A Travel Story by Lionel Haggard and Jerry Finley
Jerry is the cool guy on the left.
Jerry and I met many years ago in South Africa and found we both enjoyed exploring wide open spaces on motorcycles. We did a few trips together back in South Africa and discussed the possibility of one day doing a bike trip through Africa.
The proposed route to Cape Town.
The proposed route to Cape Town.
With me working in Dubai it is the obvious place to start this journey as the logistical arrangements are just that much easier. I would certainly recommend it as a starting point for any of you out there considering embarking on a similar adventure.
Leaving Dubai
Packed and ready to leave.
After huge amounts of paperwork and Bush and rain delays we are finally ready to leave on our 15 000 km journey. It has been many years of planning and the moment has finally arrived.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates sending us on our way.
About to enter Yemen
The ride from Salalah to the Yemen border along the coast is some of the most spectacular biking that you are likely to find any place in the world. This is a good road through mountain passes with numerous hairpin bends and one needs to ensure that you are not to distracted by the stunning scenery and views.
Yes, this is a motorcycle .puzzle. And with any luck and a lot of patience humpty dumpty will go back together again!!!!!!!!
The motorcycle dictated a rest stop for us and it is actually a good time to relax and take a break and do some maintenance after successfully completing the East Coast Tour of the Arabian Peninsula. Next stop-----The Red Sea and the continent of Africa lies ahead !!!!!
Carlo, John Anthony and me in the BMW workshop in Sana'a, Yemen.
After the clutch problem with the BMW we managed to get the correct parts from Germany to Sana'a within 3 days with the help of the guys from BMW Sana'a and Reiner Zimmer in Milan, Italy. I would like to especially thank John who is the BMW workshop manager in Sana'a for his help and support and making all the necessary arrangements considering that the workshop in Sana'a do not normally deal with motorcycles.
Crossing the Equator in Kenia.
The KTM stripped down to access the damage.
The four of us have split here in Nairobi as we all have different schedules and routes.
There is a possibility we may meet up again along the road and will be keeping in contact and following one anothers progress.
Looking forward to a cold beer in Ethiopia.
Crossing into Ethiopia we did not realize that there would be no petrol for almost 400 kms and although there were many fuel stations they only stocked diesel. Running on fumes and stopping to drain fuel from BMWs to keep the KTM going we eventually came across a fuel station that sold petrol in cans at an inflated price. Needless to say we were happy to pay whatever he wanted.
The mountains in Swaziland.
I rode through Botswana without any problems and was suprised to see elephants along the road in areas that I thought were not national parks. I felt a bit exposed on the motorcycle as when I stopped to look at them they seemed to move closer and my thoughts were, do not have a flat tire or a breakdown.
