Tankwa Karoo. It was an opportunity for reflection and appreciation for some of the spaces we are privileged to in South Africa.
A quick stop in Sutherland for fuel and again to connect with loved ones and maybe to reassure the work colleagues that they haven’t been captured by Adventure forever and will be coming back!
Then, with lunch near Karelskraal Pass a spanner was tossed into the mix; each of the contestants were temporarily re-assigned a new team mate to ride with for the rest of the day. The tricky part was this new partnership was going to have to be forged whilst navigating tight off-the-beaten paths and back roads. It takes quite a bit of trust to ride on ones shoulder at the best of times, even more on tricky routes.
The rest of the route through Goodluck then towards the Karoo proper via Ouberg Pass, lead to a world that has a unique energy and in the late afternoon sun felt ancient and powerful.
We would be staying at Boplaas Guest Farm for two nights. Tomorrow would be a rest day, for both competitors and support team. Honda Quest was taking a well-earned breather – time to service bikes, wash the travel out of ourselves and clothes and to reflect and recharge for the final push.
The teams have made use of the trip so far to make short videos of their experiences. There will be more to come, but for now;
Honda SA
Specialised Adventures
Kalon Films
Nomad Bike Bags
Expedition Medics
GoGravel
Rumbux
Metzeler Motorcycle Tyres SA
Lumina Learning UK
Honda Adventure Motorcycles
Day 5
Liaisons, are a necessary part of Adventuring; In the Northern and Western Cape, we are blessed with many truly wondrous places to see, however, it does take some large distances on occasion to join them together.
Today would be the longest single stretch for Honda Quest 2018 at just over 400 kilometers of gravel. Not very technical or difficult, but nothing to sneeze at and challenging nonetheless.
The competitors are scored on a wide variety of aspects on Honda Quest, one of which is the ability to ride safely and efficiently in a large group on gravel. To move 14 competitors, 4 instructors (themselves all contestants from the previous year) – all on Africa Twins – over 400km takes a large amount of concentration, co-ordination and trust to get right. Following in their dust were another 5 support vehicles.
We left Uitspan, a rustic farm camp towards Loeriesfontein in the Great Karoo via the great gravel roads that criss-cross that large expanse of the Great Karoo. Then onto Calvina for a quick snack and a call home to tell loved ones that all’s well. Lastly it was the iconic Gannaga Pass, as the sun was sinking to drink in the great expanse of the Tankwa Karoo that spreads out before it. To make home in Perdekloof in the Tankwa Karoo National Park.
All the competitors have been encouraged to make a short video of their journey so far on Honda Quest 2018 and then to post it onto this page. The idea is to bring a more personal side to this great adventure. As we travel, we have limited access to the internet, so with some luck, the next post will have a list of links to their posts.
Honda SA
Specialised Adventures
Kalon Films
Nomad Bike Bags
Expedition Medics
GoGravel
Rumbux
Metzeler Motorcycle Tyres SA
Lumina Learning UK
Honda Adventure Motorcycles
Day 4
The routine is becoming the norm; many are from city backgrounds where the challenge of Quest has taken some getting used to. Added to this, the last 3 days have left more of a mark on some than others. Very few, if any, can still claim a clean score sheet regarding trips to Mother Earth. Fortunately, the Africa Twin is made of sterner stuff as only two hand guards are a little worse for wear.
Another terrific unseasonal storm blew into the overnight camp, just outside Springbok, leaving many with precious little sleep. This was a worry for Hardy and his team as safety is a primary concern.
The route started east down Spektakel Pass whilst thunder clouds and lightning threatened. Hardy from Specialised Adventures had threaded together a tricky but scenic route through many private properties that the local farmers had graciously opened their gates for. Fortunately, the stormy cloudy weather was a blessing as just the week before, the recce team had experienced 45 degrees in the same stretch.
It was apparent that the contestants were well and truly bonded with their steeds as there was little trouble now to be had from tricky off camber rock climbs or deep sand tracks.
