In my last blog I forgot to mention my cousin Sharon, thank you so much for pulling through to spend time with me when I was in Durban!
The last stretch of my trip has been incredible, an awesome way to finish!
The ride from The Prawn Shack into Richards Bay was a lekker ride, I had a tail wind which made life so good! When I arrived in Richards Bay I met up with Craig and Cher. I met them when I pulled into the Prawn Shack the previous day, and they offered me accommodation at their house in Richards Bay. They were so kind to me, really incredible! I was spoilt with an awesome curry, a very comfortable bed, amazing conversation and to top it off, Craig and Cher organized me an interview with a local magazine, and a new back wheel at the local cycle shop, Zululand Cycles! Thank you so much to Craig and Cher for your awesome kindness and care! Really an incredible couple with big hearts!
Zululand Cycles is an awesome shop, no doubt the friendliest, most helpful and efficient bicycle shop I have ever been to! They gave me a new back wheel, as I had buckled my one quite a while back, for no charge! Thank you to Terrance and everyone at Zululand Cycles!
The next day I planned to ride into Mtubatuba along the N2, however I met an awesome guy by the name of Ian at a farmstall on the side of the N2 when I was about 30km from Mtubatuba. He was a mountain biker and told me about this epic route that would take me to St Lucia. He drew me a map and I was off, I got lost a couple of times on the farm roads that branch off everywhere, but always managed to have a jol on these new detours. Then my luck ran out, I suffered two punctures in quick succession only to find out that I was out of spair tubes and my puncture kit was missing vital components that I needed to fix the puncture! It was 4pm and I was now 30km or so from any town as I had taken this new route, so now I had to make a plan to get into a town to get a puncture kit and somehow get back to the same spot the next day to carry on the ride. So I started to look for cars passing by to give me a lift, the only issue being that I hadn't seen any car on the road I was on for the past half hour that I'd been on it. Then I started to think of other plans, I realized that I was on the banks of the Umfolozi River and if I could find a boat I could float down to the river mouth which I hoped would be right next to St Lucia, this idea died when I couldn't find a boat and got told that there where crocodiles in the river. I then started looking for a lift again, my saving grace being a tractor with a trailer, such an awesome guy who was more than happy to take me to a more main road where I could find a lift easier. Once on this main road it was no issue getting a lift into St Lucia!
Once I reached St Lucia I went to the nearest bar to find directions to a backpackers in St Lucia, at the bar I was called over by an awesome family! They were so kind to me! I was fed a huge burger that was so good and had awesome conversation with all of them! Thank you so much!
The next day was a day that I had been looking forward to for a very long time! I would be meeting my incredibly awesome family and beautiful girlfriend, Jessica, along the way and I would be with them the last three days of the trip! I had been looking forward to that day for a very long time, and it was an awesome feeling to be able to be with them again!
I was spoilt with incredible food by my Superwoman Mother and Master Chef Sister! It was so good to be mothered again! There was not a piece of dirty clothing, not a single space left in my stomach, not a chance of skipping a shower or going for more than 10minutes without being smothered in hugs and kisses by my mom, really awesome to be with my incredible mom again!
I got a whole box full of my sisters famous ginger bread biscuits which didn't last longer that the first two days! She has been too cool! Fussing over me non stop, making me tell every story about my trip! A very awesome sister who has been an inspiration to me throughout the trip!
Spending time with my girlfriend Jessica again was too epic, she has given me such support the entire trip! I am really lucky to have such an epic girl like her in my life! There was not a day where I didn't get a message from her wishing me luck for the ride and ensuring that I had arrived safely, what a babe!
I had such an awesome time riding the last few days with my dad, we made sure that we found a Tavern within the last 10km or so everyday we rode together! It was a jol! It was very cool to not be the only one moaning and wining if we woke up and saw that we would face a headwind that day. It really was 3 days of riding that stand out for me!
I was bowled over with surprise and excitement when my best mates Jono and Gav and the legendary Jane came all the way from Joburg to be with me when I reached the border! Absolutely incredible people!
My dad rode with me the full three days, and I was super lucky to have my sister, gav and jono ride a good portion aswell! The three of them not having peddled a bicycle for ages! I was super stoked to have the opportunity to share part of my trip with all of them!
The finish line came with very weird feelings, it was awesome to know that I had achieved what I set out to do and would be seeing all my friends and family again, however I was extremely sad in that I had actually finished and would have to go back to living in 'reality' again.
