We don’t tend to feature motorcycles on ScooterLab but we’ll make an exception for the CAKE Kalk AP. After all, it is a twist and go.
Female motorcycle adventurer, Sinje Gottwald has just got back (arrived in Cape Town today – Feb 15th) from an epic trip using the CAKE Kalk AP. Her four-month, solo trip saw her covering 13,000 kilometres from Spain to South Africa – on an electric motorcycle.
After leaving Spain by ferry the 40-year-old German lady landed in Morocco before riding overland through the following countries…
- Morocco
- Mauritania
- Senegal
- Gambia
- Guinea Bissau
- Guinea
- Sierra Leona
- Liberia
- Ivory Coast
- Ghana
- Togo
- Benin
- Nigeria
- Cameroon
- Gabon
- Congo
- Angola
- Namibia
- South Africa
Sinje is no stranger to long-distance riding, in 2017 she found fame after completing a solo circumnavigation of the world on a BMW. Her latest African trip may not have been quite as epic in terms of distance and extremes but it was groundbreaking for an electric motorcycle.
Spares and repairs?
The Swedish-built CAKE carried two batteries, two chargers and spare parts iuncluding a controller, display, throtttle, chain, fuses, tools, a laptop (in case the bike needed a software update or remote support). Sinje also packed a camera and her personal belongings.
During the 124-day trip the only issues with the bike were a burned fuse whilst riding in deep Moroccan sand (easily replaced), a loose cable connection on the charger – fixed by Sinje. She also lost a screw from the sprocket in Guinea but found and replaced it. She over-tightened a screw and caused damage but fixed it. Finally she had a fuse burn out on the battery (probably caused by a faulty power outlet) but was able to work around that problem to enable her to continue charging the batteries.
Q&A with Sinje Gottwald
What was your previous experience with motorcycle adventures?
I have extensive experience with motorcycle adventures, having circumnavigated the world by motorcycle from 2017 to 2020. During this time, I travelled overland from Europe to Asia, explored Australia, made my way from South to North America, and travelled from Morocco to Mali, as well as completing several shorter motorcycle trips.
When did you begin your journey across Africa?
October 14th, 2022.
How far was the journey?
It was a total of 13,000 kilometres.
How many days did it take?
124 days. Around four months.
How did you decide what route to take?
My route and accommodations were largely determined by the availability of electricity and a place to stay, and I tried to avoid mountainous roads when possible.
Were there any threatening and particularly difficult moments along the way?
It is difficult to determine the hardest part, as each day presented its own challenges and it was uncertain if I would reach my planned destination. Some of the most challenging situations included:
• Crossing from Guinea Bissau to Guinea on a jungle track with mud and water.
• Being surrounded by a large crowd while charging the motorcycle in Liberia, which was eventually resolved by being allowed to bring the bike inside a home.
• A 24-hour delay at the Ghana border crossing.
• Entering and crossing Nigeria, as the country is not considered safe.
Did you encounter any wild animals along the way?
I encountered monkeys and snakes during my travels, but only saw larger animals in parks or behind fences.
What was the best moment?
There were many beautiful moments during the journey. One of the most memorable was crossing from Guinea Bissau to Guinea, even though it was a challenging journey through the jungle on a track that was not accessible to cars. Despite the difficulties, reaching the other side provided a great sense of accomplishment and boosted my confidence in the motorcycle, as it was able to
navigate deep water, mud, and sand with ease.
What was the worst moment?
The worst moment was being stuck at the border to Ghana for 24 hours and having to sleep outside.
When did you arrive at the final destination?
I arrived on Wednesday, February 15th, 2023, in Cape Town, South Africa! Almost exactly four months after I began!
What’s next?
A book and several presentations about the trip. More to come soon!
Who are CAKE?
The Swedish company currently make a variety of premium electric motorcycles and scooters; including off-roaders, mopeds and utility machines. Applications include last-mile commercial deliveries, short-haul urban transport and now seemingly covering vast continents!
The innovative designs earned the company a place in Time Magazine’s 100 most important inventions in 2021. You can view the full CAKE range here.
