Round Africa with a Surfboard

[garnaro]

In 5 days I'm headed across Europe and down the west coast of Africa.

Awhile back I go the idea into my head to strap a surfboard to my motorcycle and ride around looking for waves.



After a fair bit of fiddling and research, a more solid plan formed to tackle Africa. On September 30th 2013, I fly from California to London to meet my beloved DR650. I'd like to circumnavigate the continent in about a year or so, in search of good waves and good times. Route will be something like this:



The plan is to take about 8 months riding from London to Cape Town and if all goes well enough, carry on up the east coast, give the surfboard away to some kid in Tanzania, run up Kilimanjaro, cross the Middle east, and back to Europe. Maybe another 6 months for the return.

This is me:



I'm 37, working as an environmental scientist in Santa Cruz, California mostly trying to solve water pollution problems. I've felt overdue for a trip like this for a long time now. During the past few years, I got myself a bike, learned to ride it on the road and in the dirt, bolted tons of crap to it, learned how to fix as much stuff as possible, lurked on the HUBB, watched Mondo Enduro at least 23 times, and set off on a few short motosurf adventures along the California and Baja coasts (see bugsonmyboard.org).




Bike modifications completed, bike shipped, carnet acquired, vaccinations done, stuff sold, job quit, sanity checked, friends shocked, girlfriend kissed goodbye. Ready to move into my motorbike.



Stay tuned for updates...

[troos]

Looking forward to your updates

[The Cameraman]

Hi There,

of all the mental things I've ever heard of, on a bike, this one takes the biscuit!

So am I looking forward to any updates - You bet I am!

This should be a laugh, I hope you've shipped out the board with your bike or will you take it as hand luggage?

Regards

Reggie

[RTWbyBIKE.com]

Great stuff! Want to fo0llow this, GOOD LUCK!!!

If you cross through Germany (don´t know exactly where I will be but...) give me a PM!

Cheers

[garnaro]

Thanks guys, I'm stoked. Should be a laugh and a half.

I'll carry the board with me on the flight. Bike just got unloaded from the container in the UK! Hope that all is right with her when I turn up..

[garnaro]

In 4 days I fly to London, collect my motorbike, and point her south towards Africa. During the month before I sent loaded her onto the boat, I fussed neurotically about every mechanical detail, piece of gear, tool, and spare bolt that I might send her off with.<!--more--> At one stage I found myself lying in my driveway at midnight with two piles of bolts in front of me trying to decide which ones to bring and which to leave behind. This did not feel like normal behavior.

Nobody puts baby in the corner. Time for a moto makeover.







No matter how much you may plan not to ride in the dark, some times you just get caught doing exactly that. An LID headlight that puts out 1000 lumens should make it a bit safer when it happens.

Its amazing how the adjustment of just a few inches of plastic can have on your comfort level.






I slid all over the place in the mud in baja leading to less that graceful dismounts. I'd rather not repeat the performance somewhere in the middle of the Congo, but also need tires that can last a good distance rather than wear down quickly like knobbies do. I'm hoping that the Mefo Explorers prove a decent compromise between traction and durability.

Fresh drivetrain for a weary girl





I've run out of gas enough times to decide that I don't really like pushing my motorcycle for miles on end. A 5.5 gallon Acerbis tank should help reduce the problem.

Essential storage for items to keep Dyna running her best.





I broke some bits off in Baja that required some welding to reattach. I reinforced had all of the brackets on the frame that hold the exhaust and my toolbox.

Along with new heavier straight rate fork springs, Dyna got a fresh shock rebuild with a Race Tech gold valve installed to improve damping performance over the bumps and lumps.



An extended fuel screw provides easy adjustment of the air fuel mixture in the carburetor at anytime. It comes in very handy when gaining or dumping lots of altitude quickly.



I built a set of mini jumper cables with 10 gauge wire that live under the seat. Just in case...



Tappy valves are happy valves. Keep her tappy, keep her classy.



Scrub the Wyoming dust out of that carby..




She's Serengeti ready

[dirtypot]

What's the umbrella handle thing?
I thought that maybe it's the board mount, but that goes on the left, right?

[WesleyDRZ400]

Mefo Explorers are great tyres i got just under 15000miles on a rear tyre

You could also fit the Super Explorer on the rear

Only had one pucture (also had mefo thick tubes on) and that was due to a large nail.

However they are sh#t in the rain on tarmac roads so avoid riding when it rains.

Also i had the same soft bags as yours (well look the same) fixed in the same place but i found them to high, on the advice of another biker i was told to put them lower down so you feel them near your heel when on the pegs.

On my next trip i will move them lower down

[ta-rider]

Hi,

How small is your tent, air matras and sleeping bag if it all fits into your luggage bag? How do you carry water and spare petrol for the hot desert parts of your trip?
I also carryed a spare tire on my first trip but found out, the Mitasd E07 lasted from Germany all the way down to Southafrica. There they sell Mitas at the KTM stores were i bought another pair to ride home. Not carrying spare tires saves you a lot of weight:

http://afrikamotorrad.de/?report=en_transafrika

Looking forward to see more fotos of you, Tobi

[garnaro]

Originally Posted by dirtypot

What's the umbrella handle thing?
I thought that maybe it's the board mount, but that goes on the left, right?

What, you don't bring an umbrella!?


just kidding. I ended up having to ride the bike all the way to the shipping port and that's just the surfboard rack zip tied to the frame.

[garnaro]

Originally Posted by ta-rider

Hi,

How small is your tent, air matras and sleeping bag if it all fits into your luggage bag? How do you carry water and spare petrol for the hot desert parts of your trip?
I also carryed a spare tire on my first trip but found out, the Mitasd E07 lasted from Germany all the way down to Southafrica. There they sell Mitas at the KTM stores were i bought another pair to ride home. Not carrying spare tires saves you a lot of weight:

&#xff21;&#xff44;&#xff56;&#xff45;&#xff4e;&#xff54;&# xff55;&#xff52;&#xff45;&#xff53; motorbike expedition - 2 jears around africa

Looking forward to see more fotos of you, Tobi

My gear is all pretty compact, but I did change to a 2 man tent on the advice of another traveler.

That is pretty good a tire lasting all the way to SA! Planned on changing the currently mounted partially worn tire in Morocco or Senegal, so I don't have to carry it too far. Just wanted to save it from the high speed pavement in Europe. Good to know, I'll definitely get one of those Mitas tires mounted in SA.

I have a 4L dromedary bag mounted to the top case and a 2L water bottle holder lashed to that, so hopefully that is enough. I can go about 250 miles on a tank and maybe will need to carry some extra liters in plastic bottles - what was the most you needed Tobi?

Hopefully I don't have as much trouble as you did Tobi with the Angola visa, but I have no option other than to get it on the road as they will only issue them in person at the Houston office in the USA and only good for 3 months..

[dirtypot]

Let me know when you're nearing Cape Town what your tyre size is, and I'll order in a Mitas E-07 for you.
We have a bike shop in Kommetjie, so you can surf outer Kom or Witsands while you're waiting. Bonus! Just make sure you bring your wetsuit - the Atlantic is chilly...
But then the warm waters on the other side of the peninsula are only ten minutes away.

[TBR-China]

Surf's Up!
Wish you a nice and safe trip, looking forward to read all about your ADV ride around Africa!

[garnaro]

Thanks guys - I feel like I've been preparing for this in the vaccum of my imagination - great to hear some support!

Thanks DirtyPot, that would be great - I'll get in touch!

[Noel900r]

Will follow your trip with interest as i'm working towards my own African trip.
Regards Noel.