Skinny van Schalkwyk, 37, is an avid biker constantly in search of adventure. You can read all about her latest epic adventure in the April edition of Leisure Wheels, on shelves all across SA next week.
Her pride and joy, a Yamaha R6, is called Billy-Bob. She owns various other bikes, but Billy-Bob is the love of her life and “I’ll never sell it”.
To get to know her better, we asked Skinny some questions – relevant and random:
What’s your real name?
My mother has her own pet name for me and my dog just barks when he needs attention, but Skinny works most of the time.
Can you give us a breakdown of the motorcycles you’ve owned over the years?
Billy-Bob was my first bike. I didn’t know what he was, but he was blue and brilliant and I had to have him. After that came Tonto (KTM 950), Dragonfly (Yamaha R6 for racing purposes), Griet (Triumph Scrambler) and Vonk (Big Boy XTG200). My current bike is called Brom (Suzuki DR650). I fall down often with him, but he keeps on going even with all the dents and scrapes.
What’s the next item on your bucket list?
A two-kilometre wheelie on the way to the Ngorngoro Crater in Tanzania.
What’s your dream destination?
I don’t travel that well, so something close to home, maybe involving the bushveld and a camp fire. That way my dream comes true almost every weekend!
And your dream bike?
Billy-Bob is my dream bike. I sometimes wonder if I shouldn’t fit him with off-road tyres so I can take him everywhere.
If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
I’d like to be able to turn a pumpkin into chocolate just by staring at it.
What would you call yourself?
I-eat-all-my-vegetables-Skinny.
In your opinion, who is the best biker in the world?
Probably Rossi, but there are so many local chickens that inspire me. Cindy Porobich is one of the best all-rounders. Toni Jardin is amazing. She keeps up with the men at endurance events. Jenice Lehmann is one of the best track racers in SA, while Jolandie Rust has been all over the world.
If you had to choose an off-roader for yourself, what would it be?
A Mahindra bakkie.
Who would you cast to play you in a movie about your life?
Me, of course! I took drama classes in high school. Can I do my own stunts?
What would the title of your biography be?
Maak vol!