The Story of African Long Distance
 

I starting riding off road in 1999. I attended as many off road adventure riding courses as were available. I loved the excitement and the adrenalin. I watched the instructors show, and I imitated, throwing my BMW GS in blind faith, off, over, around and through. If they could do it, so could I . . . and I did! How could it not work?

Back home I went off road riding and I discovered I was a danger to myself and my motorcycle. I had no-one to imitate. I tried to follow the off road GS crowd at a BMW breakfast run. Two hours later I helped pick up the broken pieces of plastic from a poor rider who was as bewildered as I was. He came off at high speed trying to follow the rider in front of him over a dry concrete causeway. It was ugly and unnecessary. I arrived home feeling like a hamster who had spent four hours running on the exercise wheel in his cage.

That Sunday night the idea of an off road adventure motorcycle academy was born. One that taught, take-home riding skills and built on a tough, survival, mindset. An adventure riding academy that would inculcate the value of riding your own ride, even when in a group. One that bred riders that could ride to Magaliesburg or Cairo with equal ease. Riders who could nurture their bikes through the toughest of conditions and not phone home for spares. Riders who could ride safely, hundreds of kilometers from the nearest hospital and cell phone antennae. Riders who would return home with hundreds of photos and breath life into the travel dreams of their friends. Riders who could be called "African Long Distance Motorcyclists".


Years have past and the proposed academy syllabus, content and methods have grown steadily. Years of research both in the saddle and reading through the written experiences of long distance motorcyclists slowly created the body of knowledge . New techniques, unique content and new terminology that could empower riders of average ability to ride-well and ride-safely regardless on the road conditions. Approaches that have little to do with adrenalin and excitement but build solid, competent riders who can bring their motorcycle home. Twelve new approaches used in tandem now make up the completed course.
 

My research showed one thing, and I quote from the course material. " During your own off road motorcycling touring it will be your own stupid mistakes, bad attitude, poor judgment and loss of focus and perspective that will be your greatest enemy to arriving safely." No-one can master a life-saving riding skill in a few hours of tuition, not matter how good the course, but the right mindset can! A survival mindset with a zero tolerance for errors can carry a rider further than a few hours of tuition. Yes, riding tuition is critical too, but it needs the African Long Distance mindset to grow and flourish.

My research in the saddle taught me the "good stuff" that my instructors had omitted. I discovered that standing on the footpegs had nothing in common with standing in a banking queue. I discovered when to ride "broom" and when to ride "pogo". The awesome power of the front brake as a steering control came as a complete surprise to me one afternoon. I forget about power and learnt to tap into momentum. That "push and paddle" is a respectable off road motorcycle technique. I learnt, and I started to design the tracks that could start other riders on the road to mastery.

Finally I learnt about the kit. Each expensive purchase enabled me more and more to discern the difference between a glib retailer and an experience veteran who could give me solid advice and guidance.

Student's feedback and enthusiasm will perfect the course content and methods and the dream of the African Long Distance Rider will be complete.


Steve Eilertsen
www.FlamesOnMyTank.co.za
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