Domwe Island Lake Malawi(Niasa). Rented a kayak and spend two nights here. Had a good rest on the hammock on front of tent. Did some snorkeling in the lake.
Few photo’s from Malawi
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Planning next big adventure
I have been asked a number of times, where you going next? Lets put it out there. Before going to Malawi, I was thinking of doing Johannesburg to Windhoek. Now that I have been to Malawi, I have been thinking to go some were in South Africa. Are there any trips that somebody would like to do? The next adventure I would like to do with other cyclists. Is there anybody that would like to join in an adventure?
Home from Malawi
Well this was a fast moving trip. The wheels of the bus pushed me deep into Africa. First leg was up to Lilongwe Malawi. The bus straight to Karonga did not run anymore so had to take one to Mzuzu. From there took a mini bus taxi to Karango. At one time there was 19 people plus bicycle and all their luggage. My back wheel was hanging by a string from the mirror on the back of the taxi. 
Then there was a rope with fish hanging from the two windscreen wipers.
Well for more details of trip go to bicycle trip page. I will be posting actual costs and distances done there. I will also be posting pictures there once I have condensed them.
malawi on my bicycle
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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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
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”.
Long day safaris 