Cape 2 Cairo 2 Cape Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGE: 60

MARITAL STATUS: Single

PROFESSION: Established and ran a commercial fishing company in Mozambique for the last fifteen years, and am now in the process of selling it.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING MOTORCYCLES: Off and on for about the last thirty years.

WHAT RIDING EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE: I’ve never, until  ten years ago, owned a bike parked in the garage. Rather, bought one to do something specific. Bought one in Australia and rode it around there for a year. Flew one to Madagascar and did the same there. Very little in South Africa, but in the region where I live a fair amount, Zambia, Malawi and Moz.

WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE RIDDEN IN ONE DAY: Have no idea, as opposed to being in the saddle all day, dark to dark, many times. My Longest Day – 200Km in about fourteen hours. But I guess 1000 km.

WHAT ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE TRAVEL HAVE YOU DONE ACROSS THE SA BORDERS: Around (Most of it )Australia for a year on a most unsuitable bike. Around Madagascar for about a year, and again on a bike not suited to the purpose.( R80GS) Too big, and, loaded, too heavy for the conditions. Does not fit very well on a dugout, so you have to take it apart and make several trips.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BOOK ON THE CAPE TO CAIRO 2011: Timing  is right. It has been my intention to do these kind trips for the next few years anyway———–

WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL FEELINGS ABOUT THE LIFE CHANGING UNDERTAKING YOU ARE EMBARKING ON: ——-Cont. from above—–but Alone! Now with a group? First 10 and then 20. Adds a new dimension to the whole experience, and makes it a completely different kind of trip. So, if we don’t enjoy it, now one to blame but ourselves.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS: Very Few. If it is trouble free, accident free, and some good friendships are forged, then it will have met all expectations. I expect everyone to take it seriously, with the passion and planning needed to reduce hiccups, and this alone will make it a success.

WHAT ARE YOU FEARING THE MOST AND WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING FROM THE EXPERIENCE: SAND, SAND and more SAND, and a distant second, human dynamics. BUT, like the simultaneous trip, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.