Q&A for your first JHB to Durban

Q&A for your first JHB to Durban

JHB to Durban is a family friendly off-road riding event that is organised by The Adventure Company, and is also known as:
GP 2 The Bay, JHB 2 The Bay, JHB 2 Ballito, Q4Q, Quads 4 Quads. These are all the same event which takes place annually around October. The event raises funds for the Quadpara Association of South Africa (QASA). The JHB to Durban is one of the bigger social rides (if not the biggest) in South Africa, and it should be on the bucket list of every dirt rider.

We asked Glenn Foley from The Adventure Company a couple of questions that might help riders who haven’t done the event, but would like to.

This is what he had to say…

Questions and Answers

Who can Ride?
Anyone really, as long as you have an adventure bike (dual purpose), dirt bike, quad bike, go-kart or side-by-side. We do suggest nothing less than a 200cc though. The youngest rider we’ve had was 7 and the oldest around 70 or so. Recommended for the intermediate rider, but novice riders have done it (although they do battle… but it is rideable). There are usually some tech sections, but we try to include detours and escape routes – especially for the bigger bikes.

What do we need?
Your Bike.
Back-up vehicle with driver and trailer.
Riding gear, tools, spares and petrol.
Camping equipment.
Clothing and bathroom necessities for 3 nights.

TRANSPORT 

When we get to the starting point, what happens to our vehicle and trailer?
You do need a Back-up driver. It’s a huge event and you don’t want to be stranded should you have a failure. The Back-up vehicle does not go on the route, but meets up with you every 100km or so. You also need to get home.

PACKING

What to bring? (to carry on you)
Camelbak / Backpack / hydration / Water bladder.
Riding kit – helmet, boots, gloves, kidney belt, neck brace, etc.
Bike tools.
GPS and GoPro.
Spare Batteries.
Head Torch.

What to bring? (to ride with the Back-up vehicle)
Fuel (there are petrol stations every 100km so bring along fuel money, roughly R900 per bike, depending on how thirsty your bike is and how high the petrol price goes… If you cannot do 100km on a tank, strap a spare 2 litre to the carrier.)
Basic 1st Aid Kit – Imodium, Myprodol, Rennies, Cramp Stop, Deep Heat, etc.
Sleeping bag
Pillow
Mattress

Personal Bag:
Shit, shower and shave stuff.
Sleepwear and clothes.
Sunburn lotion.
Beanie.
Ear Plugs.

Do we Need to take our own food?
Bring snacky things and pocket money, but dinners, lunches and breakfasts are all included in the entry fee. And it is fantastic you will not go hungry.

ACCOMMODATION

May our family, kids and backup driver also stay at the accommodation?
Definitely. Lots of riders bring family members – it’s an adventure for them too.

Which meals are included in the package?
All meals from Saturday lunch through to the end in Richards bay.

You need to book your own accommodation on Friday, 28 September in JHB if you are sleeping over. You also need to book accommodation on Tuesday, 2 October in Richards Bay if you are sleeping over before going home.
JHB accommodation close to Carnival: 28 September
Medley House 011 740 1272, or
Carnival Hotel 011 898 7106
Richards Bay accommodation: 2 October
Seagull Lodge Richards Bay, Amanda 082 921 1340 office 035 789 3709

THE RIDE

Will there be designated stops?
Yes we stop for lunch and at refuels every day. Back-ups meet you all along the trail.

What level rider may enter?
Anyone really, as long as you have an adventure bike (dual purpose), dirt bike, quad bike, go-kart or side-by-side. We do suggest nothing less than a 200cc though. The youngest rider we’ve had was 7 and the oldest around 70 or so. Recommended for the intermediate rider, but novice riders have done it (although they do battle… but it is rideable).
Novice: Comfortable operating throttle, clutch and brake controls, does not stall or over-revving while using the clutch.
Intermediate: Comfortable on tight single-track, trails which includes fairly sharp ascents and descents, often with rock, water, loose stone and/or roots present. Not intimidated by different soil conditions and obstacles. Not intimidated by steep uphills and downhills or off-camber slopes and hills.

Do we load and tow on any of the sections?
No – you ride the whole way. The total distance is just more than 900 kays with sleepovers in the towns and villages in between. This years event is basically a whole new ride!

Is it technical?
There are lots of technical bits, but the bulk of the ride is easy with beautiful scenery. Trail Riding. There is approximately 10km of tar on the whole route, the rest is in the dirt. We mark easy routes around the difficult bits for those who do not want to do them.

What kind of obstacles can we expect?
There are usually some tech sections, but we try to include detours and escape routes – especially for the bigger bikes.

What happens if the bike breaks down?
We usually have a workshop along, they can sort small things, but not engine failures. We are currently talking to bike shops in nearby towns. Most of our team can handle punctures and the small stuff so-on. We do ask that everyone goes through bikes and trailers PROPERLY before the ride, Change air filters every night and adjust chains. Most riders can do this themselves.

What happens if the rider gets hurt badly and cannot continue?
We have a full compliment of paramedics along, ALS, ILS and basic – riding and in backup vehicles… We have all of the riders medical details and deal each incident as it arises.

Adventure / Dual Purpose riders:
This ride is definitely for you guys too, we mark you around the more technical bits and you’ll see so many interesting places it will make your eyes water!