Gravel and Tar

Gravel and Tar Welcome to my page, where I share my motorbike adventures across South Africa!

Join me as I explore mountain passes, gravel roads, coastal areas, charming towns, and more—any place my trusty Transalp 700 can take me.

After two unforgettable days in Hogsback, we set off on Day 4 of our adventure, riding towards Barkley East. The day kic...
17/01/2026

After two unforgettable days in Hogsback, we set off on Day 4 of our adventure, riding towards Barkley East. The day kicked off with the familiar challenge of navigating the tricky entrance to our guest house before finally hitting the road.
Along the way, we met a young adventurer eager to join me and Dirk on our journey. Unfortunately, he fell ill, and we rode together to the nearest hospital where we had to leave him behind before continuing our ride.
The route delivered breathtaking scenery, rolling mountains, and wide-open landscapes, but it didn’t come without challenges. Strong winds, heavy rain, and a wrong turn that forced us to backtrack nearly 130 km tested both our patience and endurance. In the end, the raw beauty of the surroundings made every tough moment worthwhile.
This leg of the journey reminded us that adventure riding is never just about the destination—it’s about the unexpected moments along the way.

After two unforgettable days in Hogsback, we set off on Day 4 of our adventure, riding towards Barkley East. The day kicked off with the familiar challenge o...

Day 3: Hogsback Exploration, Rain, Wrong Turns & Good Laughs.Today was a relaxed day in Hogsback. We headed out early to...
12/01/2026

Day 3: Hogsback Exploration, Rain, Wrong Turns & Good Laughs.

Today was a relaxed day in Hogsback. We headed out early to explore the town, knowing rain was on the way. The morning delivered beautiful scenery and some of the nicest little shops Hogsback has to offer.
As the rain clouds rolled in, I started getting nervous. The others weren’t quite ready yet, so I decided to head off on my own to our guest house, Never Daunted. That’s when the adventure began. I rode and rode, completely missing the turn-off, while the rain caught up with me and soaked me to the bone.
After a few phone calls and some frustration, I finally found the place. Strong winds had even knocked a tree across the road, but luckily there was a detour to get through. Wet, tired, and slightly frustrated, I eventually made it home. By that evening, everything turned into laughter around the braai. Despite the challenges, it turned out to be a really great day.

Today was a relaxed day in Hogsback. We headed out early to explore the town, knowing rain was on the way. The morning delivered beautiful scenery and some o...

Day 2 Adventure | Riding from Nieu-Bethesda to HogsbackWe woke up in the charming little town of Nieu-Bethesda to a cool...
07/01/2026

Day 2 Adventure | Riding from Nieu-Bethesda to Hogsback

We woke up in the charming little town of Nieu-Bethesda to a cool morning breeze and the sound of birds welcoming the day. Knowing the heat would rise quickly, we set off early and made good time on the road. It turned into a long, hot, but unforgettable ride as we made our way toward our next destination — the misty forests of Hogsback.

We woke up in the charming little town of Nieu-Bethesda to a cool morning breeze and the sound of birds welcoming the day. Knowing the heat would rise quickl...

Riding Into the Karoo | George to Nieu-Bethesda on the Honda Transalp 750After a beautiful gravel ride to De Rust, spiri...
07/01/2026

Riding Into the Karoo | George to Nieu-Bethesda on the Honda Transalp 750

After a beautiful gravel ride to De Rust, spirits were high as we looked forward to the road to Willowmore. The heat slowly started to build, but the ride remained enjoyable and smooth. In Willowmore, we stopped at the iconic Royal Hotel for a legendary omelette that kept us fueled for the entire day.
Riding deeper into the Karoo, the heat became a real challenge. About 40 km before Nieu-Bethesda, we stopped in Graaff-Reinet to refuel and stock up on food for the evening. From there, we rode one of the most beautiful stretches of road of the trip, heading towards Nieu-Bethesda — a hidden gem in the Karoo where time feels like it has stood still.
A big thank you to Honda Wing George for the incredible Honda Transalp 750, and to Turkana Gear for keeping my gear and belongings safe throughout the journey.

After a beautiful gravel ride to De Rust, spirits were high as we looked forward to the road to Willowmore. The heat slowly started to build, but the ride re...

I had the privilege to had one of the best adventures in Lesotho. It was tough as nails but will remember it forever. Th...
27/12/2025

I had the privilege to had one of the best adventures in Lesotho. It was tough as nails but will remember it forever. The video is long but this is the shortest I can get it without taking away the experience of the difficult roads and the beauty.

Thank you Honda Wing George Honda SA Turkana Gear Turkana 3 Safari Challenge 2025/26 Luigi Florio Maria Florio Rory Hough Michnus Olivier

This journey pushed me in every possible way.From blistering heat to freezing rain, gale-force winds, slippery gravel, deep potholes, steep mountain passes a...

One of the best little drones I bought. I just had one question, can it follow a motorbike and how fast? Well this littl...
27/10/2025

One of the best little drones I bought. I just had one question, can it follow a motorbike and how fast? Well this little drone is "Flip"pen nice.



I recently got myself the new DJI Flip drone — perfect for those solo motorcycle trips through remote mountain passes where it’s just you, your bike, and the...

