Well if the start of the journey is the beginning of the planning stage I have spent a long time getting here.
Wanted to ride Africa since my teens so 40 years ago, done little bits of it but now for the big one.
Bike bought, mods and bits almost done but loving the work of making and fitting them, work approaching an end and no job = time to go.
Nothing done trip wise, bits of bike and kit all over my dining room but class school reports done (for the parents out there this means hours of home time), week and half till end of term, few days moving out and clearing up, then my time is my own.
Of to try out the gear and bike in a couple of weeks, if I do not use it I will not take it.
Got some nice stories written by the children a couple of the shorter ones.
If you are lost please follow the map.
If you are getting chased by an animal go faster on your motorbike or run faster.
If you are running out of money get a job.
If you are running out of fuel go slowly until you reach a petrol station.
If you are lonely look at the picture of us and when you do you'll know we all miss you.
Testing testing 123 - Some feedback from the victims would be good, did you get a notification so I spread the word some more, (Not necessarily from Grant you have done plenty setting it up) but friends and family.
Inoculation that has expired this week.Loaded the bike up and went camping for the weekend. Normal overloading, big tent big cooker and too much of everything.
The bike was fine but filled my sons car boot up to get it home. Equipment needs trimming.
The expired inoculation this week and then they are done.
It will all be go for the 1st of October my bones are telling me so.Things are beginning to look like they will be ready for 1st October. Was beginning to doubt it with the paperwork and the only one in a hurry being me. Must get used to everything taking lots of time, it will in Africa.
Of to get Kenya visa tomorrow afternoon and then apply for Tanzania visa Thursday morning.When thats done and picked up can hopefully sort out flights and leaving date.
There is a good reason I have always hated paperwork. Sure is the longest piece of the whole planning and prep. Someone said 6 months planning. 5 so far and two and a half for paperwork.
How things are progressing. My 2 days of London traffic.Went to London to pick up my Kenya visa, got there a bit early so stopped in Regents Park for toilet and coffee, (try finding a public convenience in London). Been there for the zoo but never realised what a fantastic garden and interesting places it was.
Taking bike to Egham to be crated and flown out. Taking bike to Egham to be crated and flown out. Hope to follow a week to ten days later, Both worried and excited, what have I forgotten, guess it doesn't matter as they sell things over there as well and cheaper than excess baggage costs.
Memory of last trip on a bike to Africa.
Daily POWDER check.
Petrol
Engine oil.
Coolant, Top up with distilled water in emergency.
Chain lube and slack,
Brake fluids/pad wear.
Lights/horn
Tyres for foreign objects./pressure
Tyres
Front 90/90-21 = 30 psi, 33psi loaded 29psi off road.
Rear 130/80-17 = 33psi, 36 psi loaded, 29psi off road.
Chain on side stand - slack 5-6 cm.
Oil change.
3 Drain bolts, sump, tank, filter.
Bike gone, more on link above.Bike taken to Motofreight to be packed and shipped out. Will meet up with her in about a week and a half in a nice hot country.
A big thanks to A2 motorcycles and Wattling Tyres Gillingham for the last minute help.
Only took two and a half months.Two and a half months, did not think it would get done. CHRISTMAS in the sun. Big thanks for all the help, wouldn't have done it otherwise.
Spending the first week in Nairobi at the -
need to acclimatise and can go for a blast to clear the cobwebs to see Kilamanjaro and lake Magadi (Kenyan customs releasing the bike quick) and have a comfy sleep for a few nights before resorting to the tent and hard ground.
Todays good news.Today the last piece of the puzzle to the trip dropped into place, the Carnet de passage arrived. Now everything is go for Tuesday and the sunshine.
Oh yes one small detail is I have to pack, 1 pants, 1 socks, wear the bike gear on the plane, spares and camping stuff, waterproofs and buy the rest when I get there is a plan.
Travel books to read and mp3 player to sleep my waay to the bike.
Tuesday the second and thanks to Richard for the lift to Gatwick. Booked in three hours before flight which was delayed sat stuck the headphones in my ears and opened the Kindle. Boarded the plane and managed to sleep through dinner and breakfast. Got off in Dubai and had a two hour wait before boarding the plane for Nairobi. Bit more sleep but started to chat to very interesting lady next to me and next thing we were landing. Considering the airport was so badly burnt down the rebuilding is amazing, infastructure basic but al working and buildings going up and an amazing pace.
More photos.
The girrafe, this close to me, excellent.
And finally left hidden at the end...........
Went for a ride in the Capital of Kenya.The roads are terrible is all I can say worse than any I have ridden in the UK. The drivers push, shove aim at everyone but do not hoot.
