Transkei report – the so called lay back trip part 1

Day 1  - Muizenberg to PE

Like any other trip it started with some motivation and a reason to do it. In my case it was quite simple. I never been passed Plettenberg bay. I always wanted to see places like Port Elizabeth and East London. The former Transkei was a bonus.

On Sunday the 8 August I decided to start to put all the things I need together. Needless to say I ended by packing the bike completely including having my clothing ready and all ready to go.

Ready to go

I left home and met most of the guys and girls at the Engen garage 1 stop on the N2 at about 6.30. I opted out on breakfast and joined Noelene and the backup vehicle driver Abie and Lynn left early while the rest had breakfast. We where also the only 650’s on the group and wanted to make some head way as the 1200’s had some pace.

We went over the Sir Lowry’s pass with great ease even though there is roads been done on it. I up front with Noelene and then Abie we rode until Albertinia. There we enjoyed a sandwich and coffee. As we finished Geoff and the rest of the group pulled in.

We stayed another 10 minutes and then left as a complete group. As per usual the 650’s climbed in behind Geoff and then rest followed. We set on a good pace until just before PE. There we picked up Jinx. We continued until we reached Road Lodge PE. Unpacked and enjoyed a well overdue beer at Barney’s Tavern. Afterwards we had supper right next door at Blue Water Café. It was set menu which consisted of either calamari or steak medallions. Both where excellent specially being topped of with a desert.

Thank you Hilton and Heather for sponsoring our cooldrinks

Day 2 – PE to Tennery Hotel

The next morning the backup vehicle was packed quickly and before the original time of 8.15. We headed of again to the Blue Water Café for a quick breakfast.

This is called a thumb - use it

 

Riding in formation

Geoff gave his normal instruction and relevant info. Off we went again in the direction of East London. We had a quick pit stop in Port Alfred where some of us enjoyed their home made pies. Tony was so amazed to see chappies still been sold. He subsequently bought a whole R15 rands worth of it which equaled to +- 10 sweets. Thirty years ago you could buy 2 for the price of a whole cent. Times have changed

Port Alfred 

We hit the road again and landed up in East London. We filled up and went straight in the direction of the bush pig pub.

 

The new Eish Airlines

Geoff’s racing days came back to him when we went through some of the passes. I still can not believe that a 1200 can lay so low down in the corners.

Bush Pig Pub

Richard

We ended up at the Bush Pig Pub where we the enjoyed a nice cold one. There we picked up another rider and pillion who believed that they where on the Harley Transkei trip. Turned out to be Marius and is newly wed wife Jolandi. Luckily the situation was quickly corrected and with some magic his Harley turned into a 1200GSA.

Confused

The modern Durban Rickshaws

After about a 30 minute break we headed of to the ferry that would take us across to where Tennery Hotel is situated. What an experience. All the bikes fitted and we even managed to get them off again without any incidence.

The ferry

Uploaded and ready to go

Offloading

We ended up at Tennery Hotel and enjoyed a very good meal.

Day 3 – Tennery outride

The following day we went on a tour with Trevor’s tours. We went via a small boat around the lagoon we were entertained by a very knowledge person called Trevor. He knew the local customs and traditions very well. Half way up the road we had to climb onto another boat to get to a secret waterfall. This is where a few brave souls decided to jump from the cliff into the fresh cold water. These individuals included Günther ; Lawrence ; Frans ; Jinx and Marius.

Trevors tours

Trevors tours just in a smaller boat

The jumpers

After the short break we departed back to where we came from. We were taking to the top a hill where you could see the complete lagoon. Two fish eagles were spotted among our bird lovers.

We just made it back for lunch where Geoff enticed us with a small outride. As a person who would like to try everything life has to offer I reluctantly said yes.

 

Rocky road

 

We must come down here. Line is better this way

The Jakaranda

Geoff led us out by 1 pm towards the Jacaranda wreck. We encountered all types of terrain but the sand was the most challenging including for our leader. He battled just as much as we did. Somehow the tires was to  blamed for it - TKC against Heidenau.

He made us go down very steep cliffs that looked like a 90 degree drop and then made us go up it again on another spot.

 

A taste of what still to come

We enjoyed ourselves to a point where the thickness and density of the sand made the fittest person looking for some rest. At some spots I was digging in at +- 1 meter thick sand and just standing there while the back wheel was doing some crazy spinning. We had our laughs as even the most experienced person had a fall. I never fell but work very hard to stay upright. We even had a yellow 1200GSA standing 90 degree upright against a tree. Shame we did not take any photos but Thian can explain to you how it is done.

We had one side wall puncture (Hilton) but quickly it was loaded onto the trailer. It was getting dark quickly and decided to push for the hotel.

 

Kevins fall

Tony , Jinx and  Kevin decided to take an easier route which subsequently ended up with Jinx having a small fall where Kevin had a nasty fall. He too had a side wall puncture. He injured his top left hand side chest area and was very sore. Our house doctor quickly gave the injured party a shot and the pain subdued.

 

Tonys first time

As usual we all ended up in the dark at the hotel. I must thank Geoff as he pushed all of us to a higher limit.

 

A tester before supper

Supper consisted of a seafood buffet and directly after that it was desert time. Most of us went to bed around 9 pm which ended up as the norm throughout the trip.

