About krfarmer

I am a cyclist that enjoys getting out and seeing the African nature.

malawi on my bicycle

Posted on Jan 6, 2014 by krfarmer

I have tried to down load pictures from my cell. They do not want to go on my media file. I only have my samsung galaxy s4 active with me on my trip. So when I get home on 20th January I will post them. Well it has been a wonderfull trip so far. Only a few small deviations to trip plan.

Well crossing three African borders in less than 48 hours is a book on its own. I had a clean pass but other passengers had to pay bribes and import duties.

Bus and taxi rides in malawi is amazingly simple. Never the less to a person that gets around on their own car it can be a little nerve racking.

Took 4 days by bicycle, bus, train then 2 buses and finally a small high ace taxi to get to starting point.

Karongo malawi is a dusty town with more bicycles in it than I have ever seen in africa.

On to chitimba camp. Nice cheap get away on the beach. They have about 12000 visitors a year as the overland tour operators stop here.

Then on to mzuzu over the monster of a hill, rising more than 800 m. Not to mention the ups and downs along the way. I am now sleeping at Mzuzu after 130 km on this road. Temperatures rising to 43 at on time. I also met another couple from the Netherlands on the road. They had been on the road from Namibia then Zambia and now Malawi. They had previously worked here so know people and the area.

Sorry for the poor typing but phone does not do it as well as a computer. I will keep you up to date as best I can.

Titanic

Posted on Dec 5, 2013 by krfarmer

The second time I took the Titanic out for a ride was on the farm where I live. Well that brown dog in the photo was running with me. He decided it was time to stop and look me in the eye. Well there was not enough time to stop the Titanic or to change the course. I hit him in the middle. He just gave one small yelp and carried on running. As for me nearly broke my arm. Arm has been out of use for two days now. Hope it will have mended before my trip to Malawi.

Titan sport 29er size XL

Posted on Dec 1, 2013 by krfarmer

Saturday 30/11/2013 I went to collect my new bicycle. A new Titan sport 29er size XL. Had my cleats moved over from my old Mongoose. Put some bar ends on. Moved cycle computer over. Mounted two bottle holders and my pump. By this time it was dusk and was fixed on taking it for its maiden voyage. Got geared up and took the photo.

Think I will have to call it the Titanic. It was 14 km into the planed 35 km round trip when it started to get dark. So I was putting on my head lamp just as I hit a big rock at the start of the road works. I took a good roll, surprising just a few scratches on the back. I was going about 25km/h. The Titanic however got a puncture, saddle came loose and the chain came off. In the light once I got home it looks like it did not get any further damage. Will have to check the wheel alignment, to see there is no dent in the rim.

In the dark, patched two holes and knowing that they did not look like they were going to hold I turned back the way I had come, as it was the shortest route home. I had to stop three times to pump the wheel in the 14 km back home. Then there was the snake I nearly rode over and a porcupine that crossed the road in front of me.

When I was looking at the bicycle in the shop, I had said to Jimmy the owner, that I will have to change the tyres. I did not think they would hold out in Africa. Well, there you have it, on the maiden voyage they gave in. I would like to put Maxxis crossmark on. This is what I have on my Mongoose. They did Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Not even a puncture on that trip and back home the thorns have given them a good go (I live in the African Savanah, lots of thorn trees).

Anybody got some comments on the best tyre they have used?

Traveling lighter

Posted on Nov 21, 2013 by krfarmer

When at bicycle shop last week Jimmy the owner made some suggestions.

1. Change bolts to Allen keys. So that I only need to carry a multi tool and not extra spanners.

2. Get a pump that can take co2 canisters and do manual pumping. So that if I need to seat tubeless tyres again I can.

3. I should come in for training in his workshop to fix some of the major breakage’s.

4. There is a local trucking company that does trips north of South Africa. I should go speak to the owner to see if could get a lift up to Malawi.

Getting ready for next trip

Posted on Nov 20, 2013 by krfarmer

Last Saturday got a 1.5 kg tent. This will save 3 kg of luggage. To be quite honest this tent will not stand up to a good storm like my other tent. I am taking the lead from http://ultralightcycling.blogspot.com/. He says” so what you get a little wet”. On the other hand traveling lighter makes trip much more enjoyable. I found it gave me extra space in my panniers, this will free up space for other much needed items.This is my old tent.

Trip to Vaalwater via Alma in Limpopo province

Posted on Nov 10, 2013 by krfarmer

I rode 240 km this weekend on my bicycle. I had heard lots about the town Alma. However did discover it is just a T junction with a bottle store, grain silo, primary school and a squatter’s camp. The road to get there is not recommended to cycle best done with a bakkie (pick up) or a 4X4 vehicle. This is the end of sand road to Alma. Only the T junction was tar.

On to Vaalwater. Nice new tar road with some monster hills. At the camp site I was told that cyclists come to train on these hills for the Cape Augus race.

Feels like Africa begins here. Take note of the following signs just before town.

It is a sandy town that wants to grow but with the lack of employment opportunities. Thus many houses standing empty. All along the main road biltong shops advertise. Looks like biltong and game animals are the main export of this area.

I tested out some weight saving strategies on this trip. Cut tent pegs by half. Crocs (light Chines ones) for time off of bicycle. Cut unnecessary tools. Cut down on traveling with food, ate at restaurant and stopped at shops for food. Mounted solar panel on Velcro (to charge cell phone and camera) for places where there is no electricity. Pouch to hold cell and camera.

On the way I passed Modimolle and dropped in at the bicycle shop to see what needs to be done to my bicycle for the trip to Malawi. Also looked at camping shop to see if there are lighter tents.

All in all think it was a very good trip. For those of you, light is much better. Lighter load made the ride much more pleasurable. Well there is room for more weight saving for me.

Planning Malawi cycling trip

Posted on Oct 28, 2013 by krfarmer

Have done a basic plan for traveling from Johannesburg, then cycling the length of Lake Malawi and back to Johannesburg. If you are interested in joining, take a look at my page” Next long trip”.

Feedback of Community meeting

Posted on Oct 22, 2013 by krfarmer

Well it turned out to be a meeting of the local chiefs. SABC TV was invited to document the happenings for Roots program on TV 3. Then there was entertainment from community groups that did dance and played traditional music( with electric guitars,keyboards and drums).I was squeezed into program. However there was no screen to put up my presentation. Expecting this would happen I resorted to presenting some of equipment needed to take long trip on a bicycle. Ending in businesses and uses of bicycles to help create a living for people. There was a second presentation of a Chines engine that is bolted onto bicycle frame.This mode of transport will give you one liter petrol to 100 km. This drew a lot of attention. There is a big demand for cheap modes of transport out in these very rural communities. As a result one of the chiefs gave permission for a community activist to get a office at his offices. Here she can train children to ride bicycle and teach them to repair them. She will also co ordinate giving sponsored bicycles to deserving learners, to help them get to school. They are setting up a web page for interested persons.

Community meeting at Ga-Morwe Stadium

Posted on Oct 16, 2013 by krfarmer

Saturday 19/10/2013 there is a community activity at the Ga-Morwe Stadium. It is transport month so they trying to base it on cycling and cultural entertainment. I have been asked to talk to promote cycling and to share some of my adventures. After I have spoke I will post a condensed version.