The Nyami Nyami Bikers Rally, which is held over the long weekend of the 1 st of May every year, has been going for many years. Originally started by Bob and Colleen Wallman and run by the Christian Motorcycle Association for 20 years, it has for the last 6 years been organised by the Havoc Brothers Biking Club, based in Harare. This club, under the direction of Chairman Scotty Grant, and his extremely hardworking and organised Secretary and Treasurer Shelley Verwey, put a lot of time and energy into this annual event – and it shows!
Each year the clubs participating vary, but this past year the rally hosted roughly 50 bikes, with members from 8 clubs, including 2 from South Africa! They were: Biker Boys, Christian Motorcycle Association, Dagga Boys, Black Eagles, Havoc Brothers, Iron Maidens, Survivors, Ulysses and Voyagers. There is always a huge variety of bikes entered (BMW, Honda, Sazuki, Kawasaki, Harley Davidson), with no rules to stop any avid biker from participating and competing. This year there was even a trike that came up all the way from South Africa!
Prior to the start of the rally on the Friday, members of the Havoc Brothers Club arrive at Cutty Sark Hotel (who have hosted the rally for the past 6 years) a day early, in order to make sure that everything is in order and correctly set up for registration and check-in. A package that includes accommodation (bed and breakfast), rally entrance and participation, and also covers the cost of the activity on Saturday, is offered through the club.
Early on Friday morning the various biker clubs all meet up at pre-arranged venues to ride out to Kariba in convoy (a big part of the enjoyment of the rally). Sites have been selected for group stops, (i.e. Saucy Sue’s at Lions Den and of course the ‘Big Baobab’), with each club having at least a couple of ‘Road Captains.’ These Captains are in constant contact with the hosting Havoc Brothers back at Cutty Sark, reporting back with updates on the progress of the participants.
Following behind the bikers is an Emergency Rooms 24 ambulance, kindly provided by Paul Stevenson, with 2 fully qualified medics. These medics will be on standby for the duration of the entire rally, and is just another indication of how well planned and thought out this event is. (For this rally, the only medical assistance these guys had to provide was a few headache pills on Saturday morning after a hectic Friday night!)
After many laughs and catch-ups along the way, the riders finally arrive at Cutty Sark at about mid- afternoon. They are greeted with a very organised registration gazebo, where they collect their “goodie bags” which are part and parcel of their Entrance Fee. Once everyone has checked into their rooms, it is time for the party to start! The Havoc Brothers bring their own DJ and sound system for the event, which has all been approved and pre-arranged with Cutty Sark Management.
In previous years, the rally saw a ‘Dead Engine Run’ down the winding road from the Heights – but due to the deterioration in the tar road, this has been put on hold until repairs have been completed. Hopefully this will be done in time for next year’s rally!
A highlight of this rally is the Saturday excursion, not by bike but by boat! (well … technically it is a ferry … but still!) At 10 o’clock sharp the Kariba Ferry arrives on the bank below the hotel. All participants and registered guests embark on a day trip to Sampakaruma Island (this takes about an hour and a half to get there.) The Ferry has a well-stocked bar to provide ice cold beverages, as well as a kitchen that offers a simple bar menu of hamburgers and boerewors rolls. (A swipe machine is available for all transactions on board).
En-route to the island, the time is passed by playing games, catching up with friends not seen since the last event or just simply watching the peaceful Kariba waters go by. It is a very relaxing ride. Upon arrival, gazebos and camping chairs suddenly appear from the more organized members of the clubs, and are carried onto the beautiful beach (depending on lake levels) and set up in no time at all. Some of the participants strip off for a paddle in the naturally made rock pools (depending on lake levels) next to the moored ferry. A hilarious (and tough looking) game of tug of war is a much- anticipated event each year, with teams all psyched up to get one over on their opponents from the previous year!
After a fun filled day, tummies are full, bodies are sunburnt and tired, and it is time to jump back aboard the ferry for the return trip. After a quick shower and change the long awaited Prize Giving and “fines session” commences. This year there were prizes for ‘Mr & Mrs. Nyami Nyami’, ‘Longest Ride’, the kiddies ‘Best Sandcastle’, as well as the usual ‘5 Year Badge’ for participants who have attended the rally for 5 years.
The prizes and fines change slightly each year – which keeps everyone interested and on their toes!
To enter the rally contact Havoc Brothers:
Chairman – Scotty Grant: sdgmist@gmail.com
Secretary & Treasurer – Shelley Verwey: shelley@wgbkinsey.co.zw
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