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From: 5 December 08
To: 7 December 08
Depart from: Johannesburg
Arive at: Cape Town
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From: 5 December 08
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Depart from: Lanseria
Arive at: Cape Town
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From: 5 December 08
To: 7 December 08
Depart from: Durban
Arive at: Cape Town
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Depart from: Durban
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From: 5 December 08
To: 7 December 08
Depart from: Johannesburg
Arive at: Cape Town
To: 7 December 08
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Daredevil on a quad bike
June 3rd, 2008
Some people are born daredevils others are simply an accident waiting to happen. Whichever way you look at it, quad biking in the Elgin Valley is the perfect catalyst for drama.
As far as I was concerned, rough looking quad bikes and dirty-faced riders did nothing to interest me.
Until I did it for GoTravel24 that is.
My first contact with the bike confirmed my fears. While everyone else got it right the first time, I lost control of my bike at the first corner. Nobody taught us how to turn the corner, so how was I supposed to know? (Actually they did, I just pretended it was rocket science.)
Instead of turning, I drove right into the patch of grass alongside the road. The guide encouraged me not to stop the bike but any more movement and I would've been thrown into the spiked wire net fence in front of me. And I couldn't recall anyone talking about a reverse option.
I didn't scream like a little girl but inside I was.
This mockery of my adventure skills occurred at Nature Discovery Quad Trails in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve found in the Elgin Valley.
Screw ball fears
Right off I knew I'd find a way to screw up the ride. I listened intently as Brian Pickering; initiator of the Nature Discovery Tours explained how the tours first started.
In the beginning
It all began when Pickering, a scientist in Organic Agriculture, developed a fascination for Fynbos. This interest took him to Elgin Valley where he studied these plants even further. Finally, he decided to share the beautiful Fynbos gardens in the valley with everyone else.
That's how the quad biking trails started. In effect, motorised hiking trips.
Brian explained that the quad bikes were extremely easy to use, comfortable and a breeze for first time users with no previous experience. I refrained from question asking, lest I draw attention to my inexperience and let the others mark me as a potential failure.
Then, finally, giddy up time. My bright yellow bike seemed less threatening in comparison to the others, which were distinctly military in their look.
Non-spectacular mistake
Everyone started their bikes and began revving their engines, slowly, to heat up. Nothing happened to my bike. It wouldn't start for some reason. I had feared it would start immediately and I'd be thrown off like a first-time horse rider. But complete non-reaction? The world really could possibly end with a whimper.
"Have you turned it on?" asked one of the guides.
Not a good start. But soon I got a warm engine, just like the rest of them. When everyone rode off, on their way up the mountain I remained at the back just so I wouldn't draw attention to myself in case something else happened.
Everybody look at the fool
Needless to say, when I drove into the grass, nearly shoving my face into a spiked mesh, I had the attention I so desperately wanted to avoid.
With nothing else to do, my bike had to be manually pulled out of the grass and I had to start again. The gawkers, probably relieved it wasn't them, started to ask if something was wrong with the bike. (There had been a situation the day before involving me and a golf cart smashing into another; a reputation earned.)
"Okay," explained the patient guide.
"You have to put your upper body into it. It's not difficult." I squared up my shoulders, made sure they remained parallel to the bike handles, and…behold I could turn the corner just by a tiny suggestion from the shoulder.
Inner daredevil, found
Not only that, but by the time we reached the middle of the trail (hills, mud, rocks, wood) I was determined to see how fast that baby could go. Suddenly the inner daredevil was out and alive. Apparently that's how people injure themselves on the bikes; eventual confidence and you think you’re on the Fast and the Furious.
Because the bikes are so awesome, it was hard to focus on the beauty of the Fynbos, the mountain and the nearby lake. If you do this tour, rather enjoy the machines the first time around and then the scenery when you come back.
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Great piece
I definitely want to try this.
The writer sounds like he didn't know much about quadbiking when he started but he got the hang of it. So I know I probably would. Besides there's protection for your head and it's probably only stupid people who would go faster than they should and end up hurting themselves.
Safty comes first
Hi
I think its great that more people are quading But the above video shows everyone wearing a helmet but the tour Gide ( what a way to set an example ) I feel that stronger rules should be set when it comes to quading.( ECO & SAFETY ) Starting with the people that offer theses types of rides. But to them its about making a quick buck and that’s all.
YES, QUADS & NATURE DOES GO TOGETHER - PARKSRANGER
I am glad that the normally quiet nature lovers who actually know what a quad is, and how to drive it, are also having their say. What is the use of nature if nobody sees it, or experiences it? It is true that you do get quads and then noisy quads, but there is actually no better way to experience wide open spaces and steep climbs and also animal life, than on a quiet quad. Because of their smaller size and non-threatening image to animals (many animals are used to being hunted from vehicles), me and visitors have often driven past hippo's and buck with our 4stroke Honda quads, without even causing ht eanimals to stop with their feeding!
