World's Greatest Motorcycle Rides- South Africa

[DaveB]

Travel Channel here has just finished screening Henry Cole's five part 3,000km epic. I thought he did a really good job on this trip. The episodes were full of historical and local detail and he really got in to the local scene and spirit, but only if one could overlook his dreadful mispronunciation of most of the local names , but we're used to that.

Here's a link: http://www.iol.co.za/tonight/tv-radio/riding-sa-routes-revs-cole-s-engine-1.1496936#.UneHBcIaLIU

Point to ponder: IMO he missed out all of South Africa's best biking roads on this particular route!

 

[CarlS]

I will have to watch for that to be shown here. Thanks for the tip.

 

[devo]

but only if one could overlook his dreadful mispronunciation of most of the local names , but we're used to that.


Point to ponder: IMO he missed out all of South Africa's best biking roads on this particular route!

He did exactly the same when here, mind you, I think getting the pronunciations wrong is very easy in any foreign land.
As far as missing the best roads go, I think a little conversing with the locals as you travel would put that right.

 

[DaveB]

Henry Cole is an interesting character to be sure. He is a very experienced and accomplished broadcaster and can really get into, understand and reveal local history, foibles, idiosyncrasies, culture etc. that many travel reporters could easily miss.

He can also be extremely annoying because he can really whinge when something goes wrong! On the other hand, that side of him does represent honesty; he doesn't gloss over things when it all goes pear shaped.

I thought that the report he did on the Isle of Man in the same series was his best work- I really enjoyed that one.

I saw his rides in NZ (two episodes?) and enjoyed those too.

 

[Rocky]

If that ever comes here I'll make a point to watch it.

 

[Mad On Triumphs]

Below is a link to what Henry Cole has been up to. It might surprise you. His shows are very good, he has done a few for ITV 4 and for me are always enjoyable.

http://www.carolenash.com/insidebikes/bike-news/first-gladstone-bike-is-world-class.htm

 

[DaveM]

I only manage to catch the last two in this series and the one was mostly when his bike broke down and he was travelling in the car.

 

[NORTY]

From what I understand, South Africa has some amazing moto roads.

 

[DaveM]

Yes we sure do, you can have a dramatic change in terrain and weather as you move through the different areas