Transkei report – the so called lay back trip - part 2

Day 7 – Kob Inn outride

Daan started the morning with a small joke - Why is a KTM orange......because pink will be to obvious..hah hah

Daan took us on a small hike around the hotel area. He explained some history and some wreckage stories. He took us down to the river mouth lagoon area. Currently they are having a severe water shortage and the lagoon is not washing out like it supposed to be doing.

Small mud spot

Anyone for tea

After the nice walk Geoff took us on a lunch out ride to Sina beach ( i hope I spelled this correctly).

Half way to our lunch spot Lawrence hit a rut/stone and bend his rim. This was quickly fixed with with a small bang here and there.

The most common tool in Africa - the hammer

Just before our lunch area there was some mud. Did we have fun going through it. We all enjoyed the lunch wraps that Daan and his staff packed in for us and headed back.

Some fun

This time the mud was nicely churned up and some of us got stuck in the mysterious hole that was created.

More fun

Aah my letter has arrived

Had a great supper and again early to bed. This time Tony and Kevin decided to call it a early night.

Day 8 – Kop Inn to Coffee Bay

We packed our stuff and had breakfast. Left at 8.30 am towards Coffee Bay.

The road just outside Kob Inn

It rained a bit during the night and some drizzling during the morning hours. This created some mud.

More mud

It took us an hour and half to do 25 km in the black snotty mud. Even Geoff battled and moved towards the side gully area. He said afterwards it was a lesson that he wanted to teach us. If you are in trouble move to the side so that both your feet can touch the side walls of the rut.

I need a break

It quickly dried out as the humidity was quite high. The road also became better and more mileage was added.

Hole in the wall

We pushed through and arrived at the Hole in Wall. Again a very spectacular view. Took some photos and off we went to Ocean View Hotel.

On our arrival we where told that Marius lost his top box. We where hoping to get it back by talking to the local chief.

Marius lost his camera; both cell phones; cash; cards and his driver’s license.

We enjoyed supper and I went to bed early.

Day 9 – Coffee Bay out ride

Marius left early to go and speak to the town elders but had no joy. We really thought something would come out of this episode.

Space is limited

Once he returned Geoff took us on an outride through the forest where the 650’s had to show how it was done.

Another river crossing

Went through some rocky sections then ended up on the beach. Geoff took us through a small portion of the extreme tour. It consisted of going through 2 rivers and some nice up hills with gravel sections on the bends. Again it was the 650’s playground where the 1200’s were fighting for grip. We even went through some sand sections.

Still smiling

That evening I was given a straf dop from each rider as they believed I did not help enough. I think it was jealousy that the 650’s was in its element. It really proved it can do what the 1200’s can do and maybe on some sections even more. Remember it is light and agile.

Night ended with some tall tales been told.

Day 10 - Coffee Bay to Anchorage

Following day we had breakfast and only left at 10 am to go towards Anchorage. Anchorage is only an hour’s drive away so we took it easy and played with time.

Now Coffee Bay is a very weird and wonderful place. Everybody is in no rush and always look mellowed out. A lot of earthy colors and materials around. Everyone always look “cool” and with a “no worry” attitude. There is a rumour that Coffee Bay is the marijuana capitol of South Africa but I can not vouch for it.

The morning exercise

White clay

We ended up at White Clay where we enjoyed an ice cold beer. We then headed towards Anchorage.

I was here

We eventually ended up at Anchorage where we where told that we are the only ones there and we should seek our own rooms.

The group and still smiling

I have never seen so many couples fighting for the units who have double beds in them. We single guys and ladies were quite content with the single bed units.

We arrived just in time to watch the Springboks lose against New Zealand.

Geoff had to teach the new bar lady how to make the famous Transkei Long Drop. Was very nice.

Day 11 – Anchorage to Port St Johns

Early up and ready to go. Again a group photo was taken including some funnies.

A hen laying an egg on Lawrence bed

Poached or scrambled??

We headed of to Port St Johns. This will also be our last day on gravel. Geoff decided to take us via a very scenic drive which landed us up going up and down very rutty and rocky sections. This was to wind us down for the trip. Yeah right.

Help is always close by

Lunch break

We had to work for our lunch but it was worthwhile. The scene was out of a discovery documentary. It was virgin territory with no pollution or human invasion.

Well done. Keep it up

Unfortunately Tian had a mishap when coming down the last downhill and broke his front light and broke off his fog light.

More help

Can anyone hear me

The new tatoo

After the quick lunch break and licking our wounds we headed back in the direction of Port St Johns.

This time Noelene had a mishap and broke her front brake lever. This was quickly fixed as Geoff brought with all the Atlantic Motorcycle spares with that he could fit in the back of the back up vehicle. You could build a complete bike with all the spares he had.

