Accident on the road advice needed
 

Hey Guys, We are on the Cairo Cape Town route.

My partner had a nasty spill on a road in Sudan on some soft sand. Shes fine but has a brockenhand and unlikely be able to ride for a while. Her bike is a bit out of shape the sub frame bent but not cracked. The bikes rideable i think (needs further inspection) but not with a hand in plaster. We have to be back in England by mid september.
So we are left with the option of dumping everything we dont need and travel two up on my 640, and ship Carons back from Khartoum.
I could do with advice on this. We still have the Gedaref - Gonder strech to do and the Moyale - Isiolo road, and it will be wet.
I dont need to explain to any of you how much prep and money and effort has gone into this trip and to call it quits now would be soul destroying. Any advice would be appreciated on travelling two up on a 640 (i dont relish the thought), and on these stretches of road. At the very least i think i would take the shock out of Carons and carry it as a spare.

Searching for answers in Khartoum.
Giles

travel two up on a 640
 

Hello,

Bad luck, hope your partner will recover soon, all the best.

Gedaref - Gonder strech: no problem at all, they were rebuilding the road in March 2006, corrugated on the ethiopian side but no major obstacles

Moyale - Isiolo: not easy in the wet season. You have to take a decision when you arrive in Moyale. Ask the truck drivers for advice. If it is too muddy put the bike on a truck for this part of your trip. From Isiolo on it will be easy going.

Good luck
Albert

I dont think you have much need of giving up just yet. Last year at the HU 'do' I met a couple (who did a presentation) who had just returned from a 60000 mile RTW world trip two up on a KTM640. The photos they showed were hardly from the most tarmaced of roads, in fact after we talked it seemed as if they had actively sought out hard off road stuff. I was amazed by this and questioned them closely. They said that in their opinion, after 60000 miles the KTM was THE choice for two up off roading. So, not only is it possible, some people (with far more experience than us!!) would argue it was preferable!!

Check to see who talked last year and identify the couple. They were at the meeting this year and are clearly keen contributers the forum. Once you find thier identity drop them a mail. Then I suspect all your worries will be dealt with.

All the best, hope the hand heals soon, and dont forget that there's always a way. If you HAD to get back to Europe with the kit you've got, you'd manage somehow...

Dave

p.s. I once cut a plaster off my own broken wrist with an angle grinder and rode for 300 miles to get home before having it replastered. Have you considered fixing the bike as best you can, modifying the plaster to allow the bike to be ridden (keeping as much support as possible) and continuing as slowly and safely as you can until the fix become more permanent?

Bugger Giles,
Hope you're both OK. I thought you'd be fine after our little training run near Cairo.

Very sorry to hear the dramas. Any possibility of storing the bikes and continuing next year? This would be a last resort, but I know your time is a bit limited.

I'm back in UK now, but if you need any help from Cairo let me know.

Good luck to you both

Giles,

Sorry to hear about Caron's injury. I hope it is not too serious.

As Albert said Gedaref - Gondor should be fine two-up, although it was a little slippery as it was raining when I went through.

The most recent weather data for Northern Kenya suggests that this years wet season seems to have brought good rains, particularly around Marsabit.

http://www.fews.net/centers/innerSec...sDoc&m=1001955

I would think that the first 130kms south of Moyale could be tricky if it is raining as it is softer dirt, whereas the rest of the track to Isiolo is more rocky.

If possible, I would think the best option would be to hole up in Khartoum for a few weeks while the hand heals and then try and continue together. If it means you are late back to work in the UK, so be it. I wouldn't even want to imagine the bureaucratic hassle in trying to fly the bike out of Khartoum.

If you need an emergency package of alcohol to drown your sorrows, try the British embassy. After the dramas you have been through I am sure they can rustle you up a few beers!

Good luck and keep us posted.

cheers

How difficult would it be to buy a cheap van/pickup truck to continue until you can both ride??

if there is a will, there is a way ...
 

Hello down to Africa,

sorry to read about the accident and the broken wrist.

last year I rode 1000km in Angola and Congo with a broken leg in a plaster (only possible with the help of my fantastic girlfriend ...), but to do it with a broken wrist is more difficult I guess.

ok. two up on a ktm 640 is possible for you to continue. sending the bike back will be a nightmare and maybe cost more than the bike is worth.

buying a van or a pick up will also be quite expensive in this part of the world.

