North of Bremen and a new country Denmark

Riding through Germany reminding me much of England. Obviously I couldn’t understand most of the signs and written word, but the hills and topography in some areas was much like home. Agricultural land tended to be a mix of arable and dairy, with the odd pig farm thrown in. I stopped early after leaving Bremen,…

In Flanders Fields – Museum – Ieper

Today on my cycle tour, I have visited In Flanders Field – Museum. Last time I visited hear, both of my sons were young, they are now in their mid twenties. On entry you are asked to pick a person to follow their story throughout the museum, it is displayed on a map, you drill…

LANDS END TO JOHN O’GROATS IN FIVE DAYS

According to Strava I tend to ride most of the time as they call it in their roster ride analysis, as a lone wolf. However I do ride with others occasionally and this ride was the first very long distance ride I’d done with someone else. In some riders terms I’m quite new to cycling,…

There once was a man from Devizes

While I was on Tour…

While I was on Tour… I had practically reached the end of my cycling tour, riding from the UK to Cape Town in South Africa when I had an email ping in and ask me if I’d be willing to be interviewed for a Ride cycling Magazine in South Africa. Tim the editor of the…

Another screw comes out of the ortlieb

Travelling and Living with Ortlieb Panniers

  Travelling and Living with Ortlieb Panniers, there’s no doubt that Ortlieb panniers are right up there when it comes to quality and popularity as a choice of panniers for the touring cyclist. Although travelling and living with Ortlieb Panniers can at times be less trouble free as one would like. Don’t get me wrong…

Stripping down the bike in Cape Town for the flight home

Good Bye Africa

My remaining time in Cape Town being a tourist, just like many others before me and also meeting other tourists in the places I stayed. I stayed the last few days at the Amber Tree Backpackers lodge, recommended to me by Maurice Raleigh whom I had met at Jollyboys backpackers in Livingstone. Maurice also on…

This is taking a while - Time for a brew!

The Argus Cape Town Cycle Tour

Malawi, Nkhata Bay and I was talking to Dominicue, a very affable friendly fellow travelling with his family though Africa. After several minutes exchanging our thoughts and details of our respective travels we moved onto discussion of the future places we were looking to travel to and through. Dominicue casually mentioned a cycle event I…

Sunset in Gordon's Bay - Wild fire improved the colours!

Cape Town Here I Am

Its been almost nine and a half months, but finally Cape Town, here I am! When I set off from the UK on May 14th 2014 I hadn’t said I was definitely going to Cape Town, the distance was large and I didn’t want to set a goal that I may not have achieved, I…

Catching baitfish in Struisbaai harbour

Not Far Now

Not Far Now and the weather has been very good to me. Most of the time I do not suffer bad weather, luckily being stopped or able to shelter from inclement weather. My luck continues to hold as I near the end of my African journey and as I move further along the coast and from…

I am the ....

The Garden Route

Kenton on Sea was a lovely place but merely a taster as I entered the Garden Route, an area in South Africa on the Southern coast stretching from Storms River to Mossel Bay. The climate seems to change as does the fauna and flora, pine trees being grown for wood harvesting and sawmills giving off…

Kenton-On-Sea - view along from the beach

Tapering or Just Going Slow

My slower rate of journey continued in Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. With Cape Town in sight I’m not sure if I’m tapering or just going slow! Either way it’s nice to see places for a while longer and Port Alfred’s a nice friendly town, quiet, not too busy and the home to a…

Loaded Touring Bike in South Africa

Loading a Touring Bike

Loading a Touring Bike Loading a Touring Bike – during my travels I have met lots of people, comments or questions I hear repeatedly is “How do you fit all that stuff on your bike?” or “You have everything you need in those bags?”. The wonderful thing about touring on a bicycle for an extended…

Mandela Statue in Pretoria

Johannesburg for Christmas

Cycling into Johannesburg for Christmas No one told me Johannesburg is so hilly. Starting several miles out the hills start, combined with high temperatures made for a tiring ride into the largest city in South Africa, also referred to as Joburg or Jozi, home to around 13 million people. As I neared the Golf club…

Travel Medicines and Health on a Cycle Tour

Travel Medicines and Health on Tour An essential part of the preparation and planning before going on tour is Travel Medicines and Health considerations.Being Ill on tour, it’s not fun and can certainly add to the challenge, if a challenge is what you are after. There is a lot to think about for this part…