I met our California guests at King Phalo Airport (Transkei Wild Coast, East London) before our shuttle to Haga Haga Hotel on the coast. Straight off I realised these lads could ride and I’d have to be at my best and boy was I spot on.

The tour covers three different regions that join perfectly to give a varied 11 days of adventure .

The first section from Haga Haga to the Lesotho border at Telle Bridge takes in South Africa’s highest gravel / off-road passes, most of which male up the local Ben10 Challenge route. Stunning and remote pristine mountain tracks  and epic vistas and comfy local lodges.

The second leg of the tour we had a mix of tough Lesotho tracks and some of the most sublime asphalt mountain roads on the planet. A highlight the rest day at the stunning Semonkong Lodge. Time to rest and even swop our KTM’s for a donkey pub crawl in the neighbouring township. I reckon the KTM’s are safer. We exited Lesotho via the famous Sani Pass to hamlet of Himeville, starting point of the third and final leg.

A longish asphalt liaison to Kokstad, a stunning gravel mountain detour through an indigenous forest to Lusikisiki. Then a compulsory visit to the breathtaking  Magwa Falls before reaching our beautiful lodgings at the coast. Three days of awesome bike riding down the coast finally crossing the Kei River back to Haga Haga. Two tracks and narrow coastal tracks with numerous river crossings, overnighting at Coffee Bay and Kob Inn. The cliff top ocean vistas and lush valleys of the Transkei Wild Coast are truly special.

And yes the lads were excellent and experienced riders that kept me on my toes in the technical sections  but happy to chill and stop and enjoy the natural beauty of the region. A great bunch of guys I look forward to hosting again in the near future.