What riders and readers say
A few words from readers who planned trips around these posts, tried the routes, or simply found the budgeting notes useful. No sponsored praise, just honest feedback.
I planned a weekend ride through the KZN Midlands using the farm stall route. The note about carrying produce on a bike saved me from a bag of squashed peaches. Straightforward and honest.
Thabo M.
Rode the Midlands Meander, March
The Mpumalanga post convinced me to take a smaller bike on gravel. The chain repair story was oddly reassuring. I carried the same tools and did not need them, but I felt ready.
Lindiwe K.
Two-week trip around Badplaas
Used the downsizing notes when I moved to a smaller flat in Melville. The budgeting part was realistic, not the usual Pinterest version. It helped me decide what to sell first.
Sipho N.
Moved flats in Johannesburg
"I expected another polished travel blog. Instead I found someone who writes about fuel stops, guesthouse prices, and what to do when the chain snaps. That is the kind of detail you can actually plan a trip around."
Readers come from these places
Everything on this site is written from my own experience riding and living in South Africa. I do not claim to be a professional mechanic, a certified travel guide, or a financial advisor. What you will find here are personal notes, honest observations, and the kind of practical details that usually come up only after a long day on the road.
The routes I describe are the ones I have actually ridden, usually on a small bike, at a pace that allows for stops. Road conditions change, especially after heavy rain or during farm maintenance seasons. A gravel pass that was smooth in April can be washed out by June. Always check current conditions with local authorities or petrol station staff before you set out, and never treat a single blog post as the final word on a route.
When I mention guesthouses, farm stalls, or coffee shops, it is because I visited them and found them worth noting. I do not receive payment for these mentions, and I have no partnership agreements with any of the places I write about. Prices and opening hours are recorded as I found them at the time of my visit; they may have changed since.
My notes on downsizing, budgeting, and remote work are not universal advice. They reflect what worked for me in my specific situation in Johannesburg, with my income, my habits, and my tolerance for small spaces. What makes sense for a single person who travels often may not work for a family or someone with different commitments. Use these posts as a starting point for your own planning, not as a template to follow blindly.
Lastly, I am not a professional photographer. The images on this site are taken with a basic camera or my phone, often in imperfect light. They are meant to give you a sense of place, not to sell you a polished version of the road. If a photo looks a little rough, that is probably because the day was rough too, and that is part of the story.
This site is not a polished travel magazine. It is a working record of routes, breakdowns, and small daily decisions. If you are planning a motorcycle trip in South Africa or trying to simplify your home life, these notes give you something you can actually use.
Each ride post includes daily distances, fuel stops, and road conditions. You get a sense of how far a 250cc can realistically go on gravel, and where to find a mechanic when things go wrong.
Farm stalls, coffee shops, and guesthouses are reviewed from a rider's perspective. You learn which places open early, where parking is easy, and what is worth carrying home on the bike.
Moving, downsizing, and setting up a small space on a budget are covered with real numbers and real trade-offs. No minimalist slogans, just what worked in a Johannesburg studio.
Chain repairs, oil checks, and what to carry in your saddlebag are explained in plain terms. These are the lessons learned from fixing things by the roadside, not from a manual.
Short trails near Johannesburg and the KwaZulu-Natal coast are described with enough detail to decide if they fit your schedule. You get a sense of the terrain and the time needed.
The writing covers the unglamorous parts of living and traveling in South Africa, from load shedding to finding a decent cup of coffee before nine. It is direct and unpolished on purpose.
If you are unsure where to start, the recent posts are a good entry point. They reflect the current season of riding and the practical questions that come up along the way.