If the bike is not going down the inside or on the pavement they think you are mad as thousands of them do. The death rate for bikes is herendous, IAM wwant to volenteer?
Rapid ride by my standards, need a rest.Woke up at 6 and off by 7 Campsite was very quiet after Saturday night. Roads were busy and ride to Moshi uneventful. Clouds over the mountains so did not see the big ones. Got past Moshi, met a couple of lads on 250s from Belgium, said roads were so bad they had done enough and just wanted to get to Dar and fly home. We headed south towards Same, along the edge of the Masai Steppes and Asambara mountains, rough but ok at 50 so went off on my own again, Views and roads were enjoyable, was thinking of stopping at about 2.
Kenya toTanzaniaCan't remember when I left for Niavasha but got there. Headed out through Nairobi's lunatic rush hour (found an easy way, get in front of a female driver with children they are much less hurried) and got to the motorway, potholes, busses stopping, 12 inch lorry tracks (deep that is) in the tarmac, lorries travelling up hill at 2 mph being overtaken by lorries doing 3 mph. Out of the built up area and theen smooth, bendy, well cambered roads through the forests and then the view of the rift valley. Pictures can not show it.
Having a breakDone over a thousand miles in last 3 days in all sorts of weather and road conditions. Been great but decided to spend a couple of nights in a bed and eat and drink. Local internet cafes often no connection.
Got a dose of the runs so need to eat, drink and increase salt levels I have been told.
Tiger balm has almost got rid of the bruising but still sore so trying to keep to tarmac and keep weight off of the ankle which is bound up.
Other than that all is good, having a great time. Sun shining water cold. Great.
Travels in KenyaLeft Niavasha with good intention of spending the night in Nairobi so took the old road. Not the views but a nice ride until 18km from Nairobi three and a half hours later and just headed on towards Mombassa. Past the airport on a new dual carraigeway worse surface than anything back home to the Alti River turn off for the border and a great long straight two lane road to the Tanzania border, about 70 miles of brilliant tarmac.
Life in MbeyaMbeya, I think Thursday the 17th. Blew it agaain today, walked past a guide offering walks up to Ngozi peak, 2620m town at half that. payed up and joined a group of an American and German lad, german and 2 french girls with a Rasterfarian guide. Got on one of the local buses that has been trying to kill me, half hour later got off and did a 4k walk to the base and then the 1000m footpath up, ridges, edges, scrambles through dense jungle over rotten trees, no ropes just vines and roots, paths 1 foot wide and hundred foot drops either side.
Another long day walkingFRIDAY THE 18TH Went to the tea plantation, spent an hour in the market having had to purchase some fresh food to eat, only seem to eat grilled over a fire chicken and fruit, nothing else appeals. Decided I will head for Zambia Sunday as there is a local soccer match tomorrow night, a must see. Got to the Raster shop for 10 after the internet and posting postcards to family and Luton, read an email from Luton staff and started missing everyone, so I hope Mr MacCann is making all of you lot work hard, missing Kim and Benny as well but would not fit in my case.
Long day aheadLooked at the route tomorrow, 400+ miles with the border crossing, no petrol stations ( cant see this) or places to stay between.
Into ZambiaSaturday, had a nice easy day, bought the picture and got it signed by people I have met and enjoyed their company. Glad I came to this hotel, far from the best but would have missed the people and experiences, both excellent.
Went to the football match, local side won. Back to hotel to pack and wash, want an early start tomorrow as it could be 400-500 miles plus a border post to somewhere to stay and petrol. Must fill spare can.
Onwards to NdolaShiwa Ngandu, Pink house, Colonial relic?
Got up and headed for an ATM, big mistake, pay day for all government employees, Monday and machines out of cash after weekend and van needs to drive with armed security to top the up. 28 people in the queue and an hour later limited to 20 notes. 1 Kwacha equal to about 15p machine only does 50s, not very rich today.
Sorry but ICT gone badWent to see old school and took some photos and had a bit of a mooch about. Left at 11.00 am for Lusaka. Just another long ride on fair to middling roads until the roadworks. Only 3 sections but can not do at car speed so ended up overtaking and taking on mud and potholes just lining the bike up and doing Charlie Bormann style keep the throttle open and no brakes. Had to stop in a few places to build a gap between cars and me and use the wrong side of the road (if there is one over here) getting back quick when something approached.
LivingstoneLivingstone
Got up and left for seven, headed to Chilanga and filled up for 300 mile hop to Livingstone. Even remembered to fill up 150 miles later.
Hope they are of interest
Sorry but at shared 56k this is painful.Rural country lane.
Elephant poo, 10 foot from the tent.
