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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