DAVE FALL
If you happened to be travelling in your ‘tin box’ in the Hout Bay/Camps Bay area and into central Cape Town on Saturday morning (Nov 1 2014) you may have been held up for three minutes or so to allow a lengthy “rolling thunder” procession of motorcycles – mostly Harley-Davidsons.
You were perhaps teed-off but it was all in aid of a good cause: a two-wheeled motorcade (and most likely an annual one going forward), called “Snors for a Cause Motorcade 2014”.
10 rides were held simultaneously across South Africa under the auspices of the 10 Harley-Davidson dealers as part of the Snors (moustaches) campaign, primarily about raising awareness of men’s health and the fight against men-only cancers – prostate and testicular. (It was also about showcasing Harley-Davidson’s 2015 model line-up, but more about this further down this article)
MAIN HEALTH CONCERN FOR MEN
It was great to see such magnificent spectator support along the picturesque route; even the weather played ball (if you’ll excuse the pun) with young families set for a day out on the beach; roadside cafes packed with locals taking their early morning cappuccinos, and the by-now familiar tightly packed red tourist buses with upper-deck passengers applauding the bike convoy along its way.
It was run in conjunction with “More Balls than Most”, an initiative of older-sister campaign PinkDrive (breast cancer educational and fund-raising programme ). I was hauntingly reminded that cancer kills more people worldwide daily than the sum total of HIV Aids, malaria and TB.
It’s one of the main health concerns that we men face, with one of every 24 of us being diagnosed with prostate cancer: the potential silent killer. Interestingly, recent statistics show that black males are at increased risk of prostate cancer – something fairly common in the 15- 39 age bracket, with 4 000 men on average being diagnosed annually.
GALLERY: 2014 Harley-Davidson Snors for a Cause
Cape Town and Pretoria up. Send your images to les.stephenson@24.com and we'll publish them, too.
The “More Balls Than Most” campaign and ride was on a mission to keep you updated with the latest news, views and events relating to how you can play a crucial role in supporting this worthy cause.
Trisch Rosema from MBTM told Wheels24: “In the past two decades most men have survived prostate cancer and early diagnosis and treatment can have an even bigger impact.” Added to this, Harley-Davidson Africa put its muscle where its corporate mouth is and donated R50 000 to the fight.
TRIKE THREE-WHEELERS
If you’re thinking of a new bike purchase or updating your machine be sure to check out the Harley range. An entry-level Harley Sportster costs R109 000; then there are Dynas, SoftTails, V-Rods and Touring models plus CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations) derivatives. For something really different be sure to take a look at the Trike three-wheeler range) – that’s really cool to ride.
*The new models for 2015, currently being showcased at all Harley-Davidson dealers up and down the country, include a Road Glide Special, Ultra Limited Low, Street Glide Special, CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide Ultra.
Meanwhile, the company produces a full range of heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, plus general merchandise.
There, that’s the bike 'n trike brand's punt for being the good guys…
A THANK-YOU MESSAGE FROM YOUR SPONSOR...
Up in Johanneburg Paul de Jongh, SA manager for Harley-Davidson
Africa, said after the event: “We are pleased with the turnout of more than 900
riders in the first ‘Snors for a Cause’ motorcade.
“It was inspiring to see how South Africans showed their support in creating awareness of men's health and the fight against male cancer. You are not alone, we fight with you,”
South Africans also showed their support by signing pledge walls at the 10 regional parades and made monetary donations to the cause. More than R89 000 raised by the ‘Snors for a Cause’ motorcade 2014 will be donated to More Balls Than Most, a testicular and prostate cancer-awareness organisation.
More Balls Than Most
representatives were at Cape Town and Johannesburg where anyone from the public
could be tested with a PSA test. The funds raised will be used for cancer
education and awareness at schools, communities and events in the interests of
early detection and prevention of prostate and testicular cancer.
• Check out MBTM.