The bike shed where many a BandH were shared.
Sorry but I find them interesting.Buying my fish supper in Shiwa
The fish eagle in Niavasha
NE zambian countryside
Travellers tales???Sure some people who travel the world do it from an armchair, Johns advice is and was spot on but to the 3 lads at the ferry thanks but not sure you travelled my route, There is petrol stations every 200km between the ferry and Francistown max distance. Anyway back to me.
Where next?Francistown,
Booked here for three nights of luxury, need to sleep you see. Great place even if pricey, tried to contact Stella but in Gabs so will try again later, went to the museum and the lovely lady remembered me from my last visit, bike may have helped.
Raining....Rode to the museum about 10 am and spent the day chatting and chilling, poor Stella got no work done. Went back to hotel and booked till Monday morning as off for a trip out to see some rock paintings and San things, with Stella who runs the museum willing to put up with me, more of that later as its dinner time now and raining.
Just been talking to the manager Ian, having booked for 1 night originally, now 5 he has given me a 50 percent discount for the last 4 nights. Francistown is amazing. Biker friendly everything.
Brilliant Saturday, Stella, lovely lady, friend to the family who I hardly knew and
These are all from NamibiaNext stop America but at 20kph?
Stating the obvious, but HS gets everywhere.
As close to the edge of Africa I could get it.
More sand picturesSand, tar or gravel, this one was tar. Lifes surprises.
The golden sand dunes.
The Skeleton coast. The rocks mark the edge and the road is actually surfaced under there.
Well survived the Skeleton coast and Namib deserts somehow.Namibia to Botswana.
Rode miles to get to the border in waterproofs, gloves fit like a second skin over the wrinkled hands, I have a new hate, donkeys. People have trained them to walk on the road, not worry about cars and now millions have gone wild in Botswana because they own cars they wander all over the road, Worse than UK traffic cones, said to policeman why do you not just shoot them all and he replied we do not have enough bullets in Botswana.
Well fixed a puncture, put on the new back tyre and new brake pads and machine ready for the road again.
Looking at a route North in Mpulunga for a few days but been having a problems with a stinking cold. Weather needs to clear up a well. Not what I expected for summer.
Joburg
Finally stopped raining, so got brave and headed North towards Hartbeestpoort Dam.
Fantastic ride through mountains with long sweeping bends and no surprises for 50 odd km, lake was really full and lots spilling out. Met a couple of others touring on the dam wall
Merry Christmas to one and all.Been here in Jo'burg a while, bought Christmas pressie's and caught a according to the doctor a severe upper respotory infection. I cough a lot.
Spent a fantastic long weekend with my sister in a guest house out in the countryside doing nothing and found a great little campsite. Saw some baby ostriches with big ones, really amazing, spiky top feathers that look like thorn bushes and are stiff. Once again no camera. Also saw some cactus flowers, they come out at night and die when the sun gets to them.
Weather great, cough nearly gone.Feeling better so went for a ride to a place Called olifantsnek, great roads, hot and no rain and met some nice people. Lake was low considering the rain we have had here. Really great ride, nice roads and with the bike unloaded great response .
Took a while but off sightseeing again.December sometime.
Had a brilliant few days away in a lodge with my sister, talking, drinking, eating and burning food outside 
.
No tv or internet so just nature and my music. Went out for a drive in the Buki I hired for a few days to see the country side and buy more supplies, quite nice running out of drink. Then had Christmas and New year with the family.
Had some ride outs but left Joburg again on the 6th.
Sorry no pics but just taken 25 minutes to do one day with 3 pictures for the 9th. Photos will follow.10th Jan
Decided to head for Lydenburg or Mashishing as its now called. Got confused as the maps have the old names.
9th Jan.
Loskop Dam
Woke up to a pleasant 26 degrees at 7 oclock so decided to spend another day here sitting by the water watching hippos, crocodiles and some two foot lizards amongst other things.
My wet neighbour.
By mid-day it had got to 33 degrees and I decided to go shopping and set of for the supermarket some 30 km away.
Sorry no pics but just taken 25 minutes to do one day with 3 pictures for the 9th. Photos will follow.10th Jan
Decided to head for Lydenburg or Mashishing as its now called. Got confused as the maps have the old names.
Not what I expected at the top of the pass.
The war memorial where the British army underestimated the capabilities if the Afrikaaner farmers who had after all been shooting Zulus for years a feat not managed at Isanwalla by the brits.
Up and at em but slowed to a stop.15th Jan.
Well woke up at six still thinking about elephants, oh dear do my thighs hurt, elephants are big. Walked about like a cowboy, had breakfast and packed bike. Off to Sudwala caves, the oldest caves in the world????
