A Slip & Slide Start - Transkei Trip Report

This is a group effort:

Around the fire, we take stock.
A bit chilly but not cold... never underestimate the winter weather.. it may rain, you might have some hail...

There are mudpatches on the panniers, kneeguards, boots and rain suits... all due to the unexpected spills.



Only 2 pictures of minor spills.. but 6 of the 10 bikes know what the Lethani road feels like after rain...


(Sani people: Do you recognise this bridge?)

But to be honest, the beautiful scenery of the Drakensberg's foothills washes away all the dented ego's of our first day on the way down to the wild Transkei.



Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Eish, too late for knobblies? The Trailwings/Anakees must be the worst on those hardpacked mud roads!

But it looks like fun, enjoy it!!

Ei! My hart trek 'n punt I wish I was there!!!

The bridge looks very familiar, but last time the water went UNDER the bridge. I'm glad you took only minor spills

Enjoy the rest of your journey!

PS. Put your weight on the the OUTSIDE peg!!! The pics all show spills around corners

Marnus wrote:Ei! My hart trek 'n punt I wish I was there!!!

The bridge looks very familiar, but last time the water went UNDER the bridge. I'm glad you took only minor spills

Enjoy the rest of your journey!

PS. Put your weight on the the OUTSIDE peg!!! The pics all show spills around corners

Looks like the first two pics are on the same corner, can see the camber is not lekker for bikes. Whose two bikes are those - Dani and Dana?

Eish, wanna be there too!

OOOOOOOOOOO GAAAAAATS !!!!!!!!!!!


Lekker Lekker,

I am VERY glad now that it did not rain on our Sani Trip, it looks like those roads might be a handfull.......

Well done so far, looking forward to the rest!!

...but don't worry, it will get better!!

This is beginning to look like a dirty weekend!!

Keep them coming......

Very dirty - at least no dust. That is why we tend to stick to the tar. Much cleaner. Nevertheless - i hope all on the trip thoroughly enjoyed themselves and got back safely.

Hello everybody....
We miss you guys !!!!!
Yes, 5 of the 6 were at the same place....
Yes, Dani and Dana are in the Pic's...
Yes, the tyres made the diference...
Yes, we are trying to put the weight outside...(It is not enough...rs)
Yes, Sani would be terrible...
Yes, the 2 guys with Germany Tyres DID NOT FALL...............Yet !!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's see the day after.....

We arrived at The Haven few hours ago..

(...sorry for not posting more regularly, the connection at Coffee Bay was not good at all...)

Who knows what the next day would bring???
Well...
We woke at Sani Lodge in fine weather, but the mist quickly set in and the computer showed 6,5°C...





Thanks for heated grips and warm gloves.. the 130kms through Himeville & Underberg to Kokstad were freezing cold.

In Kokstad we met the 11th bike .. Andre Beneke (from port Shepstone) and had breakfast at the Kokstad Wimpy while hail and rain poured down.



Then: On with the rain suits... Some of the experienced riders took the wet corners as if there is no difference...
Unfortunately no pictures - I like my camera too much!

Just as we got used to the rain.. the wind set in...

Through Flagstaff, Lusikisiki... and then the skies cleared - Just in time to thoroughly enjoy the winding route to Port St Johns.
(saw the '133 bends to go!' sign.. and enjoyed every ONE of them!)
No knee scraping though... but I cant speak for those in front...

We regrouped on the Umzimvubu bridge -- and then some more twisties to Umtata.

Umtata traffic slowed us down, and just before we left the buzz of the city, we decided to fuel up at the liquor store.
Deon the Sweep, was the last one to get supplies and that is where the locals decided Deon will travel light from there on.
His soft bag was zipped open and all the contents removed.

From there a very bad pothole with some road, children, goat and cattle took us 100kms further to Coffee Bay.

Etienne and Marius arriving at White Clay - a lost part of paradise just outside Coffee Bay, nestled in the Wild Coast Hills.


Dana, Deon Dry, his son Dean and co-driver Wessel enjoying one of the last rounds..

