Hosted Travelogs and Stories from the Road - bike for Africa - please help me!

Again thanks for the responses :-) as always they are valued. I've always been OK on the malaria tablets I've taken in the past, but this time I'm using Larium which I havn't taken before. I'm starting them in Egypt though, so I'll have a chance to switch them to something else if they don't work out for me. But hey crazy dreams might not be so bad... I paid $200 for these tablets, it might not be so bad if they do something else for me sides malaria protection...

I think I'll be just fine too amaferanga :-) ... thanks :-)

A few points
Sus forks: Cheap ones are not a good idea, you are better off with ridgid, stronger, more reliable, less to go wrong.
Backpack: can see the point if you decide to ditch the bike but fit a rear luggage rack to carry the backpack. If the bike carries the load you will be much happier.
Water. The frame should carry 2 waterbottle but you can buy additional containers to lash to the rear rack for desert crossings.
Spare tyre: check out the packing lists, most people carry one. Touring tyres have inverted tread, not knobbly for extra wear and have good puncture resistance.
Wheels: A cheap frame can do the job but poorly constructed wheels are a source of unreliability. Make sure they have enough spokes, (36) well tensioned and you have plenty of metal in the braking surface of the rim, not too worn or thin.

I have traveled all over the U.S. alone, and have had car break downs in very remote areas, 50 miles from the nearest phone. The worst thats ever happened to me, is some guy grabbed my behind, when I was stranded in the desert in California. Ive been to all 50 states, and some places people nicer than others, but I dont know why you think its not safe.

It's not that I consider the US unsafe (I've always felt safe there) but that I take exception to the implication that all of Africa is dangerous and to be avoided. Have you actually been there? I have, and have found some of the most uniformly friendly people I've ever met. Sure, some parts are dangerous (admittedly, some of the areas the OP seems to be strangely considering), but the same holds true for any other continent.

Again thanks for the responses :-) as always they are valued. I've always been OK on the malaria tablets I've taken in the past, but this time I'm using Larium which I havn't taken before. I'm starting them in Egypt though, so I'll have a chance to switch them to something else if they don't work out for me. But hey crazy dreams might not be so bad... I paid $200 for these tablets, it might not be so bad if they do something else for me sides malaria protection...

Yeah, Larium can be great- I had some of the best dreams ever on that stuff. I also had a single rather nasty induced panic attack, but that didn't last long.

It's not that I consider the US unsafe (I've always felt safe there) but that I take exception to the implication that all of Africa is dangerous and to be avoided. Have you actually been there? I have, and have found some of the most uniformly friendly people I've ever met. Sure, some parts are dangerous (admittedly, some of the areas the OP seems to be strangely considering), but the same holds true for any other continent.

No, I havent been to Africa, but I wasnt trying to say, every single place in Africa is bad. You made it sound as if all the U.S. was unsafe for women travelers. I know there are a lot of good people Africa. I have heard many times how nice people are there, and I have friends who have traveled around Africa more than once. One of my co-workers went there, and came back with Malaria, but loved the people. They saw some scary places also, but they were not alone on a bicycle where they were very vulnerable, so they could get away from there quickly.

Africa is on my list of places Ive always wanted to see, but I will go with at least one other person, or a tour group. If I thought Africa was all a really horrible place, I wouldnt plan on going there someday.

1. When was the last time a cyclist got eaten by an animal in Africa?
2. My camera survived a year of travel only to get pinched from my house a couple of months later, and I'm not going to Joburg, though I can see your point but somehow feel the same thing might be said about a lot of places, Newyork for starters?
3.I'm in the midst of having my vacs, have a full first aid certificate, will take some first aid gear, get travel insurance and hope for the best...

thanks for the advice anyway, particularly the first four words... :-)

My wife is from South Africa and frankly she agrees with me, which does not happen often. And yes, people on bikes do get attacked when biking in the bush and no, you can't easily find a doctor and yes, the crime rate much higher than in USA.

When I wanted to go mountain biking in the Transvaal mountains I was quickly discouraged by her family members... for a reason.

Then again, Africa is a huge continent with a rich culture, thousands of languages and many countries, so saying you are going to bike there is but unspecific.


Well, let us know when you're done and post some pics, OK?

Thanks for the bike advice MichaelW... Its really helpful mate. Had sort of ruled out a spare tyre because of the space it would take, but I guess the hassle it would evoke if I didn't have it might be greater. I'll count the spokes and yep plan on putting the backpack on a rack. I'll look more into forks. I thought though if I got suspension and it broke then I would just be left with a bike with no suspension but the bike would still work...?

I agree with the rest of you, I lived in the US and never felt unsafe, even wandering around Oakland which is supposedly sketchy at 4:00am was never a problem (catching buses that always left at that time)... but I'm sure there are sketchy bits somewhere... And similarly there are sketchy bits of Africa too. MrPolak I understand your point of view, my cousin lived in South Africa for about 12 years before moving to New Zealand a couple of years ago. She has told me loads about the crime there... and would definitely discourage me from going I'm sure.

