THE END OF THE BLOG
In July 2023 my biking career came to an abrupt end with the final admission of defeat by my back. I can’t complain, it was a response to seventy years of abuse through various sports and misadventures. As a result, I have decided to stop adding posts to this blog. In time, I might migrate its contents to Makwerhu’s Musings [click here], which is my other—more philosophical—blog.
I shall always miss the joy of travelling around on my bike, but there comes a time when denial is trumped by reality.
I shall always miss the joy of travelling around on my bike, but there comes a time when denial is trumped by reality.
The Original Blog
The text below is the first page of the original blog, which I named "Southern Cross", and which, for the sake of completeness, I have left un-redacted in order to show my thinking a year after my wife had died. As time passed, I came to realise some of my own physical and financial limitations. Furthermore, the work that I was doing then (lecturing theology) was so fulfilling that I couldn't consider resigning. And so, the plan changed.
Although the original dream has gone unfulfilled, I cannot complain. In partnership with Linny II, and later Linny III, I have ridden over 89 000 kilometres in Southern Africa and Vietnam (that's equivalent to more than twice round the earth). There have been unpleasant times, frightening times, miserable times, and, most of all, wonderfully enjoyable times. I have met vast numbers of people, most of whom have been pleasant, and I have seen some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
I should like to have got my cumulative distance to 100 000 kilometres before retiring, but there's no arguing with force majeure. An injured back and geriatria have grounded me permanently. But I can't complain.
I have [drunk]
Life to the lees: All times I have enjoy’d
Greatly, have suffer’d greatly, both with those
That loved me, and alone.
[Ulysses – Tennyson]
I have no complaints. It is well with my soul.
Although the original dream has gone unfulfilled, I cannot complain. In partnership with Linny II, and later Linny III, I have ridden over 89 000 kilometres in Southern Africa and Vietnam (that's equivalent to more than twice round the earth). There have been unpleasant times, frightening times, miserable times, and, most of all, wonderfully enjoyable times. I have met vast numbers of people, most of whom have been pleasant, and I have seen some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
I should like to have got my cumulative distance to 100 000 kilometres before retiring, but there's no arguing with force majeure. An injured back and geriatria have grounded me permanently. But I can't complain.
I have [drunk]
Life to the lees: All times I have enjoy’d
Greatly, have suffer’d greatly, both with those
That loved me, and alone.
[Ulysses – Tennyson]
I have no complaints. It is well with my soul.
August 2012 - Origin
This idea crept into my mind so subtly that it is difficult to define its actual beginning. It just seems to have been there for some time.
I think it must have its origin in some conversations that Brigid and I had shortly after Linda had died. Brigid said that she would like to get on a motor-bike and go riding around Namibia. I agreed that it would be nice to do something like that, and the idea seems to have just quietly grown since then.
Gradually, the idea coalesced into the concept of visiting (by motor-bike) five Significant Destinations--extreme points on the mainland of the African continent. These five points are the Southernmost, Northernmost, Westernmost, and Easternmost points, and the African Pole of Inaccessibility (the point that is furthest from any coastline). They are denoted by the five yellow stars on the map. At some point I shall list the longitudes and latitudes of these points.
I think it must have its origin in some conversations that Brigid and I had shortly after Linda had died. Brigid said that she would like to get on a motor-bike and go riding around Namibia. I agreed that it would be nice to do something like that, and the idea seems to have just quietly grown since then.
Gradually, the idea coalesced into the concept of visiting (by motor-bike) five Significant Destinations--extreme points on the mainland of the African continent. These five points are the Southernmost, Northernmost, Westernmost, and Easternmost points, and the African Pole of Inaccessibility (the point that is furthest from any coastline). They are denoted by the five yellow stars on the map. At some point I shall list the longitudes and latitudes of these points.
The Initial Idealised Concept
This was how I visualised the journey simplistically, not taking any practical matters into consideration. This was what made me think of The Southern Cross as a title, even though much of the journey would take place in the northern hemisphere. Obviously, this plan was going to be modified drastically in order to be more practical, cut down on driving back and forth, and to take cognisance of roads and physical restrictions.
Clearly, there are going to be many amendments, much research, and many unexpected glitches between this point and the start of the journey, let alone the end!
Clearly, there are going to be many amendments, much research, and many unexpected glitches between this point and the start of the journey, let alone the end!
The Refined Concept
Again, while this is less theoretical, it doesn't include any practical considerations. There is not much suggestion of a cross! However, it probably gives a better idea of the reality of the journey I am planning. It has more elements of a round trip, rather than out and back, but I feel that the west coast is being somewhat neglected.
Of course, I have not considered any political constraints at this stage; things like visa problems, no-go areas, or just simple matters like availability of fuel. I'm not too concerned about overnight accommodation, given the commitment to hospitality of most African cultures. I'm also hoping that Somali pirates confine their activities to the ocean.
However you look at it, it seems that the journey will be in excess of 40 000 kilometres. That should take quite a long time. Who knows what will happen on such a trip!
Of course, I have not considered any political constraints at this stage; things like visa problems, no-go areas, or just simple matters like availability of fuel. I'm not too concerned about overnight accommodation, given the commitment to hospitality of most African cultures. I'm also hoping that Somali pirates confine their activities to the ocean.
However you look at it, it seems that the journey will be in excess of 40 000 kilometres. That should take quite a long time. Who knows what will happen on such a trip!
The Re-refined Concept
On the advice of my youngest daughter, I ventured into using Tripline to sketch out my planned route. I figured out something that is slightly more rational, but it still needs lots of re-re-refining. It still takes no notice of the presence or absence of roads, objective dangers, or political shenanigins.
It looks as though I am talking about a journey of around 40 000 kilometres, which should take something in the region of a year, or more, if I enjoy it.
This is what it looks like at the moment.
It looks as though I am talking about a journey of around 40 000 kilometres, which should take something in the region of a year, or more, if I enjoy it.
This is what it looks like at the moment.
Early September 2012 - Another Thought
I'm thinking that the eastern extreme will probably be the most perilous, so maybe I should keep it for last. That way, if I croak in Somalia, at least I will have ticked off the other destinations. Also, going S, N, W, PIA, E will actually make a cross, although rather more northern than southern.
12th September 2012 - The Next Evolutionary Step
Okay, not much like a cross, but the new version now has the Eastern Extreme as the fifth Significant Destination (SD5), and various bits of straightening out and rationalising applied to the route. Also, Niger and Chad have been added, in an effort to visit as many African countries as possible.
Maybe I should try to visit them all!
Maybe I should try to visit them all!
Mid 2013 - Name Change
I've abandoned the name "Southern Cross". It's more like southern spaghetti! I named my bike after my late wife, Linda, so the new name of the website feels right.
October 2013 - Encouragement
Having wondered about the feasibility of this trip, because of the apparently precarious political situation in North Africa, I have been encouraged by discovering that there is a lone woman riding a BMW F650GS Dakar round Africa right at the moment. She has ridden up the west coast, across Algeria, Libya and Egypt, and is now in Ethiopia.
Read about her exploits here:
https://www.facebook.com/jolandie.rust?fref=ts
http://www.jorust.com/
Read about her exploits here:
https://www.facebook.com/jolandie.rust?fref=ts
http://www.jorust.com/