The issues with amaferanga are much deeper than just Flic. This forum is read by a wide range of people. The number of members versus guests on BFs generally are in a ratio of 1:2. That means there are people out there who may take the advice here at face value and run with it... to their detriment.

The *spin* amaferanga put on his encouraging, initial posts was positive in the extreme. It would have encouraged anyone to consider Africa, as indeed I do, but his enthusiasm has glossed over the pitfalls that we all have been trying to identify.

The worst part about it is that I can see is that he fails to understand that travelling as a lone female cyclist, particularly in a continent where Muslim values are increasing, is not the same as a white male. He has offered NO advice about that at all on this forum.

I picked up the fact that amaferanga sold his message as a true salesman when he started to say he had not been to Egypt. He has now indicated that he hasn't been to South Africa when he implied he had. He does NOT know full information about the route that was originally indicated, least of all the OP's first destination, Egypt. Now it seems even the OP has been less than accurate in giving us details about her intentions.

It's this sort of thread that *experienced* travellers and especially because this deals with cycle touring, that experienced touring cyclists, start to see through the thin veneer of positive spin and see a whole heap of problems underneath.

amaferanga has no-one else to blame if he thinks he is being bashed. I don't think he's being bashed, but rather being asked to justify his specific claims.

I have never doubted that he has been to Africa. I have never doubted he started out as a cyclist with limited experience (but extensively more than the OP). I have never doubted he has been to the places he says and covered 20,000km cumulative there.

What I have doubted is the veracity of his assertions about certain countries and certain risks that have been identified by others. That simply puts him in the same league as some of us who have not been to those countries, either. But he has prefered to insult several of us... simply because his assertions, as a white male cycle tourist in Africa were scrutinised and were asked to be justified. He even admits to not bothering to read the material adequately -- which is usual for someone who is dismissive when asked to justify their assertions.

He has done that by referring to "thousands" then "hundreds" then SEVEN cyclists specifically and a website that leaves a lot to be desired on the specific details. He is no better than the rest of us, who rely on extensive and topical reading, in supplying reconnaissance and "heads-up" on any issue related to cycle touring and the countries he has NOT visited. He is certainly in arrears when it comes to people who have actually been to those countries.

And I am sorry, but I also disagree with you on that tone of responsibility. There have been too many things wrong with this thread and the OP's ability to comprehend much of what has been written, mostly about the function of bicycle touring as opposed to the destinations. We, as a community, *do* have a responsibility to provide information that is useful. amaferanga has done that and so have the rest of us. It's called robust debate and balance.