Thankyou all again :-)

I'm sorry but I really don't like this idea. You've never traveled outside of Western countries and you've never done any sort of cycling let alone self-supported.

I'm not sure if this is not some sort of joke thread by someone seeking attention.

If you pull it off then you're one brave and LUCKY lass and I'll salute you for it.

A link or two. Have a great trip!
--
http://www.synaptic.bc.ca/ejHaidaGwaii/008.BicyclePackingList.htm

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/

http://www.moderntransit.org/touring/index.html

http://www.bikechina.com/heinzstucke1z.html

http://www.kenkifer.com/bikepages/links/tourlink.htm

I'm sorry but I really don't like this idea. You've never traveled outside of Western countries and you've never done any sort of cycling let alone self-supported.

I'm not sure if this is not some sort of joke thread by someone seeking attention.

If you pull it off then you're one brave and LUCKY lass and I'll salute you for it.

I'm scared for the OP. Her overall knowledge on bicycles scares me even more. Doing this trip on a $200.00 hundred bicycle is asking for trouble. I get the feeling the OP has limited funds and her equiptment purchase is not based on extensive experience but finances. A mistake.

Flic- A few vital questions that no one has asked yet.

Why do you want to do this trip by bike?

What do you think will be different by bike rather than public transport?

What do you think you will get out of this trip by bike that you wouldn't get out of it by public transport?

Hi IronMac thanks for your reply! I should mention that I have in fact travelled outside of Western countries, not heaps but a bit... a month in Sri lanka and a couple of brief trips to Thailand. You're right I've never done any real cycling, but this isn't a joke, though I'm sure a lot of the people reading this think of me as one. To combat this lack of experience (and stupidity?) I am hella brave and lucky, so at least I've got that on my side.

Thankyou neil0502 I havn't seen some of those before!

I can understand how not buying the best gear may be a concern Dahon.Steve but realisically, I don't know that many 23 year olds who travel on anything but a budget, and for whom finances are not a concern. I've only had a year to save for this trip during which time I've been doing school full time as well... Hopefully it'll be alright... Thanx for your concern. A couple of people have suggested the things which can and cannot be done on the cheap, any ideas you have would be appreciated too.

Ziemas hello again! One other dude did ask me my motivation for the trip but I kind of didn't asnwer it very well. Last year I spent 6 months driving around Europe in a car and I was so stoked on it. I got to see so so so much more than if I had done the trip on public transport. Twice during this trip I hired a bike for the day - the Aaron Islands in Ireland and Texel Island in The Netherlands... those two days riding around were so much fun! I want to do it by bike because I really liked those couple of days and I think it will be a huge challenge and there will be loads of time to think and figure things out in my head and I think I'll see so much and meet so many people. The other thing I really liked about the car was that I never had to worry about public transport timetables, or queing to buy tickets, I was free to go where I wanted whenever. I'm not ruling out public transport 100%, don't get me wrong... There will definitely be parts where I put me and the bike on a train or a bus or a truck etc. when I just want to cover the distance, or I'm tired, or something on my crappy bike has broken, or I want to spend the time elsewhere.

I'm getting really really excited! I hope I don't mess it all up! I'd feel so bad for all the people who have said they reckon I can make it.

^^^
If freedom is what you are after, go to the local cycling club and ask for help finding a used bike. You'll get a much better machine for the money. Your cheap bike will break and you'll be in big trouble.

BTW, when I was your age I cycled around Australia- with a very nice bike and little pocket money- picking up odd jobs here and there. The bike worked flawlessly which I think was a saving grace.

If it all goes pear shaped then all Flic needs to do is jump on a bus or hitch a lift with the next passing vehicle and she'll be fine. She'll have a tent so if she has to wait 2 days for that vehicle to come along (very unlikely on the main routes through Egypt/Sudan) then there's no big deal provided she's wise with water.

There are some people here, who judging from their posts, must be afraid of their own shadows ;-).

Once again I draw such peoples attention to Dervla Murphy who refused even to fix a puncture. Did I mention that she also cycled from Dublin to Dehli, crossing Europe during one of the worst winters on record and crossing Afghanistan with just a saddle bag with a few bits and pieces and not even a tent?

Some see the unknown as something terrifying, others see it as a challenge.

Flic

A guy called Rupert Atlee and his friends rode from Tierra Del Fuego to Bolivia , they hadn't much experience of riding bikes or even travelled that much, but they made the trip, and wrote a book, the Trail To Titicaca.

In an unknown continent, on strange transportation.

How do you get experience of anything, by doing it of course.

I have not been to Nepal or China but that does not stop me from planning next years trip there

Good Luck gal
george

This happened in Russia, but an example of the medical care you should be prepared for. My friends and a bunch of people from his Russian class went to the middle of nowhere Russia, to work in a place where orphans stay. They had to drink water from a murky lake, milk straight from the cow. Not pasterized or refridgerated. They ate fish they caught from that murky lake, and other food no where near as clean as they are used to.

