10 Things we were grateful for in 2020
Riders gather at Middleburg Shell Station during the first stop of the 2020 Sabie Bubble Run.
This year has been one of our most challenging years we’ve had yet as a business, but it also ended up being our most rewarding. We had a certain set of goals and plans that were laid out in the beginning of 2020 like any business, and well that went to shit pretty quickly.
Through that, new plans were created and we did our best to adapt quickly, to change focus when need be and realize that we have an obligation to riders out there to stay relevant, engage with you and keep you entertained where possible.
We were grateful for so many things this year and we couldn’t have done it without you.
So here’s the TEN THINGS WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR IN 2020
1. Our Community
Bonafide Moto Co started out with a focus on community. It was about bringing together like minded individuals who ride motorcycles, connecting with one another and going on adventures together. Whether those adventures be going for coffee or heading to the top of Sani Pass they all center around camaraderie.
Our community grew stronger and grew bigger in 2020 because that’s what we all needed this year. We needed each other. We needed to see who would be there in our darkest of times, we needed someone to talk to and we needed friends to ride with when it was possible. We needed connection.
Members of the Motobelles pose for a photo before heading out on the Sabie Bubble Run.
2. 7th annual Sabie Bubble Run
Since 2014 we’ve been making our way to the small town of Sabie to end off our year in what has been called our “annual Christmas party.” It’s been a way for us and other riders to reflect on a long year in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, and one of the best areas in the world for riding motorcycles.
We weren’t so sure that this years Sabie Bubble Run would happen, but we were lucky enough that it did. It was by far our best one yet, the most enjoyable and we can’t help but think how much more it will grow again for 2021.
Riders line up at the start line during the ‘un-official Motoul Moto Games’ which took place after the official event.
3. The Lost Tusk
Our rides have been mainly focused in Southern Africa but we have personal desires to travel the world and to provide riders around the world with the Bonafide experience. In the beginning of 2020 we managed to get to India with Fuel Motorcycles for our first international moto-adventure, known as ‘The Lost Tusk.’
It was an adventure we think about daily, a place we will never forget and a country we look forward to taking you back to when the time is right.
The Lost Tusk was the start of something beautiful and something that we know in the future is a possibility for Bonafide Moto Co to host unique motorcycle experiences around the world.
Making a pit stop in Munnar (Kerala) before heading into the jungle.
4. Taco Tuesday
When the lockdown was lifted we wasted no time to get back out there and connect with you (safely of course). Taco Tuesday has been our monthly event of getting out during the week for a ride, some tacos and good times.
The event saw it’s largest gatherings this year and we also helped support local businesses who needed us more than ever.
Taco Tuesday will be back again starting in January and we plan to add on Pretoria based rides as well for next year.
Bikes parked outside of Baha Taco in Norwood during the monthly Taco Tuesday.
5. Sunrise Scramble
This event was conceptualized a few years ago and took years to be reborn. As our big adventures weren’t happening we saw the need to have small local events held on a monthly basis to connect with you when possible.
We find sunrises to be quite special and it’s not often that here in Johannesburg that we get to enjoy epic views at sunrise on our motorcycles.
This year we held 4 Sunrise Scrambles that were all unique and we could tell that you thoroughly enjoyed each of them.
A rider exiting a massive puddle during one of our Sunrise Scrambles.
6. Our online store
We had a lot of time during the lockdown and with that time we finally managed to put together our online store. It’s not a massive store, it’ll grow and it currently focuses on the products from our partners and products that we believe in.
Helmets: We stock a selection of helmets from Bell Motorcycles and ship anywhere in South Africa
Sunglasses: You’ll find a few specific styles of Julbo sunglasses on our site that we enjoy for riding and adventuring with around the world.
Maintenance & Care: As partners of Motul we stock their full range of maintenance & care products that are designed to protect your bike.
Merchandise: Over the years we’ve had selected range of t-shirts and event posters and now we’ve got a place to showcase them and for you to own.
A look at our Shops homepage.
7. The Bonafide Moto Show
With all of Joe’s willingness to take videos on adventures we couldn’t have thought of a better way to keep him occupied during the lockdown than to put him in front of you 3 nights a week for a few months.
During the lockdown, we started the Bonafide Moto Show as a way to keep you entertained, allow you to get to know some of our friends from around the world and for us to meet some amazing people along the way.
The show came to a close on Episode 29 on Instagram Live (still available on Apple & Spotify) but there are rumours that another format and version of this may pick up again in 2021.
The location of the Bonafide Moto Show, also known as the Worlds Tiniest Office.
8. Flash Tattoo Event
Just weeks before the Sabie Bubble Run we host our annual ‘flash tattoo event.’ This has been a way for riders to keep memories of the Bubble Run with them forever through our ever growing database of Bubble Run related flash tattoos and where the famous ‘Dick taco’ was created.
We often joke that while most events will give you a commemorative patch to put on your jacket or bag, we give you tattoos and that’ll be with you for much longer and make for better stories.
The first Bonafide logo tattoo to ever be done.
9. Cape Town Based rides
With the opening of Triumph motorcycles into Cape Town it makes our support network much stronger in that part of the country and it allowed us to host 2 events there this year; our off-road training & an outride.
We’ve hosted a variety of events & rides in Cape Town in the past but it had its challenges due to a weak support network there for us to access motorcycles. We are confident that in 2021 you’ll find more Cape Town based events and adventures from us.
Riders assembline outside of Triumph Cape Town for a ride to Franschoek.
10. Being Lean
Over the years we’ve hemmed and hawed about having a physical location for Bonafide Moto Co. We’ve seen the need for you to come and pull in to hang out with us whenever you want for a cup of coffee or a beer but for whatever reason it hasn’t happened, yet.
We were grateful that 2020 reminded us to stay lean as a business and that just like you, we can pack up our office and move it to the next coffee shop whenever we need to.
We’ll continue to connect with you as much as possible in the most 2020 way possible, digitally and at a long arms length until it’s safe for us to get close to one another again.
Thank you to everyone out there who supported us in some form or fashion in 2020 and we hope that in some way we supported you.
We are grateful for you, and we look forward to seeing you out on the road next year!
~Here’s to the next adventure!
Navigating around the locals in Swaziland just prior to lockdown.