Just past Tweerivier the group entered the little known Kheis trail; a stunning path that winds its way through the mountains between Kamieskroon and Garies. The whole route prompted one very experienced Adventure Riding contestant to quip once into the camp, “That’s the best day of Adventure Riding I have ever done!”
With another long satisfying day in the saddle and two evenings of sleep deprivation from stormy weather, the teams were given the night off from the planned presentations and tests.
Tomorrow marks only the midway point of the contest. There’s still a long way to go and much to see!
Honda SA
Specialised Adventures
Kalon Films
Nomad Bike Bags
Expedition Medics
GoGravel
Rumbux
Metzeler Motorcycle Tyres SA
Lumina Learning UK
Honda Adventure Motorcycles
Day 3
It isn’t getting any easier. Barend Fouche, Head of Motorcycle Division, Southern Africa announced that in his opinion, this year’s Honda Quest was a lot more intense and challenging than 2017’s. He should know, he’s been in the vehicles following all the action on both.
The route today would be one used for the Amageza Rally, a Dakar type motorcycle event.
It runs through little used sections of the Western side of the Richtersveld and is arguably even more remote than the previous day.
Before the route proper, there was the opportunity to reflect on things and have a quiet moment in a balancing stone garden. A local take on the old tradition of cairn building where the contestants were invited to leave a rock in memory of something that needed to be left there.
Reflections over, the serious business of navigating the technical sandy riverbeds, long rocky tracks and steep off camber rutted climbs was the order of the day.
There many opportunities to test the sturdy Rumbux bashplates and engine guards. Many contestants, now over the adrenaline fueled beginnings of the contest, were drawing on deep reserves for both them and their partners.
Although technically all the teams are in competition against each other, there is a very firm greater team spirit building. Helping all to get through was the priority.
The last 80km was fast flowing jeep track, a welcome respite from the pace of the previous two days where the average overall speed was just over 20kph.
Honda Quest is now 3 days in with 7 to go. The strain is showing, there were some tired bodies that fell instantly asleep once they’d finished the day.
Honda SA
Specialised Adventures
Kalon Films
Nomad Bike Bags
Expedition Medics
GoGravel
Rumbux
Metzeler Motorcycle Tyres SA
Lumina Learning UK
Honda Adventure Motorcycles
Day 3
It isn’t getting any easier. Barend Fouche, Head of Motorcycle Division, Southern Africa announced that in his opinion, this year’s Honda Quest was a lot more intense and challenging than 2017’s. He should know, he’s been in the vehicles following all the action on both.
The route today would be one used for the Amageza Rally, a Dakar type motorcycle event.
It runs through little used sections of the Western side of the Richtersveld and is arguably even more remote than the previous day.
Before the route proper, there was the opportunity to reflect on things and have a quiet moment in a balancing stone garden. A local take on the old tradition of cairn building where the contestants were invited to leave a rock in memory of something that needed to be left there.
Reflections over, the serious business of navigating the technical sandy riverbeds, long rocky tracks and steep off camber rutted climbs was the order of the day.
There many opportunities to test the sturdy Rumbux bashplates and engine guards. Many contestants, now over the adrenaline fueled beginnings of the contest, were drawing on deep reserves for both them and their partners.
Although technically all the teams are in competition against each other, there is a very firm greater team spirit building. Helping all to get through was the priority.
The last 80km was fast flowing jeep track, a welcome respite from the pace of the previous two days where the average overall speed was just over 20kph.
Honda Quest is now 3 days in with 7 to go. The strain is showing, there were some tired bodies that fell instantly asleep once they’d finished the day.
Honda SA
Specialised Adventures
Kalon Films
Nomad Bike Bags
Expedition Medics
GoGravel
Rumbux
Metzeler Motorcycle Tyres SA
Lumina Learning UK
Honda Adventure Motorcycles
Day 2
The evening had been a thorough adventure of another sort as a massive wind had torn through the camp just as supper was being made and continued right through the night; Nature, not content to offer up the wonderful treasures of the desert sand trails, saw fit to liberally sprinkle more sand on all of us through the night (and supper).