One girl was having such severe pain in her gut, she was rolling on the floor, literally screaming at the top of her lungs. After over an hour bumpy ride on horrible dirt roads, she arrrived at some clinic. The doctor told her that her problem was that her ovaries were cold from swimming in the lake. He started to give her a shot with a used needle, but luckily the others noticed this, and made the doctor use a fresh needle. They never figured out what the shot was either. Eventually the pain went away on its own, and she had to go home.

All the others had the runs all the time, and had to use paper or leaves for toilet paper(in an outhouse).

The baggage handlers at the airport went through their stuff, and took what they wanted, when they came. When ide try sending my friend something, it always arrived opened, and everything but my letter was taken.

Even though that is a whole different place, you will probebly have to deal with eating and drinking stuff we are not used to, that could make you very ill, and hospitals like that. Just be prepared for that. I hope you have an iron stomach.

I admire your courage anyways.

Hi Ziemas... The only problem (Well obviously not the only problem!... one of many many possible flaws) is that I'm leaving in 32 days, so is it better to buy a bike quickly and actually start riding it, or hunt around for a second hand bike which might take a lot longer to find. I was talking to a dude today who rode a bit around Australia because I had him explain these thorn-proof tubes I had found. Whichever bike I get I'm gunna put those on it, and then bring some regular spares (since they pack up much smaller). He said I could put the thornproof one on just the front tyre, but I think I'll put them on both, and then if the front one goes I can take the tough tube out of the back one and put it into the front one, if thats possible... I still don't really know what to do about getting the bike. Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Gunna check out a Bicycle Recycle centre that someone suggested earlier.

Amaferanga... perhaps you could write a book of inspirational quotes? I think it would be a top seller.

jibi (George)... thanks mate! I will try and find out more on these dudes. Maybe I should write a book.

mudskipper99... Thanks for the warning story and encouragement. Luckily I have got a pretty iron gut usually, I don't tend to get sick too often (having said that we can now be safely assured that I'll get hella sick! But I'll bring appropriate medication with me). I've done a bit of offshore ocean racing (Queenscliff to Stanley, Sydney to Hobart etc. for any Aussies who might know these races) and consequently am used to getting on with the job when I'm feeling sick, and have also developed pretty (very?) good mental strength at not being sick too.

I've got a question about cycling gloves too... I wasn't gunna bring any, but the kid I was talking to reckoned they were the bomb. How many of yous wear cycling gloves? Are they worth bringing along? Or will they just be something that makes my hands hot and I lose along the way?

Thankyou all so so much for all of your help and encouragement. I'm stoked.

Well, I had to chime in here. I've been going to the African continent for many years now, I started my first three month trip to West Africa alone when I was 19. Don't listen to any of the people here how are showcasing their own fears of travel. Throught the years, I've heard the same stories from people advising me to visit forbidden places. I kept my common sense, lived through my travels. and discovered some amazing places as well as more about myself. Of course, you do research before you go, but you find out a lot about what to avoid (areas, countries, scams, etc.) from the people once you get there. Sure, unfortunately things happen, but that's how you'll learn, grow, and benefit from your travel experience. A bike tour through Africa could be an incredible journey for the soul, and an insight into one of the world's most an ancient cultures and peoples. What a great idea for it!

Hi again Crankypants... whats this name mean? At my work we used to sell these cycling shorts called Cranky Pants... I always thought it had such a wierd name, now I'm wondering if maybe theres something more to it. I agree 100% with you. Thankyou :-) ... do you wear cycling glove in Africa? Oh and did you wear a helmet too? Most of the people in the photos I have seen don't seem to be wearing them...

Gloves (fingerless) yes. Helmet no. And no lycra. Definitely no lycra.

Is it ok to wear those padded ass shorts? Like you're not really meant to wear shorts around those areas, but then it would be nice ot have the padding (I think)... does anyone know? Is it acceptable to wear shorts whilst cycling if I had some long pants or a long skirt to put on over the top when I stopped? Opinions really welcome...

The clothing I was thinking of bringing was:

cycling clothes - padded ass shorts (sorry i don't know the real name) and cycling top and cycling shoes
other clothes - light flowy long sleaved top, thermal top (to sleep in also if it gets cold), long pants or skirt, and pants to below my knee (to be worn when appropriate). Singlet and shorties to sleep in. Pair of thongs/flipflops...

You should probably wear longs most of the time, particularly in the muslim countries/areas. You could probably get away with some 3/4 length cycling shorts, I think Endura make some called humvees or something. In the cities and tourist hotspots pretty much anything goes as the people have become accustomed to (ignorant) tourists wearing what they'd wear on the beach back home.

But bear in mind I'm probably not best placed to advise on womens things. If you want an opinion from a woman who has cycled a lot in Africa you could try PMing 'Africabybike', again on LP TT.