Dean and Wessel are the back-up team - Deon's light blue Toyota Hilux...
(unimportant info: this Hilux belonged to us (Marius & Dani)!
Deon bought it from us 15 years ago!
Some distinctive character marks proved it! How small is the world!!??)

Willem - always there with a packet 'droë wors' and this time with a tray of shooters..


We could sleep in a bit the next morning, the tour program included a visit to Hole in the Wall ...

I can't see the pics for some reason (will have to look again when I'm home), but thanks for the update. Except for the cold, rain, hail, mist, wind and theft, it seems you are having a GREAT time!!!

Tx, keep them coming!

Even though it hurts not being there...

White Clay Resort... early in the morning


Enough time to explore the beach...


(Koekels.. ek het vir jou klippe opgetel!)

Enjoying the fresh air and the company of new friends..


Hole in the Wall.. Nature has the last say.
Colin.. King of the Castle.


Andre..


Marius... always in control.


oops.. battery low! more later!

Very nice!

Some Pic's from the second day:
Arriving Port St John...after very NICE turnsssssss....




Everybody onboard, again....

Next stop: WhiteClay Guest House...


...a Paradise !!!!!


Just for friends!!!!


The view from the Penthouse...


Good weather, good site, good view AND VERY GOOD GS ROAD !!!!


Ah! ....very good tourist...rsrsrs (very happy with the trip and company!)


the day after, leaving Coffe Bay, our King....leader crossing a river at the beach...



Let's do as well...


After the breakfeast some fun to help with the food....






coming soon....The Heaven!

After the (very) long way UP and DOWN across the roadSSS, trying to find the correct direction, the group achieved the same conclusion...

That is the route....kkkkk

Almost there...just a break to listen Celine Dion at the 5 star bar..


Arriving....and paying....and NOT receiving a receipt...




Ufa !!!
To be cont...........

Awesome keep it coming!

b e a u t i f u l !!!

Geez this looks nice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I wish I could be there..........

Hello everybody …this is the beginning of the 4th day !!!!

Here, we are leaving the DWESA CWEBE NATURE RESERVE, where THE HAVEN Hotel is




A lot of dusty on the way down to KEI MOUTH…


DANI…


MARIUS…


DEON (our always Happy Sweeper)


Crossing the Ferry Boat of the famous KEI RIVER !!!!!

Shangali


Dani


Marius


ALWAYS has space for ONE MORE !!!!!



Ready to GO…


….(What would happen if it sank !!....agh!

Here we go…




Arriving the other side of KEI MOUTH River…



Back to the SOLID HARD GROUND!!!!


NOT too Solid and Hard….But GROUND!

Andre Henrico


Willem


Colin King

THE THATCHES Hotel did not have a BAR, so….
Lets cross the street and take some booze at the BUSHPIG PUB & GRUB BAR


Our house…until the day after tomorrow…


A very good moment with friends


Coming Up.....
Sand at the Beach.....
Bye

Very nice! I'm looking forward to the "sand at the beach" pictures!!!

Day 5 ….It’s time to ride around, once we stay in MOUTH BAY for one more night

This is one of the beautiful scenes waiting for us !!!!
Morgan’s Bay:




Andre Beneke, Bruno, Shangali, Willem and Andre Henrico


Deon Dry, Andre Beneke, Bruno, Shangali, Willem and Andre Henrico

More GS’ers coming…



AND….in Haga Haga
Finally: SAND AT THE BEACH !!!!!!!


Andre H.


Having Fun…rs


Willem


It seems to be easy…when you Know how to do !!! (Deon)


The Yellow Team together (Shangali and Dani)





Marius

Any Problem Dana ????


Call the support Team !!


OR…the BIG MAN…



Andre B. showing how to do !


Meeting Point after the Beach


Next.....
WHAT A WONDERFUL MOUNTAIN....

WOW - Morgan Bay looks stunning! Thanks for all the photo's!

Thanks for sharing guys! Great photos! This truly looks like an awesome trip!

Seeing the pics of the sand makes me very jealous. I am still in the land of the Croatians and although I am having a great time, I would have loved to join you in the fun.

Keep em coming