New horizons in 2013

Planning has begun fora 3000 mile touir in southern africa. Bikes to be sourced locally and sold on via helpful local contacts we hope...

What next?

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One year on...

One year on. The knee is just back to vaguely normal, bits and bobs still to sell including Dakar II which is poised to be sprung on an unsuspecting market as soon as the good weather holds. Dakar I sold to a guy who was so excited to get back on a bike. Martin can't bring himself to sell the enduro boots. They were such good value and I intend to use them again! Hankerings for a return adventure on the African continent do not waine and 2013 is a distinct possibility. In the meantime the S. France beckons in May. It will be nice to get summer jacket on and get out and ride with Paul. Martin has settled his fat arse on the above machine (For illustration purposes only!). Actually a truly superb macine. Well chuffed and it was a "Touch"!

And now the real pain...

Just another post-trip reflection. I read an article by a guy who did six months going round Australia on a Yamaha. He said it was the best and the wost thing he had ever done. What he was saying was that the experience was unmissable and utterly amazing but coming down afterwards was hell. Even 10 months on I can relate so well to that sentiment. The trip, even though it was less than 3 weeks haunts me most days. I long to go back, learning from my mistakes and experiences; and yet I doubt I ever will get the chance. It is hard not being there when you have done it and it is almost impossible to imagine exploring any other remote place other than on a bike. "The pain now is part of the happiness then" C.S Lewis

Bikes are back!

Bikes are back...Weird to think that the last time we saw the one was in Rwanda and one was in Mombasa. Plenty of red dust to testify to their incredible journey. Respect to Humphrey and Unique Forwarding for getting them home just about in one piece. Carnets were not included but now have been recovered and sent to RAC to retrieve our massive deposits. Dakar I is fixed (timing chain as suspected!) and running sweet as a nut, renovation city! Ready to sell or keep and enjoy, not decided yet. Dakar II is with Paul and ready for sale and looking good!


Want to go back, want to do more of this. Expensive...very expensive! Will post pics of Dakar I in full renovation glory shortly! PS Dakar I started first time but the engine noise was not pretty! Dakar II started first time after a little battery charging.

100% Fantastic

People have been so generous, thanks so much for all your donations to Love Africa. We are humbled and really grateful. You can still give for a while yet do just click at will!

And while I am about it...One of these would have been great!

Money no object...

Martin,

Would you consider adding a money belt to your list?

Photos

Some are posted at this URL no subtitles as yet but gives a sense of the trip!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=153214&id=542648887&l=c39cf3fe4c

If I had my time again...

From a kit point of view there are some things I (MW) would have done differently if money were no object these include;

A decent helmet that would handle visor and or peek removal. My cheapo could only have both on or both off. The peek gets caught by the windrush of passing trucks and nearly rips your head off at the neck...!


A centre stand. I think it would have been the best £150 I had spent...the side stand bends, is too steep and doesnt hold the bike on poor ground or in the back of pick up trucks!!!

Take some GPS that would have guided us on key routes, asking the locals for directions was initially amusing but in the end fairly fruitless! Left and right were usually a problem plus distances were normally estimated +/- 100% wrong. We met a couple who were doing Europe to Cape in a Land Rover, I chatted to them in my underpants (you don't want the detail but it was harmless!). They used Track for Africa and said it was excellent. More kit though, more to get nicked etc...but worth a thought.




Get rid of the ridiculous plastic rear mud guard thingie. Mine flew off at the first sign of bumpy roads as did Paul's! Nonsense! Remove and never replace. Bike looks better without it anyway!

Taken a Camelback. How many times did I dream of the Camelback sitting in my garage at home. It is simple. You need to drink 3-5 litres of water a day if you want to have a beer when you stop on the evening and not have cramp in the middle of the night. Stopping to drink out of the water bottles is hassle. So you don't drink so you get heat exhaustion (actually I had Malaria!). The only way to get the fluids in and keep riding is a Camelback...essential kit, one more bit of paraphernalia but worth it!



Maybe Paul will other views.....