The very fact that you're here asking these sort of questions within weeks of leaving for a bike journey that's regarded as one of the toughest on Earth is what leads me to my conclusion that you shouldn't be doing this. If you were going to travel across North America or Europe, then, that's a different story.

P.S. I've travelled solo across Europe and the Middle East by bike.

The very fact that you're here asking these sort of questions within weeks of leaving for a bike journey that's regarded as one of the toughest on Earth is what leads me to my conclusion that you shouldn't be doing this. If you were going to travel across North America or Europe, then, that's a different story.

P.S. I've travelled solo across Europe and the Middle East by bike.

So you are aware that most of the journey (probably 80% or more) from Cairo to Cape Town can be done on asphalt if one so desires? Doesn't sound that hard to me and indeed it is not. Of course if you believe the Tour d'Afrique website then it is THE most difficult journey on Earth.

Amaferanga, not to start flaming or anything, but your suggestion that all the people
that say to Flic that it's prossibly a bit naive to do what she wants to do haven't been there, or are afraid of their own shadows is in my mind quite insulting.
all most of us are saying is: be carefull, PLAN,THINK.
and btw: the fact that one person (Dervla Murphy) can do x doesn't mean anybody can.
refusing to repair a puncture is just plain silly in my opinion, but may have helped her, as in, aah, the poor girl.. let's help her.
you do know she carried (and USED) a gun while going to India?

sorry if i offended anyone, don't mean to.

once again Flic: be careful, but: enjoy!

have a nice day
jurjan

Flic- Thorn proof tubes are next to useless. Looking into buying some puncture touring resistant tires, such as the Schwalbe Marathon or Marathon Plus. Those actually work. They are expensive, but worth every penny. (not that you use pennies..... :) )

mannnnnnnn ok I'll look at different shorts, thanks amaferanga :-) and will get back onto Africabybike.

You know IronMac... A few years ago I would have definitely agreed with you dude. I remember watching this kid go off to sail around the world solo and when he left he forgot some vital pieces of equipment for navigation, couldn't even run spinnaker sheets and pretty much everyone said "well he ain't coming back". But somehow the dude made, he remains the youngest kid to have ever sailed around the world solo. When he got back we went sailing together and I was SHOCKED by how little he still knew (like he didn't know how to use a tiller?!). I've come to the conclusion that people are capable of a lot more than they think they are. Not trying to be rude or anything, just hoping hardcore that you're wrong is all!!!

jurjan thankyou, I will have a nice day :-) you too.

Ziemas... can you explain why thorn resistant tubes are useless? I'm not saying I don't believe you (not at all!), I'd just like to know why. The kid who was telling me about them said he'd had glass sticking into his tyre and that the tube still hadn't punctured. I mean I can see how puncture resistant tyres would be usefull too, but why not both (except that the tubes are heavier?) Just would like to know for the sake of knowledge. Cheers mate

I hope you're all having fun riding and all of that. :-) stoked.

Ziemas... can you explain why thorn resistant tubes are useless? I'm not saying I don't believe you (not at all!), I'd just like to know why. The kid who was telling me about them said he'd had glass sticking into his tyre and that the tube still hadn't punctured. I mean I can see how puncture resistant tyres would be usefull too, but why not both (except that the tubes are heavier?) Just would like to know for the sake of knowledge. Cheers mate

I hope you're all having fun riding and all of that. :-) stoked.
Because they don't work. See the following thread.....

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=221645&highlight=thorn+resistant+tubes

So you are aware that most of the journey (probably 80% or more) from Cairo to Cape Town can be done on asphalt if one so desires? Doesn't sound that hard to me and indeed it is not. Of course if you believe the Tour d'Afrique website then it is THE most difficult journey on Earth.

No, I am not aware that you can do the journey on asphalt. But, what sort of asphalt are we talking about? The stuff you get between Toronto and Montreal? Or the rough stuff you get on the way in to Wadi Rum in Jordan?

And, personally, I'd rather believe the Tour d'Afrique website than someone who's never been there before. I also think it's idiotic to use the Murphy example who's a grandmother-figure compared to a young lass. NO ONE's going to harass a granny on a bike!

You know IronMac... A few years ago I would have definitely agreed with you dude. I remember watching this kid go off to sail around the world solo and when he left he forgot some vital pieces of equipment for navigation, couldn't even run spinnaker sheets and pretty much everyone said "well he ain't coming back". But somehow the dude made, he remains the youngest kid to have ever sailed around the world solo. When he got back we went sailing together and I was SHOCKED by how little he still knew (like he didn't know how to use a tiller?!). I've come to the conclusion that people are capable of a lot more than they think they are. Not trying to be rude or anything, just hoping hardcore that you're wrong is all!!!


Jesse Martin sailed from Belize to Tahiti with a group before he undertook his circumnavigation. He probably spent half of his life on the water. It's not as if he simply decided one day to purchase a boat to go sailing off. To make it clear, though, I think that that would be much more likely to result in your death than a ride through Africa.

