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20251124
20251120
Thursday, 12th March, 2026
Luwanga Bridge to Mukonkay Primary
Very hot in tent last night, this morning at 4.00am when packing up the mosquito!s were horrendous. I chose to cycle this morning as it is cooler but unfortunately elevation was higher than afternoon. In afternoon the sun is out and so draining. It was a beautiful ride through a lush forest valley but very sapping. At 8 miles I had climbed 1000 ft. Lunch was at 42 miles. The road was quieter with both people and traffic but when two huge lorries met, it seemed to be at me. There would be loud honking of overtaking lorry but the hard shoulder was down a drop so I would hold my line. I don't mind traffic. Lorry with wheels that went on forever would overtake giving me barely bike width space. One of the guys was clipped, bruised elbow. Anyway at 20 miles with 2400 ft of elevation I callled it a day and asked to be picked up. By the time Joe arrived I had done 25 miles with 2800 ft elevation. I thought everyone was riding but turns out some took day off because of hills, so I don't feel too bad, and another 3 took afternoon off too. Poor Tony said he was falling asleep on the bike. We are staying at a school rugby pitch with no facilities, so a baby wipe wash tonight. Not as many local people about, some stalls selling charcoal, others vegetable. You wonder how they make a living. You wonder if they know the troubles of the world, a basic life with no facilities. All cyclists are pleasant but some more helpful than others. One Canadien lady always helps me with tent. If I ask, the men will carry my bag, to and from truck, so I am coping. Tummy still not right, heat and exertion ? Lusaka tomorrow.
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20251119
Now in Lusaka. Friday, 13th March 2026
Tent was soaking with condensation this morning. Unpleasant packing it away at 4.00am but has to be done. Immediately hard hill out of camp, guy from America said I was a Mountain Goat, I wish. Lovely sunny morning at 6.00am, only 20"C. I felt good and thought I could do the whole mileage of 55miles. Only one problem, a bus was picking us up at 10.30 to convey us through a busy Lusaka to camp. I didn't want to hold the bus up !!! Quandary : do the cycle as it became hotter and steeper or flag the last van going through. Joe had said if I didn't stop the last van then wearied they would come back for me later, but not immediately as they were busy organising things in Lusaka. I decided to stop last van but felt frustrated, I thought they'll pick me up ten miles in when I could do more. But would I enjoy the last miles knowing they were waiting on me ? However I was 24 miles in with 1500ft of elevation when van caught me up, now 25", C so didn't feel too cheated. When I got in the van 5 others were there already ! Lovely green, lush route, children and adults constantly shouting 'How are you '. I felt freer today, more up for it. The bus conveyed us through a very busy Lusaka, where there was traffic signs traffic obeyed them. At a junction with none it was Everyman for himself. When we arrived at camp it was chucking it down. Some had already booked rooms but I had decided to camp, the place was swimming. However there was an extra bed in Gail's room and she gave it to me. Bliss, rest day tomorrow, hot shower and a bed. These trips introduce you to a fascinating group of people, different backgrounds, all with their own adventure stories to tell, some phenomenal. Some know Scotland well, one has backpacked coming through Arran heading for Outer Hebrides. Another worked in Fort William at Mountain Bike Shop. These guys are superb athletes but take time to talk to me about my travels. Some have had 18 punctures already, I think they bought tubes locally , not of the best quality. Just enjoyed a big plate of Chips and awaiting a Beefburger, not my usual kind of food but at last I am starving.
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20251118
20251116
Rest Day in Lusaka
Top photo, me with some of team.
Bottom Photo. TDA Facebook Photo.
Saturday, 14th March 2026.
