Heading south and the temperature was starting to get noticeable colder and news was that SA was not any better so the trip headed back to the East coast, crossing over into Zimbabwe to visit Riders. First we had to get supplies due to the problems there; loading up with 50lt of fuel should see us get at least half way through the country before trying to source some on the black market. From what was already seen of Vic Falls it was thought that it could not get much better however on the Zimbabwean side the water seems to fall in much greater quantity making for an impressive showering from the splash.

The roads in Zimbabwe are all but deserted of traffic there are more donkeys pulling carts than anything that is propelled with an internal combustion engine. Arrived in Bulawayo before it was necessary to top up the fuel reserves, the hunt for black market liquid gold took us to a guy called Fuzz. Name aptly given on meeting him at his house, just slightly crazy, however he had the necessary stuff hidden in his garage and even at the black market price this was cheaper than in Zambia. After headed for Harare to visit the Riders organisation where the money that has been kindly donated is going too.

At their head quarters I got shown around and was impressed by the number of bikes they have in the workshop waiting to go out to support their operations in Africa. The money that is being raised from this ride is going to be used to support the purchasing of much needed tools in the workshop. This will enable the bikes to be prepared ready for distribution to their designated projects over the coming months.

From the head quarters it is a short trip out of town to the training facilities where they teach those who will be using the bikes how to ride, service and maintain their bikes. This training facility is situated nicely in the middle of a karting circuit, motocross track and a 4x4 off-road circuit so the rider training is very comprehensive.

As fuel is in short supply in Zimbabwe it is best to ride at a slower than normal speed, so you could imagine my surprise on leaving that I was stopped for speeding. 120kph apparently ‘Would you like to contest this sir’ I was asked, ‘bloody right’. ‘Well then you can go’. Easy as that; off of paying any fine.

Got to the Mozambique coast which was as expected hot so time to relax for a few weeks, filling in the time doing some impressive diving. All the usual suspects expected along this coast were present, when diving with such big sea life as whale sharks, humpback whales and manta rays you feel very small. The experience is similar to that of visiting the gorillas in Rwanda.

In Swaziland ventured off in to the hills with the bike unloaded which for a change was nice to ride. This did involve getting a little lost and having our path cut off by a few boulders and river crossings. This made for a challenging ride, at times fun with both wheels off the ground.

Might even make it to Cape Town next month!

Andrew
http://www.justgiving.com/aaay2k7