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?
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.
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.
