Adventure.
It’s essential. Totally necessary. Without it you stagnate!
Become boring.
(Without it, I would probably be dead! Although it has also tried to kill me on several occasions.)
And so, I did what I had to do, I went on a little bicycle adventure.
I had no destination in mind, but before I dived straight into whatever was next, I needed to reset.
And there is nothing quite as good for clearing your head as to pedal through all your emotions as the endless horizon unfolds before you.
I have done a similar thing so many times before, but this time was different. This time was not running away from something or towards something, purely just a pedal to reset.
And, with me being in my homelands, there was some fear involved too. From childhood (in Johannesburg), we got taught how dangerous this land is: The animals, the people, the elements, EVERYTHING can (and probably will) kill you.
With a new (as in newly acquired from Facebook Marketplace) bike that gave me a flat tyre on the first ride and broke a pedal off on the second; I was not entirely confident that I would make it far.
I bought some stove fuel and the cashier sold me a mace spray just in case. With some water, snacks, and what used to be nappy change bags cable-tied to the sides of my vehicle, I was off.
After hugging my mother goodbye, I was on my way – no looking back. I ironed out most of the technical wobbles as I cycled over Chapman’s Peak and let the wind fully test the sturdiness of my packing as I went. By day 2, I was far away from everything familiar and powering north lost in wonder and sweat. Day 3 bought 2 flat tyres and reminded me how kind and open-hearted my kinsmen are! (My Afrikaans got better by the hour).
I cycled mostly gravel roads and there was nothing consistent: not the wind, not the landscape, not the kind of gravel nor the pockets of loose beach sand, nor the plan.
Only the pain in my butt (I should have changed the saddle).
Every time I hit a fork in the road a friendly human would materialise to guide and inspire me.
I saw the best bioluminescence of my life. Stars shot. Springbok darted across trails. Strangers kept giving me tea and wine. And, every time I broke down, caring soles would go out of their way to help.
In the setting sun of day 5, it all fell apart. After about 80 km of riveted gravel road that hugged the railway line, my rack, that held it all together, completely broke. I shoved everything into my backpack and wobbled slowly towards Strandfontein (a place I had never heard of, but was assured I should visit).
There isn’t much in Strandfontein, apart from a beautiful beach, so I was glad for some community intervention to help me get things fixed. And with an abundance of kindness, and a great welding job, I continued in even better form than I had left (apart from my butt, of course). This is where I veered inland and started to learn to conquer mountains. The Cederberg was beautiful, but it made for some exceptionally challenging riding. I rode trails I didn’t think I was capable of and was constantly reminded that ALL things are possible.
My heartbeat rang out from the beauty, from the exhaustion, from life. Life is so beautiful when we look past the challenges and take in the surroundings. Sometimes I cried in awe. Sometimes I cried in pain. Sometimes I just yelled at the top of my lungs because I was in the middle of nowhere and I felt so absolutely alive!
On day 8 I was followed by a flimsy little lamb that kept falling over. It was a bit like looking in a mirror: the ricketiness of my own life, how I’m still learning to find and trust my feet. A little rescue mission ensued and I half-regret not taking the little guy with me. I was exactly where I was meant to be: wrong road and everything.
I had no idea how much I needed this adventure. 700km of pedalling later, I still don’t have a clear vision about where my life path is going, but I feel completely ready and reset. One step at a time. Even if I stumble and stagger, I’m ready to do the hard things that “normal” life encompasses too!
One of my favouritest humans set a hiking adventure as my finish line (otherwise I may keep going forever). And having a plethora of hugs, waterfalls, and laughter, it was the perfect end. And also the perfect beginning. Life is an adventure; lets push limits, carry out great exploits, and enjoy the journey!
(Oh, and if you’ve been trying to get hold of me, sorry, my phone’s gone a bit AWOL and I NEEDED to disconnect.
Also, if you are wondering, South Africa is a great land for bikepacking, follow your guts and trust your instincts and you will be fine!)
