Beyond the Horizon: From Structured Off-Road Adventure Motorcycle Training to Riding the Karoo...
- Cobus Groenewoud
- Apr 8
- 8 min read
When I was asked to reflect on my journey into adventure motorcycling, I decided to speak honestly about how it started and what I’ve learned along the way.
I was born and bred in Johannesburg. I qualified as a chartered accountant and spent close to 30 years in large corporates, mainly responsible for business portfolios across Africa and the Middle East overseeing operations in anything from 22 to 48 countries at a time.
It meant hard work. Sometimes up to 100 flights a year. Boardrooms, meetings, country visits. But it also meant opportunity. My family and I were fortunate to live in Amsterdam, Mauritius and Dubai over 17 years before returning to South Africa. We saw much of the world.
I’ve always been drawn to adventure, not extreme thrill-seeking, but pursuits that demand engagement and responsibility. As a young man I was a keen water skier. I’ve always loved anything mechanical: motorbikes, airplanes, cars. In Abu Dhabi I even raced my own car at Yas Marina Circuit.
Anything mechanical draws me in.
But I also enjoy taking those machines into open spaces, into countryside and quiet places, to experience what lies beyond the next bend or horizon.
Why Adventure Motorcycle Riding?
I bought my first motorcycle when I moved to Mauritius. A Honda 400, a practical on-road and light off-road motorcycle. It was my daily commuter for ten years, but also my weekend escape into sugar cane fields and farm tracks while my son rode his quad bike.
What I enjoyed most was the off-road exploration, not knowing what lay around the next corner. That uncertainty, in a positive sense, is what adventure motorcycling brings.
When we moved to Dubai, motorcycles weren’t practical in the heat. But once back in South Africa, I knew I wanted to return to riding. Like many riders, I debated between brands before settling on a BMW R1250 GSA. Like many others, I watched Long Way Round and felt the pull to leave tar roads behind and see what lay beyond the horizon.
The Parallels Between Flying and Adventure Motorcycle Riding
I’m also a private pilot and have held my licence for many years. The parallels between aviation and adventure riding are clear to me. Both demand physical fitness and endurance. Both require careful planning. Equipment must be in proper condition. Situational awareness is constant.
In an aircraft, you cannot simply pause mid-air. On an adventure motorcycle, particularly off-road, you cannot simply stop when terrain becomes technical. Good preparation eliminates most avoidable risks. That allows you to deal only with what genuinely cannot be predicted.
Route planning matters. Distance matters. Weather matters. Knowing when to turn around matters, whether you are approaching your own limits or those of your equipment.
Both pursuits give you ultimate control. I fly without a co-pilot. On a motorcycle, I sit alone at the front, with the throttle and handlebars in my hands. That control brings immense joy, but also responsibility.
Both communities are diverse but deeply like-minded. Regardless of background, once you are in the cockpit or on the bike, you are united by the same focus.
Why I Chose Structured Off-Road Adventure Motorcycle Training
As a chartered accountant and a pilot, I have what I jokingly call a “double whammy of conservatism.”
I had learned some valuable skills from a friend, but I felt I needed a structured and comprehensive off-road training course before committing to more demanding riding.
I always knew that with my motorcycle, I was the limiting factor, not the bike.
I had read about the Karoo Wanderlust tour with Motorrad Adventures before deciding to train. I was concerned about two things: that my motorcycle was heavy, and that I was not comfortable riding in sand.
The tour was scheduled for later in the year, and I understood that if I wanted to enjoy it properly, I needed preparation. For me, the training was not separate from the tour — it was the foundation for it. It created a clear progression rather than leaving things to chance.
Committing to that training was one of the best decisions I made.
What Changed During Adventure Motorcycle Training
I arrived nervous, big bike, limited sand experience, unsure of my limits.
But I quickly realised that most riders doubt themselves in one area or another. Everyone was comfortable with their motorcycles, but unsure about certain technical skills.
Two things stood out for me.
The first was the emphasis on proper personal protective equipment. We invest heavily in motorcycles, but not always enough in protecting ourselves.
The second was technique, especially body position and stance.
Leaning back. Heels down. Looking ahead. Rolling on the throttle slightly in sand instead of chopping it.
I learned that the motorcycle goes where you look.
As the day progressed, my confidence built. The bike felt lighter. I could corner tighter. Stop faster. Better clutch control. I became less tense. Riding a large adventure motorcycle slowly and technically off-road is completely different from cruising at highway speed.
More importantly, I understood why the techniques worked, and that understanding transferred directly into the Karoo tour months later. Those lessons were not theoretical. I used them repeatedly, particularly in sand sections and on technical mountain passes. When the bike moved beneath me, I recognised the sensation. The training had given me reference points.
Riding the Karoo
I know the Karoo well. I spent many childhood holidays in the Tankwa region and continue to do annual mountain bike rides through remote areas of South Africa.
