LAST Sunday saw the opening of the annual Savannah Drive taking to the Savannahs to expose participants to Guyana’s natural beauty, while building lasting relationships between Amerindian villages and visitors. The event, which was first launched three years ago by Shane D’ Andrade follows ancient Amerindian tracks, along changing terrain from sandy to muddy in the beautiful Savannah. Vehicles and dirt bikes will pass ruins, creeks and several Amerindian villages, including Swan, Laluni and St Cuthbert’s Mission.

Competitions were held in every village, such as Mud Track Race for bikes and 4WD vehicles, Amerindian Arrow and Bow Shootout and Tug of War. Prizes were awarded to victorious individuals and teams.

The entire day was broadcast live on Green Mango Media’s Roku channel Calypso TV and on Facebook. The drive was also filmed for an upcoming travel programme ‘The Real Guyana’, which will later be shown online and across the Caribbean and United Kingdom.

Speaking with the Pepperpot Magazine, Shane said that brand was birthed because of his Yamaha DT 175. “I bought my bike from my very good friend Mark Kendell 20 years ago and it is still in tip-top shape. I have ridden almost every trail along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and in cane fields in South Georgetown and Houston, East Bank Demerara on the DT 175 which is known as the “Dependable Transportation,” he said.

Shane related that he has gained a lot of experience and saw a lot of Guyana’s breathtaking landscape riding his motorcycle. “Whenever I leave Guyana, I would clean and put that bike away safely. I would always travel home in September for Amerindian Heritage Month and ride to every village, including St Cuthbert’s Mission, which is 13 miles of pure dead sand. That was back then,” he said.

Shane explained that he has learned so much about that bike while tracking trails. “Now I can take it apart and fit it together easily on trails if needed. Because of riding this bike, the Savannah Drive was born and includes every trail I have mapped out in the Savannah starting five years ago on my DT 175,” he said.

Savannah Drive 2017 is an ongoing event which will continue throughout the year and is open to persons who are interested in exploring lesser known, beautiful territories in Guyana. Persons interested in joining these excursions must have their own transportation. Each trip costs GY$4,000 per person. This week, registration will be opened to interested persons at Rent A Tent and Triple ‘A’ Auto in Kitty. The exciting drive is expected to be the biggest outdoor summer event of 2017.