I will be writing another blog after this one to fully thank all the people that made my trip so special.
Thank you for all the support, in supporting me and most importantly, supporting the cause! It is much appreciated
Www.alzheimers.org.za
Sunday, 25 December 2011
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Friends, Family, Friends!
I have had such an epic time lately, hence the lack of blogging. The ride to Port Shepston was really lekker, the roads were awesome! Very scenic and the drivers were really cool towards me! I stayed at a backpackers just out of Port Shepston called The Spot, a very cool place with some awesome people!
The next day I rode on to a place called Umzumbe, there I stayed at a backpackers called The Mantis And Moon, an awesome place that I would definitely recommend anyone to go to! There are tree houses, teepees and very nice dorms, and on top of that there is a top class bar! I was extremely fortunate here as I had met the owner of the place, Andy. An extremely kind man who gave me a free bed for two nights and free, incredible food! The managers of the place, Byron and Bianca were aswell, extremely kind! Making me feel at home the whole time I spent there and ensuring that I was well fed the entire time, two very cool people who I hope to see soon! I also met some awesome, interesting people that I would definitely like to see again! There is no doubt that I will be returning there as soon as I can! Thank you so much to all of you for an incredible stay!
After two nights at Mantis, I made my way through to Durban in two days. I have been looking so forward to getting to Durban as I have incredible family there that absolutely spoilt me! My aunt Lynette who ensured that I stocked up on awesome food and looked after me with such kindness and care, my uncle Mark who gave me a very comfortable bed the time I was there, my cousin Lauren who took me out to see the town and who I spent a lot of time having good conversation and catching up, my other uncle and aunt Kevin and Jane who came over one night for an awesome family dinner, my cousins Jarryd and Brett who I got to spend some good time with, my incredible Grandpa who made sure I knew exactly where I was going the whole way, he even drove the route into Durban the morning I was due to arrive so that he was able to talk me through my route into Durban and give me the safest route, he then sat me down with some maps so that we could discuss my route up the North Coast, absloutely Awesome! And my incredible loving Nana, who fed me an incredible meal, made sure I had food for the next couple of days and was just, as everyone was, incredibly loving and supporting! Thank you! And then there is my cousin Greig, who has been so supportive of me the whole trip, as has everyone, he told, I think everyone he knows about my trip, and took me to meet all of his friends and took me out many nights to see what Durbans about! Awesome oke and friend! Thank you to all my family in Durban who made my time so memorable!
While I was in Durban I had the fortune to have met up with a very kind lady from the Alzheimers Association, by the name of Sarah, she was incredibly kind to me, she motivated me, and was very interested to hear all about my trip! Sarah also went above and beyond and gave me a new odometer for my bike seeing as my other one broke along the way. Thank you so much Sarah! It was incredible to meet you and I hope I get the opportunity again very soon!
From durban I rode into Ballito, where I stayed with Megan and Lorna Davidson, they cooked for me and made sure I had a comfortable bed! Thank you!
Today I rode into a place called the Prawn Shack, I got told about it from Greig, and I was very fortunate to have met some padalers who were so kind to me, by giving me food and drinks, they are from a group called My Gas. I also was lucky enough to meet a man by the name of Richard who is paddling from Mozam to Namibia! An awesome guy who is raising money for a charity called Miles for Smiles, Goodluck Richard!
Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me along the way!
To all those people who have been supporting the cause, I thank you, without you, there would be no point in the trip! Thank you!
Www.alzheimers.org.za
The next day I rode on to a place called Umzumbe, there I stayed at a backpackers called The Mantis And Moon, an awesome place that I would definitely recommend anyone to go to! There are tree houses, teepees and very nice dorms, and on top of that there is a top class bar! I was extremely fortunate here as I had met the owner of the place, Andy. An extremely kind man who gave me a free bed for two nights and free, incredible food! The managers of the place, Byron and Bianca were aswell, extremely kind! Making me feel at home the whole time I spent there and ensuring that I was well fed the entire time, two very cool people who I hope to see soon! I also met some awesome, interesting people that I would definitely like to see again! There is no doubt that I will be returning there as soon as I can! Thank you so much to all of you for an incredible stay!
