Failed Cyclist!
 

I am planning a trip down to Morocco across North Africa and down to South Africa if sundry governmemnts don't make it impossible by small motorcycle (Honda XR125L - bought today)- leaving a.s.a.p. - although think early October maybe too optimistic - had to give up a cycle ride down, as my knee gave up 2000km into it. (Overwieght and 50 - maybe I should have expected it!)
Should mention that have been riding motorcycles for 32 years incuding a spell as a courier back in the early 80's when you could make money at it and living on the Isle of man for 3 years - was a TT Marshal.
I will be posting/visiting regularly on these boards I feel! Anybody that can help give advice - it would be most welcome -ta in advance.

Don't know what sort of advice you're looking for (and probably neither does anyone else)--it works better if you ask about specifics, with specific questions.

I'd start by wondering about your "across North Africa" segment, since you can't cross into Algeria from Morocco. After that, your main impediments are time, money, certain visas, plus willpower.

Safe journeys!

Mark

I meant thanks in advance for any questions I may ask - over the next few weeks.
Know all about Morocco/Algeria before- it is the same for a bloke riding a bicycle as well and I did do a bit of research before starting that trip? Only problem I have now is that it is a damn site more expensive to pack a bike on a plane if you have to bypass certain countries!

Thanks anyway.

Hi Paul

Small bikes are definitely the way to go, ESP across Africa. If you're heading towards Mauritania beware - you can't pick up visas at the border anymore because the border guards have been pocketing the money instead of giving it to the govt. You have to get it at the MAuri EMbassy in Brussels before you leave. Easy job. Good luck

The Xr125L looks to be a nice bike for the trip, one thing I would say is make sure you do regular oil changes, 3 of my current bikes are small capacity, an old XLR125, a YBR125 and a CRF230(air-cooled), both 125s I change the oil around 1000miles and the 230 every 500-600miles, all 3 only have an oil strainer and not a proper filter.

Cheers for the advice - I had a CG125 some time ago - so am reasonably familiar with the engine. My budget was a max of £1500 - mainly to reduce the dreaded carnet cost for Egypt!
The small bike concept seems to be working well for a lot of people - having lived on the Isle of Man with a Ducati900ss in the shed, I've got past the stage of needing to tear around the place at high speed and the XL will probably be 5-6 times faster than me on my bicycle!

Hi Paul

What a shame you knee gave up. We're doing a cycle tour at the moment and it is tough, that's for sure. Weird things happen to you when cycling a lot. After a week rest, I've got an unexplained pain/stiffness behind my one knee...very strange.

What exactly happened to your knee, pain behind the kneecap by any chance?