Pedal Africa

Fly in on the 27th June fresh faced and eager for the trip ahead :)

First night in a village. Should be a great experience. Test out the tents, and probably the point book.

Starting to get in to the routine. Getting used to the bikes and road.

Quite a large town, so if anything is wrong we can try and sort it out now before it gets worse, although we will be so organised this won't happen ;)

First border crossing. Hopefully it will go smoothly, but just in case the day is a little shorter than the others

We will be visiting the St. Andrews project here. Spend a bit of time here looking at what the project has done and the difference it has made

Again having a bit of time off (this won't be the norm unfortunately), this time to visit the One Water pump that St. Andrews has sponsored. Also time to look round the capital.

If there are any major problems in Zimbabwe that look like they will persist we will take an alternative route north then through Zambia.

Our last night in Malawi. A bit of a flying visit but a relaxed one hopefully. This leg out will be a bit hilly but nothing we can't handle.

Bit of a longer distance this day as the terrain is a bit flatter and we should be getting in to the rhythm.

If there are any problems in Zimbabwe, we will head north to Zambia from here.

Goodbye to Mozambique and hello to Zimbabwe. I'm getting excited already and I am only in my room typing :)

Again any issues, we will head back to Tete.

Quite a short day just in case the border is trickier than expected. Shouldn't be any problems; I'm an optimist.

It looks like the route through the hills to get here should be spectacular. There is also a bus station here if it all gets too much ;) This looks like a reasonable town so a stock up on supplies.

Even deeper into the hills, it should be amazing. The views should distract us from the effort of the hills. No promises though.

A few smaller roads to get here, so the going might be a bit harder, but if this was easy then everyone would be doing it.

This looks to be quite a small settlement so we will be prepared for when we reach here. The area looks excellent though.

Back on to the main roads. A double edged sword, good surface but more cars. Should fly along it though from all the hills we have come through.

Long tarmac stretch :p but it has to be done to get the miles in. Praying for not many cars, they smell.

Leaving Zimbabwe after hopefully a life changing experience (in a good way). An interesting little place. Should have stunning views over the lake. Also has a crocodile farm. I have no idea why either.

This is the last reasonably sized town for a while so we will have to get provisions in.

This is the start of what looks like an interesting road. Had to happen some time. Will be exciting :)

Now this appears to be quite a short day but on google maps there is a river crossing that could be challenging. Not impossible I'm sure but we have left time for it.

The route doesn't appear to have any more 'interesting' river crossings so the day is a bit longer. If the river crossing was simple then we will have stayed a bit further down the road making this day shorter.

This place does have roads going to it despite what google says. The satellite image shows them clearly. Again, the sunset over the lake should be something else. Not to make you jealous or anything ;)

We will have to say bye to the lake Kariba as we climb over the range of hills, however it's on to different scenery with different beauty.

The road network on google maps looks horrible to navigate. Definitely a compass job, shouldn't be too hard, touch wood :s

Quite a long day. The road should be good quality coming in though and we will be having a bit of time off to look at the pretty water and recover. Would be a bummer if we slept through our rest day and didn't see anything. We will strive not to do this.

A big stock up will have to be made here as Botswana is sparse at best where we are passing through.

After a nice ferry ride this is the start of a LONG road section. Water will be topped up at every available opportunity.

We should be fit by this point fingers crossed we get into the groove and fly along here. There should also be a chance of seeing large animals along this road, at a distance of course.

We will have training if they do get a bit closer just to assure everyone.

We may have some time off here to take in the spectacle that is the Makgadikgadi salt pans. Promises to be spectacular.

If you want any more information on this area please visit: http://www.africatravelguide.com/articles/makadikadi-pans-national-park.html

Much the same as the previous days, stunning views and flat tarmaced roads :) life will be good (if the wind is in the right direction).

Leaving the salt pans we look excitedly to the Okovango delta and the wonders it holds.

We will be spending a day exploring the Okovango delta, taking in the multitude of wildlife that it supports. The panniers will also be replenished with supplies for the trip into the top of the Kalahari.

Short leg setting us up for the push into the arid landscape. Definitely filling up all the water botttles.

Unfortunately not where the Dakar rally is held, but the ladscape around would lend itself to a hardcore rally. We will be very careful with our water supplies along this leg, taking care not to run too low. Will be a relief to reach the town. Will be an amazing experience all the same.

Another short day to recover and prepare for the next push into Namibia. If we feel as though we want to push on there are a number of towns on the main road that we could carry on to in order to reduce the mileage of the coming days. Contingency plans for the win.

From the satellite photos this appears to be the place to stop for the night. If we decide to push on the previous day we hope to get further, reducing the distance of the next leg. If we don't get any further then a good night is a must.

Last big push out of the Kalahari and into Namibia, our last country on the route.

The group will take in the sights of Namibia's capital city. With the German and African mix of culture there should be a lot to do.

The last big stock up of food will be made here for the final run to the coast.

A very small collection of farm houses, we will search for an appropriate area to stop in and inform people of our intentions.

Last night before the coast. Coming out of the hills we may be able to see the sea and the destination that we have been heading towards for the best part of 2 months. Strange to think really.

Made it (hopefully). Sitting on the beach relaxing without a care in the world, apart from catching our flights.

Flying home

As the hills appear on the horizon we might start to realise how nice the last few days have been. Although hills do add a bit of variety.