Nova and I hit the open road

So now that I have the bike, the gear and all the necessary licenses, I thought it time to test out both Nova and my abilities. The destination: Visiting my dad and my brother in Kwazulu Natal. 600 Kilometers of open road.

Bearing in mind that just a few weeks ago I got on a bike bigger than 250cc for the very first time in my life, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t at least a tiny bit nervous. I mean, I just got my license and now I’m about to ride just over 600 kilometers on my own. Well, the nerves disappeared as soon as I hit the highway. It was all plain sailing after that.

My ever-present companion (the wind) welcomed me back to the road once again. The nice thing this time round is that I just have to turn the throttle and Nova and I both smile and say to the wind: “Bring it on”.

The other thing I love about being on the open road on a motorbike, is the amazing camaraderie among the bikers. Every time a bike passes me by, they will acknowledge me by putting up a hand or a nod of the head. Almost like saying: “Hey fellow biker, I see you. Welcome to the road and have a safe ride”. Absolutely love it!

My brother, Adriaan, met me along the way on his bike and rode the last 120 kilometers or so with me. This was our first ride together, each on our own bike. A very special occasion for the both of us. Riding in unison. Our family unit.

I will be riding down to Cape Town in November to attend the annual FIM Congress. (Federation Internationale Motocyclisme). That’s a bit of a longer ride. And now that I have a better idea of what distances I can handle, I’m really looking forward to it!

Until then, I’m spending some quality time with my family before I disappear into Africa once again.

The Bike Family

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Donations or country sponsorships can be done through PayPal – visit the SPONSOR A COUNTRY page for more details!! Otherwise, send Jolandie or La Domestique a mail.

Please drop by and visit my facebook group or my facebook page. Click on a country to see many more photographs of my incredible journey around Africa!

• Angola
• Namibia
• South Africa

Lovingly maintained and updated by La Domestique.

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Luna Found!!!

Believe it or not, Luna has been found!!! Along with, what sounds like, all of my gear! I think I’m still in a bit of shock.

I received the news from the Minister of Local Government on Monday evening. Since then the news has spread like wildfire and friends from all over Angola have been texting, phoning and mailing me to make sure I’ve received the wonderful news!

It truly is amazing! I am unbelievably impressed with the Angolan Police Force. Their determination is really something to admire. Huge respect goes out to them!

From what I understand, they found Luna and, by the sound of things, all my gear (someone commented on the fact that one of my panniers even still had a sausage in it!), not too far from where I was robbed! Unbelievable!

Now, answers to questions I know will immediately arise from your reading this post:
1. Have I changed my mind about starting over on a motorcycle? No. All goes ahead as planned. I am still starting over on a motorcycle.
2. What about Luna? Luna and my gear will be returned to me. Details on the how and when is currently being sorted out.

I cannot express just how amazed I am that they actually found my Luna!! I would like to send out an enormous thank you to the Angolan Police Force and all my Angolan friends for all their ongoing support and belief in me. I am extremely honoured!

Angola Rocks!!!!

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Donations or country sponsorships can be done through PayPal – visit the SPONSOR A COUNTRY page for more details!! Otherwise, send Jolandie or La Domestique a mail.

Please drop by and visit my facebook group or my facebook page. Click on a country to see many more photographs of my incredible journey around Africa!

• Angola
• Namibia
• South Africa

Lovingly maintained and updated by La Domestique.

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Week 42 - Already??

It’s the beginning of week number 42 of the year 2011. How time flies! It’s amazing. I really can’t believe that Christmas is just around the corner, yet again!

Initially, when I got back home from Angola I had planned on re-launching in November. Now, with all the planning, gearing up, training and paperwork that is yet to be finalized I’ve had to make peace with the fact that I won’t be able to leave so soon!

So we’re probably looking at an early 2012 start. Starting in January next year should give me enough time to finalize everything needed for the trip. In all honesty, I had initially planned not to announce my departure date. Reason being that I didn’t want a fuss. But I now realize that there are quite a few people that might want to ride with me the first day. I’m sure that it will be great fun. Therefore, I will announce my departure date well in advance for those who might want to join me for a day or two. Or even just a few kilometers on launch day.

Tomorrow I am going for my motorbike driver’s license. I have my learner’s license and can ride around with it, but do need my license of course. So here’s holding thumbs that I pass first time round. Have also received Nova’s license and registration papers and number plate, which mean that she is now officially mine!

Nova and I are getting to be quite comfortable with one another. Since our fall, neither of us is as nervous anymore. (Yes, my bike has feelings. She’s a girl, of course she has feelings!)

I am hoping to ride down to Richards Bay this coming weekend to visit my dad and my brother. Plus this will give Nova and I a chance to take a turn at the open road. And I need the mileage as I have to put 1 000 kilometers on the clock so she can go in for her first check-up.

Some exciting news: I will be attending the FIM-Africa Congress next month in Cape Town. Really exciting! I’ll get to meet all the delegates from other African countries and the governing body, as well as give a short presentation on my upcoming ‘new adventure’. I’ll be riding down to Cape Town as well! Yay! (FIM = Federation Internationale Motocylisme)

There’s also a new website in the woodworks. I’ll be sure to keep you all in the loop on progress.

Only 11 more weeks left in 2011. Make them count!

Nova's new ID number!!!!

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Donations or country sponsorships can be done through PayPal – visit the SPONSOR A COUNTRY page for more details!! Otherwise, send Jolandie or La Domestique a mail.

Please drop by and visit my facebook group or my facebook page. Click on a country to see many more photographs of my incredible journey around Africa!

• Angola
• Namibia
• South Africa

Lovingly maintained and updated by La Domestique.

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