PREPARATION

13th January 2026: 

  Me, in the yellow, out with the Arran

Belles on a training run before I leave for Africa on 5th March 2026.  The route through Malawi, Zambia & Zimbabwe is a mixture or tarmac, potholes, gravel, dirt and corrugation. I am a roadie, I don't do gravel,  the unstable surface makes me nervous.  I have bought a gravel bike and I am out practicing on the Arran gravel trails.  I am getting better, more confident,  I hope I will be good enough ! 

                                                                                                                      

Gravel Bike

15th January 2026:

  My Specialized Diverge Elite E5 gravel Bike with 38mm tyre for Tarmac Pothole Roads, also 45mm tyres for Gravel Roads. Loving its stability and comfort. 2023 model bought from Cycle Exchange.

    

    The Cockpit - Gopro, Garmin, Phone Holder, Bar Bag

 

ITINERARY OF MY TRIP - STARTING IN LILONGWE, MALAWI AND FINISHING VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

• Trip in Kms with Miles Written at Side  
  
  
  
  

PREVIOUS TRIPS THAT I HOPE WILL STAND ME IN GOOD STEAD :

 

Arran is Very Wet and Windy

22nd January 2026.

Arran is very wet and windy at the moment,

even the birds are sheltering.  I am cycling or walking every day trying to keep a level of fitness. I have booked my flights with Ethiopian Airlines -  from Glasgow, London, Addis Ababa, Lilongwe. I return same but from Victoria Falls, plus transfers of me from airport, bags and bike.  I will arrive in Malawi a few days before TDA Global Cycling group, ( the group that I am joining.)  the group will be camping but I have booked myself into a lodge, alongside the campsite. I will be camping too on this trip but thought I would give myself a couple of days in a comfortable bed. I have also booked a bed at Victoria Falls finish.  Technology has changed so much over the years - in 2012 when I cycled 3500 miles across America I had a  Blueberry phone and a paper map.  Electricity and wifi will be scarce or non existent on this trip so I have packed 3 Power Banks to charge IPhone, Garmin, Gopro, etc plus assorted cables for all gadgets.   I will have to prioritise charging,   phone first as it holds all my route maps and in case of help.  So many things to think about,  logistics,  even my Bum Cream (Happy Bottom) might melt over 25*C. I contacted the manufacturer, they said " put it at the bottom of your bag" and in a fridge overnight.  I'm camping !!!   Cycling is the easy part !

 

          

A Good Luck Charm

5th February 2026

One of the Arran Belles, my Ladies Cycling Group, gave me a good luck brooch for my travels in Africa next month, so kind. I will wear

it and think of her when the going gets tough.

Have Published my Just Giving Page

9th February 2026

Have published my Just Giving Page on Facebook in memory of Sue Berry, a member of the Arran Belles. Sue was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2020 and lived for two years, she loved sport and adventure. MND is a cruel illness, as are all terminal illnesses, it was brutal to watch Sue's decline but at the same time admire her positivity, spirit and acceptance. I'll also be thinking of Alison Cook and Doddie Weir, both people with a positive, strong spirit.

Link to my Just Giving Page, if you can spare a dime !

https://www.justgiving.com/page/janice-small-13?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL 

                                                                

                                                                    SUE BERRY

20/2/26: Received Doddie T-Shirt

20th February 2026

Today I received a T-Shirt from ‘ My Names’s Doddie Foundation’ as a result of my fundraising efforts for Motor Neurone Disease, I'll wear it with pride. Also,  a very supportive card. 

Message to the Arran Belles from Mark Beaumont

 21st February 2026

Today I received an e mail from Mark Beaumont complimenting the Belles on their support for DoddieAid :

 " I am seeing all the posts and enthusiasm from the Arran Belles, especially around the MNDF, so please pass on my thanks."