I have two ideas for you.

first. try to find a backpacker that would ride your bike down to Nairobi. backpackers in this part of the world are not the eighteen year old college kids, and they are mostly prepared to help other travellers out. In Nairobi either sell the bike (maybe difficult with the carnet) ... or continue to Cape Town. From Nairobi it is quite easy and you can stay on the tarmac.

second. try to find a truck and put one (or two ...) bike on it to the border. than ride the bikes over the border and try to arrange transport all the way down to Addis. From there to the border with Kenia and than to Nairobi. A long way, and you will pay quite a bit in to the truckies.

There is a KTM dealer in Nairobi

Good luck and dont forget in Africa everything is possible and you can make it down to Cape Town until September.

Greetings

Mika

Hi Giles,

What a pooh. I hope your partner is ok and getting better.

1 Khartoum

I suggest you visit George, the owner of the Acropole hotel. I'm sure he would be willing to help you if you buy a beer or two (at least 5 are required to feel even slightly pissed) and please say hi to him from me. (You can even watch the GP races and have free ice cream at night)

He knows every one in khartoum (as second generation hotel owner) and consequently is a huge source of information/advice.

The other guests are also very experienced in all things Sudanese so he might even know some one there who can help you immediately. It may be expensive but you may also get direct access to the best networking in the country.

2 Flavio in Addis

call flavio in addis +251 911 624 371, or email: flavio dot bonaiuti at africaridingadventures dot com.

He has several LC4s so is the closest person who might be able to help you. A great guy. Please say Hi to him from me.

He rode to Gallabat from Addis and back to pick up my old Deserts :)

3 Flying Bike out of Khartoum

I flew my bike out of Khartoum to Amman as I am a wimp. There is only one carrier who has a dangerous goods certificate in Khartoum which is Qatar Airways. Thier office is in the block opposite the main passenger terminal. George at the Acropole knows him well. I think is name is Hassan but George can confirm this - Ask him for a quote to Heathrow :)

This would:

- avoid any futher damage/parts/total theft in a truck.
- get it back to UK very quickly (but relatively expensively)
- enable you to sleep better not worrying about it and enjoy your trip.

4 Kenyan Road Conditions

email Simon Cox - contact me for his address. He's lived in Nairobi for many years and knows alot about 640s. His friends take thier motors to him to rebuild not the dealer. He would be a good person to advise you on the moyale road in the rainy season.

Moyale -> Marsabit -> Isiolo is not the only route, but the road most travelled.

Er, if you're only coming back for a job I suggest you wait for your partners wrist to heal then carry on as before - you may have even missed the rains - something good always comes out of every setback.

good luck

jerome

good advise
 

hello,

very good advise from Jerome.

and yes, putting the bike on a truck could damage it completly or it could be stolen !

contact the people Jerome mentioned, they will find a way for you.

good luck

Mika

Thanks for all the ideas.

1-Buying a pick up isnt an option due to funds and the need for another Carnet.

2- we are waiting for costs to ship to Kenya where Carons hand should have healed by the time we get there. Any info on hassles of getting the bike out of the crate and on the road in Kenya would be appreciated. Ive heard stories of over a week!?!

3- Ship home and carry on 2up possible.

4- We have disregared the possibility of me towing caron and the bike to Kenya (suggested by an American in Khartoum, really)

5- I feel that putting the bike on a truck is to risky.

So we wait for the quotes. We will let you know.

Cheers
Giles

Hi Giles,

I'm replying here as others for others to see

1 Flying Bike Khartoum to Amman, Jordan

er, $1,545 with the only available carrier Qatar Airways via Doha. QAs cock up meant 3 day delay waiting in Amman but the Khartoum manager (Hassan?) is very kind and professional.

2 Nairobi contact on Moyale Road

I have remembered a better one who may have a more up to date source of info: Chris at Jungle Junction, Nairobi the best place for overland bikers/4x4s : +254 7222 752 865 email

Chris is a very good mechanic who'll give you very good advice and has the tools to fix any thing bike related.

