Africa by Motorcycle

Day 1: The Journey Begins

Start: West Wales, End: Southampton, Distance: 240 miles. One refuel: ┬ú17.41

After a year of planning I am finally on my way to Cape Town. The journey was mostly along motorways and the weather was kind to me with no rain. The bike was a little twitchy at the front end at low speeds but felt really good at high speeds. Totally the opposite of the unloaded bike. The shift in the centre of gravity from high in the middle to lower and further back is the cause. This evening i went to visit my old Scout group the 14th Eastleigh. It was great to see faces I have not seen for many years and to explain about the trip to the Cubs.

Scouts UK

Draiglas Explorer Scouts

One of the objectives I have set myself is to meet with as many Scouts as I can along the way. It is only fitting that first on the list is my local Explorer Scout unit here in Teifi district, Ceredigion

I have heard from several Scouts in Africa now including The Gambia, Morocco and Ghana. I hope to meet them all.

Planning The Bike UK

24 Hours to Go

Final day at home so I have been packing and repacking the bike.
I have finally found a configuration that works and is as balanced as I can make it.

The spare tyres were a big problem and at one stage I decided to leave them
behind. But I eventuality decided it was worth the hassle for a week or two through Europe. I will probably change them in Southern Morocco.

Planning The Bike UK

Servicing the Bike

My old school mate Pete has been in West Wales this weekend. As well as catching up and socialising, he helped me service the bike and have some tips on removing tyres etc.
We changed oil and brake fluids, new brake pads on the back, cleaned the brake calipers, removed the rear wheel to clean the chain and guides, removed and replaced the rear tyre, Removed and replaced the tank, put on a new aluminium sump guard to replace the standard plastic one, new spark plug, new K&N washable air filter, new oil filter and gasket.
As well as doing work that was needed, we did some jobs i am likely to have to do on the road. This means I have more confidence but also means I have the tools I will need. Pete has lent me his tyre levers and a spanner I had pretty much everything needed except a large Allen key needed to remove the front wheel. I need to pick one up, strangly it was not in the Yamaha kit provided with the bike.

Liberia Musings Planning Scouts Sierra Leone UK

Ebola countries may be accessable

Post author By John Barrett
Post date 17/03/2015
1 Comment on Ebola countries may be accessable

I spoke to Emma of Street Child today and it looks like it may be safe to travel through the Ebola hit countries of Sierra Leone and Liberia. This is great news as I may be able to visit some of the projects they have in those countries.
Only one week until the start of my trip and everything is in place. This weekend my old school mate Pete is coming up to help my service the bike and give it a final check. Pete is a bike mechanic so his expert opinion will be reassuring. Next Tuesday I am visiting Draiglas Explorer Scouts as the first Scouts meeting on my trip, I hope to meet many more before I finish.

Planning The Bike UK

Central wheel components

A big thank you to Central Wheel Components for donating 10 front and 10 rear wheel spokes that I can take as spares.

Central Wheel Components

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Borders France Planning UK

Ferry departure delayed

I had an email from Britanny Ferries today. My ferry has a stabiliser fault and has been taken out of service. I am rebooked on the Portsmouth Caenes route the following day.

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DRC France Planning UK

Ferry Booked and other preparations

Post author By John Barrett
Post date 10/02/2015
No Comments on Ferry Booked and other preparations

I am booked on the Portsmouth to Le Havre ferry for the 25th March. Other things done include getting an International drivers permit (┬ú5) and applying for a Visa to the Democratic Republic of Congo by post (┬ú150).

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Planning Press Coverage UK

Article in Cambrian News

The Cambrian News printed an article about the trip.
http://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/news/i/45685/

Musings Planning UK

Thank you to Capel Dewi Community

Post author By John Barrett
Post date 24/01/2015
No Comments on Thank you to Capel Dewi Community

Tonight Tom Cowcher did a slide presentation and talk about thetrip to Africa he made 30 years ago with his wife Eva and 3 friends. The evening was well attended by the Capel Dewi community and half the proceeds will be donated to Street Child.

The talk was very interesting and many of the issues they had are exactly the same sorts of thing I am expecting – nothing much has changed in the last 30 years.

I wish to thank Tom and Eva for inviting me along and giving me a chance to talk about my trip and about Street Child.