Take On Africa

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I have written another article for my sponsors Webtogs about some equipment I’ve found particularly useful for maintaining my bike… in particular,  a toothbrush!
You can read the article here: Togblog - Cycle Touring Maintenace Essentials
I am currently sat in a cafe in Cotonou, on the upper floor, watching the rain pour down on the streets [...]

Leaving Mali
Leaving Mali was tougher than I thought. Not due to any particular attachment, although I did enjoy my time there. It was the wind and the rough, corrugated, roads. Mostly the wind though. It tried it’s hardest to blow me right back into Mali, even after I’d got the Burkina Faso entry stamped permanently [...]

Made it into Nouadhibou in Mauritania, having crossed the Western Sahara in little more than six days. It was good, but time for a break…. There’s more desert where I’m headed!

I cycle because I enjoy it. I cycle because it keeps me fit and healthy. I cycle because I can. I’m lucky.
A bike, for many people in Africa, is beyond their means however. On the other hand, a bike can be an invaluable, affordable and sustainable means of transport which can generate wealth.
Charities, like Re-Cycle [...]

I finally picked up my new Thorn Raven bike this weekend and having been for a couple of outings can say I’m really quite happy with it.
It took most of the first ride to get used to the rohloff twist shifter and the second to get used to the toe-clips, but now I’m feeling pretty [...]

Here’s a list of what I am going to take with me. Details where known are provided and I will update the list as I buy things. (Items marked with an ‘x’, I already have.)
Bike Stuff

x Bike - Thorn Raven Tour. Ordered and ready to collect
x Racks - Thorn Expedition Steel Rear Rack and Low [...]

For months I have been deliberating what I am going to need to take on my trans-African bike ride. Listing the basic kit I need is easy; the difficulty is in the details and the hardest decision so far has been choosing which bike to buy. After countless hours of research, I have managed to list my [...]