Harley Davidson

Let`s introduce you to our German Celebrity, Udo Helming an ardent biker from Nordhorn, a small town on the western border of Germany and the Netherlands. He was planning a holiday to South America, but was led to South Africa, unknowing that a life-changing moment is waiting for him. Upon arrival in SA, his daughter that was here for a few weeks prior, enticed him to take a day rental with a Heritage Classic that got his heart pumping for more, and so CelebrityDrive took him on a trip up the West Coast on a fully loaded Road King, and needless to say the trip was way too short! 

He first got accounted with us via Airbnb, wanting to stay at Riverridge Lifestyle Farm for a few days, and there the old Udo was dunked and dumped to become family rather than a tourist. 

The Pan America, was announced in first release in 2020, so one can almost say it is the "youngest" adventure motorbike in SA. The1,250 cc 60 degree Revolution Max V-twin engine liquid-cooled, with its 6 speed gearbox offers 110kw that felt capable and very willing even tough we had all three panniers loaded with gear and our 2 day "belongings" for where the road will lead us to! The bike only fitted for us with road ready tires kept us on the tarmac most of the time, and so we await the call for our experience on the gravel and sand that the PAN AMERICA was designed for. 

With the German's enthusiasm and my hope to learn the ropes of the American machine as quick as possible, we set off towards our first stop at Khwattu the place of the San people just before the Yzerfontein / Darling turn-off on the R27.

With a warm reception and a tasty lunch served, accompanied by the "Fröhliches Zwitschern der Gelbschnabelfinken" we got onto our iron horses to show off these accomplished pieces of machinery to the locals of the little jewel of the West coast, Paternoster.  As we parked the bikes at the side of the road, my impoverished German was quickly given a couple of new words to learn, when Udo dropped the bike's keys in a storm water drain! To our amazement, it was fortunately filled up with sea sand and "eureka" our "fast knietiefe Schwierigkeit wurde gelöst" 

Off to Vensterklip Guest house and delectable restaurant run by chef Linda at Elands bay for our overnight stay we went. Jane Louw the owner, one of the eternal friends I have, and her celebrated staff is an absolute must to visit when you are a King or Queen, as that is how you will be served and treated!

 The road took us all the way to the Clanwilliam dam and the entry to the Cederberg Mountains on the R364, as the German King wanted some action, not happy with all the "straight" roads that are not meant for bikers!

Coming back to Cape Town in a typical Western Cape "wet" shower moment, bad visibility and a slippery road, we were grateful for so much that one can enjoy when you have the right "wheels" great friendship and eternity waiting to reminiscing the opportunities to moments we have been given to rule as Kings!

Thank you, Father, Makkie, Shane Dana and Zubair Moolla from Harley-Davidson Cape Town who made this trip possible! What do I think of the PAN AMERICA?  I think it will be possible to rename it to ...  PAN AFRICA ! Wait and see my verdict after I took it on the roads less travelled! Ensure to sign up to find out!