The odds are that you can do the trip but those odds would be a lot better if you had done touring before.

There's a book called "Cold Beer and Crocodiles" about a guy who bike around Australia almost ten years ago. It's one that should give you some idea of what to expect on an extreme bike trip.

If you're dead set on this trip, here are some words of advice:

A. Learn how to fix your bike. It would be great if you could do more than simply fix a flat. Try to cram in a repair course before you leave.
B. Steel frame is recommended since any breaks can be welded by some guy with a blowtorch.
C. Don't cheap out on gear because it will come back to haunt you.
D. PM "Machka" on this board since she's done long-distance touring and can probably give you great advice.
E. Clean water is a priority.
F. Money will solve almost any problem but don't keep it on you.

No, I am not aware that you can do the journey on asphalt. But, what sort of asphalt are we talking about? The stuff you get between Toronto and Montreal? Or the rough stuff you get on the way in to Wadi Rum in Jordan?

And, personally, I'd rather believe the Tour d'Afrique website than someone who's never been there before. I also think it's idiotic to use the Murphy example who's a grandmother-figure compared to a young lass. NO ONE's going to harass a granny on a bike!

We're talking some perfect asphalt (the Chinese build some damn fine roads), some with occasional potholes, but asphalt all the same.

Why don't you believe me instead of the Tour d'Afrique website? I've got nothing to gain from exaggerating the difficulty in cycling Cairo to Cape, where as the Tour d'Afrique are trying to make the trip sound like a huge challenge even with all the support and back up. With the exception of Sudan and Egypt (and Somalia) I've cycled in all the countries likely to be on Flic's route so I'm speaking from experience, not basing my views on something I read somewhere.

I don't see why the Dervla Murphy comparison is idiotic actually. Young or old she is still a woman and my point was that there's no reason why women can't do such a trip.

Bike shorts will be useful for comfort but they should be worn with no underwear and clean every day or you will get saddle sore infections. You can wear lightweight shorts or anything else over them for modesty/local customs.

Gloves will protect your hands from serious skinning if you fall. A skinned hand is a horrible injury that puts you out of action for weeks and can get infected without medical care. Wear gloves with leather palms. Gel gloves are designed to protect against vibration as well but I prefer plain padding.

The std expedition touring tyre is Schwalbe Marathon XR.
I use plain marathon and it is a tough, reliable tyre. The Plus version is even tougher and the XR is super tough and durable. Good but not cheap.

When you get your bike get someone to show you how to do basic emergency repairs and practice them yourself. It isn't that difficult:
Puncture repair.
Replacing spoke
Fix snapped chain (with chain tool on multitool)
Adjusting hub bearings.

We're talking some perfect asphalt (the Chinese build some damn fine roads), some with occasional potholes, but asphalt all the same.

First, the Chinese have only built roads in two countries that I'm aware of and they may not be the ones that Flic would be using.



Why don't you believe me instead of the Tour d'Afrique website? I've got nothing to gain from exaggerating the difficulty in cycling Cairo to Cape, where as the Tour d'Afrique are trying to make the trip sound like a huge challenge even with all the support and back up. With the exception of Sudan and Egypt (and Somalia) I've cycled in all the countries likely to be on Flic's route so I'm speaking from experience, not basing my views on something I read somewhere.

Sorry did not realize that you did most of the countries already. But, aren't you the one who posted that using a cheap bike leads to no end of problems? And, have you cycled from Cairo to the Cape?



I don't see why the Dervla Murphy comparison is idiotic actually. Young or old she is still a woman and my point was that there's no reason why women can't do such a trip.

You also posted that Murphy was often mistaken for a man and had to prove that she was a woman at times. Of course, a woman can do this trip but not EVERY woman can or should do this sort of trip.

I certainly think that Flic needs a lot more prepping and that cannot be done in less than two months.

IronMac Jesse Martin hadn't spent half his life on boats... Someone who has spent half there life on boats knows how to use a tiller... Thanks for the other advice though dude. I agree ideally I would have more than a month to get organised, but I know me, and if I extend my leaving date, then it won't necasserily mean that I get my act together any quicker unfortunately.

MichaelW... geez infected saddle sores sound gross. Thanks for the other advice :-)

amaferanga... she seriously got mistaken for a man and had to prove that she was a woman? How did she prove it? It sounds kinda crazy...

Begining to agree with yous all that maybe the 25 Ltr Bag might be a little bit too small and I will have to use the 30Ltr one...

But, aren't you the one who posted that using a cheap bike leads to no end of problems?

Not always. For some people that is a challenge, nothing more. Look at this webpage (http://acanay.com/bike/index.html) for instance.

This webpage (http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2762) is on the topic Turkey and "single blonde women". I read it by chance, because wanted to learn more about Muslim culture before to leave for Turkey on our unsupported bike tour this October. Some aspects of right behavior are clarified there.

