East of Plettenberg Bay the coast turns serious. The Tsitsikamma, whose name comes from a Khoisan word often translated as place of much water, is a narrow band of forest and cliffs where the mountains run almost straight into the Indian Ocean.
The riding is the real draw. Beyond Plett the highway climbs and drops through a series of passes and bridges, with forest on both sides and a shifting light that makes the green seem almost black in the shadows. The Bloukrans and Storms River crossings are high, and a crosswind from the sea can get hold of a bike on the bridge decks, so keep a relaxed grip and a margin for gusts. There is a toll plaza on this section of the N2, so carry cash or a card, and motorcycles pay a reduced rate.
The coast itself is protected as part of the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. A short road leads down from the highway to the Storms River Mouth rest camp, where a suspension bridge swings across the rocky mouth of the river and the sea pounds in from below. The walk to it is a gentle path through coastal forest, with yellowwood trees and ferns on the path, and the noise of the surf grows as you approach. Park entry is paid, and the descent road is steep with tight corners, so ride it slowly and watch for baboons and loose gravel.
Geologically this is a remarkable coast, a rim of old sandstone cut by rivers, with a marine reserve offshore that has been protected for decades. Otters live along the rocks and the Knysna loerie, a green bird with a crimson flash, calls from the canopy. It rains often, and fog is common, so a light waterproof is worth carrying even on a fine morning.
Practical matters need some thought. There are no large towns on this stretch, and the small villages along the N2 have limited services, so the sensible plan is to arrive with a full tank from Plettenberg Bay. A coffee and a simple meal are available at the rest camp and in the small village inland, but you should not count on much more. The reward is the quiet, the smell of wet earth and salt, and the odd feeling of riding along the edge of a continent.