Ethiopia>Kenya>Rwanda>Burundi>Tan...

[Buglar]

Hi All

I am a newb here. I was introduced by a mate who has done the Plymouth- Bamako and is planning his Cape to Cape.

I plan to go Ethiopia>Kenya>Rwanda>Burundi>Tan and on to SA.

Anyway, my main questions concern cycling in Burundi and Rwanda. I have a friend working in Rwanda for VSO and have asked them their advise, but they haven't been out and about much.

Have any of you seen been cycling out there? I'll be with my wife-to-be. Just us. Any thoughts on this undertaking greatly appreciated.

In terms of gear, having read some of the motorbike threads I reckon a mountain bike with sus may be required!

Cheers

David

[DougieB]

if you choose a full-sus bike have a think about what happens if it breaks down (oil/air chambers and bushes). can you fix it, or live with it ? and can you mount racks on the full-sus you're thinking about (probably not) ?

I've motorbiked Ethiopia/N-Kenya, though didn't see any cyclists at the time. A lot of the cyclists I've seen in West Africa (similar terrain) were on fully rigid tourers.

have you done much cycling touring before ?

[Buglar]

Hi

Thanks for getting back to me. I should clarify, I didn't mean full sus, that would be ridiculous as I am sure you would agree! I meant hard tail. I plan to get my gf a 29er hardtail.

I can mount racks on a hard tail, so that's not an issue.

I haven't done cycle touring, but I have cycled big distances. I have a few mates who have gone around South America and I plan to steal all their kit - bags etc and plunder their knowledge.

Very excited. Very.

I met a bloke last night at my kayak club who rides motorbikes, he said he knows a few stupid cyclists who have been across asia, but not africa. I have also now been put in touch with a girl who rode london >cape town. Crazy.

Cheers

David

[DougieB]

I went through this process a while back, there's a thread somewhere. I didn't find any mountain bike suitable, and couldn't really find a second hand one either.

It was mentioned to me at the time that hybrids would be a good choice, as they can still be sourced new and in steel. I thought they were for old women with wicker baskets, but now (having done some touring) realise they would make good tourers.

even front suspension will be battered, and I doubt it'd last too long. It's a personal preference mind you, but the 'roads' there won't be smoothed out like your average UK mountain bike trail. and you'll end up with a bouncy front-end, and the front-rack fitting compromise. I'm not sure how East Africa roads compare to SA roads.

re the mountain bike/hardtail choice. modern mountain bikes aren't built for racks/touring, so you have short-ish chain stays. this means your heels could be banging into the panniers, which I think is worse for shorter legged riders. and, obviously, an aluminium bike is much more likely to fatigue and snap than a steel one.

it's good you have mates equipment to plunder, and brains to pick. there's also a website called crazy guy on a bike, which hosts others trips. it's worth a read through.

I ended up going with a Surly LHT, which is pretty robust and has eyelets all over the place.

If you get yourself sorted I can give you a multi-day route (up here) that will give you a taster for the kinds of conditions you can expect. Well, except for the heat that is..!


cheers

[DougieB]

PS. 26" tyres are what you'll most likely find, you might have trouble with 700c wheels.

[Buglar]

Hello mate

That's really useful info, thank you.

The main reason I am keen on using a MTB is that I have a very nice, light Scott Racing Team one now. You're right about the mounting, I would have to buy a post kit to mount a pannier well. As for front bags, I am optimistically aiming to just use a bar bag.

having said that, your Surly looks very sweet indeed. My issue however is cash! I am getting married before I go, hence the need to pilfer what I can.

Regarding the smoothness of trails, the stuff I ride is anything but smooth! Wales and the Lakes are punishing on the front end. Having said that, the geometry of the bike is probably a bit silly for touring. Hmmm.

There is another factor for me though - my speed compared to my gf's. I could do with a bike that will slow me down a bit so I don't end up frustrating her, so me on a 26" and her on a 29er is a good choice... but we'd have to carry all the spare tyres for her I guess. So much to think about! But it's fun stuff to think about, so all good.

Really appreciate your input, any more of your thoughts would be very welcome.