If you are planning a motorcycle trip through South Africa or just trying to make daily life simpler, these notes are meant to be useful. Each entry focuses on a specific situation, with details you can actually apply.
Not every road suits a heavy touring machine. I write about daily distances that work on a 250cc, where to find fuel on secondary routes, and how to read a map for gravel alternatives. The goal is to help you avoid the highways without getting stuck.
Read the Mpumalanga route notesChains snap, cables stretch, and tyres lose pressure at the worst moments. I share what I carry in my tool roll, how to fix common issues with limited gear, and when it is smarter to find a local mechanic than to attempt a roadside repair yourself.
Guesthouses and farm stays vary a lot in price and quality. I keep notes on what I paid, what the room was actually like, and whether the owner was helpful. This is not a booking service; it is a record of places that treated a solo rider well.
A decent cup of coffee or a loaf of fresh bread can change a long riding day. I write about farm stalls, small cafes, and markets I have visited, with honest notes on prices, parking for a bike, and whether the food is worth carrying home.
See the Midlands food routeMoving to a smaller flat, cutting monthly costs, and organising a home without spending much are recurring themes. These posts cover practical steps like selling furniture, finding affordable storage, and setting up a workspace that does not take over the room.
You do not need a full week off to enjoy the road. I collect half-day and weekend routes around Johannesburg and the KwaZulu-Natal coast, including where to stop for a walk, a meal, or just a quiet place to stretch your legs.
Riding a small bike through South Africa teaches you things no guidebook will. These are the practical returns I keep coming back to, whether I'm on the road for a weekend or planning a longer trip.
Most riders stick to tar because nobody showed them how to handle a loose surface. I share the simple techniques that let you take the dirt road without white-knuckling the handlebars.
Guesthouses, farm stalls, and fuel stops that cater to locals rather than tourists. Knowing where to stop can cut a trip's budget by a third without sacrificing comfort.
Basic maintenance that most riders skip until it's too late. A simple pre-ride check takes ten minutes and has saved me from being stranded more times than I can count.
When you roll into a small town on a motorcycle, people talk to you. I've been invited to family dinners, shown hidden waterfalls, and given directions that never appear on a map.
You learn fast what you actually need when everything has to fit in two panniers. My packing lists have been tested over thousands of kilometres, and they'll save you from hauling useless gear.
There's something about a full day on secondary roads that sorts out whatever is cluttering your mind. I write about how to plan rides that give you that space, not just mileage.