After Oudtshoorn I stayed in Wilderness for a night. It was a pretty beach town with some hiking and a big tree.
Then I went to Knysna for a night. I got to play golf and checked out Mitchell's Brewery. On the way out I drove through Natures Valley, which was a nice ride through the mountains. I did a bungy jump while heading towards the next stop as well. It was 216 meters off a bridge. I've done one before but this one was quite a bit higher. It was definitely worth 890 Rand (about 61 USD).
I headed to Jefferys Bay next. It is a surfer town famous for a shark attach at a big surfing event last year. I tried sand boarding again, but it wasn't nearly as big or good as the time I did it in Namibia. I bummed around J Bay for a few days before heading off.
Next stop was Hogsback. It's a little mountain town inland from the coast. I spent a few days hiking and checking out the area. When I left it was raining, but I still decided to take the back dirt road out. Probably not a great idea. The ride went smooth but it was slippery and some of the road was washed out. The route I took while leaving was about 370 km, but it took me most of the day to get to Coffee Bay because it rained nearly the entire time.
I spent 6 nights hanging out in Coffee Bay. There's a beautiful hike along the coast line to Hole in the Wall. I spent a lot of time on the beach and doing day motorcycle trips along the back roads. At some point I bent my rear rim pretty significantly. I deflated the tire and used a hammer and wood to try and get it back to the correct shape. I got it fixed pretty well but took it to a local guy to check it out. He said there was nothing more to do because we could crack the rim if we kept working on it. The chain also came off while I was in the middle of nowhere. I tightened it but it came off again yesterday. Coffee Bay was a great stop and I met some cool people. Six nights flew by.
After Coffee Bay I spent a night in Port St Johns. I stayed at a strange Backpackers. The guy camping next to me was talking to his two cats for most of the night. I didn't get much sleep and left early the next morning.
Now I'm in Umzumbe. It's about 100 km south of Durban. I plan to stay here a few nights. It's a nice Backpackers that seems like a jungle by the beach.
Over the last couple months I've done a lot more dirt roads than I had early in the trip. Now I'm taking it easy because of the bent rim. Next time I will use a bigger motorcycle and be more prepared. This trip has gone by quick and with a week left in Africa I know that I didn't get enough. Using a motorcycle changed the whole dynamic of the trip. It gave me freedom and a hobby. I'm a little bummed that I have to give the bike away soon, but it wouldn't be worth it to ship it home anyway. It'd probably cost more than the bike is worth plus I gave my word. Yesterday I passed 15,000 km so I feel that I've gotten pretty good use out of it. Still, the bike has become like my home. It's strange to say but I've depended on it so much that I've become attached to it. I've unpacked and repacked it so many times that its become a habit. It's been an amazing trip so far.
Then I went to Knysna for a night. I got to play golf and checked out Mitchell's Brewery. On the way out I drove through Natures Valley, which was a nice ride through the mountains. I did a bungy jump while heading towards the next stop as well. It was 216 meters off a bridge. I've done one before but this one was quite a bit higher. It was definitely worth 890 Rand (about 61 USD).
I headed to Jefferys Bay next. It is a surfer town famous for a shark attach at a big surfing event last year. I tried sand boarding again, but it wasn't nearly as big or good as the time I did it in Namibia. I bummed around J Bay for a few days before heading off.
Next stop was Hogsback. It's a little mountain town inland from the coast. I spent a few days hiking and checking out the area. When I left it was raining, but I still decided to take the back dirt road out. Probably not a great idea. The ride went smooth but it was slippery and some of the road was washed out. The route I took while leaving was about 370 km, but it took me most of the day to get to Coffee Bay because it rained nearly the entire time.
I spent 6 nights hanging out in Coffee Bay. There's a beautiful hike along the coast line to Hole in the Wall. I spent a lot of time on the beach and doing day motorcycle trips along the back roads. At some point I bent my rear rim pretty significantly. I deflated the tire and used a hammer and wood to try and get it back to the correct shape. I got it fixed pretty well but took it to a local guy to check it out. He said there was nothing more to do because we could crack the rim if we kept working on it. The chain also came off while I was in the middle of nowhere. I tightened it but it came off again yesterday. Coffee Bay was a great stop and I met some cool people. Six nights flew by.
After Coffee Bay I spent a night in Port St Johns. I stayed at a strange Backpackers. The guy camping next to me was talking to his two cats for most of the night. I didn't get much sleep and left early the next morning.
Now I'm in Umzumbe. It's about 100 km south of Durban. I plan to stay here a few nights. It's a nice Backpackers that seems like a jungle by the beach.
Over the last couple months I've done a lot more dirt roads than I had early in the trip. Now I'm taking it easy because of the bent rim. Next time I will use a bigger motorcycle and be more prepared. This trip has gone by quick and with a week left in Africa I know that I didn't get enough. Using a motorcycle changed the whole dynamic of the trip. It gave me freedom and a hobby. I'm a little bummed that I have to give the bike away soon, but it wouldn't be worth it to ship it home anyway. It'd probably cost more than the bike is worth plus I gave my word. Yesterday I passed 15,000 km so I feel that I've gotten pretty good use out of it. Still, the bike has become like my home. It's strange to say but I've depended on it so much that I've become attached to it. I've unpacked and repacked it so many times that its become a habit. It's been an amazing trip so far.
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