He also wished me luck on my Africa Cycle:

'I was in touch with the TDA team back in 2014/15 when I was planning Africa Solo and they were very helpful.  Hope you have an amazing time and I look forwards to hearing afterwards. "

Although he leads a very busy life he always takes the time to be supportive and helpful. A very down to earth guy.

A Bit of a Worry

23^rd February 2026

I leave for Africa in just over a week and a groin strain that had been niggling for years has suddenly got worse. It has made me limp which has affected my knees. Why now ?  My legs are my strongest feature, I never have any aches and pains with them. Why now ? Maybe groin/knees have been irritated with increased activity during January for DoddieAid. Who knows. The only good point is, I feel better on the bike than off !

24th February 2026

Cycled today with Arran Belles. Plan was to go to Top of Boguille but I bailed out on lower slopes, wind was blowing me into middle of the road. I was straining to hold my line, not good for groin and knees. My body in general feels full of aches. Wonder if it is just anxiousness,  hope so ?  Generally I’m fine.

A Nightmare Getting Organised

1st March 2026 

Checked Bike over and changed tyres back to 38mm from 45mm. I'll have to pack 45mm tyres for gravel days so as they were very muddy  Murray gave them a good clean, very helpful.

 Making sure I remember chain links, rear hanger, relevant tools but I'm not taking some of the things suggested - thru axile, brake pads. I'm sure I'll be ok for the time I am away. 

Making sure I have the correct cables for power packs for all my technology,  travel plugs for three countries, bit of a nightmare. Iphone, Garmin, GoPro etc.

2nd march 2026 - Bike Boxed

Well we packed the bike this afternoon.  Box now weighs 22 kg, which is under the limit of 23kg, just hope I can lift it !  

To think 18 years ago when I first flew with a bike, to India, through naivety I didn't box it. Needless to say it arrived damaged but was quickly mended in Calcutta, a make and mend society. Since then over many flights I've boxed my bike and had no issues.

I hope I'm lucky this time. We've certainly wrapped the bike up well. 

Me in 2008, damaged bike at Calcutta Airport.
 

Packing Bike this time 

3rd March 2026 Boarding Passes Obtained.

 Bike sealed and loaded into car. God knows how I'll manage on my own, lift one side then the other I suppose.  I've a good tongue in my head so will ask for help if I need to. Two bags packed, one is a daily bag with everything I need on a day to day basis - cycling and ordinary clothes, tent, sleeping bag, mat, pillow, toiletries, tools, tubes etc, phone and other technology, plugs, adaptors for 3 countries, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Permanent bag with items I won't need from one rest day to next.  I'm bound to need something and bag will be stored away. Decisions, decisions. 

Left groin, thigh and knee really sore so went for a cycle to North Sannox Bridge to see how I felt on the bike. Leg really ached but wasn't painful.  Cycling seems to help, sitting/resting aggravates. I'm sure the problem is a strained groin radiating through leg.  It's just not me, painkillers will help hopefully, not good on 100 mile days in the saddle.

Leaving tomorrow Wednesday, 4th March but don't fly until Thursday.  Ferries are so unreliable at the moment, I have to make sure I am off island.

On My Way

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^{Thursday 5th March}

 ²⁰²⁶

^{In Glasgow Airport at 10.00am. Murray had to leave me as possible ferry disruptions. Check in 1.20pm, flight 3.20pm to London. People watching ? Saw Douglas Alexander go through. Bike box was so heavy I couldn't lift it onto check in scales, so they accepted my word it was under 23kg. Flight delayed as plane had to use external battery to charge start up engines. However, made up time and I'm now in Terminal 2, Heathrow, having something to eat, having transferred from Terminal 5. No soup anywhere 😩😩but I've got a green tea. 👏👏 Next flight is 8.15 to Addis Ababa, change, then Lilongwe, Malawi.}

^{First photo is me heading to cycle USA in 2012, second photo is me,  today.} 

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Arrived safely, Lilongwe Malawi