Also, HOW can a quad be unsafe if somebody who is properly trained and equiped, drives it slowly and carefully? While somebody (like a ranger or researce
her or photographer) might cover 4 km in a morning by foot, the same person can observe 5 times the wildlife and nature by traveling a slow 20 kim's during a morning on a quad.
So please do not be like some people who loves to complain about anything other people do that is different from their viewpoints, but rather gleam the proper facts before you start waving your placards.
Blame the Rider - Not the Quad!
A quad bike is an inanimate object, how on earth can any human being try to even begin to blame this machine for being dangerous???
It is the user of the bike who is dangerous!
As to the individual who was injured when using one at a lodge where no protective gear was issued and no indemnities signed, I do sincerely hope that you have taken legal steps against them?
A standard four stroke quad bike is far less noise invasive than a 4x4 vehicle and far quieter than a two stroke motorbike. I myself have been on various rides through some of the top Game Reserves in South Africa on a quad bike over the years and have been amazed at the game that I have had the priviledge of seeing at close quarters.
As to damage of the environment, I must disagree most vehemently. A quad bike due to the very 4 wheels that it has and weight to displacement ration, causes less damage than individuals walking over the ground!
Life worth living
The main difference for me is that between doing nothing and doing something. Some people find it easier to live a safe secluded life with no responsibility and no conviction. Others do something, often passionately, for what they believe in. I also do believe we have to appeal to people's sense of adventure and quadbiking definitely appeals to the adventureous at heart.
Admittedly quad biking can be dangerous but then why get on the thing in the first place if you are scared out of your wits? Also take some responsibility for your actions, the quad is simply a lifeless object and it is the person controlling the quad (or lack of controlling it) that determines wether the thing will be safe or not and or wether it will damage the environment or not. Lets stop blaming everyone else and everything else for our own failure to actually learn how to do it (quad riding) properly and at the correct gradient and when failing to do it then condemn everyone the chance to enjoy it. And then finally when you have mocked up enough courage to live life, go out and live it fully, yet responsibly, and at the same time try and do something, anything, for others and the environment. Enjoy the journey even if it may be filled with some obstacles :)
No Eco Indeed and a dangerous vehicle
I went on a quad on the 1st March this year and had a bad accident on it. The place never offered any safety gear, we had no safety equipment, no briefing and we never got given any indemnities to sign. The place was an upmarket lodge with every opportunity to enforce safety. The route was extremely advanced and we had no idea... The bike tipped on me in a dip filled with rocks and the heavy bike fell on top of me covering me in cuts, burns and bruises. I ended up with a torn ear, lacerated scalp with fracture to my skull and typical of a fall off, a broken wrist (ulna and radius) as well as tearing the cartilage of my wrist.
Safety is paramount when using quads, they are EXTREMELY dangerous as they have a very poor centre of gravity. Please, do not even attempt a ride unless you have been given safety gear and feel 100% sure of the vehicle. I have learnt from my mistake and never again will I get on one of those vehicles. (Not unless I am padded like the Michelin man anyway...)
Quads are enourmous fun
Obviously the comments before are by people who never even touched a quad. I am the domain owner for two discussion forums. One on extreme sports, and one on quadbiking. Admittedly, there are idiots who tarnish the image of all quadbikers. Just do one game drive on a quad, and your walking comments will be void. Animals dont recognise the shape, and as long as your quad is fitted with the standard exhausts, they dont mind the sound. Quad bikes also go where 4x4 cant go. Go try it at least once, but with an open mind. However, riding 2up like in the video is dangerous practice and I for one will never allow it.
Quad Bikes
Sorry but I don't see any "eco" in quad bikes.
Surely nature can be enjoyed more while walking for people who can walk.
For people who can't walk quad bikes might be an opportunity to enjoy nature at a low pace.
agree
I totally agree, quad bikes are not nature loving. They are bikes and are there for the thrill. So if your a nature lover don't con yourself into believing it is a quad bike walk. Your actually leaving a huge carbon footprint.
Eco, haha!
Definitely agree, these vehicles tear up the land and consume fuel. Even on dedicated tracks, the land used is a natural habitat and the vehicles frighten away wildlife as well as destroying their homes. Quads should be banned. They are a major danger to lives as it is, read up on them, so many deaths and major injuries are caused by them and it's not because of improper use or anything, its just because they simply are NOT safe!! Google them, find out, before you set foot on one... Too many people I know have almost died on them, even taking it slow.