After two nights at Mantis, I made my way through to Durban in two days. I have been looking so forward to getting to Durban as I have incredible family there that absolutely spoilt me! My aunt Lynette who ensured that I stocked up on awesome food and looked after me with such kindness and care, my uncle Mark who gave me a very comfortable bed the time I was there, my cousin Lauren who took me out to see the town and who I spent a lot of time having good conversation and catching up, my other uncle and aunt Kevin and Jane who came over one night for an awesome family dinner, my cousins Jarryd and Brett who I got to spend some good time with, my incredible Grandpa who made sure I knew exactly where I was going the whole way, he even drove the route into Durban the morning I was due to arrive so that he was able to talk me through my route into Durban and give me the safest route, he then sat me down with some maps so that we could discuss my route up the North Coast, absloutely Awesome! And my incredible loving Nana, who fed me an incredible meal, made sure I had food for the next couple of days and was just, as everyone was, incredibly loving and supporting! Thank you! And then there is my cousin Greig, who has been so supportive of me the whole trip, as has everyone, he told, I think everyone he knows about my trip, and took me to meet all of his friends and took me out many nights to see what Durbans about! Awesome oke and friend! Thank you to all my family in Durban who made my time so memorable!
While I was in Durban I had the fortune to have met up with a very kind lady from the Alzheimers Association, by the name of Sarah, she was incredibly kind to me, she motivated me, and was very interested to hear all about my trip! Sarah also went above and beyond and gave me a new odometer for my bike seeing as my other one broke along the way. Thank you so much Sarah! It was incredible to meet you and I hope I get the opportunity again very soon!
From durban I rode into Ballito, where I stayed with Megan and Lorna Davidson, they cooked for me and made sure I had a comfortable bed! Thank you!
Today I rode into a place called the Prawn Shack, I got told about it from Greig, and I was very fortunate to have met some padalers who were so kind to me, by giving me food and drinks, they are from a group called My Gas. I also was lucky enough to meet a man by the name of Richard who is paddling from Mozam to Namibia! An awesome guy who is raising money for a charity called Miles for Smiles, Goodluck Richard!
Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me along the way!
To all those people who have been supporting the cause, I thank you, without you, there would be no point in the trip! Thank you!
Www.alzheimers.org.za
Friday, 2 December 2011
Transkei, Just Epic!
The riding through the transkei has been incredible! It is most definitely one of the spots on my trip that I will remember for its incredibly kind people who all have a great sense of humor! Due to the fact that it is a densely populated area, I have had the fortune to be able to chat someone almost at any time along any ride! I have tried to learn a few basic words in the local language Xhosa, and it has been such a jam trying to piece together conversations with actions, and the odd word here and there.
There have been so many memorable moments along the way such as having little children run beside me on the uphills urging me on the whole way, being chased by dogs on several occasions which got the blood pumping, having to dodge the odd cow on the downhills, and most definitely having many laughs with people when I try my hand at Xhosa!
I have met incredible people through the Transkei, most notably a man by the name of Livingston. As I was riding up a heavy hill, a man on the side of the road waved me down to ask my story. He was fluent in English and we had a good chat about what I was doing, he told me he was building himself a house and showed me where it was, an awesome view! He then asked me when I would be returning through the same way because he wanted to ensure that he had some cooldrinks so that I could have a refreshing break drinking coke in his new house. I told him that I wouldn't be returning on a bicycle for a while but I would definitely make a mission through that part of the world sometime in the future and would bring along some beers to celebrate his new house. What an amazing man! Such a kind heart and that has been the norm the whole way through Transkei!
Most definitely will be returning soon!
Tonight I am in Port Edward and will be riding through to Port Shepstone tomorrow, very stoked for that!
I have had the incredible fortune to have had my two very close mates, Josh and Rick, drive behind me through the Transkei! It has been an epic jam the whole way and I can't thank them enough for everything they have done! Really awesome guys with big hearts!
Thank you to everyone who has been contributing towards the Alzheimers Association! It is incredible kind and is helping a lot of people!
Www.alzheimers.org.za
There have been so many memorable moments along the way such as having little children run beside me on the uphills urging me on the whole way, being chased by dogs on several occasions which got the blood pumping, having to dodge the odd cow on the downhills, and most definitely having many laughs with people when I try my hand at Xhosa!