Friday, 6^th March 2026

Long journey from Glasgow to Lilongwe, but I'm here safely. Addis Ababa Airport was a bit of a nightmare, poor signage, busy, all nationalities travelling Africa. Noticed the flights to Dubai and Amman were cancelled. On the plus side I got a glimpse of my bike being unloaded from plane, reassuring. Flight to Malawi not full so had no one sitting next to me, tired. Eventually navigated passport/visa control and when I reached baggage arrival there was my bike box 👏👏and bag waiting for me. A very helpful porter, for a tip, was looking out for me. Thank goodness as the push was up ramps and I couldn't have done that. My ordered, large taxi, was waiting to transport me to Woodlands. The box has taken a bit of a mauling, top and bottom, slit open, I think by customs and not sealed properly. Anyway, I always carry tape and porter and I quickly sealed it up. It's roasting, shorts and t-shirt on, showered and been for a stroll. The photos show porter making light work of bike box and accommodation before I camp. Also, one of the many departure boards at Addis Ababa. 

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First Night in Malawi

Saturday, 7^th March 2026

This is my second time writing this post. Lost first draft. 😡 Photos seem to be appearing at top so they show my bedroom and breakfast on terrace. Waiter was using sling to keep monkeys away. Love the different way of life. Nothing is too much bother, everyone and everything moves slowly. Managed to have soup for dinner last night, very happy.  Went to bed at 7.30pm  but woke up at 9.30pm, 😠 read then slept till 6.30 am. That's better, still have some issues but more rested. Very warm. It's about 10am so going to assemble bike 🤞🤞. 

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Bike Assembled. TDA Group Arrived.

Saturday, 7^th March 2026

First photo is bike in box.

 Second photo is bike and packing removed. 

Third photo is assembled bike 👏👏 

Bike now assembled, no issues that I can see. Planned to go for spin this afternoon but group has been trickling in so I have been busy introducing myself and talking all things bike, and hearing about their journey. Sounds amazing although Tanzania was hard.  Everyone very friendly, from all around the world, and all have different backgrounds and stories. One lady who has lived in Hong Kong for 40 years originally came from Irvine and visits there every year. She cycled round Arran last year, thought the Boguille was hard ! A man from Cape Town, South Africa lives in the same area in Cape Town, I stayed in for 3 months. My Uncle lived there. On the trip there have been a few medical incidents and other issues but all seem to have been expertly dealt with. The first cyclists to arrive were all young, lean and fit, OMG, I should fit right in ?  I intend to pace myself and be last in, so be it. Have enjoyed lunch with them all and hearing chat. All their bikes are battle scarred and huge with lots of attachments. , I should have kept 45mm tyres on mine, not changed to 38mm.  I'm not as weary today, group meeting tomorrow afternoon. Roasting. At the moment, all good. 

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Short Cycle to Test Bike Set Up

Sunday, 8^th March 

1^st Photo Support Vehicle 

2^nd Photo James

3^rd Photo Bikes

4^th Photo Itinerary for Sunday/Monday

Had light dinner last night. Wasn't really hungry after big lunch. Joined Gail and Suzanne and listened to their adventures past and future. Friendly group, coming up, introducing themselves and shaking hands. I had long trousers, long sleeved top on in case of mosquitoes but they were all in shorts and T-shirt ?   Newcomers meeting today at 3.00pm then 5.30am bag drop in the morning. Went for a short cycle to check bike over, everything seems to be working ok. Very hot with a breeze.  Main road quite rough but side roads ok. Road into accommodation is dirt and gravel should maybe have kept 45mm tyres on rather than changing back to 38mm. Some are of to Bike Shop as bikes are suffering, most resting, washing, catching up. 

Fw: Monday, 9th March 2026

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2^nd Photo- lunch stop

3^rd Photo - Will, assistant tour leader. 

Distance : 96.23 miles Elevation: 3022 ft

A Very Difficult Day for Me. 