Headed off along a rather pleasant road, filled up, carried on, got stopped by the police.
Good morning sir and how are you?
Good morning,I am good and you?
I am fine, saw your number plate, where are you from?
The UK?
Ahh good, is everything ok?
Yes I am just off to Sudwala.
Done 20,000 km and next service due.20th Jan
Well got up early and breakfast, ready to go by 11, not sure what the hold up was but sweating just standing about was part of it, tempted to ride in shorts and t shirt but then I thought of the hard shelled flying beetles. Common sense prevailed and I climbed into the gear. On bike and off for a circular ride of about 200km, gps now working (dirty contacts to cradle) refused to take me where I wanted to go and insisted there was no road so decided to just go and let it re calculate the route automatically.
Bought the bits needed for service, then filled the bike with petrol. Had to remove the tank to do tappets (some mothers do have them, tank was heavy and hard to maneuver, can't work out why), took 2 days to do the service and fix the usb port I had added that had packed up. Now done and back on the road.
Booked and confirmed flight home for mid March for me but bike end of February from Capetown .
Made up a camera bracket for bike and fitted it so may be able to video some of the roads.
Left looking for sunshine, found it and its hot.Tuesday the 4th Feb.
Woke at six and got ready then packed the bike. The owner and his wife came along to say goodbye and wanted a photo of me and the bike to go on the wall of shame or it could have been fame not sure. Did my posing bit and then went in and had breakfast, got an extra portion of voers, great. Said goodbye and paid the bill to the others, put gear on and headed out. There were the barmaid and Nico who also wanted a photo for the same reasons, famous now. Did that and headed off down the dirt, muddy road.
Would hate to be a man on and old ox wagon doing these, they were real men, I am a wimp doing it with a 4 stroke.Friday 7th Feb.
Up with the birds, 5-30, made coffee and watched the sunrise. Packed last night so loaded up the bike and left at eight. Resurfacing the roads all the way today. They do one side for about 5km and then have a one way flow.
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SundayWell went for a 150km ride, nothing to write home about (so you can have it in a blog). Found the campsite I was headed for , desperate measure only, it was dire, more like a working building site with tents, very lively. Had fish n chips and ice-cream for lunch and laid on the beach for a couple of hours, just for you in the UK and Joburg, thought I wouldcatch your sunshine as well. Everything else I went to see was shut except a shopping centre but at least I can do them tomorrow morning on the way south.
Did a whole 116km today and it took me 4 hours.Did a whole 116km today and it took me 4 hours. Left Paternoster at 9-30 in the fog, was hoping for sunshine but there you go. Headed for Vredenburg and the secondhand bookshop but realized I had all the gear on the bike and no where safe to park up so left it and headed on to Langebaan. Stopped for a cuppa and got chatting to a couple on pushbikes from Belgium, 3 years they have been peddling - respect. Say they have nothing back where they came from so no point in going back.
11th Feb Photos from last night as well.
Sunset on the beach with the beach mist.
Sunset for me Sun rise for America.
Another hot one.12th Feb
Up at 7 and off at 9 to find Route 62, copied the Route 66 logo and many of their ideas, diners etc. Only managed 292km today and was shattered at the end of it, 14-00 hours. The temp just climbed up to 35 in the shade
Thermometer at 1-45 in the shade.
14th Feb
Lousy day, cold and wet by South Africa standards at 11-30 so still sitting inside throwing things at the monkeys, have to shut all the windows to keep them out. Looked at map and weather and decided to go back down the south coast Garden Route tomorrow, think it is Saturday??? Not sure how I will cope with time when back in civilisation, great here where it has little meaning at the moment. Love Africa time get up start of day, tired and sleep so end of day.
Do need a walk so shorts and t-shirt and a stroll along the beach/rocky foreshore.
Off to the sunshine.Headed off at 8 for the sunshine coast in rain and mist. Weather lady said it was going to be sunny westwards.
Rode down the main road until I got bored then took the old main road the 102, that kept me awake, mud, oil, diesel, manure, mud and potholes. Rode as far as a place called Storm River, great gorge, bridge, big tree and a Marilyn Monroe restaurant where I had lunch.
Storm Gorge, there is actually a river down there.
21st Feb
Decided not to use computer dates as they are very random at the moment. Spent the last few days visiting museums and avoiding the rain. Went to the Dias
Mr Dias statue.
museum, replica of the boat he sailed around Africa in, think a Thames barge is bigger. Brilliant place and some excellent stained glass windows.
Stained glass window
Few days sight seeing.Spent the last few days ignoring the world and looking around Cape Town, fantastic City, loads to do but running out of time. Shipping the bike home tomorrow and hiring a car until mid March. Weather better improve by then.
