bike for Africa - please help me!

[Flic]

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 :-)

[MichaelW]

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.

[womble]

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.

[womble]

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.

[mudskipper99]

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.

[MrPolak]

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?

[Flic]

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 :-)

[IronMac]

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.

[neil0502]

A link or two. Have a great trip!
--
http://www.synaptic.bc.ca/ejHaidaGwa...ackingList.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

[Dahon.Steve]

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.

[Ziemas]

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?

[Flic]

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.

[Ziemas]

^^^
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.

[amaferanga]

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.

[jibi]

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

[mudskipper99]

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.

[Flic]

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.

[Crankypants]

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!

[Flic]

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...

[amaferanga]

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

[Flic]

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...

[amaferanga]

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.

[IronMac]

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.

[amaferanga]

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.

[jurjan]

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