As to the idea on traveling in Africa in that style, I think it is her life and she has the right to have a free hand, so the imperative advices aren’t acceptable. The issue has not a simple answer. The opportunity to see life right now, to get adrenaline with some real risk is on the one side, and a possible feeling of regret for the things that wasn’t done all the rest of the life is on the other side. I can’t judge and you? Look at alpinists, the slopes of famous mountains are covered by their remains despite most of them were prepared enough. But people go there again and again. That is the nature of the people, I think not the worst one. Something that is misery for one is just fun for another.

Good luck Flic, I respect the people, who can make decisions and are ready to take the responsibility.

Alexey

hey Flic just do it if I listened to everyone I would have been mugged, robbed or killed on my recent tour to Russia and back. I also lived in Africa all my life and it's very strange but I'm still alive to tell the tale. I know you're going to have a good time,just do it day by day and you'll be ok it's just comon sense really, the tour I've just finished was my first it covered 8000 km and I hadn't touched a bike really since I stopped racing probly 5 years earlier.

I know you're going to have a good time,just do it day by day and you'll be ok it's just comon sense really, the tour I've just finished was my first it covered 8000 km and I hadn't touched a bike really since I stopped racing probly 5 years earlier.

Great advice to an absolute newbie from someone who used to bike race. :rolleyes:

Flic, why don't you make a list of what you need, put it in a pile and, then, decide on the capacity of the bags?

Yeah IronMac never had to carry panniers or camp every night on my stage races!! my road bike also never weighed 60kgs either(and haven't hardly been near my bike for the 5 years since stopping racing so I wasn't fit to ride it took me 3 weeks to get fit and I finished my tour :) ),riding isn't that hard once your half fit. I'm sure Flic knows how to ride a bike, fitness will happen if she intends riding from the north to the south of this beautiful continent, and I would say that if she's not fit in a month then she's a freak of nature or hasn't ridden her bike for that month having spent the time on public transport rather than riding.

Alexey... Hey dude :-) thanks for the website and link to that forum thread, it was a very interesting read. Another guy here (amaferanga) gave me the similar advice of "if you don't do it you'll forever regret it. If you do do it you'll never forget it"... and I reckon it was such a valuable thing to have told me, so thanks again for that :-) I wouldn't respect me too much, I'm one of the worst decision makes going around usually... :-(

chalenea2z ... glad ya still alive mate! Thanks for the positive thoughts. Luckily, no one in Australia has told me I'm gunna die yet, though maybe they're just too polite, who knows.

IronMac ... This is very sensible advice, its more just that I don't own the bag yet and visually judging 5Ltr of space is sort of difficult. I was reading the man's site again last night about traveling lightly and he says he uses a 40Ltr dry bag, though it looks like it is maybe folded up a bit to be made smaller...

In other news I'm gunna go look at bikes again today! My first stop (please be proud of me) is the Bicycle Recycle Centre (!!!) which was recommended to me by a previous post, and then a couple of other shops as well... Maybe at the Bicycle Recycle centre I can find a good frame... I hope... I also borrowed a book on cycling and it gives some advice for touring and details some of a route in Ethiopia.

Thanks again to everyone for contributing, I'm really, really touched that so many people are reading and offering advice.

Sorry did not realize that you did most of the countries already...[snip]. And, have you cycled from Cairo to the Cape?


Nope, but spent a year in total meandering well off the beaten track in southern and eastern Africa, about 20,000km. Also met and spoke at length with several cyclists who have cycled Cairo-Cape.

Hmmm....
Can I take out a life insurance policy on Flic?

Hi Flic, Good luck.

(1) Water requirements On the recent Great Vic Bike Ride I was drinking between 750ml and 1L per hour in 30-35 degree heat, PLUS another 2-3L during rest stops, totalling 1.5L per hour of riding in this heat, or 6-8L per day. I am 90kg, male and tend to drink a lot, so you might get by with a little less, but not much less. I was on the medical team on the ride and dehydration/heat stroke were the biggest problems.

(2) Water storage. 2 bottles in cages on the frame = 1.5L. One water bladder (camelbak) in your pack = 2L. Add a platypus bag or old wine cask liner - another 4-5 L; you can put it in a cloth bag and strap it to a rack or to the top tube of your bike frame.

(3) Carrying stuff Definitely get a rear rack to strap stuff to. Tioga makes one for ~40 bucks; it is aluminium and might break with too heavy a load, but it is probably the best value in your budget. Panniers cost more, probably too much for you, and you don't need them if you really travel light - google "ultralight bikepacking" and "monocog log" www.mile43.com/peterson/MonoLog/MonocogLog.html to see what I mean.

(4) Cheap bikes
CERES Bike Shed - these guys can help you with spares or repairs (you don't have time or experience to build a bike there from sratch). I got a rack and some spares for a $4 donation.
8 Lee Street, Brunswick East, Melbourne, Australia 3057
Melways map reference 30 B7
Bicycle Recycle: 672a South Rd Moorabbin tel 03 9555 8692

In your budget, you will find it hard to do it with a new bike. Look for 2nd hand eg trading post etc. Old Shogun or Giant mountainbikes (eg. Trailbreaker or Iguana) are cheap and plentiful in Melbourne.

