Crossing C.A.R by bicycle

[alongridehome]

I'm looking at the possibility of travelling by bicycle from Cameroon-C.A.R-D.R.C and trying to plan the logistics. There is little information online about anyone travelling through C.A.R, which is admittedly, if potentially naively, one of the reasons I'm interested in trying. I have some general questions.

1) Can a C.A.R visa be acquired in Nigeria or Cameroon (costs, validity, ease of applying?)
2) Has anyone in recent months travelled the road from Cameroon border to Bangui and on south into DRC (sorry - don't have Michelin map with me)? Main concern obviously safety.
3) Is travel on the Ubangi river a realistic option heading towards/into DRC?
4) What is safety/security sitaution in south west C.A.R and Bangui in general?

I will assume the road conditions are terrible, but unless its deep sand/mud it doesn't matter on a bicycle.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Peter

thebigafricacycle.com

[MountainMan]

Hey Peter,

There was a fellow motorcyclist in Yaounde in the spring of this year that was headed to CAR and he managed to sort a visa. At one point he mentioned that he made it in but don't know how far he rode or how the experience was from a safety perspective. That at least tells you is possible, but whether it's recommended is another question. You may want to fire him a message here, his HU name is Luadraman if I remember correctly and is a great guy so if you can track him down he'd be a good source to speak to.

[roamingyak]

When I was there a good friend meet a Chinese guy on a cycle - he came out of CAR with nothing but his bike - all personal effects stolen by the police. It is extremely corrupt there from what I can gather from speaking to an American who worked there for 18 months.

So be prepared. Maybe DRC will be even worse ;-p

[alongridehome]

Thanks, I would PM Luadraman but Hubb tells me I need to make 5 posts first - here is number 4. Reassuring to read about the Chinese. I wonder if he was actually Japanese?

[alongridehome]

and here is number 5. Nothing useful to say other than I will PM this guy and hope he replies

[roamingyak]

No he was Chinese - couldn't get visa's to many places thus ended up in CAR etc.

[takeonafrica]

Originally Posted by roamingyak.org

So be prepared. Maybe DRC will be even worse ;-p

Just thought I'd mention that I'm in the DRC at the moment - been here a month and now in Kananga having come from Kinshasa. So far I've really had no problems - the Congolese are some of the kindest, most helpful people I've met and the police etc are no different, in fact they are the most helpful and thoughtful. I've never needed to worry about my belongings and very few bribes have been demanded (and most can be got out of with a smile and then everyone is all friendly again). I have paid various locals a total of 1 USD in the form of the 'velo tax' which they extort from the locals with a bike.
I know DRC is big and other areas may be different - but here, quite simply, it is amazing and I'm loving it!