KTM does make the choosing a bit of an easier task . The bike has so much torque that passing is quick and safe . Mike also was getting more and more comfortable on the bike . I just held on tightly and left him to make what I half-imagined as the life-or-death calls .
The gravel stretch passed much faster than the day before . We were rested and well sugared up . Our early start also meant that time was on our side . We could have a little fun and hand pick the lanes that were not necessarily easy , but rather more interesting . Where there was a big dip , rather than slow , Mike would power up and fly over the rise . Where there were large potholed areas , rather than veer around , he sought them out . We had a lot of fun and when we reached the tar , we both felt a bit sad .
The mode on the large touch screen was toggled from off-road to street and the power of the bike was now set to travel much faster and smoother . We sped down to the village of Struisbaai so quickly , that I got cold from the icy morning wind cutting through my riding gear .
Mike passed through the village slowly and without stopping , carried on to Cape Agulhas . This iconic biker destination is the geographic southern tip of the African continent and the beginning of the dividing line between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans . Once at the most southern lighthouse on the continent , we finally put our feet down for the first time . We made it to the point just as some other bikers were leaving . They were on large BMW bikes , but I like to think that they looked at our KTM with much admiration . By the time we reached the formal signpost that officially marks Cape Agulhas , we were the only people there and thus the most southern people on the continent .
The sea was rough , and the sky mostly covered by light cloud . There was a little breeze building , and the air was crisp . With the objective of our trip accomplished , we just had to get the now grubby looking KTM back to the shop in one piece . We had the best part of the day to make the most of the ride back and enjoy the bike . I suggested to Mike that rather than just power up the road , find the N2 and take the highway home , we should find some dirt to play some more . KTM closed at 5:30 pm and we had no rush to get home . Mike never has to be asked twice . He was just loving the time in the saddle .
Our newly decided route took us along the same 60-kilometre gravel road that I had travelled just a few months previously in a brand-new Land Rover Defender . Yes , you read that correctly , the blind guy was behind the wheel ( it ’ s a story for a different article ). I wanted to see if the road felt different on the KTM . Mike loved the gravel , so just powered us to the turn .
The road was just as comfortable on the KTM as it had been when I drove the Defender . Both vehicles boasted the latest tech and both at the top of their games . There was a large touch screen at the helm of each , lots of buttons , bells , and whistles plus both were extremely capable off road . The parallels did not stop there though . They both felt as if they were the best tools for the jobs . I vowed that if I ever see again and have the finances to make it possible , I will not even hesitate to park these vehicles amongst my arsenal of toys at home .
As we neared the end of the gravel , we took a different turn and almost instantly , I regretted suggesting it . The road became extremely rough and unpredictable . Mike had to power through all sorts of obstacles to keep the rubber down . We flew over rocks , through sand and mud from the light rain that had fallen during the night . We bounced over rise after rise , and I crapped myself . Mike was just loving it and could not stop playing . I learned a whole new respect for the pillion rider that day . Trust is a hard thing to give freely . I do not enjoy relinquishing control and being blind , has not changed that at all . Here I was , holding on to the back of a monster bike , on a crap road , with a person I hardly knew in control of my life . I was scared stiff . I always say , “ Fear is just fuel .” So , I grinned and bared every bump with excitement rather than fear . I was extremely relieved when we reached the tar though .
We pulled over for a bush pee and to take in the surroundings . Buffeljags Baai was to our side and Gansbaai lay ahead in the distance . The cloud cover was still hanging , and the wind had picked up a few knots , but no matter how windy it was , the big KTM just pushed through it all .
In Gansbaai we veered inland to find a few more mountain passes .
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