It’s almost time to hit the road! The Motul on the Move Moonlight Adventure is just around the corner and we at ZA Bikers simply can’t wait.
You’ve heard of dancing in the moonlight. Southern Africa Dual-sport Adventure Challenge (SADAC) has partnered with Muddy Face Tours to give you a unique opportunity to ride your adventure bike under the moonlight.
Yes, you heard correctly, the Moonlight on the Move Adventure (proudly sponsored by Motul) will see riders head from Johannesburg to Botswana’s iconic Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, a lunar landscape in northern Botswana that’s so flat and so empty, you can see the curvature of the Earth.
Treffon Smith (SADAC Adventures) shares some of the highlights to look forward to en route to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans:
“The lunch spot en route to the pans is enjoyable and has some animals to view, the giraffes are super tame. The route to the border is along several game reserve fences, so game spotting is a given. At the first night’s stopover, we are welcomed by the most spectacular baobab tree on arrival and our welcome drinks under its branches as we watch the sunset is truly magical”, said Treffon.
The planning stage starts to build anticipation. Work out a route. Check the distances. Invariably we feel the pull of Botswana, like that of a moth to a flame. The vastness, the emptiness, the friendly people, the wildlife. We always say that for us, Botswana starts when we see the first Ilala palms.
We yearn for wide-open vistas. The sun shimmering off the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The silhouette of a Baobab, painted pink by the setting sun. The intoxicating, unforgettable smell of a “hardekool” fire.
The ritual of erecting our tents, sorting out our bedding and getting coffee water on the boil. Ladling ground coffee into our Coleman plunger and savouring the rich coffee aroma. The glug from our hipflasks, to put that “renoster” into our coffees. Sitting back, sipping slowly as harsh daylight softens to a pastel glow. Listening as the jackal announces his presence to the creatures of the night. The guinea fowl and pheasants, clucking and screeching their way to their roosts. The onset of another African evening, seemingly unchanged since time began.
Now, is the time to start getting our motorcycles prepped and our packing checklist ready…
As motorcyclists, we love riding our bikes and when a bucket list trip comes about, it’s so easy for us to get excited and sometimes overlook things when checking over our vehicles or when packing our travel bags. We would argue that making sure that your motorcycle is in tip-top shape is just as important as packing and the trip itself.
Treffon Smith (SADAC) shares with us tips for first-time visitors to the pans:
“The weather is extreme, from beautiful warm sunny days when you’ll need a hat, to chilly nights when a beanie is definitely needed, especially whilst sleeping. A power bank to charge your phone is important as you’ll want to take pictures on the pans to remember your experience for many moons to come. Having the correct ‘adventure’ tyres on your bike is crucial as you will encounter sections of sand riding to-and-from the pans”, said Treffon.
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are beautiful, however, they are a harsh environment. So, to make sure that our rides and kit stay in tip-top condition, regular maintenance is necessary, therefore, we suggest packing the following Motul products that we have tried and tested…
Recommended Motul MC Care products to pack in your backpack:
Helmet & Visor Clean
Tyre Repair
Hands Clean
Nothing ruins a perfect horizon like a dirty visor or pair of goggles, so to the rescue comes Motul’s compact 250 ml Helmet & Visor Clean—a must-pack item for the open and dusty road. This bottle of magic is environmentally friendly and is a simple spray-on/wipe-off task—a no-water-needed job. The best part is, it’s a two-in-one non-aggressive cleaner for the visor and helmet, which works really well and leaves no streaks behind. Another backpack buddy is Motul’s Tyre Repair, it works on all motorcycle tyres with or without inner tubes and the best part is, it can repair and re-inflate your tyre instantly without disassembly or tools. Quick and easy!
The last item to have in your backpack is Motul’s Hands Clean. Whether you’re adjusting a chain or working on something that takes a lot of dirty fiddling on a trail, “Hands Clean” works like a bomb, with a cream paste that turns into a rubber substance that is biodegradable, leaving you with clean and dry hands when out on an adventure.
Recommended Motul MC Care products to pack in your luggage:
Helmet Interior Clean
Moto Wash
E.Z. Lube
Chain Clean
Chain Lube Off Road
Brake Clean
Air Filter Clean
Air Filter Oil Spray
As mentioned above, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are a harsh environment to be in, and even if your motorcycle is in good condition on day one, these listed lubricants & dry cleaners will keep your motorcycles working at their optimal before and after each ride—allowing you to focus on the adventure with peace of mind.
For a bucket list motorcycle trip like this, it’s better to be over-prepared rather than underprepared. Although this may be overkill for the hardcore adventurers out there, whether you are planning to ride solo or drive with a few mates and family members, below is a downloadable “What to Pack” checklist with a few suggestions to help you plan your adventure…
Download Here: What to Pack Checklist
It is, in our opinion, so important to do these big adventures as often as time, and circumstances, allow. Nothing quite recharges the world-weary batteries like an adventure trip.
If you are reading this, and you are interested in going on the Motul on the Move Moonlight Adventure then not to worry, as there are a few spaces left, but hurry, as they are likely to sell out quickly…
How do I book my spot?
Simple, all you need to do is contact SADAC and book your spot today – www.sadac-travel.co.za