This morning didn’t start easy — I had to fix a flat back tyre before heading out to the Honda Wing Road Tour 2025. Afte...
25/10/2025

This morning didn’t start easy — I had to fix a flat back tyre before heading out to the Honda Wing Road Tour 2025. After pulling out a long nail and fitting a new tube, I finally hit the road to what felt like biker heaven — great food, even better friends, and all the dream bikes lined up to ride.
First up was the 2025 Honda Transalp 750 with quick-shift — a 755 cc parallel twin weighing just 210 kg, smooth six-speed gearbox, and the perfect balance of power and comfort.
Then I hopped on the 2025 CFMoto 800 — an 800 cc twin putting out 95 horsepower and 81 Nm of torque, giving great value and performance for its class.
And finally, the big one — the 2025 Africa Twin Adventure Sports DCT. A 1,083 cc parallel twin with Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission, weighing 254 kg with a 25 L tank. It’s pure long-distance adventure comfort.
After that ride, I can safely say — the Africa Twin has my heart… now I just need a few extra jobs to afford it!



Turkana Gear Turkana 3 Safari Challenge 2025/26

This morning didn’t start easy — I had to fix a flat back tyre before heading out to the Honda Wing Road Tour 2025. After pulling out a long nail and fitting...

Hidden Gem of Mossel Bay – The Incredible Mosaic Tunnel You’ve Never Seen!During my Turkana Safari Challenge, I stumbled...
21/10/2025

Hidden Gem of Mossel Bay – The Incredible Mosaic Tunnel You’ve Never Seen!

During my Turkana Safari Challenge, I stumbled upon one of Mossel Bay’s best-kept secrets — the Mosaic Tunnel at Pinnacle Point. This stunning tunnel tells the story of Mossel Bay’s rich history and sea life through breathtaking mosaic artwork. Each piece captures the spirit of the ocean and the people who call this coastal town home. If you love discovering hidden gems and local art, this is a must-see stop on your next Mossel Bay adventure!

Turkana 3 Safari Challenge 2025/26 Turkana Gear

During my Turkana Safari Challenge, I stumbled upon one of Mossel Bay’s best-kept secrets — the Mosaic Tunnel at Pinnacle Point. This stunning tunnel tells t...

Today was an incredible day on the road with fellow bikers as we shined the light of Jesus Christ together. We rode out ...
11/10/2025

Today was an incredible day on the road with fellow bikers as we shined the light of Jesus Christ together. We rode out to the Rocktober Festival in Mossel Bay, celebrating 30 years of ministry by Set Free Ministry and Bikers Church. The event was filled with powerful worship, prayer, and fellowship — and we also witnessed a special patching celebration as a new member received the Light Riders colours. After the message and music, everyone enjoyed fun games, good food, and great company. Truly a blessed day of faith, friendship, and freedom on two wheels!

Today was an incredible day on the road with fellow bikers as we shined the light of Jesus Christ together. We rode out to the Rocktober Festival in Mossel B...

On my Turkana Safari 3 journey, I discovered a true hidden gem in Mossel Bay — The Bike Barn. This incredible collection...
06/10/2025

On my Turkana Safari 3 journey, I discovered a true hidden gem in Mossel Bay — The Bike Barn. This incredible collection is a paradise for anyone who loves motorcycles, cars, or anything with wheels. With over 200 bikes already on display and a goal of reaching 300, every single machine here has its own unique story. If you’re ever in Mossel Bay, make sure to stop by and experience this motor lover’s dream for yourself.

Turkana 3 Safari Challenge 2025/26 Turkana Gear The Bike Barn

On my Turkana Safari 3 journey, I discovered a true hidden gem in Mossel Bay — The Bike Barn. This incredible collection is a paradise for anyone who loves m...

Today I rode over the scenic Outeniqua Pass to Louvain to witness an incredible world record attempt — the largest gathe...
27/09/2025

Today I rode over the scenic Outeniqua Pass to Louvain to witness an incredible world record attempt — the largest gathering of Jimnys I’ve ever seen! A total of 1,100 Suzuki Jimnys came together with one goal: to close their car doors at the exact same time. The atmosphere was electric, filled with festivities, excitement, and amazing vibes all around.

Today I rode over the scenic Outeniqua Pass to Louvain to witness an incredible world record attempt — the largest gathering of Jimnys I’ve ever seen! A tota...

Happy Braai Day!Sunrise Coffee, Roadside Braai, Windpump Hunt & MoreIt was a full day packed with challenges and adventu...
24/09/2025

Happy Braai Day!

Sunrise Coffee, Roadside Braai, Windpump Hunt & More

It was a full day packed with challenges and adventures – so much so that I had to split it into three videos! This is the first part of the series.
The day started early with my first challenge: enjoying a sunrise coffee. From there, I moved on to a roadside braai before heading out to visit the Bike Barn Motorcycle Museum and the Mosaic Tunnel (featured in separate videos).
After the museum, I went searching for a windpump – which turned out to be much harder to find in the Garden Route than I expected. My ride along a long gravel road led me to some off-road motorsport action and even a tiny baby tortoise crossing the hot road at surprising speed!
Eventually, I spotted an old windpump near a farmhouse and managed to capture my final photo of the day. To end it all off, I enjoyed some great pizza at the Road Side Deli Padstall.

Turkana Gear Turkana 3 Safari Challenge 2025/26 Garden Route Motorcycles

It was a full day packed with challenges and adventures – so much so that I had to split it into three videos! This is the first part of the series.The day s...

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