The ultimate true adventure challenge is back!
Quest 2021 has concluded and the winners announced
All The Action From Quest 2021
Day 9 Honda Quest 2021
After a short 100km stage through the Southern End of the Cedarberg, the riders rolled dustily into Kaleo. Just 9 days previously they were relative strangers, polite and formal around each other.
Day 8 Honda Quest 2021
Today’s route started as soon as we left Perdekloof with a tough navigation exercise; the Tankwa Karoo National Park is littered with trails, the ones we travelled on were vague and little visited.
Day 7 Honda Quest 2021
The longest run homeward bound, 397km almost entirely off-road. After the long, tough days, no-one is fresh. Everyone is carrying some form of wear and tear, some more than others.
Day 6 Honda Quest 2021
By design, after yesterday’s marathon day, today was shorter but with tricky navigation. There are stunning hardly used backroad tracks that connect little used communities such as Twee-Riviere, Kheis, Karas and the Lankloof valley.
Day 5 Honda Quest 2021
Not much had been made of the harder parts of Quest other than to say the Day 5 climb is a monster. More suited to an enduro bike, few would consider this on an adventure bike.
Day 4 Honda Quest 2021
Through sandy and stony jeep tracks amongst a pallet of colourful desert shades, lies the Red Staircase. The CRF1100L is deceptively capable, however there is no getting away from the fact that it is a big bike and in steep climbs where the going is loose, it takes some skill and commitment to clear.
Day 3 Honda Quest 2021
Everything since the start had been focused on uniting the teams, now they had to, for the sake of the team, complete an individual task. But, also be brutally honest and realistic about each other to achieve it.
Day 2 Honda Quest 2021
On the menu today was the heart of the Richtersveld Eco Trail. A winding track that comes and goes from the river to the mountains and back and, starts innocently enough, but then threads its way through such challenges as Hell’s Cradle.
Day 1 Honda Quest 2021
A gentle introduction to the Richtersveld – just enough of what’s to come to settle the nerves, find the natural rhythms of riding with partners in small groups and still be testing.
The Finalists
Ellio Striglia
Murray Campbell
Hein Kumm
Dave Gouws
Neil Rieck
Peter Siegling
Andrew de Bruin
Shaun Engelbrecht
Heindri Visser
Tom Stewart
Jaco Swiegelaar
Ruan Ueckermann
Danie de Kock
Hugo Minnaar
Honda Quest 2021: Finalist Announcement
The Honda Quest 2021 boot camp held in the Koue Bokkeveld in the Cederberg came to conclusion on Thursday October 14th.
The 28 semi-finalists were put through their paces during an extensive 3-day bootcamp which tested them on various tasks that involved more than just riding a bike.
The selection panel had the arduous task of eliminating 14 of the 28 hopeful semi-finalists by conducting theoretical and practical tests that varied from adventure related general knowledge questionnaires to African geography quizzes. The semi-finalists were also asked to perform various practical and mechanical tasks with the added pressure of time limits per task.
The individual tasks also included the assembly of adventure essential accessories to the CRF1100 Africa Twins, one of the finest adventure motorcycles, and the bike they will be using to compete in the Honda Quest 2021 competition. Additional tasks over the 3 days included the assembly of a camp, motorcycle maintenance, tyre and tube repairs among others.
The selection panel were constantly on the lookout for individuals who demonstrated the competitive spirit and determination to complete the necessary tasks that would stand them in contention to compete in the final of Honda Quest 2021. Individual interviews were also conducted with each of the 28 semi-finalists which gave the panel insight into the behavioural responses of each semi-finalist.
The seven teams of two will now have the opportunity to embark on a life changing adventure from 1 – 10 November as they navigate through the challenging terrain in the Northern Cape’s Richtersveld, Namakwa Eco Trail, Tankwa Karoo and Cederberg whilst competing for the title of Honda Quest True Adventure 2021. The winning team will ride off on the very bike they will have competed on. Team Honda wish them the very best of luck!