Photos and things to follow.
Got up Table Mountain yesterday, fantastic ride up in the cable car and great views.
Cape Town from the top
Dropped bike off, removed things to pack it away and got into the hire car. Some very upset Cape Town drivers. Not sure why I did miss them all.
Bit strange in one of them big things.
Went to the most beautiful garden in Africa??? Very nice Botanical Garden,
Last day in SA, fly out tomorrow. The end is nigh but had a great time. Can not work out best or worst bits but am certainly missing the bike.
Forgot my username and password for this blog (old age but remember where I am and what I still want to do) saw a video of the stretch of road that the 2 lorries and bus nearly got me on. Filmed by another couple I met in Zambia, brought some memories back. Last heard they were in Japan in August, hope they are well.
Stole a short clip.
Been lazy and done little, bought a Honda to play on,
Bike is booked for day after tomorrow, space centre tomorrow.Well here we or more to the point I go. Flight booked, bike booked, visa done, Harley Davidson Road King booked, route planned (we will wait and see how that works out), Hotels for Florida and Los Angeles booked, Health and travel Insurance booked, Trip from airport to hotel booked.
All 3 days in one, sorry the excitement took over, visit, ride or blog??????Got up early, got the coach out to the Space centre, what can one say, amazing place. Saw an IMAX movie filmed using the Hubble telescope, felt like you were there. Coach trip round the launch pads, yards away from the crawler, its massive. The Saturn 5 was incredible as you walked along under it for its length and then touched a piece of moon rock.
image
America, was sitting having a chat with my neighbour in the Royal when he said he was just going to get some ice. He jumped in his wagon, started it drove 25 yards stopped got out with a small tub, returned seconds later, reversed up got out and put 2 cubes in his glass. The rest melted???? Wonder why he weighs so much. Even his wife called him lazy.Well another day, up at 6-00 and out by 6-45, bit slow. Headed off after filling up for a run down Floridas lanes. Absolutely beautiful, tree lined well surfaced roads across Apalachee bay without seeing the sea once, misty and quite cold,
Few miles from the Mississippi.Gone through a time zone, another extra hour. Well no pics at all today was wet when I left at 7 and still wet when I pulled into a motel 260 miles later, very mixed weather, some sun, mostly rain and fog. So hard had to pull over as I could not see out of the visor..
Amazing state, more churches than roadside cafes and being Sunday all busy. Once again great roads, nothing the bike did not like or for that matter nor did I.
Boyhood escape comes trueWell strange day, woke up in rain at 5, rode 460 miles and brilliant sunshine. Downtown Natchez is nothing to write home about, Cars kept driving in and out all night, hooting, a man would come out of a room and talk to them and off they went. Leave you to decide. But bike was under the dry and there were folk about all night who were friendly with me.
Lost again but only 100 miles off route. Roads were worth it.Only 200 miles today, nice and easy. Had a late start as I wanted to see the Eiffel Tower in Paris so awaited daylight.
Very impressive.
Headed off down the 82, a fantastic route, good road and great views,
Quick today as I am stealing someones broadband time.Well did 380 miles to get to Gallum 103 miles away. Following 66 is hard, few signs and when you get them they are missing at some junctions. One said turn left so I did and spent 60 miles on a brilliant bendy mountain road where I could not turn the bike around because all side turnings were gravel. Oh dear so had to find a way down the mountain back to 66.
Managed it obviously as I an spending the night at Elrancho, the famous Gallop hotel where all the movies stars stayed.
Another terrible day on the Harley in the sun rolling along.Wednesday, horrible day today, sun was shining, it was hot and I rode over 400 miles, bike is just fantastic.
Well gained some more hours due to time zones.Saturday 28th
Would appear the USA had education problems as well.
34 in the morning 102 in the afternoon.Monday 30th
What a day, started at 6-30 this morning wearing everything I had, including 2 t-shirts on a long straight bit of the 66 and ended up in 102 degrees at London Bridge in the middle of the Arizona desert with palm trees all around.
Spent the night in a Bivvy bag, did not even have a match to start a fire.April 1st
Riding across the desert, them cowboys were real heroes, doing it on the Harley high up in the mountains was hot and hard, on a horse would have been something. The road is in the picture somewhere because I came through the hills in front.
All things come to an end, even Harley has to go back tomorrow morning.Rode into LA, what a massive place, took freeway for what must have been 60 miles of town. Rode straight to the ocean and amazingly turned left then right and was at Santa Monica Pier.
Stopped for an ice-cream, have to say not up Deal standards. But with temp in mid 60s was what I needed.
