Eviltwin & Harley Davidson

I have ridden Super Bikes all my life and by 2001 living in Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal, I was ready to full fill one of my dreams, owning a Harley Davidson. By that time I had taught my wife to ride her own bike and after visiting a bike show where we both saw the bikes we wanted and could afford it, we purchased our Harley's. Mine, a Dyna Wide Glide Custom and Zelma's a Sportster 883 done in a one of a kind Denim paint job. If I had one dollar for everybody who touched the bike to "feel" if the Denim was real I would be a millionaire today.

We became official members of the Durban Chapter and spend every weekend riding and attended the official rally once a year. South Africa and Kwa Zulu Natal in specific has some of the most awesome roads if this is your passion. In the process we went to many destinations, to many to mention and then came the chance of a lifetime. Harley Davidson was turning 100 years old with a special anniversary rally in Cape Town for three days. The club decided to put together a group and ship the bikes down by truck with us flying down the next day. And then the ride back home. A seven day, 1800 kilometre ride, of the beaten track, from Cape Town back to Durban. We were definitely not going to miss it.

We met the truck in Cape Town, offloaded the bikes (26 in total) and spent the next 3 days taking part in all the festivities and rides in Cape Town. Mixed weather with loads of parties and mass rides with the biggest group of Harleys ever gathered in South Africa. A awesome sight and sound thru the streets of Cape Town.

The Route


The trip back started on a very wet, windy and cold Monday morning in Cape Town with the first stop Hermanus (125 km), the famous land based Whale Watching Town in the World and the shortest ride of the trip. Arrived in the wet and everybody had to buy new shoes as the old ones were soaked. Warmed up with some Jack Daniels and had a group supper. Sort of a quite evening drying clothes after spending the day drenched while riding. The first two days followed the famous South African Route 62.  Route 62

Woke up the next morning with the sun showing some promise, dried the bikes and headed inland for Oudtshoorn (360 km), the ostrich capital of South Africa. Stopped for lunch at the famous Ronnies Sex Shop and cruised thru majestic mountains, towering cliffs and the wine country on the way to Outdshoorn . Had fabulous evening eating out as a group.

A casual ride and some beautiful mountain passes to the Oyster Capital of South Africa, Knysna (124 km), Pearl of the Garden Route. Walked the streets and visited the food markets and had a group supper. Got some much needed catch up sleep to be ready for the next few day's rides which was going to be a tough.

Had a nice breakfast and headed towards Cape St Francis (209 km). The team captain, John owned a house there and arranged for some additional houses to accommodate all. The place and the view is out of this world.

Day five and we were on our way to East London (408 km) with a lunch stopover at Port Alfred (255 km). Tired of eating out the group decided that the girls would shop and the boys would cook. Oh my Lord. The best food and a impromptu show put together by some of the boys that was absolutely hilarious. Never laughed so much in one evening.

Day six and the ass now beginning to show signs of wear and the trip to Port St Johns (323 km), the Gateway to the Wild coast. We stayed in bungalow style houses on the beach and spent the evening in the pub where we met a famous South African Actor, Ben Dekker (Die Wild Temmer) from the 80's. He was now a beach bum, living with three African wife's in a make shift bush house on the beach and a local "celebrity". Ben

Day seven, leaving the Eastern Cape and into Kwa Zulu Natal and the final leg of a fantastic but gruelling trip back to Durban (347 km), Kingdom of the Zulu and a awesome ride along the Wild Coast. Home Sweet Home. To many late nights and parties has taken its toll and the distance covered on the bike now seriously having its effects.

A trip of a lifetime with treasured memories and experiences never to be repeated. And for the people who believe the myth that Harley's are unreliable here is a fact to remember. Only one puncture and no breakdowns for the whole trip. In fact, I travelled a total of 16000 km with my bike without ever having any breakdowns. Sadly we had to sell the bikes when we came to Singapore which ended an era of fun and excitement.

This is obviously a condensed version of the story as all the details would be far too long to read as a posting.

Here is the photos if you are interested.

In true Harley Davidson spirit,

Ride to live, Live to Ride.