I have taken several group motorcycle trips in the past and was excited for this South African adventure with ADVpaths. Last year I rode with them in Vietnam and loved the whole trip - see my Vietnam review. This year's trip, however, got off to a rough start. I arrived in-country early for ADVpath's optional 2-day training class. Since I'm primarily a street rider, I wanted some gravel practice before the group ride began. Even though I had pre-paid all the extra training and hotel fees ($2300 additional on top of the group tour fees), ADV's local partner there said I would have to pay even more at that moment or "move to a cheaper training hotel down the street." I paid him of course. The next day, when picking up the training bike ADV's local partner supposedly reserved for me, it wasn't there. The only one available to me was a 1200cc bike. I initially protested since I didn't want to use a larger/heavier bike for my off-road training class, but he said that was the only choice and the bike size really didn't matter. Unfortunately, the ADV training program was a big mistake. In the first 90 minutes I fell three times. On the third fall, my thigh caught the handlebars and my wrist caught my fall. To prevent further injury, I stopped the training after two hours. It's now three weeks later and my injuries are finally resolving. Once the group ride started, I was challenged to keep up with the local partner leading our group, on the gravel and even on the street. When I did manage to stay close to the group, I was constantly pushing myself to ride at the edge of my abilities, and maybe beyond. This kind of riding was not enjoyable and not the way I wanted to ride for eight more days. I talked to the local partner after the second day and his suggestion was for me to "trailer my bike and ride in the van when necessary." I didn't travel there for 33 hours and pay ADVpaths more than $10K to ride in a van. Between my training injuries, and having to ride beyond my comfort zone (or sit in a van), I left the group after two days on the road and Uber'd back to Cape Town for my flight home.

Top notch trip. We had awesome food, accommodations and the riding, terrain was incredible. We were a two up trip and the girl I brought wasn't a big time rider. The guides made her feel comfortable and she was always offered to be able to ride in the van. She never took up the offer and ended up being hooked on riding and the experience. Her first long distance ride and it couldn't have been better. Great experience, can't wait for Japan.