A few messages from people who planned a trip or simplified their setup after reading the blog. No sponsored opinions, just notes from the road.
"I used the fuel stop list from the Mpumalanga post on a weekend ride. It saved me from a long detour near Badplaas. The tip about carrying a spare chain link was the real takeaway."
Thabo M.
Rode the back roads to Chrissiesmeer
"The farm stall route through the Midlands was exactly what I needed. I skipped two places that sounded overpriced and found a small bakery near Underberg that made the whole trip worth it."
Nadia v.
Weekend ride from Pietermaritzburg
"I followed the downsizing checklist when I moved to a smaller flat. The budgeting notes were straightforward, and I managed to sell most of my furniture before the move. No stress."
Sipho K.
Moved to a studio in Melville
"The maintenance notes are honest. I patched a punctured tube on a gravel road using the method described in the blog. It held for the rest of the trip."
Lerato D.
Solo ride through KwaZulu-Natal
"I appreciated the notes on carrying fresh produce on a bike. The suggestion about using a soft cooler bag worked well, and I got my tomatoes home intact."
James P.
Rode the Midlands Meander
"The daily distance planning advice changed how I ride. I stopped trying to cover too much ground and started enjoying the small towns. The blog is practical, not polished, and that's why it works."
Annelie R.
Regular rider on secondary routes
I don't claim to be an expert on every road in South Africa. I just ride them, write down what I find, and keep notes on what works and what doesn't. Over the years, a few people have taken the time to write back about how those notes helped them plan their own trips.
"Used your notes on the Midlands Meander to plan a weekend ride from Durban. The farm stall with the good rusks was exactly where you said it would be. Saved us from a lot of average coffee."
Rode the KZN Midlands route, March
"The piece about downsizing in Johannesburg felt like someone finally wrote down what I was thinking. Practical, no nonsense, and actually useful when I moved to a smaller place in Melville."
Regular reader from Johannesburg
"Followed your advice on carrying tools for a 250cc and it saved my trip outside Dullstroom. Simple chain fix, no tow truck needed. Appreciate the honest write-ups."
Back road rider, Mpumalanga
I don't take sponsored posts or free gear in exchange for coverage. If a guesthouse was average, I say so. If a road was rough, I describe it. The blog stays useful because it stays honest, and that's a promise I intend to keep.
Routes documented
40+
Secondary roads and gravel passes across three provinces
Years on the road
6
Riding and writing, mostly on weekends and long holidays