Although in bed I still woke up every two hours. Bliss to have the toilet handy and not crawl out of tent, sandals on, dark, hot, mossy's, find a handy bush. Enjoyed chat last night in bar. It's a big group, about 40, and I'm beginning to pick up on group dynamics. Groups within the group. I wander about talking to everyone, I think age and the Belles have given me confidence to do this. Had a great chat with Often, one of the African support team. He is based in Kenya and runs his own Tourist Business but is not busy so joined this tour as support. He told me all about his home family life, self sufficient, trading. He says family look after family, parents look after children, when parents become older they are cared for by the adult children. He likes to talk, says some cyclists don't stop, just power on and are missing so much. I must try and get a photo of him, a lovely dignified man. Yesterday's rain didn't last too long but has made everywhere muddy, red mud.
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Lusaka Roaming
14th March 2026
Late Breakfast outside-at 8.00am surrounded by watchful monkeys. Once we had moved away they zoomed in and licked the plates. A giraffe and zebras were spotted at perimeter fence. I went for a solo walk up a dirt track hoping to spot them again but they had moved on. Then I went for a walk to main road and nearby chemist. Lemeck was in charge of camp gate and as I foolishly had no water or hat let me sit in the shade of his hut. He hopes to get a driving licence so can get a better job, money is a problem. Good chat. Back at camp I joined Gail and Suzanne who were leaving for Sandy's, walking back down the same road I had just been on. Sweltering. Sandy's is very posh hotel/restaurant some of the cyclists had upgraded to stay there. Lovely lunch. Tummy is still not 100% but ok, other aches and pains are ok too. We leave for Lake Kariba tomorrow and a 24 hour ferry journey.
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20251115
20251114
Lusaka to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Sunday, 15th March 2026
We were bused out of very busy Lusaka today. I can see why as huge hills with lorries, not coping, jack knifing across road. We started cycling late, 9.30am, sun up, temperature 30"C. However I was feeling ok and hoped to make lunch stop. We were told there was a continuous hill for 6 miles before lunch. Everyone stopped at a "Coke Stop" but I had spent all my Zambian Money. Tony took pity on me and bought me a coke, a lovely couple gave me biscuits for sugar and were very supportive. Then we had a 6 mile climb in 41"C heat. Exhausting but I made it. After that I went in the car for going through Zimbabwean Border, amazing to be here. Saw Zebra and apparently Elephants on the road. Hippos tomorrow Now at Lake Kariba, ferry for 24 hours tomorrow then back to cycling. Had a lovely dinner tonight, someone's birthday. Animals around us snorting and making strange noises. Can't deny it, it was brutal today, sheer determination got me through but I was a bit wobbly when finished.
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20251112
Camping Near Lake Kariba
Monday, 16th March 2026
Facilities are splendid at this camp site. Barbecue for dinner. Sat and chatted in the bar afterwards. There is an inlet from Lake Kariba and as it became dark, hippos started appearing out of the water heading for grass land. There are guides to protect us, we were told to camp close together, not wander about, if up at toilet get a guide to take you. Hippos seems used to tents but you mustn't block their exit to lake. Amazing spectacle watching them appear out of the darkness. Slept ok. This morning we made our way to ferry, two "planks" to get cars on. The crew seem to know what they are doing. 24 hour ferry trip, we sleep in reclining chairs, very basic ferry but it works. Lunch has been delicious. Very hot but windows open and fans blowing. Certainly not like Arran Ferry. I'll try and send this plus photos but I am in the middle of a 175 mile long lake, so who knows !!
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20251111
Lake Kariba to Deka, Zimbabwe.
Tuesday, 17th March 2026
It's 9.40am and we are still on Lake Kariba ferry. There is just one other tourist group, 3 couples. I moved my cushions to the floor last night to sleep, rather than on the recliner. Amazing sunset and stars over a very dark Africa. Incredible feeling to be here. Food cooked by ferry staff is amazing, lunch, dinner and breakfast. Porridge, fruit, yogurt followed by a full cooked "Scottish". Last night we saw elephants and more hippos. This lake is the biggest man made lake in the world, Zambezi River damed to make Hydro Electric Power. It is 175 miles long. We were allowed to jump in and swim off ferry, in a safe area. I am at back of photo. Exhilarating.
