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About Me
- Guide2MidiPyrenees
- Tuzaguet, Hautes-Pyrenees, France
- Writing the No1 Guide to Midi-Pyrenees.
Enduro Africa Route 2008
Thursday 6 November 2008
Tuesday 4 November 2008
Final thoughts
What an amazing experience and one I would repeat tomorrow if I had the chance. Eight days of continuous off-road riding through varied and sometimes extremely tough terrain with 88 like minded bikers. The presence of Princes William and Harry just added an extra element to the event to make it even more memorable.
Three great charities have benefited from our efforts and I would like to thank everyone that has so generously sponsored me.
In addition, we supported another charity, Touch Africa, while there by helping at a creche during our rest day. We painted the creche, repaired furniture and built some swings. Only little things, but they were appericated and hopefully will benefit the children for many years to come. Future Enduro riders will return and make further improvements.
The last day was quite emotional for everyone, from saying goodbye to the organisers at the hotel to parting from our members of our teams at Heathrow airport. Many friends have been made along the way and hopefully we will keep in touch and share memories from time to time.
Three great charities have benefited from our efforts and I would like to thank everyone that has so generously sponsored me.
In addition, we supported another charity, Touch Africa, while there by helping at a creche during our rest day. We painted the creche, repaired furniture and built some swings. Only little things, but they were appericated and hopefully will benefit the children for many years to come. Future Enduro riders will return and make further improvements.
The last day was quite emotional for everyone, from saying goodbye to the organisers at the hotel to parting from our members of our teams at Heathrow airport. Many friends have been made along the way and hopefully we will keep in touch and share memories from time to time.
Day 8 - Mansfield to Port Elizabeth - 131 mile
A quick blast on tarmac this morning before turning back on the mud roads and heading into the 
Kariega Game Reserve. The riders enjoyed a short tour of the reserve followed by lunch including Warthog stew!
All that remained, we thought, was a tarmac ride into Port Elizabeth so people began to relax, but the organisers had other ideas. The riders regrouped on the outskirts of PE and were escorted by the police, and a convoy of paparazi, into the outskirts of the city. After quite a distance, we were told that the hotel was just a couple of miles away, but what they did not tell us was that the last few miles would all be on sand.
For those that have not ridden on sand, it is extremely di
fficult. If you ride slowly and cautiously, the back wheel digs in and the steering just does not work! You have to ride fast and basically skim the surface of the sand hwile not really feeling like you have any control where you are going. Those few miles proved hard work, but everyone made it through eventually.
Arrival at the hotel was greeted with relief and jubilation. Of the 89 riders that set of, 86 rode into Port Elizabeth., an amazing feat considering some of the participants had no off road experience 10 days ago!
Kariega Game Reserve. The riders enjoyed a short tour of the reserve followed by lunch including Warthog stew!All that remained, we thought, was a tarmac ride into Port Elizabeth so people began to relax, but the organisers had other ideas. The riders regrouped on the outskirts of PE and were escorted by the police, and a convoy of paparazi, into the outskirts of the city. After quite a distance, we were told that the hotel was just a couple of miles away, but what they did not tell us was that the last few miles would all be on sand.
For those that have not ridden on sand, it is extremely di
fficult. If you ride slowly and cautiously, the back wheel digs in and the steering just does not work! You have to ride fast and basically skim the surface of the sand hwile not really feeling like you have any control where you are going. Those few miles proved hard work, but everyone made it through eventually.Arrival at the hotel was greeted with relief and jubilation. Of the 89 riders that set of, 86 rode into Port Elizabeth., an amazing feat considering some of the participants had no off road experience 10 days ago!
Day 7 - Katberg to Mansfield Reserve - 172 miles
The first 10 miles this morning were up the rocky and rutted Katberg Pass and with the previous days fatigue setting in proved quite tough. It was w
orth it for the breathtaking view though. Today was a fast riding day mostly on mud roads. At the end of the day we came to a motorcross track and despite our lack of experience decided to have a go. A few cautious laps later and everyone had huge grins on there faces. The stories of big jumps and getting some air grew in relation to the number of beers consumed during the evening.
The accomodation was in the middle of a game reserve, although fenced off from the animals thankfully and for me consisted of a high level platform over looking the reserve.
orth it for the breathtaking view though. Today was a fast riding day mostly on mud roads. At the end of the day we came to a motorcross track and despite our lack of experience decided to have a go. A few cautious laps later and everyone had huge grins on there faces. The stories of big jumps and getting some air grew in relation to the number of beers consumed during the evening.The accomodation was in the middle of a game reserve, although fenced off from the animals thankfully and for me consisted of a high level platform over looking the reserve.
Day 6 - Morgans Bay to Katberg - 181 miles
The day marked a huge change in the scenary. We have left the Transkei and moved into the Easatern Cape. Gone are all the mud huts and 
groups of people hanging around, replaced by larger towns with nice houses and a proper infrastructure.
The first part of the morning was a brilliant blast through a forest, weaving through the trees on a muddy and sometimes rocky car-wide track. Emerging from the forest, the terrain now looks like the Peak District, all rolling hills and peaks with very few trees and views for miles with no sign of any inhabitants. A lunch stop at Thomas River saw Malik decide that he could not contine with the yellow team as he was suffering with the stomach bug.
