POLOKWANE – His wife had serious reservations about Japhilin de Beer acquiring a motorcycle, but her attitude changed the minute his bike was delivered to their home. “She’s even more in love with it than I am,” explains Japhilin.
“Because of my surname and the fact that I am the oldest member of my club, I am known as Oupa Grizzly, named after the brown bear of America,” he explains.
At the ripe age of 65, Oupa Grizzly has attended over 27 biker rallies. He is a retired schoolteacher and principal – a career that still brings a smile to his face when he bumps into his former learners. He has travelled across the country, attending rallies in various cities over the years. He says the Ushaka Rally that takes place in Durban is a family affair as he, his wife and children travel to the coast together and spend the week at the beach.
“I love my bike, I love riding. It’s something that brings me great joy,” he tells BONUS.
One of the reasons he enjoys taking his bike out on the open road so much is that it gives him time to pray and get closer to God. It also gives him a sense of freedom, adventure and time to connect with his 10 other family members who also ride. In the beginning, he was a lone rider but he is happy that his family have taken up riding as well.
“I would encourage anyone who is looking for adventure to take up riding. You get to travel, meet new people and enjoy the beautiful scenery South Africa has to offer,” says Oupa Grizzly.
His ultimate dream is to ride all the way to Cape Town with his family. “We would have to cover 300 km per day, sleep over at self-catering chalets or set up tents on the side of the road. I think that would be a wonderful way to bond,” he continues.
Oupa Grizzly strongly opposes drunk riding and says one of the leading causes of accidents on the road is people being distracted by their cell phones. “Bikers should drive with caution, everyone on the road must respect each other. That is the only way we will avoid accidents,” he continues.
“Responsibility is key to staying alive. Respect for your bike is very important. You must not ride without a motorcycle license. Have fun and respect others. That’s what is important; enjoying the ride,” he concludes.