Get ready ; steady ; go

The road became much better and before we knew it we where on tar. We turned off and went into the direction of the old airfield. There it was decided to have a small race. Geoff begged us to stopped at the end of the runway as there is nothing but a nice straight cliff on the end of the runway. It was about a 400 meter straight drop into the river.

We lined up and the go ahead was given. The winner was Lawrence. At the end of the runway we where created by the post mortem division of SAPS. They came up there for a break. This is where Geoff said that the tour is now officially finished.

All had a sip of the famous Jagger Meister and headed down to where we where going to sleep for the night.

Got into Port St John and immediately filled up with petrol. The petrol station had no electricity so it ran on a mini generator. Every time the pump was switched on the genie suffered.

Tomorow we ride on tar

We ended up eventually at Outspan Inn.

Why am I being punished again??

The evening started with a thank you straf dop from Geoff to all in a individual basis and ended where we all gave Geoff a thank you straf dop.

Is it warm in here or is it me

We had the biggest variety supper ever which included beef; oxtail and many more. It was too much and my eyes were too big. Again desert was offered but this time I declined.

Enjoyed a beer or two afterwards and straight to bed. We had the longest ride the following morning - +-780km.

Day 12 – Port St Johns to Tsitsikamma

Stood up early and got ready to leave. Breakfast was served a bit late so we had to swallow.

No speeding fines for me

The Kritzingers were leaving us to go back to Gauteng. Marius and Jolandi also left us to go back to Durban.

Said our goodbyes and off we went. We had some road works along the way. My chain was stretched during the trip and even though I tightened it up in Port St Johns it still made a grinding slapping noise. At our first petrol stop I decided to leave before the group as I could not hold pace. They in return can catch me.

After 400km the bum becomes numb and then you need to move around a bit. I have one of those airflow seats but that too did not help.

I would only just stop for petrol then would move on. I wanted to put mileage on. The wind between PE and East London was hard and tough riding. Stopped in Grahamstown for petrol. Never seen a town where 5 churches is build around each other. Filled up again in Humansdorp. I caught some rain as I got into Tsitsikamma.

Arrived at the Protea Hotel Tsitsikamma just to find out that I was the first to arrive. I parked the bike and took a long hot shower. As I finished the group arrived.  Tired and with bums sore they too went for a cleanup. It was later determined that Thian had a side wall burst while being on the N2. Luckily he saw the deflation on his bike gauges and stopped.

The banquet

We where then escorted to our supper area. The whole dining area was dedicated to Elvis and we where even treated to an original pink Cadillac and an Elvis impersonation act.

Elvis is in the building

This evening was the final cherry on the cake. It was really fantastic.

Day 13 – Tsitsikamma to Muizenberg

I decided to stay on a bit longer in the area as I have never been to the big tree or the bungee jumping from the highest bridge in the world. After having a very nice breakfast I said my good byes where Geoff highlighted the fact that I have a rear flat. A small nail got caught in it. No problem as I just pulled the nail and pump the tire up to 2.8 bars. I had slime in the tubes as I thought I would get a flat during our trip which I never did.

I went to see the big tree and the “suicide” jumps. You must be on something to do what they do. Man was not born to fly like that.

Anyone want to jump?

On my return journey Hilton and Heather passed me. I presumed they slept late as they only had to do another 60 km to get home. Just before Plett Frans and Chantal passed me. Somehow I passed them because I just filled up in Malgas when they came to fill up.

The ride was really enjoyable as the wind was behind me all the way home – Muizenberg. Never mind that 2 different trucks pulled me for a while.

Streched chain

I eventually arrived home with a much stretched chain and a complete num bum.

Thanks to all who made this trip enjoyable and entertaining. It might have seemed on some occasions that I was withdrawn but it was not the case. I have not seen so much beauty for a long time and needed some time to absorb it all. We do really live in a beautiful country but do not always appreciate it.

The map

The equipment you need

Lessons learned on this trip.

1. There is no such thing as a laid back trip. The only time you lay back is at night when you fall asleep from an exhausting day or from Tony’s long island ice teas.
2. Your fears will be conquered one way or another. Mine was downhills
3. A break means a wee; one long smoke puff and swallow and not chew your lunch snack.
4. Get your liver in order before the trip. Long drops and island teas are awaiting your arrival
5. Forget about dieting. There is too much to eat.
6. Your eyes will be opened to our beautiful country. Take it all in.
7. There is always someone who just wants to help all the time – Lionel for our tires; Daan for our petrol; Abie for backup; Peter for the tools and all those at the crossings we did.
8. Meeting the most wonderful people from the tour guides to the hotel owners to your own group of people.
9. Say thank you to your family as this is an experience you will not get again soon.

Total distance 3342km