South African Police Service initiative and the art of riding really slowly

One of the joys of being retired is the ability to go riding any day of the week! My bro Gerrie posted on the W.M.A (West Coast Motorcycle Association) page a request from S.A.P.S for bikers to join a "Blow the whistle on crime" campaign to encourage children and young people to report crime in the coloured and black community in Vredenburg. This was to take place on Friday morning and they wanted bikers to make a noise, what better invitation could there be?

Eventually there were eight bikers on seven bikes that made it, we arrived at the school where the march was to start and parked. Straight away the little boys gathered to have a look at the bikes.

Little boys like motorbikes just as much as the big boys do and we had lots of requests for them to sit on the bikes while the parents took photographs, of course we were only too happy to comply, get some future bikers!

The Police were there in force handing out sweets and plastic whistles to the children and the noise of whistles was quite deafening! From there we were to follow behind a fire engine leading the procession to another school hall where there would be snacks and treats and a talk on reporting crime to the police. The problem for us was that this was to be at walking pace!

Those of you who ride motorcycles know how difficult this can be, especially for any extended period, we were wobbling and balancing our way at 4kmh for almost an hour, clutch, brake, foot down, clutch, brake, stop, go, no chance to wave at the crowds along the way but we were able to rev the engines and blow the hooters.

We eventually, after what seemed like an age, parked up at the second school and immediately were surrounded by eager children wanting to see the bikes. It was a happy occasion and we were all glad that we had taken part, the crowd all crammed into the hall for the speeches and snacks at which time there was a unanimous decision amongst the bikers to head off in search of a cold beverage.

from left; Sooi, me, Daan, Linicia and Gerrie

 Of the eight bikers that took part I am really proud to say that five were Meeulanders, these are my type of people, bikers are genuine down to earth people, what you see is what you get. They would give you the shirt off their backs if you needed it but also don't get on their wrong side! I'm proud to be one of you.