Where has your bike taken you today?

Noneking · Jan 13, 2024

Noneking · Jan 13, 2024

Late lunch in Kabokweni

Noneking · Jan 13, 2024

Noneking · Jan 13, 2024

GDBGray · Jan 13, 2024

Had my first proper ride in years today, and it was like pulling on those old, comfy jeans after wearing a tight suit for... well too long.
Man I enjoyed it.
So I've been on 4 wheels for quite a while until last year when a non-running Honda NXR 125 fell in my lap for R2k. 'Meh, lets fix it up and get it going' I thought. Fun fun.
Got parts from local shop except for a carb gasket I ordered from the dealer. The rest was mostly elbow grease and persistence.

So today I set out from Strand and took the beautiful Clarence drive to Rooi Els for a coffee. What a lovely drive. If you have never driven it on a bike... well, just go do it and you'll understand.
Bike was going well, so thought 'There's no way I'm going back on a beautiful day like today - adventures there be awaiting!'

A bit further down the road I turned off into the lesser known Betty's Bay, to the right. Tic-tacking through the roads I ended up to the far right, near the beach but a dead-end... with a little sign that says 'No parking in the driveway'. Well with no house in sight, I figured let's go see.
Haha, that little jeep trail wound it's way through the dunes with some fun snakey-snakey of my too-hard tires in the soft sand.
Ended up at an abandoned house, but the view was beautiful.

From there I snakey-snakey'd back to the dirt road and then explored maybe half of all the dirt roads in Betty's Bay before I stopped for breakfast.

Still going smoothly and no new noises, so off we go...
Stopped at some friends I know in Kleinmond for a coffee, and then headed out further.
Now on this plucky little 125, it handles the dirt so well that I stopped resisting those tugs every time you pass a dirt side-road. You know the ones I'm talking about... when you say: "No, this vehicle was not built for 'that'." or "Darnit, I'll have to come back and see what's down there." ...but you never do. <sigh>
Ha! not today, hehe <- (evil chuckle).
So I ended up on some roads / tracks / fire-breaks that led me to the middle of the nowhere I didn't know was there.
Puttering along quietly I really enjoyed the surroundings and the joy of riding a capable little machine over the mixed condition tracks. LIke filling the tank after you've been on reserve for the past 60km, ja?

Stopped for a short break and a bakkie pulls up and politely lets me know that I'm not supposed to be there and that the exit is "thata-way".

I made it all the way to Hermanus for lunch and a short walk-around - since it's still such a beautiful day.

Figured that was a good first stretch for the young one, and it's pushing 3pm, so started back.
Checked the fuel and it's still good-to-go. Nice.
Turned off to drive through Hawston, and what'ya know, they have a lovely beach there too. Beautiful.

From there it was mostly a straight shot... oh there was another road out towards a house far in the mountains, but a pesky gate turned me back to the tar.
Well that was a lovely day out. Some stats for those that might like stats... erm, what?
Departed Strand 8am, parked back home 5pm.
Filled tank when I left and still not on reserve after 235km. I should probably go check the tank size.
Open road cruising speed: 70 - 80 km/h. Got it up to 95 once just to check top end, but lying on the tank is not the way to travel. The joy is in the journey, right?! Look around you, and greet the people... oh wait, this is the choir I'm preaching to. From what I've read here so far (I'm still a noob here on WD) you guys are friendly, down-to-earth and downright pleasant people.

Final note: a highlight - shared greetings with passing/fellow bikers, small and large - warms the heart

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Three Dawg · Jan 14, 2024

In Popayan, Colombia. Looks like we got out of Ecuador just in time!

Gerard · Jan 14, 2024

I am enjoying this bike. Its a lekka feeling to ride. Cruise around the Marine yesterday for coffee

Tommy Transalp · Jan 14, 2024

Three Dawg said:
In Popayan, Colombia. Looks like we got out of Ecuador just in time!View attachment 873400

?..... what's happening in Equador?

Gerard · Jan 14, 2024

And again

Three Dawg · Jan 14, 2024

Tommy Transalp said:
?..... what's happening in Equador?

State of emergency and curfews. We got out just in time. Narco gang trouble, took over a TV station broadcasting live, held guns to presenter's heads, bombs going off. A major narco kingpin has escaped jail.

BBC News - Streets empty as Ecuador reels from violence
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-67938285
Such a shame - we knew to stay away from the coast, but Ecuador was a favourite country on this trip. Hope they get things under control soon