We started cycling late, about 11.00am because of ferry docking time, right into heat of the day. The African sun is relentless, was 30"C . We were riding on tarmac with potholes but in reality it was craters with a little tarmac. After 10 miles temperature was showing 42"C. The road surface was so difficult to navigate, I and others went into the hard pack at the side. I became bogged down in sand, couldn't get started. Fortunately two African young men appeared and I signalled for them to push me, which they did. I was off again. Very rural, very green, few villages, no traffic, no wildlife. This is north Zimbabwe. I caught up with Jaime and we cycled to lunch together, when we arrived other cyclists and local villagers cheered us in, so rewarding. At lunch stop I was dripping and badly needed a rest. Didn't feel like eating but managed loads of refreshing fresh food salad. As the surface was now technical gravel for another 50 miles I called it a day and got in the truck. Wise decision, although the truck was slow, rocking and rolling all the way to camp. We picked another five struggling cyclists. I think the late start, intense heat, was a big factor. After dinner because my section is nearly finished, I and others were presented with a TDA cycling top. Tour Leader said I was an inspiration and admired my grit and determination. I've loved being part of this amazing group but I won't deny it has been extremely hard. Not the distances or elevation but the whole package, African heat, tent up, tent down in the dark at 4.00am, carrying heavy bag to truck. I couldn't have done it without the help from fellow cyclists and support team, they are amazing.
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20251109
Deka to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Wednesday, 18th March 2026
Heavy rain through the night, everything soaking wet. Camped on shores of Zambezi River, this is my last camping night, Victoria Falls and a hotel here we come. Bliss. Joe said very technical gravel today, decisions, decisions. Many cyclists are taking van to lunch stop then cycling in afternoon. I haven't changed to fatter tyres so decided to have a rest day. When I saw afternoon gravel I think I could have made an attempt but it was 50 miles in the heat, maybe not. Heading off in truck after breakfast, we had a puncture. Often got changed and he and John crawled about under Overlander and changed wheel. Incredibly hard, strong workers, always with a smile on their faces. Arrived at Vic Falls eventually and set about dismantling and boxing bike for journey home. Planning a few days sight seeing first. One of the guys, Alex had an accident today and smashed his front wheel. We have a What's App group and he asked if anyone travelling home would give/sell him their front wheel. Although boxed and sealed I said he could have mine. He is ecstatic as he is cycling to Cape Town and if he couldn't source a wheel his trip was over. Tomorrow I plan to walk to Vic Falls then on Friday take a helicopter flight over them. What a way to finish my trip.
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20251108
Victoria Falls.
Thursday, 19th March. 2026
I am quite overwhelmed. Victoria Falls are incredible. The local people call it "The Smoke that Thunders", must read up on David Livingston's life. You hear the Falls before you see them, the roar, the mist in the air. It is massive, spectacular. I forgot my rain jacket and was soaked right through, firstly from mist then the closer we got, from the spray. It is £56 to get into the site but worth every penny. Information boards, walk ways. Now back at hotel trying to dry clothes off and have a shower. Just loved it, helicopter ride over Falls tomorrow morning. Can’t wait.
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20251106
Video of Group Crossing Lake Kariba
20th March 2026
We have a Content Creator, Mamood, lovely man, who films and takes photos of our journey. This is a video he made of our 175 mile ferry crossing of Lake Kariba. It was incredible and he captures the moment so well. I am at the beginning wheeling my bike onto ferry and again swimming in the Lake but maybe more difficult to make out. A journey that will live with me forever.
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IMG_1519.mov
20251105
Photos/ Victoria Falls Hotel
Not staying, just dining, old style, very colonial. Oh and a photo of elephants at the Falls too. They roam about, apparently 4 tourists were killed last year by them !!
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