Quads-4-Quads: Joburg to Richards Bay in the dirt

 

By Réhann Coetzee

Glenn Foley, editor of Dirt & Trail Magazine, is the man behind the annual Quads-4-Quads dirt ride from Joburg to the KZN coast. I just had the opportunity to ride with him too check the routes for adventure bikes – the ride has traditionally been strictly for off-road bikes, quads and side-by-sides.

As usual, this year’s ride departs from Carnival City casino, but Glenn says it is basically a whole new ride, as the end venue is Richards Bay.

“This is a fantastic four-day off-road adventure across South Africa for all dirt bikes, quads, buggies and side by sides raising funds for the QuadPara Association of South Africa,” says Glenn.

“This year we head to Richards Bay and you ride all the way – no loading and towing – just on 1 000km through beautiful South Africa! This is a great trail ride, not hard enduro, just four days of fun and camaraderie for the coolest cause.”

The ride raises funds for QASA, the Quad Para Association of South Africa and this is the 15th year that they’re doing it.

“Over the years we have raised more than R9-million, wheelchairs and even a Toyota Quantum for QASA,” says Glenn.

The Quad Para Association of South Africa (QASA) is an NPO of quadriplegics and paraplegics with the vision that all quadriplegics and paraplegics live their lives to their full potential. QASA provides products, projects and services, as well as lobbying, advocacy and prevention programmes to ensure their vision, mission and goals are achieved. One of QASA’s main focus areas is skills development and capacity building. With limited access to education and the formal labour market, and in many cases reliant on government’s disability grant of R1 500 per month, quadriplegics and paraplegics are often left with little choice but to be dependent on family members for a home.

“This is such a worthy cause and we love doing the ride for QASA.” We asked Glenn about the details of the ride.

Q: Who can come?

A: Anyone really, as long as you have an adventure bike (dual-purpose), off-road bike, quad, go-kart or side-by-side. We do suggest nothing less than a 200cc though.

Q: Are you sure adventure- or dual-purpose bike riders can do the trip?

A: This ride is definitely for you guys too, we mark you around the more technical bits and you’ll see so many interesting places it will make your eyes water!

Q: Do we need back-up?

A: You have to have a bakkie for back-up, say one bakkie and trailer per five riders. EPS Courier services sends along a truck or two to help out. The back-up vehicles do not travel along the same route as the bikes and quads.

Q: Is the route technical?

A: There are lots of technical bits, but the bulk of the ride is easy with beautiful scenery. Trail-riding, really. There is approximately 10km of tar on the whole route, the rest is in the dirt. We mark easy routes around the difficult bits for those who do not want to do them.

Q: Do we load and tow on any of the sections?

A: No, you ride the whole way. The total distance is just more than 900km with sleep-overs in the towns and villages in between. This year’s event is basically a whole new ride.

Q: Do we need to take our own food?

A: Bring snacks and pocket money, but dinners, lunches and breakfasts are all included in the entry fee. And it is fantastic, you will not go hungry!

Q: How about accommodation on the route?

A: Your fee includes camping the whole way, so bring along your tents and camping gear. You can book into B&Bs all along the route. Those details are on the booking forms.

Q: What about petrol?

A: There are filling stations every 100km, so bring along fuel money – roughly R900 per bike depending on how thirsty your bike is and how high the petrol price goes. If you cannot do 100km on a tank, strap a spare two-litre to the carrier.

Q: What if we have an accident?

A: MTFS sends along two or three medics to ride with us. Helicopters and ambulances are on standby along the whole route.

Q: What about breakdowns?

A: In previous years we have had a bike shop or two with us and they took care of all of the breakdowns along the trail. More serious damage was loaded on the trucks and repaired in the towns. Carry the odd spare like master links, puncture kits, cables and tubes.

For more information call 011 979 0053 or check out www.facebook.com/Quads4QuadsRide