Didn't sleep well. Alarm set for 4.15am. However up and organised in good time. Permanent bag, which I won't see until Lusaka, is locked away. My daily bag, which I use each night, tent, mat, sleeping bag, personal clothes etc  weighs 22 kgs so I have to get help lifting  it.  A long day of 96 miles, unfortunately I have a jippy tummy so it wasn't the most comfortable of rides in the heat. Temperature varied between 26 and 32 degrees Centigrade. I am a bit burnt. At 17 miles my groin started to play up and at 30 miles my left calf was sore. Took a paracetamol which helped. Roads are potholed tarmac, traffic is fast and bulldozes it way through, coming very close. You must hold your line, no swerving, large lorry wheels inches away. Oncoming traffic overtaking onto my side. You need nerves of steel. Very impressed with 'Ride with GPS" for following route.  Voice instructions make it simple to follow. Cycling on Arran roads is a breeze. Cycling in India has stood me in good stead. 

We crossed over the border into Zambia, better roads. I bought a Local Sim Card, took an hour for lady to process it. Anyway I arrived at Campsite, greeted with soup. Put tent up and got organised. Knackered but took my time. Now 7.25pm in tent, plan to rest. Another early start, I might do half a day tomorrow, it's a longer day with more hills. I feel a bit better but I must be sensible. 

Note: I watched where I pitched my tent tonight. At a previous site, ants ate through one of the cyclists groundsheet and sleeping mat. 

Four male cyclists have returned home already, due to injuries and  medical conditions. 

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Chipata, Zambia to Petauke, Zambia

Tuesday, 10^th March 2026

Distance: 51.28 miles. Elevation: 2217 ft

Slept sporadically, up every couple of hours, that's why I camp near the toilet. Slept in liner, was slightly chilled, should have used sleeping bag. Anyway, my tummy feels better, which is a relief. Up at 4.05am, not the first, and took my time packing tent etc plus personal belongings. It was dark, thank goodness for Headtorch.  5.30 start again with info for day, then breakfast. A lot of people interested in where I come from. Googling Arran, great crowd. More hills today, not huge gradients but long. I had made up my mind to go in van after lunch, a sensible decision. Temp about 25/30C today but as we are cycling west sun was more on my back. Once I had cleared Chipata, roads were excellent and not as busy as Malawi. We had really rough off road cycling from camp to main road. I was really frightened but made it Kim. Rolling Hills but unbelievably taxing in this heat.  Biggest gradient was 5% and I was struggling. Zambia is very lush, fields of crops. Village people very friendly, kids shouting 'how are you' constantly.  At first I was waving back and saying 'fine' by mile 45 I was saying'awful'. Zambia seems more prosperous than Malawi. I have decided to cycle again to lunch stop tomorrow instead of full day. It is still good mileage and I reach camp in time to get tent up, showered without stressing. 

BTW there were 5 of us in van after lunch. 

Petauke to Luwanga Bridge Camp, Zambia.

Wednesday, 11^th March 2026 

Up at 4.00am and on the road by 6.00am. By 10am had completed 45 miles. On Monday at this time it was 45 miles and yesterday 38 miles.  Temperature at 6am was 19"C by 11am creeping up to 30. Now it's about 32"C. I had decided again today to stop  at Lunchtime , 50 mile mark. Quite a few went in van this morning but rode the afternoon as they crossed the half way line between Cairo and Capetown. I prefer to cycle in  the cooler morning. Getting up when pitch dark and dismantling tent etc is not easy ! Lovely ride through lush forests and  Rolling hills. Children constantly shouting and waving.  I am a bit burnt still from Monday and tummy not completely settled. Edwin, one of the support team, his mother is called Janice, so he has taken me under his wing and calls me Mama. Enjoying the journey and country but it is very taxing.   P.S. If you are commenting on my post could you add your name as comments are coming up Anonymous. Ta ❤️❤️