So Plan B! Simple really, fix bike then go wandering again. Don't want to over complicate things!

Ray at KTM Lusaka had a quick look, went hmmmmm a lot then made a phone call. Top bloke! Directions given and off I go to meet Barry who has an accident repair shop in town. Barry had a quick look, went hmmmmm then said, no worries just give me the frame and we can weld and plate the breaks. Result! He gave me some workshop space, I laid the tools out and was a blur of sockets and spanners.

Both top tubes had broken behind the headstock. One completely, the other about 75% around the tube. My bike is 10 years old. It has done 40,000 miles, 30,000 of those I have put on and I can confidently say 10 to 15,000 of those have been off road. I have only crashed it gently twice, stop laughing please Simon and Phil, but I have stepped off it a few times! Hahahaha. I am surprised it had broken but then I do ride hard and fast at times. It is an adventure bike after all!

Barry, Leon and the staff were fantastic. A lesson to the world in hospitality and good grace. I am indebted to them.

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Good thing you found that when you did! Other 950 frames have cracked there as well.

SHIT !!!!! was there a need to strip it right back to just the frame !!!!

"fall off" looked more like you needed a rest to me

Wow John, seems you are tougher than the bike. Good luck with the repair.

Hahaha, I had Lego and Meccano as a kid. The bike was stripped, welded. painted and rebuilt in two and a bit days. I have since left Lusaka and stuck a few hundred test miles on it. No worries.

So once again destination Zimbabwe!

Where are you heading in Zim ? I am in Chimanimani at the moment going South .

Well for once I almost know where I am going. Tomorrow I head here; UNICA .

I met one of the people involved with the place last year whilst in Mali. He came across as one of the better people I have met and I said I would drop in if I was ever near. So time to drop in. I have no idea what is going to happen, should be fun though.

Howdo mate...

Tramp here aka Russ....

keep up the reports as it really cheers me up...thought only ccm`s broke frames ..lol..

mines just had new bearings again and well off to france soon to visit mad phil
....

what would life be without a few interuptions and problems to solve....its all part of the adventue...bangers and mash with baked beans for tea tonight...

Great writing, really entertaining!!!!

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Hello Russ. Oh man what I wouldn't give for some good Lincolnshire sausages, some rough mash with a bit of sweet potato in it and a dollop of beans that have ben cooked just too long so they are soft and mushy! Last nights cold corned beef and a tin of tomatoes doesn't quite cut it! Hahahaha.

Have fun in France. Take care of Phil, the guy works harder than is good for him sometimes.

Don't forget to drop in for some socarrat if you're passing our way going home John

Simon & Polly

PS nice to see you here Russ, albeit under a new disguise! Hmm, I wonder who 'Mad Phil' could possibly be?

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Home? I put it up most nights. I am starting to lose the concept of a fixed home now.

But I will always know where my friends are. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qfNNb2qOOo
Good times. Hahahaha.

update time.

I have moved on again. I spent just over a week at the childrens charity. Helped where I could and generally joined in. Before I went there I had no idea what to expect, my only idea of charities comes from my old job. Hardly any use out here!

I had a cracking time there. I learnt a lot, mostly about what it takes to run and maintain something that so many people come to depend on. A drive and a lot of very hard work. I am astounded by the dedication and commitment people put into it.


But I am a traveller and I want to get back on my bike and ride. Zimbabwe for me was a decision place. East through Mozambique or west through Botswana. Before I left on this trip I had read a book, Cry Of The Kalahari. And besides the deserts always intrigue me. So I guess my mind was made up mostly before I left. Botswana it is then........................

Good to hear from you John and well done for lending a helping hand BUT WHERES THE PICS
I hate you for going to Botswana it's one of my top 3 places to go so please show me some pics
Phil

Pic, pics, pics, Phil one day you, Russ and myself are going to have to go wandering. You can do the pictures, Russ can tell us where to go and I will............ ah damn I have no idea what skill I can bring. A little chaos maybe. Hahahahaha.

Ok Botswana, more specifically the Kalahari. It is most of Botswana after all. Now for some reason I like deserts, I feel quite at home in them. The Sahara is one of my favourite places. The combination of beauty and downright ruthlessness is amazing.

The other night I was within 60km of the Salt Pans. I want to see them so I waited for the heat to turn down a bit and at 4pm plotted a route to discovery. The Kalahari had other ideas! The sand was deep and the heat was still enough. I worked the bike hard, too hard. The result was the fuel boiled in the tanks, pressurized one tank to push it all into the other and started to blow it out the overflow. Ahhh bugger. Best stop then and turn back.
How far, mighty traveller did you get? I hear you ask. Maybe 10km in the sand! Oh yeah the Kalahari kicked my bikes butt. Out and back in 2 hours, total distance 26km, bike hiding sheepishly at the campsite whilst I downed 2 litres of fluid and frown at it!

A rethink is required! Hahahahahaha. So whilst I wait at Maun for some new tyres I am doing a lot of homework. And I thought my only problem would be the lions, and the elephants, and the snakes, and the scorpions, and the lack of water, and the lack of petrol stations.......................................... ..

So not too many pictures yet. But have faith, I shall overcome.

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