|
19 Oct 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Putney, UK
Posts: 161
|
|
Fastest reasonable time to bike solo England to South Africa?
Hi folks
What is the fastest reasonable time you could do the west coast by bike, solo, England to South Africa, via Morocco?
Wat is the fastest reasonable time you could do the east coast by bike, solo, England to South Africa, via Egypt?
This is research for a friend who is planning a trip down Africa end of 2011. I'm trying to show him how useful the HUBB is!
TIA
Steve
|
19 Oct 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 738
|
|
Hey Steve,
Hmm, fastest reasonable time is a pretty loose definition which makes it tough to say with all the variables, but I'd throw out a rough figure of 2 months for either route. It's been done faster no doubt but even 2 months wouldn't leave you much time for looking around. It almost goes without saying but more time is better to stop and see the classic places so three months would be a rough figure that I would throw out there for the fastest, reasonable, enjoyable trip
The east route has the hard to time Sudanese visa dance in Cairo coupled with trying to time the once a week ferry from Aswan but if you stick to the main route now only has one long stretch of unpaved road on the whole route which is in northern Kenya. From Nairobi you can ride all pavement to Cape Town so that makes it easier and more predictable.
The west route has the Angola visa dance which can be avoided in Abuja but on the main route has unavoidable short to medium length non paved sections in northern Cameroon, eastern Gabon, northern Congo-Brazzaville, and northern and southern Angola.
If he is under time constraints, then he could consider taking the ferry from Italy to Egypt which cuts time on the drive around Turkey/Syria/Jordan but sadly misses those countries which are amazing places in their own right.
There was a couple of riders that I bumped into that came down the west fairly directly from the UK this past spring so their trip time would be a good proxy for planning. If they don't notice this thread, I can contact them and see how long they took.
|
19 Oct 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Putney, UK
Posts: 161
|
|
Thanks Mountainman! I heard the road between Egypt and Sudan is now open, which makes a HUGE difference! We got stuck for 1 week in the desert in Wadi Halfa, and then 2 weeks in Aswan waiting for our truck - which sucked a lot!
Please do contact your friends who did the west coast route - the more info the better!
|
19 Oct 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 318
|
|
|
20 Oct 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cairo
Posts: 304
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by steve.lorimer
I heard the road between Egypt and Sudan is now open, which makes a HUGE difference!
|
Can I ask who you heard this from and how accurate you think the information is.
I may just be being cynical but rumours have been around for years about this but there's never been anyone who has actually done it. Many have tried and always been turned back.
|
20 Oct 2010
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Putney, UK
Posts: 161
|
|
Just hearsay - we had to take the ferry, but heard (can't remember where) it is now open - I know, I know, we were hearing rumours for the 18 months prior to our trip, and the 19 months of our trip, so who knows?!
|
20 Oct 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: york
Posts: 265
|
|
Chris Scott's just posted a link in 4wd overland travel, they're going for the record.
__________________
Anything can happen in the next half hour
|
26 Oct 2010
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Berlin
Posts: 110
|
|
West Coast: doable in two months if all goes well but I would strongly recommend against it. Three months is the reasonable minimum, imho. Either way you'd probably change your plans along the way and take much more time.
|
29 Oct 2010
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 4
|
|
This guy did Cape of Good Hope to Cairo in two weeks early last year, so in comparison two months seems like a leisure trip...
(link in swedish, I'm afraid)
Snabbast genom Afrika - Bike
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-14
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|