But riding the Karoo on tar versus riding it on gravel roads is an entirely different experience.
Adventure riding in the Karoo forces you to slow down and engage with constantly changing surfaces — corrugations, sand patches, rocky climbs, long gravel stretches.
What I appreciated about the Motorrad Adventures Karoo Wanderlust tour was the balance.
You ride in a group, yet you can also fall back and ride alone. There were slow, technical mountain passes. Sections of light sand. Open gravel roads where you could stand up and stretch the motorcycle’s capabilities. And occasional tar sections to recover.
The pace was well judged.
Food and accommodation were excellent. The camaraderie was strong. Riders came from different backgrounds and different skill levels, yet we were united by the same mindset.
Organisation, Safety and Professional Standards
What stood out most to me about the Karoo Wanderlust tour with Motorrad Adventures was the organisation and safety consciousness.
A lead rider familiar with the route.
A sweeper ensuring no one is left behind.
A fully equipped backup vehicle.
Clear communication and coaching in technical sections.
It felt professionally structured and well thought through.
During tricky sections, such as a slippery water crossing, coaching in the moment made a tangible difference. You do not always execute perfectly — I certainly do not — but having experienced guidance improves both safety and enjoyment.
That structured environment allowed riders of diverse skill levels to enjoy the tour.
What Adventure Riding Has Given Me
The most important realisation was simple:
I can do more than I think I can, and my motorcycle can do far more than I allow it to.
For me, adventure motorcycling is what I would describe as “active rest.” You are removed from daily life, yet physically and mentally engaged. It is restorative in a way that purely passive holidays are not.
Advice to Other Riders
Start with training.
Get to know your motorcycle. Get to know your skills. This is not a one-day event, it is a process. The training builds the foundation; the tour allows you to apply it.
Between training and the tour, I practised figure-of-eights in full riding gear near a local school. People likely thought I was mad. But skill comes from repetition.
Then commit to a tour. Put a date in your diary. When there is a goal ahead of you, preparation naturally follows.
Looking Ahead
I intend to continue riding and improving. Ideally, I would join a tour annually. Namibia may be on the list in future.
For now, it is about continued practice and riding with like-minded friends.
Adventure motorcycling, for me, is about responsibility, preparation, community and the satisfaction of mastering a machine in a natural environment.
And I intend to keep riding, beyond the horizon.
“I always knew I was the limiting factor, not the motorcycle. Training showed me what was possible, and the Karoo proved it.”
-Cobus Groenewoud
Riders considering off-road motorcycle training or a guided adventure motorcycle tour in South Africa will benefit from a structured approach and the right support environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need off-road motorcycle training before joining an adventure tour?
Off-road motorcycle training is not always mandatory, but it significantly improves safety, confidence and enjoyment. Learning proper body position, throttle control and braking techniques prepares riders for gravel roads, sand and technical terrain. Training creates a solid foundation before tackling longer-distance adventure tours.
Is a large adventure motorcycle like a BMW R1250 GSA too heavy for off-road riding?
Large adventure motorcycles are highly capable off-road when ridden with correct technique. In most cases, rider confidence and skill are the limiting factors — not the bike. Structured training helps riders manage weight, balance and traction effectively, even on heavier machines.
How difficult is riding in sand on an adventure motorcycle?
Sand can feel intimidating at first, especially for riders new to off-road terrain. However, with correct stance, throttle control and vision techniques, light-to-moderate sand becomes manageable. Practising in a structured training environment builds confidence before encountering sand on tour.
What makes the Karoo ideal for adventure motorcycle touring?
The Karoo offers vast open landscapes, varied gravel surfaces, mountain passes and remote routes that demand engagement. Riders experience both technical terrain and long open gravel stretches. Its scale and quiet create a uniquely immersive adventure riding experience.
What safety measures should an organised adventure motorcycle tour include?
A professionally organised tour should include experienced lead and sweep riders, a support vehicle, route familiarity and clear communication. Coaching through technical sections further enhances safety. This structure allows riders to focus on the experience while knowing support is available.
Is adventure motorcycle touring suitable for professionals with limited off-road experience?
Yes. Many riders begin adventure motorcycling later in life. With structured off-road training and properly supported tours, adventure riding becomes accessible, safe and highly rewarding — even for those new to gravel riding.
How should I prepare for my first adventure motorcycle tour?
Preparation includes completing off-road training, practising slow-speed control, maintaining your motorcycle properly and investing in quality protective gear. Basic fitness also improves endurance and control. Preparation transforms the experience from intimidating to enjoyable.
What does “active rest” mean in adventure motorcycle touring?
Active rest refers to a holiday that combines physical engagement with mental reset. Adventure riding requires focus and movement while removing riders from daily routines. It offers a restorative balance of challenge and renewal.
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