5 day meander.....

[Roger39]

I had a two week trip planned to go from Hermanus to Richmond in KZN to visit family. It didn't quite work out that way but more on that later. My intention was to stay off major routes as much as possible and do a scenic trip.

Day 1: Hermanus to Prince Albert.
I loaded up and headed from Home to Bredasdorp, then up to Swellendam. Up the Touws River pass, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Matjesriver road, up the Swartberg pass and into Prince Albert.

A quick luggage check, hadn't travelled with the bags before so wanted to be sure nothing was coming loose.

Old bridge over the Buffeljagsrivier dating back to the mid 1800's. The wood is from the "Robinson" shipwreck that ran aground in 1847.

Swartberg pass is just spectacular, only tricky part is the guys in bakkies coming the other way around blind corners.

Got to my Airbnb in Prince Albert for the night. What a fantastic day of riding!

Day 2 to follow

 

[skydiver]

I like the sticker kit on the Tenere

 

[RobD]

I like the sticker kit on the Tenere

Yeah, that's a fine looking bike indeed!!

 

[Karoo Rider]

Beautiful bike! Subscribed.

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

Nice ride indeed.

 

[Roger39]

Day 2: Prince Albert to Knysna

After a great nights sleep in Prince Albert I head out to Knysna via Meiringspoort, DeRust, Oudtshoorn, Herold and the old Montagu Pass, George, Seven Passes road and down into Knysna.

Meiringspoort is beautiful, especially in the early morning.

Heading towards the Montagu pass

The well known photo spot....

Beautiful part of the world.....

Stopped in at the Motorcycle Room in Knysna and got to meet "Savanna" in the flesh....

Another fantastic day of riding!

 

[Jors Troelie]

Very nice so far. Take it easy and looking forward to the rest

 

[Noneking]

Enjoying this!

 

[Roger39]

Day 3: Knysna to Patensie

So I started the day by getting out of Knysna, its really a very busy place. Headed out up the Prince Alfred pass, turn right at Avontuur and head to Joubertina on the R62. Then head on the R102 to Van Stadens bridge before heading back up to Patensie.

The roads up the pass were a bit tricky with potholes in the dirt that aren't easy to see in the shade of the trees....

Came across this stream and stopped to cool off....very refreshing.

Managed to find Angie's G-spot and had a Coke to celebrate

Stopped for a lunch in Joubertina, I was quite shocked at how bad Eastern Cape roads are compared to the Western Cape.

Quick stop to take a pic of the Van Staden's bridge...

After a long hot day I got to the Patensie hotel and tucked into supper and a beer. Quite a strange hotel, looks like something built in the 50's and hasn't been changed since.

It was at this stage I had to try and work out my next leg of the trip......but more on that tomorrow

Thanks for the compliments on my bike, its one fantastic machine!

 

[AfriqueDS]

Nice RR so far

 

[Sheepman]

Follow your lekker ride

 

[the ruffian]

Haha - love your comment on Eastern Cape roads. You ain’t seen nothing yet. The further east you go the worse it gets. In places the gravel roads are better!

 

[Wildwindfr]

Thanks for the RR, will follow!

 

[chicco]

Great ride! Thanks for sharing.

 

[Roger39]

Day 4: Patensie to DeRust

While my initial plan was to head to KZN I noticed that the weather for the next week was a forecast of snow/ice etc in the Transkei area. I decided that I didn't want to ride through that and I didn't have time to wait it out. So my Plan B was to ride Baviaans on my route back to Hermanus but after talking to one or two locals they advised against me riding a big loaded bike by myself through Baviaans as it was pretty rough.
In the end Plan C was to ride back to DeRust via Steytlerville and Willowmore etc.

Stopped at this funky padstaal that is home to the Cheetah project on the way to Glenconnor..

On the way to Steytlerville I decided to take a detour to go and visit the deserted town of Mount Stewart..

Quite a spooky church, seems amazing that this church has just been left....

Just outside Steytlerville

Finally got to DeRust and stayed at the Housemartin Guest Lodge. Abraham the dog really seemed to like me...great place to stay.

The next day was to be my last leg home...over 400k's and a lot of dirt roads.....

 

[Ian in Great Brak River]

Just what I need is a ride like this.

 

[AfricaMike]

I need to get out some more....thanks for the RR

 

[petri oosthuizen]

Wow thanks man beautiful Pics!!
And just LOVE that S10 colours