The afternoon sees more forest tracks attacked, but the overnight rain had made the rutted tracks extremely difficult and slippery. Half way through the afternoon, Owain is feeling so unwell he has to stop and be sick! Unfortunately he is 8 Km from the nearest road and assistance and so has to come down a steep, muddy track on the back of the doctors bike. We meet up with the ambulance and he is whisked away. At this point we picked up several waifs and strays from other teams tht were not feeling so well and it slowed us down considerably. To make matters worse, I picked up a puncture, but luckily our Sweep had some tyreweld and I was soon on my way again. Five Kms down the road and my tyre had gone flat again! I had to ride sat on the tank as far forward as possible to get as much weight off the
back as possible for around 10 Km. Not very comfortable or easy. By luck, at the next road junction, a Honda sales rep just happened to be passing, so my bike was quickly put on the back of his pickup. The rider feeling most under the weather went with the rep and I rode his bike. We set off again, but by now it was getting dark, so Dave suggested another of his infamous shortcuts. We ended up riding off road for around an hour in the pitch black. It was certainly an experience. A few nerves and tempers were frayed, but a few beers later in the bar and all was well.
groups of people hanging around, replaced by larger towns with nice houses and a proper infrastructure.The first part of the morning was a brilliant blast through a forest, weaving through the trees on a muddy and sometimes rocky car-wide track. Emerging from the forest, the terrain now looks like the Peak District, all rolling hills and peaks with very few trees and views for miles with no sign of any inhabitants. A lunch stop at Thomas River saw Malik decide that he could not contine with the yellow team as he was suffering with the stomach bug.
The afternoon sees more forest tracks attacked, but the overnight rain had made the rutted tracks extremely difficult and slippery. Half way through the afternoon, Owain is feeling so unwell he has to stop and be sick! Unfortunately he is 8 Km from the nearest road and assistance and so has to come down a steep, muddy track on the back of the doctors bike. We meet up with the ambulance and he is whisked away. At this point we picked up several waifs and strays from other teams tht were not feeling so well and it slowed us down considerably. To make matters worse, I picked up a puncture, but luckily our Sweep had some tyreweld and I was soon on my way again. Five Kms down the road and my tyre had gone flat again! I had to ride sat on the tank as far forward as possible to get as much weight off the
back as possible for around 10 Km. Not very comfortable or easy. By luck, at the next road junction, a Honda sales rep just happened to be passing, so my bike was quickly put on the back of his pickup. The rider feeling most under the weather went with the rep and I rode his bike. We set off again, but by now it was getting dark, so Dave suggested another of his infamous shortcuts. We ended up riding off road for around an hour in the pitch black. It was certainly an experience. A few nerves and tempers were frayed, but a few beers later in the bar and all was well.
Monday 3 November 2008
Day 5 - Rest day
Although billed as a rest day, we still had plenty to do. Each rider was responsible for servicing his own bike, ensuring that the oil was changed, the air filter removed, washed and re-oiled and the chain oiled. The Princes were queueing with everyone else and getting their hands dirty. In fact I think they really enjoyed it.
The remainder of the morning was spent helping one of the suppo
rted charities, Touch Africa. We rode into the local village where a very basic creche has been setup. The riders (and Princes) all mucked in to redecorate the inside of the hall, repair some chairs and build some swings for the children.
In the afternoon, the riders played a football match against the local team and lost 6 - 2. An enjoyable day despite no riding and nice to be able to do some work during the trip.
The remainder of the morning was spent helping one of the suppo
rted charities, Touch Africa. We rode into the local village where a very basic creche has been setup. The riders (and Princes) all mucked in to redecorate the inside of the hall, repair some chairs and build some swings for the children.In the afternoon, the riders played a football match against the local team and lost 6 - 2. An enjoyable day despite no riding and nice to be able to do some work during the trip.
Day 4 - Mzazappa Bay to Morgans Bay - 52 miles
Having been awake most of the night, I was not really feeling up to riding and considered taking the easy route or not riding at all. However, having come
all this way I did not want to miss out on anything and so decided to ride. A good decision.
The ride was all on narrow tracks with very few roads and began with a fantastic blast through dense woodland, negotiating fallen trees and rocky descents. The day also saw us cross about 17 rivers, some of which were quick blasts across shallow streams and others involved wading across metres of unseen rocks up to your thighs in water. This led to some amusing incidents with bikes looking more like submarines. But despite swallowing half the river, simply putting the bike vertical on its back wh
eel to drain the water and cleaning out the air filter, the little Hondas would always fire back into life. Amazing!
The last river crossing was beyond even the Hondas capabilities and we hopped on to a rather rickerty ferry.
A relatively early finish today saw those not suffering from sickness make the most of fact that the next day was a rest day and celebrated surviving the most demanding part of Enduro Africa.
all this way I did not want to miss out on anything and so decided to ride. A good decision.The ride was all on narrow tracks with very few roads and began with a fantastic blast through dense woodland, negotiating fallen trees and rocky descents. The day also saw us cross about 17 rivers, some of which were quick blasts across shallow streams and others involved wading across metres of unseen rocks up to your thighs in water. This led to some amusing incidents with bikes looking more like submarines. But despite swallowing half the river, simply putting the bike vertical on its back wh
eel to drain the water and cleaning out the air filter, the little Hondas would always fire back into life. Amazing!The last river crossing was beyond even the Hondas capabilities and we hopped on to a rather rickerty ferry.
A relatively early finish today saw those not suffering from sickness make the most of fact that the next day was a rest day and celebrated surviving the most demanding part of Enduro Africa.
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