3 Bike transport - Khartoum to Nairobi

The worst thing would be to get to Nairobi 2 up and find you enjoy it more travelling on 1 bike (its cheaper) and dont want a second one.

Nairobi is like paradise after Ethiopia and northern Kenya so a wait for your bike if you do want to may be nice.

However, if worse comes to worse and Carons hand is not healed you would still have the option to fly it home or to Cape Town etc. All you have to do is to find a way to pay Qatar :)

Incidentally there was an ATM being built - machine in place but no lights on in the road with all the embasies - Saudi, syria etc not far from the airport. it could be working!

BTW the guy who makes the crates in Khartoum (opposite the Syrian embassy) will stiff you - $250 for a crate that was far bigger than needed! Qatar recommend him so you must use him. They could refuse another packer's crate.

Then again the golden rule is dont leave before your bike flies out. I have learnt the same lesson twice now :) - but still do it.

4 Option 456,876

Fly both bikes and yourselves to Nairobi. Fix Carons bike and while she recovers sipping lattes, beer, digestive chocolate biscuits (plain and milk), fab food, cinemas, sky sports, fast cheap internet etc etc.

if the moyale road is wet it is supposed to be impassable ......

BTW dont take either of your bikes to Ian Duncan (ktm dealer) to be fixed. He is the worst KTM dealer i have ever visited. Get the parts from Sommers and get Chris to fit them if you cant.

Chris has Simon's number (and he lives nearby) so can contact him when you get there.

Good Luck!

Thanks Jerome

Chris at JJ reckons the road is in good condition (relatively speaking) and isn't wet at the mo.

Hussan has been round to measure Caron bike for its coffin. (it feels a little that way).

Carons gets another xray tomorrow which will hopefully give us a more definate healing time. Depending on you we spoke to it was 5days to 8 weeks.

Travelling 2up may be the answer. We have bought a huge orange welding mitt that fits over Carons cast, and scaled down our luggage to fit into 2 panniers (and i thought we were travelling light to start with). I spose we should wind up the rear shock a little and hopefully be on the road in a few days. Fingers crossed - those of us you can cross fingers anyway.

Thanks for the info.

Giles,
Consider dropping the forks an inch or more in the triple clamps to compensate for the extra weight at the rear if you go two up.
I am an RN so consider also the wisdom of this advice. Unless your friend has lost her confidence or desire to operate her own machine , her hand will heal and in 4-6 weeks she will be able to ride again(if it was a simple fracture).
Take a rest from traveling, let the hand heal, don't panic. Get the cast off and go for a soft cast ASAP. Exercise the hand to keep it strong. Not too many pain pills. Pain is your friend. Use non steroidal anti inflamatoriy type drugs, not narcotics.
Find a welder to straighten the subframe and when able ride on until you get to a better mechanic. Have someone haul the bike in a truck for you and lead them. Your friend can ride in the cab for a bit. Work it out. Don't quit. A couple of weeks will make a big difference.
Be positive. It's all good.
Bill.

Thanks Bill

We have shipped the bike back from Khartoum and continuing 2up. Which has to be said so far is nut crunching experience (i have a tank bag), but were moving again which is good. Carons hand still causing her some discomfort. They have put it in a half cast so theres is a little more freedom of movement that a total cast. We will get it x rayed again in Nairobi. Shes a muscian so its quite important to her.

Im concerned my shock wont hold out on the Moyale - Isiolo road. Will let you know. Thanks for the tip with the forks.

Giles

Giles,
Glad you are moving, it sounds like the damage to Caron's hand is not too serious. As soon as she is able I think she should stretch the muscles and tendons by doing hand exercises.
Since I am an old man and have been riding motorcycles for 40+ years my hands have taken a beating. I do yoga type exercises every day.
For my hands I go on the floor on hands and knees and put my hands flat, palms down turning them 90 degrees until I go around the clock. Then do the same with your weight on the backs of the hands. This prevents Carpal tunnel type problems and is generally good for everything.
Caron should start slowly and build up repitions until all the pain is gone.
For your problem with the tank bag there is no solution except amputation.
Bill.