Motorbikes on the Amphitheatre?

We asked Ryan S on Instagram if this was true and he said "nope".

 

Well then they should remove all the pics and vids off Facebook...   

www.facebook.com/francois.f.liebenberg/posts/10227151036787626

Interesting. 
So a cowboy and a liar.
Action figure publicity knows no bounds it seems. The audacity, it's utterly atrocious.

How sponsored was this attempt/effort? Is there any leverage to make bear on public brands and profiles to create some punitive sanctions? Dishonesty already hints at an awareness of the taboo of these actions.

Then again: Does anybody have any legal footing to take on these actions? Is this in fact illegal? I know we don't want it and we don't like it but so what if it is not illegal? I have done a lot of Enduro riding in Lesotho and nowhere and never did I have to ask for permission and nowhere and never was I ever stopped or reprimanded in any way. And this includes riding in full view and close to military and police presence. You get on your bike and ride as far and wide as you want to. What makes it different in this case?

wrote:

 What makes it different in this case?

Simply put, it is obviously not the right thing to do. Legal or not legal.
The legal age of consent in Angola is 12. So is it cool for a middle age man to cross the cutline with intent from Namibia into Angola with a 12 year old girl? I think not. In some cases the legalities are not the issue.

If there is corporate engagement here, then I think the sponsors would be more interested in whether it was cool than whether it were strictly legal. Businesses are keen on clean images. Think of sustainability. Its not exactly illegal not to be sustainable but most decent companies are striving in the opposite direction.

If there is no direct sponsorship, then shame on brand Ryan. Respect is hard earned but easily lost. What a shame to see this of him.
 

I fully agree Tiska. My point is that it will lend a lot more strength to any argument against these actions if it is in fact illegal. It will also strengthen any controlling actions. So I am merely asking if anybody knows what the status is? If it is allowed on the Lesotho side I am afraid any efforts to stem the current drops from turning into raging torrents will be extremely difficuilt.

At present nothing other than appeasing the local chiefs stops anyone from riding there bikes up any of the Mweni passes. It has not yet been done as far as I know but every year I see more and more ride reports in areas closer and closer to the cutback. Access from Lesotho is actually much easier.

For now I think we can just make noise, create awareness and hope for the best. And perhaps try and influence decision makers on both sides of the border.

Point taken, BergAttie. If illegal, teeth will be sharper. But there is still bite without.

We could always ask his sponsors, among them Garmin, Salomon and Silva what they thought about it in light of our views. We could ask whether destruction of wilderness areas is their route of choice for selling their products.


 
 

I have now PM'ed him on Facebook for a response.

I am slowly conversing with Ezemvelo on the matter, no response just yet.
They may have crossed the border line which is not always the escarpment edge, in which case some laws may apply.

I suspect RedBull may be behind the sponsorship, in which case your cause is lost with regards to "awareness". They will ride over a panda carrying a Bengal tiger cub to safety if it looks whoohoo enough.

A point to add to your bite Tiska is that this is also a World Heritage Site, meaning, saved for all for always, not just a few with self promotion in mind, though I am sure you will all soon be told they're doing it for the little children.

Had a response from Ryan: "I think you missing something. We had bikes at one support point close the Afriski on their bike trail there. I hope that helps. Cheers Ryan"

More lies or is this just a big misunderstanding?? I am torn between admiration for this man's ability and achievements (have followed him for years) and what now seems like dodgy behaviour and lies. Surely coming clean, manning up and using his profile to create awareness of the wrongs in these actions are more prudent? Especially in light of the damage that can come his way in what might ensue from this.

My reply: "Thanks. Can you explain the picture with you and two bikes on top of the escarpment? Close to rathole cave it seems."

Sadly, to jump on an old horse again: Perfectly within their rights (and anybody's for that matter) to go up there with bikes, 4x4's etc. Not part of any reserve and definitely not part of the World Heritage site. I cannot seem to find anything to the contrary?

The only barriers are: 1. Common sense, 2. difficuilt access, 3. people not being aware of the option and 4. noise and pressure from interested party's. First two getting less of a barrier every day. Third under threat by this and similar actions as well as the information age and internet. 4th in our power but collateral damage is creating more awareness of the option being available (point 3).