New models to look at:
Kona Smoke at Brunswick Street Cycles (near Alexandra Pde on Brunswik St) - $550, but worth a look for an idea of a robust (rather than feature-laden) bike. Looks like crap and rides like a truck, but pretty solid (except for the rear gears).

Melbourne Bicycle Centre on Queen St (continuation of Smith St) in Clifton Hill - always has hybrid bikes on sale.

The big wheel hybrids (700c/road bike size) have wheels that dent more easily with potholes, so if you go for one of these MAKE SURE your tyres are ALWAYS pumped up really hard. Get fat tyres swapped on. Or, get mountain bike wheels and tyres - stronger and easier to get spares for.

Whatever you do, get a rear rack on the bike (even if you plan on using a backpack) and have plenty of water storage capacity, eg. an empty wine cask bladder (light, compact, strong).

Some alternatives for regular gear:

Water storage I know, you're sick of this by now. But: Get an empty wine cask; take the silver (aluminised mylar) liner out; gently pull out the tap/valve; wash it out; put back together. If it is a bit leaky, use a small rubber band as an O-ring.
You can also get water at the supermarket in these bags, but the smallest I;ve seen is 6L.

Carrying stuff
(1) Instead of using panniers, you can strap stuff to the bike frame or raks. If you have the cash get some Sea2summit nylon dry bags (not the ultralight see-thru ones, they are great in a pack but abrade really easily). If not, sew some non-waterproof but tough nylon bags.
(2) Army disposal canvas daypacks. These can be converted into panniers with some effort. You need a plastic or plywood stiffening plate on the inside of the bag, to which you attach hooks and elastic.
Look at the bottom of this page:
http://www.bicyclinglife.com/HowTo/HeavyDutyRacks.htm

I MESSED UP. SOME EXPERENCE HERE!
I went and got a walmart bike, it broke the 3rd time I rode it. I went and did a 15 mile trail and halfway into it (seriously halfway) the chain snapped off. I had to walk back to the my truck. 90 minute walk. I never will buy a cheap bike again.
INSTEAD I found a nice used Trek 920 that needed a good over haul. The guy gave it tome because he thought it was unrepairable. I learned how to take it apart and put it back together again. I got about $100.00 in parts off of eBay and made it into an awesome touring machine. It likely works better than bike you can pay $500.00 for in the store, plus doing the work I learned how to replace chains, derailers, cranks, cassettes, tires. That is what you need. a good cro-mo frame set and throw a bunch of nice cheap high-end used parts on it. You will be surprised with what you get.

Hi everyone... Please Comment On These Bikes...

I've found a couple of bikes which I think might be OK... What do you think of these? I know they're not steel. I found one steel second hand bike but it was Hi-ten steel which I read was pretty crappy steel... Thats the problem, so much contradictory information. Anyway, how are these bikes? I reckon they're OK...

http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/mountain/169/22618/ ... this is the Upland made by Giant

http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/mountain/169/22428/ ... and this is the Upland SE made by Giant.

The only difference is the front fork (this one has suspension). Most of the crew on here suggest that front suspension isn't a good idea because if it brakes I'm up sh*tcreek, it adds to the weight of the bike, and can make peddling on the flats less energy efficient. The people in the bike shops say it is a good idea because they never have these bikes being returned because of suspension failure, it eases the stress on the frame because the shocks absorb some of the stress and it makes riding the bike a lot more comfortable. I don't want the bike to brake on me, but if it takes stress off the frame anyway, maybe its a good thing? But thengiven that Giant offers a lifetime warranty on frames, they must be pretty sure that they are OK. Seriously, what is the likelihood of the front suspension failing, and how does this risk compare to the added comfort I will experience through having front suspension and the possibility of there being increased stress on the frame.

I also found these two, but I don't know as much about them...
http://www.learsport.com.au/view_product.php?product=GT3000
http://www.learsport.com.au/view_product.php?product=MT3000

Please Please Please give me your opinions on these bikes.

In other news:

Yes Bikepacker67 you can def take out a life insurance policy on me... if you like throwing ya coin away and all... :-)

Caves Thankyou so much for this information, its hella valuable to me. I will follow up everything you have said. Though I think I should say at this point that I thought the Bicycle Recycle centre was crap, at least for someone like me... The lady actually said to me "I don't have time to answer all of your questions"... she also thought I was rubbish because I didn't understand how the springlock on the kickstand worked and she told me "I don't like your chances in Africa" which is fair enough, but the way she said it was quite derogetory to be honest, and I would definitely not reccommend them unless you know exactly what you are looking for and don't need advice. I'll def check out CERES though agree I don't have the time or knowledge to build a bike from scratch.