I have met incredible people through the Transkei, most notably a man by the name of Livingston. As I was riding up a heavy hill, a man on the side of the road waved me down to ask my story. He was fluent in English and we had a good chat about what I was doing, he told me he was building himself a house and showed me where it was, an awesome view! He then asked me when I would be returning through the same way because he wanted to ensure that he had some cooldrinks so that I could have a refreshing break drinking coke in his new house. I told him that I wouldn't be returning on a bicycle for a while but I would definitely make a mission through that part of the world sometime in the future and would bring along some beers to celebrate his new house. What an amazing man! Such a kind heart and that has been the norm the whole way through Transkei!
Most definitely will be returning soon!
Tonight I am in Port Edward and will be riding through to Port Shepstone tomorrow, very stoked for that!
I have had the incredible fortune to have had my two very close mates, Josh and Rick, drive behind me through the Transkei! It has been an epic jam the whole way and I can't thank them enough for everything they have done! Really awesome guys with big hearts!
Thank you to everyone who has been contributing towards the Alzheimers Association! It is incredible kind and is helping a lot of people!
Www.alzheimers.org.za
The riding through the transkei has been incredible! It is most definitely one of the spots on my trip that I will remember for its incredibly kind people who all have a great sense of humor! Due to the fact that it is a densely populated area, I have had the fortune to be able to chat someone almost at any time along any ride! I have tried to learn a few basic words in the local language Xhosa, and it has been such a jam trying to piece together conversations with actions, and the odd word here and there.
There have been so many memorable moments along the way such as having little children run beside me on the uphills urging me on the whole way, being chased by dogs on several occasions which got the blood pumping, having to dodge the odd cow on the downhills, and most definitely having many laughs with people when I try my hand at Xhosa!
I have met incredible people through the Transkei, most notably a man by the name of Livingston. As I was riding up a heavy hill, a man on the side of the road waved me down to ask my story. He was fluent in English and we had a good chat about what I was doing, he told me he was building himself a house and showed me where it was, an awesome view! He then asked me when I would be returning through the same way because he wanted to ensure that he had some cooldrinks so that I could have a refreshing break drinking coke in his new house. I told him that I wouldn't be returning on a bicycle for a while but I would definitely make a mission through that part of the world sometime in the future and would bring along some beers to celebrate his new house. What an amazing man! Such a kind heart and that has been the norm the whole way through Transkei!
Most definitely will be returning soon!
Tonight I am in Port Edward and will be riding through to Port Shepstone tomorrow, very stoked for that!
I have had the incredible fortune to have had my two very close mates, Josh and Rick, drive behind me through the Transkei! It has been an epic jam the whole way and I can't thank them enough for everything they have done! Really awesome guys with big hearts!
Thank you to everyone who has been contributing towards the Alzheimers Association! It is incredible kind and is helping a lot of people!
Www.alzheimers.org.za
There have been so many memorable moments along the way such as having little children run beside me on the uphills urging me on the whole way, being chased by dogs on several occasions which got the blood pumping, having to dodge the odd cow on the downhills, and most definitely having many laughs with people when I try my hand at Xhosa!
I have met incredible people through the Transkei, most notably a man by the name of Livingston. As I was riding up a heavy hill, a man on the side of the road waved me down to ask my story. He was fluent in English and we had a good chat about what I was doing, he told me he was building himself a house and showed me where it was, an awesome view! He then asked me when I would be returning through the same way because he wanted to ensure that he had some cooldrinks so that I could have a refreshing break drinking coke in his new house. I told him that I wouldn't be returning on a bicycle for a while but I would definitely make a mission through that part of the world sometime in the future and would bring along some beers to celebrate his new house. What an amazing man! Such a kind heart and that has been the norm the whole way through Transkei!
Most definitely will be returning soon!
Tonight I am in Port Edward and will be riding through to Port Shepstone tomorrow, very stoked for that!
I have had the incredible fortune to have had my two very close mates, Josh and Rick, drive behind me through the Transkei! It has been an epic jam the whole way and I can't thank them enough for everything they have done! Really awesome guys with big hearts!
Thank you to everyone who has been contributing towards the Alzheimers Association! It is incredible kind and is helping a lot of people!
Www.alzheimers.org.za
Monday, 28 November 2011
Transkei
The ride from East London into Chintsa was awesome! I was extremely fortunate to have enjoyed an awesome lunch with Kim van Kits! Really such an inspiration and a very kind and friendly heart! Thank you for everything!