Day 4 – Tennery to Mazzeppa Bay

Bikes were fixed quickly the next morning. A lesson in fixing the punctures with some “snot” was quite interesting. I have never done it before as I have tubes in my 650 tires.

 

The famous plugs or as we call it the "snot"

We left for Mezzapa Bay. Road was still terrible and hard never mind the nasty potholes. Jinx fell and broke her top box bracket. It could not be fixed so it went into the backup vehicle.

 

Lunch break

I had a back wheel lock up twice trying to go into the potholes to quickly.

 

Frans nasty fall

Frans has a nasty fall. Bled like a pig while the neighboring kids shouted that they where hungry. Doc Gerhardt was there quickly to fix him up and we continued with the trip.

All I can say are we needed to start loving the road. Potholes everywhere never mind the ruts.

 

The road

Geoff took us to Cebe River. Had lunch at near the lagoon

We all arrived safely at our destination called Messapa Bay Hotel. Had a beer or two and had some supper. As usual all went to bed earlier with very sore bones and aches.

 

Lionel the owner

Day 5 – Mazzeppa Bay outride

Lionel the owner took us on an outride through the forest. It was drizzling to a slight shower which made it a bit more exciting. It quickly dried out though.

 

Lionel do you want to swop

I had my first fall by going downhill in second gear and a bit fast. I thought it was in first but subsequently I was told by Geoff that I was in second. I made sure it will never happen again.

 

We stopped halfway where a choice was given to carry on or return back. Everyone decided to carry on.

We went through to a river mouth and lagoon. Nice ruts we had to do but it was worthwhile. A discussion erupted around the PTO (permission to occupy) of Transkei. Currently some of it is pending in the high court as some property was build without the permission of government but permission was given from the local chiefs.

Lionel then took us back to the hotel for lunch. This time he took an alternative route which was just as spectacular.

 

The island

 

The swaying bridge

After lunch Geoff took some of us on an outride. I opted to stay and enjoy the scenery. There is a small island close to the hotel which can only be accessed via a suspension bridge.

 

Touching the bull

Myself; Tony; Chantelle; Frans and Noelene took some pad kos and headed towards the island. On the beach we encountered a very big bull. Only Frans was brave enough to go and touch it. Some fisherman arrived which gave Frans and myself a lesson in catching shark. To much laughing and giggling form the ladies put the fisherman off the immense concentration so we opted to return to the hotel.

Our new logo for the trip

No pillion day today

Geoff returned with Marius bike on the trailer. He got a flat right in the beginning of the trip. Marius decided to play a prank on his wife by using mucuero chrome and bandages. He sent someone to Jolandi to tell her that he had a very bad fall. She came out and saw this and was very concerned. When it came out it was a prank she let him have it by giving him a punch on the arm. They made up soon after this.

Marius puncture

 

This is good muti doc

The prank

The slap

Lionel was good enough to have sent someone to East London to pick up 3 tires. It arrived late in the evening and soon it was fitted.

Let me show you how it is done

We again had a great supper where straf doppe was handed out. The prize’s was given to:

Why me

Marius for pranking his wife

Jolandi for escalating the cow pooh throwing competition with Frans.

Mr and Mrs Travolta aka Deon and Patsy

Deon and his wife Patsy for being the most lay back couple.

I too got a prize

After the prize’s was given out the music and party started. Chantelle had the opportunity to play DJ.

This taste so good

Day 6 – Mazzeppa Bay to Kob Inn

Woke up and enjoyed a very hearty breakfast. Someone asked a member of the cancer association to take a group photo of us. He eager obliged.

We then headed towards Kop Inn.

Yeah the road has still not changed

There were lots of cows on the road. We even had a donkey just lying in the road. He laid in the middle of the road and not even Geoff could not move him.

The locals

During our ride the road became better. The waving of the hand had also become a norm. This prevented the small kids from throwing stones at you. They thought it was a joke and norm to throw stones at tourist. Geoff had an opportunity during our trip to chase some of them. I believe they will never do it again as they have now experienced a very angry white man on a very big machine chasing them and speaking nicely to them in their mother tongue. Never mind the skid marks they left behind while being chased.

River crossing

Abie made it look so easy

We stopped for a break at a major river crossing. I do not know where or the name of it as I was lost from day 2 onwards. I just followed the man in front of me.

We went over 3 rivers and eventually arrived at Kob Inn where we met Daan the owner.

Lining up for fuel

He was kind enough to import some fuel for us via 100 L drum. We quickly filled our tanks and then asked nicely to park our bikes in a straight line facing the same way. Daan is an ex military man and loves order.

The parade ground

After unpacking Tony and myself tried the swimming pool out. It was a refreshing +-5 degree. Stopped the heart for a few seconds and then the adrenalin started. As if I have not used enough adrenalin during our trip. But it was nice just to cool down.

Gunther and Lawrence testing the water

We had light snacks and then the tea of the afternoon came out. It was called the Jagger Meister. We where also introduced to the Long Island Ice Tea. This was the downfall for some of us.

Tony decided to go through their cocktail menu. He succeeded in doing 3/4 of it that night.

Some of us played pool and darts and then proceeded to supper. Again it was an early night for most of us except for Tony and Kevin. They were usually the last to leave.