DavidARayJaxNC ... thanks mate, I think I've gone off the idea of the kmart/walmart type bike cos yeah, I believe you, I now understand a little bit better the difference in componentory, I'm just worried about my timeframe and knowledge in terms of putting a bike together...

Repairs and spares.

At a minimum: keeping your tyres pumped up, fixing flats and adjusting brakes and gears will be needed on your trip. These are all easy to do; make sure you practice these before you go, so you know how to do them on your bike. You need to do these to keep your bike running well, not just in an emergency!

Limited time and experience and lightweight travel means you will have to rationalize things. Some common problems are:

Flat tyre; bent rim from riding into a pothole with a flat tyre; wobbly wheel from loose spokes, broken spokes, bent axle or bent rim; poor shifting, from wobbly wheel, bent frame or poorly adjusted gears; poorly working brakes; brakes rubbing against wheel; squeaky chain; slipping chain; loose bearings in wheel hubs, pedal hubs or other bearings.
Take along a (small and light) book on repairs (or photocopy and reduce onto lightweight paper). Practice is best, but with a month to go I'm sure your time is limited. What do others think are the most important simple repairs to know about; what about prevention?

Can't comment on specific tools and spares without knowing your bike and your skills, but suggest:
Pump Go for good and not too expensive, rather than cheapest. If you have mountain bike tyres your choices are easier, because although they take more air the air is at a lower pressure, so most pumps will be good enough. If you get tyres with a car-style valve (ie. the commonest type) you will be able to use any old pump or fill up at a servo. "Presta" valves hold high pressure better, but probably are NOT suitable for your tour.
Flat repairs Take 3 plastic tyre levers (one will break!). Spare tubes, not just patches (the valves can fail). Patch kit. Might be worth taking a spare tyre (kevlar folding tyres are more convenient, but more expensive). Apart from the tyre, all these can be cheap (bike shop cheap, not K-mart cheap).
Tools Depends on yout bike. Make sure you have the correct sized Allen keys (hex wrenches) and spanners for every bolt on the bike. You can get little multitools with lots of Allen keys that are quite light. Don't get a 2 Dollar Shop set of Allen keys, they are made of very soft metal and will die quickly. If you have nuts and bolts for your wheels and seat, you will need spanners as well as Allen keys. If so, go to Bunnings and get one decent-quality 6-inch (150mm) adjustable spanner (the one with the screw that makes it bigger and smaller). Also, get either a pair of pliers, a Leatherman-type tool or another adjustable spanner (which can be tiny and crappy). This is because you need a 2nd tool to hold the head of a bolt when you are undoing the nut.

Other tools depend on experience, a spoke key and a chain tool are nice along with cone spanners (double as pedal wrenches) and a tool to remove the gear cluster from the back wheel, but you won't be doing any of this stuff unless you have the experience.

Your bike tool or Leatherman tool should have screwdrivers (flat and phillips) on it. If you wear glasses, take along a mini-screwdriver in case they fall apart in the middle of nowhere (sounds ridiculous, but has happened to me with more than one pair of expensive eyeglasses and cheap sunnies!)

Consumables I think it would be worth taking along some grease (put some in a small tube or container, don't take along a big container), a rag, some combination chain cleaner and lube (eg. Rock n Roll or Pedro's), some spare nuts 'n bolts, super glue, cable ties, duct tape/gaffer tape, some old inner tube (10cm is heaps) for making extra strong rubber bands out of. Spokes are not that easy to change, maybe get a kevlar emergency spoke to get out of trouble and then bus to the next town.

Sounds like heaps, but apart from the spanners and tyre it is all pretty light and compact. Don't forget a rag and some tissues for cleaning your hands - you will get filthy once you start messing with grease or with dirty wheel rims.

Hi everyone... Please Comment On These Bikes...

http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/mountain/169/22618/ ... this is the Upland made by Giant



Yep, this is the sort of thing you should be looking for, but keep looking. I think the rear derailleur on this one is pretty crap, but I'm not sure if you'll do better with a new bike in this price range. Look at Shogun, that's another brand that does pretty well at the low-mid end. At least look for an all-metal rear derailleur (Deore is good, but Alivio is probably the best you will find on a budget bike).

Avoid suspension or disc brakes. Both are crap in your price range. Suspension needs additional maintenance. Keep it simple.

V-brakes are good. Tektro is generally reliable, if nothing special.

I'm not so keen on the Learsport bikes, the (very cheap) Great Vic Bike Ride bikes by Learsport had lots of problems. The ones you are looking at seem marginally better, but I reckon Shogun or Giant is a safer bet.


--- edit ---
If you can stretch your budget to $400-550 you will get a dramatically more reliable bike. Also, look out for specials at the bike shops. The good bikes don't go on sale until August or so, but the mass-produced ones often go on special after christmas.

Caves is then this one better? The Boulder... http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-AU/bikes/mountain/169/22611/ except it has suspension? Everyone in bike shops keeps on telling me to get suspension...?

It has a different derailluer?