The safety of our guests is paramount and Honda Motor Southern Africa and Specialised Adventures will take all the necessary precautions at all Quest events to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
We do request that semi-finalists and finalists adhere to all safety rules and regulations as outlined by the South African Government, Disaster Management Act.
In an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 we humbly request that participants (if selected to attend the bootcamp and final event) who experience symptoms associated with Covid-19 namely fever, cough, sore throat, redness of eyes or shortness of breath (or difficulty in breathing); body aches, loss of smell or loss of taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weakness or tiredness refrain from attending the bootcamp and final event.
2021 Boot Camp Highlights
Honda Quest: True Adventure with the new 2021 Africa Twin!
The wait is finally over. Call to entries for the much-anticipated Honda Quest 2021 will officially open on Wednesday September 22, 2021.
South Africa boasts some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. The 2021 Honda Quest True Adventure proudly hosted by Honda Motor Southern Africa will give contestants the opportunity to explore some of these breath-taking sites as they navigate through the challenging terrain in the Northern Cape’s Richtersveld, Namakwa Eco Trail, Tankwa Karoo and Cederberg whilst competing for the title of Honda Quest True Adventure 2021 on the ultimate adventure motorcycle, the Honda CRF1100 Africa Twin.
Do you have what it takes?
The main aim of Quest will be to test human endurance and adaptability, combined with the continent-crossing abilities of the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100.
We are looking for true adventure riders who can adapt to the journey with good humour and grace. Are you a resourceful and dependable team member when adventure turns challenging? Do you have a love for the places further off the beaten track? Are you willing to try your hand at all the challenges a desert will offer up – sand and river beds, rocky trails, muddy gravel and nights under the stars? Then Honda Quest True Adventure is for you.
Honda Quest is not a race, nor is it a rally. Honda Quest is simply a chance to be able to compete together with a teammate in the most beautiful of spaces, living for a brief condensed moment, the epitome of adventure aboard one of the finest adventure motorcycles on the planet the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100.
The Prize
The winning team will not only be crowed champions of Honda Quest True Adventure 2021, but they will also get to keep the bikes they competed the 2500km adventure ride on.
The safety of our guests is paramount and Honda Motor Southern Africa and Specialised Adventures will take all the necessary precautions at all Quest events to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
We do request that semi-finalists and finalists adhere to all safety rules and regulations as outlined by the South African Government, Disaster Management Act.
In an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19 we humbly request that participants (if selected to attend the bootcamp and final event) who experience symptoms associated with Covid-19 namely fever, cough, sore throat, redness of eyes or shortness of breath (or difficulty in breathing); body aches, loss of smell or loss of taste, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weakness or tiredness refrain from attending the bootcamp and final event.
Timeline
31 July - 7 August
Pre-qualifying events have been held across the country to allow riders to introduce themselves and showcase their riding skills.
See the events on Facebook for more information:
- Western Cape – 31 July
- Gauteng – 7 August
- Free State – 7 August
- Eastern Cape – 7 August
- KwaZulu-Natal – 7 August
22 - 26 September
Online entries were accepted for Quest 2021.
28 September
The 30 semi-finalists are announced.
12 - 14 October
From the entries received, 30 semi-finalists are chosen to attend a 3-day Boot Camp at Kaleo Guest Farm in the Western Cape. You will be subjected to a range of tests - from riding to general knowledge and everything related to adventure motorcycling. The finalists, who will be participating in the main Quest event, will be chosen from this group.
18 October
The 14 finalists are announced.
1 - 10 November
14 people compete in a 10-day event and stand the chance to win the Honda Africa Twin that they compete on. The start and end point is at Kaleo Guest Farm in the Western Cape, with the rest of the route being revealed to contestants on a daily basis.
The Quest route will take contestants through the best parts of the Richtersveld, Namaqua, Hantam, Tankwa and Cederberg regions.