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Page 6 of 6 We couldn't afford expensive aluminum panniers so made one from galvanised sheeting. We constructed carriers from angle iron for the jerry cans, water bottles and thousand and one other things necessary for the trip. When our full set of tools, spares, clothes and rain gear, tent, cooking utensils, stove and basic food, sleeping bags, camping mattresses, two Jerry cans and three water bottles were all laid out on the floor of the spare room just prior to our departure, despite having pared our load to what we thought was a minimum, it seemed impossible that it would all fit on the bikes! When Glynis saw it she laughed! We made up tank bags out of old army hold-alls which hung off the petrol tanks bringing some weight forward; sleeping bags and camping mattresses were attached to racks bolted on in front of the handlebars and above the headlight. The rest was strapped onto the angle-iron framework we made to fit behind the rider, but which had to clear the swing-arm and allow space to kick-start the engine - no electric starters on these bikes! We tested the loaded bikes only twice, once on a ride around the house to see whether a six-litre water bottle could be carried on the handle-bar carrier; (all the bike wanted to do was lie down!), and a short trip into the plantations, fully laden. On this trial, the bike was manageable, but up a steep path, the front wheel wanted to lift with only small acceleration because of the load behind the rider. With time running out we could test no more. It was time to fly to Wales. After Christmas Gareth and I would return to South Africa and, rushing to beat the sun to the Sahara, would set off within days of landing. Thus the introduction to this fascinating story, a journey for father and son, both geographically and emotionally. The rest of the story is found at: http://www.hareti.co.uk/diary/1.htm. Their photo album is found at: http://www.hareti.co.uk/galleries/africa/index.htm
Ed Maurer, editor
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