Global Wheeling arrives in Mozambique and reaches the halfway point of an attempted 40 nations solo on a bicycle.  15045 KM

Crossing five countries through Europe and fifteen across Africa, the Global Wheeling initiative reaches the halfway point of an attempted 40 countries conquered solo through four continents on a bicycle. This eco pilgrimage, a quest to highlight the environmental plight of our time, a protest against global warming and accelerated climate change as the ride outlines the huge benefits the bicycle has to cover great distances whilst treading lightly on the planet. A long an arduous road through some of the planet’s most volatile countries has now reached the end of phase one.

Crossing into Mozambique and tallying up country number twenty after 11 months of below zero temperatures, desert sand storms, civil war and countless sleepless nights in bushes, jungles and forests in faraway lands. Reaching this milestone feels a strange combination of fatigue, pain and satisfaction.

Phase two of the ride will commence next year which will see, South, Central and North America crossed on my trusty steed “Little MS Sunshine”. In the interim I will be back in my home town of Cape Town, South Africa planting loads of trees, trying to secure some bigger sponsorship for phase two and nursing my left knee which is due for surgery after all the wear and tear it’s been subjected to over the last year.

The Global Wheeling website is lined up for a facelift and changes are imminent prior to commencing phase two, I will also be working closely with Warren Wilmott the man behind Baked Ginger Productions as we enter into the editing of HD footage and production of the Global Wheeling Documentary.

Stay tuned in for some fantastic new angles on the project as it benefits from being on home soil for a while…

Tags: Crossing Africa by bicycle, cycle for the planet, eco charity bike ride, eco warrior, environmental activism

Crossing the Kingdom of Swaziland on two wheels. Country 19          

Leaving Kwazulu Natal and South African soil was somewhat emotional as I had become quite fond of the intense natural beauty and diversity of the province, my exit however would be a magical one. Heading towards the Golela border crossing roughly 30 km from Pongola and flanking the gorgeous Jozini dam, I was stopped in my tracks a mere 6 km from the Swazi border. Two rather statuesque figures blocking my path to country nineteen and the Kingdom of Swaziland. Bidding me farewell before leaving the Republic and what felt like an acknowledgement for efforts two magnificent looking creatures stared me down, gave me a little nod, and slowly wondered off into the bush as if to say well done.

Reaching the border crossing, I flagged down a passing vehicle which was entering South Africa to enquire about a decent spot on the other side of the border to pitch my tent. The day nearing its end and nightfall round the corner the brain clicks into survival mode mapping out different possibilities for safe and secure shelter for the night. The driver of the vehicle turned out to be Digs Pascoe, CEO of the Space For Elephants Foundation www.space4elephants.org which was in the area doing some conservation work regarding the protection of rhino and the implementation of anti-poaching measures. I would soon find myself at the mercy of great hospitality joining their bush camp in the reserve for the night to be awed by stories of some rather accomplished wildlife conservationists and fell asleep to the sound of hippo’s wading in the stunning Jozini dam.

Swaziland beckoned and the crossing of the border instantly bringing a sense of calm as the tiny Kingdom exudes an unmistakable sense of serenity, this little African gem home to a pace that rarely surpasses second gear. I would follow the road northwards crossing the eastern half of the country towards the town of Big Bend where I would find a place to pitch my tent for the night. E 50 (50 Swazi Emalangeni / $7) secured me a patch of grass and a hot shower in the back yard of a bar, a bit of a steal considering campsites in neighbouring South Africa demanding double that figure and rarely that close to the pub.

English speaking Swaziland affording the opportunity to purchase the local African paper and do a bit more than just looking at the pictures. Bringing a wry smile to my face on more occasions than once, catching some rather peculiar adds and notices we rarely find in larger more established countries.

Over the flatlands and up the demanding 6 km climb into the great little town of Siteki, Swaziland never disappointing as I often found myself on beautifully quiet roads in stark contrast to the rest of the continent where you constantly find yourself battling for life and limb as large badly driven trucks force you off the road and into the bush on a regular basis.

It seems the smaller African nations finding a way of creeping into my heart and reminding me why I love this continent, they seem to hang on to the true beauty of this part of the world and avoid the temptations of urbanisation and the greed, envy and corruption that so closely follow, in turn undermining the real magic this continent offers. On that note Swaziland I salute you for remaining a warm, gentle authentic slice of Africa.

Tags: african cycle expedition, crossing africa by bike, crossing swaziland by bicycle, cycle for charity, eco charity bike ride

South Africa, Country #17 and counting…

Setting off from the family home on the west coast of Cape Town, South Africa felt as if I was going for a leisurely ride in the city I grew up in, the reality however was that I was embarking on phase two of an attempted forty nations to be conquered by human pedal power and this time making tracks up the east coast of the continent. 16 countries and 12 000 km’s through Europe and West Africa were firmly secured over 7 months of ups and downs that saw a tricky but successful solo crossing of the Sahara desert and the navigation of Ivory Coast on the verge of civil war.

A cold wet and windy start to phase two as I snaked around Baden Powel drive and False bay, making my way past Cape Town’s largest squatter camp Khayelitsha in search of the coastal route north east. Cape Town bidding farewell with one of its trademark gusty winter mornings. The names of towns all too familiar making country 17 on the list somewhat surreal as I’ve become so accustom to navigating foreign sounding names in faraway lands

Through Strand & Gordon’s Bay hugging the rugged coastline and infamous whale route of Southern Africa, I would spend my second night back on the road seeking refuge from the harsh winter elements in the broom cupboard of the security office at Kogel Baai campsite a mere 25 km’s outside Betty’s Bay. Unbeknown to me at the time, the broom cupboard that I would call home for the night would leak like a sieve and with hindsight pitching the tent for the night would have been a better call.

Past Pringle Bay and Kleinmond, touching down in Hermanus for the night unfortunately a few months too early to catch the annual migration of Southern Wright whales that helped to put this quaint coastal town on the map. The only problem with cyclo-touring in your own country is that you feel a lot more like a homeless person than an adventurous soul when you pitch your tent in the bushes at night.

Rolling out of the farm town of Napier to link up with the N2 and much acclaimed garden route is next on the agenda, battling rolling hills, strong winds and cold mornings; I forgot just how harsh the Cape of Storms can be.

Tags: cycling across south africa, cycling for charity, eco charity bike ride, touring southern africa