I again was extremely fortunate to spend the night in Chintsa with family friends Peter and Glynis Bartlett. Such kind people with extremely generous hearts! It was so good to spend time with them and be spoilt with an awesome meal and lekka company! Thank you!
I have been super lucky to have my mates Josh and Rick be a sort of support vehicle with me through the Transkei! It has been such a jam and awesome to have good mates around for a while!
The riding through the Transkei has been epic! Heavy heavy hills that go on for what feels like forever! But I have absolutely loved riding through the country sides, the people are so kind and extremely friendly always asking me where I have come from and where I am going.
Riding on the N2 through the Transkei has been interesting, cows casually strolling over the road and dogs always curious to check out what I'm doing. Loving it!
The people in Transkei have been so accommodating! Thank you to everyone.
We stayed at Coffee Bay the last 2 nights, what an awesome place! Met awesome people and had a lot of fun! Tonight we are in Port St Johns! Awesome spot aswell!
Thank you to everyone for the support along the way! And thank you especially to everyone who has been supporting the Alzheimers Cause! Really very kind and much appreciated!
Www.alzheimers.org.za
I again was extremely fortunate to spend the night in Chintsa with family friends Peter and Glynis Bartlett. Such kind people with extremely generous hearts! It was so good to spend time with them and be spoilt with an awesome meal and lekka company! Thank you!
I have been super lucky to have my mates Josh and Rick be a sort of support vehicle with me through the Transkei! It has been such a jam and awesome to have good mates around for a while!
The riding through the Transkei has been epic! Heavy heavy hills that go on for what feels like forever! But I have absolutely loved riding through the country sides, the people are so kind and extremely friendly always asking me where I have come from and where I am going.
Riding on the N2 through the Transkei has been interesting, cows casually strolling over the road and dogs always curious to check out what I'm doing. Loving it!
The people in Transkei have been so accommodating! Thank you to everyone.
We stayed at Coffee Bay the last 2 nights, what an awesome place! Met awesome people and had a lot of fun! Tonight we are in Port St Johns! Awesome spot aswell!
Thank you to everyone for the support along the way! And thank you especially to everyone who has been supporting the Alzheimers Cause! Really very kind and much appreciated!
Www.alzheimers.org.za
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
The ride from Fish River was quite a heavy one with another tough headwind, but I was epically lucky once again:) just by chance I had the privilege of meeting an inspirational lady by the name of Kim van Kets. Kim completed an epic adventure herself, circumnavigating the entire South Africa by foot, bike and paddling! An awesome achievement and an inspiration! Not only that but Kim has been exceptionally kind to me by organizing me places to stay and have a hot meal the last couple days! I really have been so spoilt with epic food and comfortable beds! Thank you so much to the Moodys and everyone else in Birha for your incredible hospitality and kindness along with a meal to remember! And thank you to Marilyn and the family for an awesome stay in Kidds Beach, I was treated to an awesome curry and very kind company!!
The riding the past couple days has been hard with head winds and sharp hills, however the views have been spectacular! Aswell as awesome people along the way on the road!!
I suffered a couple punctures yesterday and was delighted to find out that my spare tube had a few holes in it and to go with that I lost my puncture repair kit along the way,, so I had to make do with pumping my tyre with air after every uphill and hoping it would last the next downhill, this carried on until the self sealant kicked in, only after about 10 or 15km though, part of the fun I guess:)
I am looking forward to a good day of cycling tomorrow into Chintsa! The weather seams to be turning in my favor, always a good sign!
Thank you to all the people who have been helping to support the cause by donating money to the Alzheimers Association! It is much appreciated and it is going to a good cause!
Www.alzheimers.org.za
The riding the past couple days has been hard with head winds and sharp hills, however the views have been spectacular! Aswell as awesome people along the way on the road!!
I suffered a couple punctures yesterday and was delighted to find out that my spare tube had a few holes in it and to go with that I lost my puncture repair kit along the way,, so I had to make do with pumping my tyre with air after every uphill and hoping it would last the next downhill, this carried on until the self sealant kicked in, only after about 10 or 15km though, part of the fun I guess:)
I am looking forward to a good day of cycling tomorrow into Chintsa! The weather seams to be turning in my favor, always a good sign!
Thank you to all the people who have been helping to support the cause by donating money to the Alzheimers Association! It is much appreciated and it is going to a good cause!
Www.alzheimers.org.za
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