The Namaqua Eco Trail often features in the top 3 Desert Adventures for both 4×4’s and Dual Sport bikes in South Africa. Far less bikes take on the challenge simply because deep sand is not so easy and fewer still would even consider it on a big Litre Class Adventure machine like the Honda Africa Twin.
But, as Honda Quest is all about finding the ultimate Adventurer, sand skills are a must and where better to test them?
In the early morning the teams were riding well with the “sand monster” claiming only the odd tip over from time to time. (Sand Monster = a term many used to personify the fears many have with sand riding)
It was just before midday that the first major test appeared; Several kilometers of dry riverbed that snaked its way up a canyon section. The starkly beautiful walls trapped and reflected the heat of the midday sun making it a doubly formidable challenge. Any mistakes being punished by the heat and the watchful eyes of the instructors. An added degree of difficulty was that for it to be considered a clean run, the contestants had to stay in the much more difficult 4×4 track, rather than the easier method of riding on virgin sand.
What followed was 60km of rocky climbs and sandy riverbeds all presented in the iconic vistas of the Orange River and Richtersveld Mountains.
A few found their limits, yet soldiered on, not willing to throw in the towel and jump into the Cruiser, effectively ending their and their partners Honda Quest. Notably, quite a few had very little sand experience and with the odd helping hand as well as some judicious advice can now call themselves veterans of the Namakwa Eco Trail
Once into the camp on the banks of the Orange River at Oewerbos, they still weren’t finished for the day. The next challenge was a 7km paddle. Whilst refreshing after the heat, as if they’d not already done enough, their arms were given another workout.
All competitors were, prior to arriving on Quest, were given unique and diverse topics of interest yet all relevant to the sections of the routes we would be travelling. Every evening one or two of them would be required to present a 10 minute talk on their topic…, even after such a tough day.
Sleep came easy after that!!!!
Tomorrow they will be riding the Western side of the Richtersveld, a far more rockier prospect!
Honda SA
Specialised Adventures
Kalon Films
Nomad Bike Bags
Expedition Medics
GoGravel
Rumbux
Metzeler Motorcycle Tyres SA
Lumina Learning UK
Honda Adventure Motorcycles
Day 1
Day one was planned to be an easy entry into the joys of Richtersveld desert riding; Easy gravel to for the first half to find their feet so to speak, then a reasonably short section of the fabled Namakwa Eco trail to make friends with the sandy remote jeep trails next to the Orange River.
The challenging trail is a mix of rocky tracks and sandy river beds witnessed by the massive desert mountains that flank the River as it winds its way towards the ocean along the border of South Africa and Namibia.
For many this is a first for many things; deserts, sand, over 40 degree heat and powerful big adventure bikes.
Some found the introduction a steep learning curve.
Being a desert there is little respite from the sun, so the day was cooled by a dip in the cool waters of the Orange river.
For those that found the sand hard going an impromptu coaching session was held on a plateau overlooking the river.
Tomorrow is the heart of the trail with many long sandy sections, steep rocky climbs and iconic panoramic views.
Honda SA
Specialised Adventures
Kalon Films
Nomad Bike Bags
Expedition Medics
GoGravel
Rumbux
Metzeler Motorcycle Tyres SA
Lumina Learning UK
Honda Quest True Adventure is a challenge designed to give adventure motorcycle enthusiasts a once in a lifetime experience with the ultimate motorcycle, The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin, fitted with Rumbux Full Spec Endurance Protection Bars. View
Meet the teams:
Honda Quest True Adventure is a challenge designed to give adventure motorcycle enthusiasts a once in a lifetime experience with the ultimate motorcycle, The Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin, fitted with Rumbux Full Spec Endurance Protection Bars. View
Meet the teams:
