THE BUBBLE RUN
“SOUTH AFRICA’S ONLY TRADITIONAL MOTORCYCLE RUN”
Since 2014, motorcycle enthusiasts have been making the annual pilgrimage to the small town of Sabie in Mpumalanga every December to embark on the only traditional motorcycle run found in South Africa.
The event has grown organically within the broader community, and the greater awareness of the event through the years has led to it now being an annual moto-festival on the event calendar.
This area of Mpumalanga has some of the best roads in the world for Motorcycles, and it’s our mission to attract as many Riders of all backgrounds, motorcycles, and desire for adventure to The Bubble Run so that YOU can get a taste of what a traditional motorcycle run with like minded individuals is like.
2022 EVENT VIDEO
WHATS NEW IN 2023
VENUE IS OURS!
Over the years we’ve used up a portion of Sabie River Camp. This year we’ve moved the dates away from December holidays in anticipation of our biggest Bubble Run to date. With that in mind we’ve decided to take over the whole camp!
What does this mean? More chalets available, free to roam the whole place and enjoy every bit of camp with those on the Bubble Run!
LIVE MUSIC NIGHT
With booking out Sabie River Camp, it gives us the space to bring in Live Music as they don’t allow music in the campgrounds. So for one of the nights we’ll be bringing in some live music for everyone to enjoy in our new bar & lounge area!
BAR & LOUNGE TENT
Over the years we’ve kept things simple at the bar and brought in gazebos to use as cover. It’s not been enough to provide you with cover during the rain so this year we’re upgrading the bar and partner booth area.
We’ll have a large bedouin tent in 2022 that will house our Sin + Tax bar, a lounge area and activation space from Triumph and Motul South Africa!
FULL BAR
Last year we partnered up with a great local specialty cocktail bar in Johannesburg, Sin + Tax, that provided you with great cocktails and poured your beers each day at the Bubble Run.
What was missing from that experience was a full range of spirits for you to choose from, and we took note.
This year at our bar you’ll have access to a wide range of spirits for you to choose what suits your fancy, specialty event cocktails and beer on tap.
RESERVE TENT UPGRADES
Like we’ve done the past few years at the Bubble Run, the first 30 campers to sign up will get dibs on our reserve tents. Which means you don’t need to pack a tent for the trip.
The other good news for this year is that you don’t have to pack a mattress pad either because this year, each reserve tent gets a stretcher cot as well!
With plenty of room in your reserve tent and a cot we have no doubt you’ll have a good nights rest after the party!
THE RIDING
In our opinion, this area of Mpumulanga offers some of the best roads in the country; dirt & tar. Sabie River Camp (our base) is centrally located to some amazing loops that we have come to know very well. The famous “22” starts just down the street from us and offers riders some great twists and turns the whole way through to Hazyview. Other landmarks and areas of interest are Pilgrem’s Rest, God’s Window, Graskop, Kaapschehoop and the ever so lovely Long Tom Pass.
Each day at the Bubble Run we will have ‘recommended routes’ for you to go out and do. We’ll have a ‘Route Board’ where you can see the map of the route and there will be a QR code there for you to scan and upload to GPX to take you there. Although they will be recommended routes, you are free to do whatever the hell you want at the event at all times…except be a dick!
The recommended routes we provide each day will give riders both tar & dirt options to choose from. These routes also give riders an opportunity to ride as a group and connect with new friends along the way. Whichever route you choose there will be someone leading the way!
THE VIBE
The days riding is very casual, low stress and we spend the late afternoons & evenings letting loose as we each see fit. When we get back from the scheduled riding and you feel like you need more, go for it!
This event is all about you and for you to enjoy one last moto-adventure for the year. There are lots of places to explore in the area and always people keen to see more.
On the property there’s a great pool and river just beside camp for you to go and enjoy when you want. It does get quite hot.
MOTUL MOTO GAMES
In our opinion, this area of Mpumulanga offers some of the best roads in the country; dirt & tar. Sabie River Camp (our base) is centrally located to some amazing loops that we have come to know very well. The famous “22” starts just down the street from us and offers riders some great twists and turns the whole way through to Hazyview. Other landmarks and areas of interest are Pilgrem’s Rest, God’s Window, Graskop, Kaapschehoop and the ever so lovely Long Tom Pass.
Each day at the Bubble Run we will have ‘recommended routes’ for you to go out and do. We’ll have a ‘Route Board’ where you can see the map of the route and there will be a QR code there for you to scan and upload to GPX to take you there. Although they will be recommended routes, you are free to do whatever the hell you want at the event at all times…except be a dick!
The recommended routes we provide each day will give riders both tar & dirt options to choose from. These routes also give riders an opportunity to ride as a group and connect with new friends along the way. Whichever route you choose there will be someone leading the way!
THE FOOD
To make things easy on everyone we now have a dining hall at camp to provide you with a delicious breakfast & dinner each day.
This ensures that after a days riding you can put the bike keys down and enjoy your evenings without having to ride into town for dinner as well as enjoying breakfast at camp before heading out for the day.
Lunch each day will be on your own dime. There are lots of places around town that we have chosen on specific days, and we’ll make sure that tables are reserved for us. Please be patient with the staff at each place, we are typically a large group so bear in mind that sometimes there will be complications with orders. Having at least R1000-R2000 cash will help speed up the process when it comes to paying the bill.
THE ONLY RULE
The only rule we ever have at our events (except Taco Tuesday) is very simple.
DON’T BE A DICK.
It’s pretty self explanatory, but we want to make it very clear to you. If you’re a dick, we don’t want you at our event. We expect all people joining the ride to treat others with kindness and treat them the same way you’d like to be treated.
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone and you will be asked to leave should we feel it’s in the best interest of others and the event.
TRIUMPH TEST RIDES
To make things easy on everyone we now have a dining hall at camp to provide you with a delicious breakfast & dinner each day.
This ensures that after a days riding you can put the bike keys down and enjoy your evenings without having to ride into town for dinner as well as enjoying breakfast at camp before heading out for the day.
Lunch each day will be on your own dime. There are lots of places around town that we have chosen on specific days, and we’ll make sure that tables are reserved for us. Please be patient with the staff at each place, we are typically a large group so bear in mind that sometimes there will be complications with orders. Having at least R1000-R2000 cash will help speed up the process when it comes to paying the bill.
THE ACCOMMODATION
The Sabie Bubble Run started off at Sabie River Camp and that’s where you’ll find us each and every year until we can no longer ride. The owners and staff here have been extremely kind to us over the years because they know they can expect the same from us and our guests.
The campgrounds here offer you a few different accommodation options to choose from.
CAMPING
As mentioned, the first 30 campers to sign up get dibs on our reserve tents. After that it’s BYOT (Bring Your Own Tent). There’s plenty of space for you to pitch a tent along the Sabie River Bank, in between chalets or hell you can even camp on the other side of the camp all on your own if that suits you!
CHALETS
Not everyone wants to camp. If this applies to you we’ve got a variety of chalet options for you to choose from.
Communal Chalets: Great for those who want to feel like they’re at summer camp. These chalets are shared with 6 people in the room. Each room offers linen, power, a front porch with a sink, a refrigerator and your own bathroom. There are 6 beds in the room; 2 double beds and 2 sets of bunk beds.
Shared Chalets: If you’re joining the Bubble Run with your significant other or a good friend this is a great option. These chalets provide you with the same as above, but with less people in the chalet with you. You can use the additional bunk beds in the room for storage.
Private Chalets: If you’re on your ace for the Bubble Run and want to have a place all to your own while there this is what you need. A chalet all to yourself on the other side of camp where you’re away from the crowds. Although away from the crowds, you’re much closer to the 2 pools (1 heated pool & 1 pool overlooking the Sabie River). These chalets do not have an en-suite bathroom, but rather make use of the communal bathrooms close by.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS TRIP?
TESTIMONIALS
“A super fun and brilliantly executed event that met everyone's adventurous side, love for the great outdoors and the thrill of experiencing it all on 2 wheels. It’s the most absolutely outstanding way to wrap up your year 👌🏻”
“It was an EPIC adventure! I loved every moment and I met so many new people that I can call friends. I think we had the perfect group and I look forward to next year. PLEASE let us know in advance so that we don’t miss the opportunity. I’ll CRY!”
“As it was my first ever bike trip, I fell in love all over again with my bike and knew why I bought a bike in the first place”
“Thank you for organizing this. You guys create an opportunity to create new memories, bonds and friends. Awesome fucking job.”
“This was my first Bubble Run...but it felt like I had been on all....the guys and girls just clicked....good vibes and times from the minute I rolled in. Was great seeing the boys from the Sani ride again and meeting all the "new" members”
“Thanks for honestly the best experience I could have asked for....been a bucket list ride and part of the country for years.”
HISTORY OF THE BUBBLE RUN
It began as a simple adventure away in 2014 from Johannesburg to a small town in Mpumulanga South Africa called Sabie. 3 dudes riding their motorcycles, camping and having one hell of a good time.
On the first night of the trip the idea of an annual traditional motorcycle run began. Similar to that of the Gypsy Run and El Diablo Run in the states, the Sabie Bubble Run was born from a desire and need to get out and have a good time with mates. The idea is simple; bring with you everything you need for 4 nights of camping and get ready to kick your boots off at the end of the day to relax and enjoy yourself.
Over the years we’ve sorted out the flow of the event and have found our groove. 4 nights camping and now with an option for a Tent Village at Sabie River Camp, and 4 days of riding some of the best roads that South Africa has to offer. Each day offers various loops and activities throughout the day and the day of riding ends around 3/4pm where you arrive back at camp and let the party begin.
