The two wheeled steed
So, the biggest decision so far has definitely been which bike to take.
Just to put it in perspective; I deliberated for approximately five days if, at nearly 30, I should really be squandering four years worth of savings on a bike ride....(I mean, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime, change your life, discover your true self experience. But is it really going to get you a house, build your career, find you a husband, and all that other stuff you're meant to have sorted by the time you reach your late twenties??)
Obviously, I decided to rebel against social norms, and proceeded to alleviate myself of the largest amount of cash I have ever owned. I then spent the next five weeks (yes, weeks) stressing about what bike to take. Logical?
Mountain bike or cyclocross? Comfort or speed? Shiny and new, or trusted and true?
I have owned a 2011 Genesis Croix de Fer for 5 years. It was my first 'serious bike' - drop down handle bars, clip in pedals - essentially I was, and still am, an amateur with a toy! When I moved from the UK to NZ in 2013, I moved my bike too - telling everyone I wanted to keep it for when I did the 'Tour d'Afrique'. Now I have been faced with the decision as to if it really is the best bike for the job.
Since signing up for the tour I have read numerous articles as to which bike to take. My biggest concern is that something will go wrong with my noble steed, throwing my saddle sculpted backside firmly into a bus seat. I have yoyo'd between building my own - with bar end shifters, or maybe thumb gear shifters; and mountain bike handlebars, or maybe drop down handlebars... m- to buying a hardtail mountain bike, to just sticking with my Genesis but with fat tyres.
Essentially I came to realise that there is no 'best bike' to cycle through Africa. There are numerous things that can go wrong, essentially it's a case of ensuring the components on your steed of choice are easily fixed/replaced. It appears that the common areas of concern are;
The 'Bottom Bracket' (that's the axle that the pedals attach to)
The 'Hanger' (that's the bit on the right hand side at the back of the frame, that the gear system attaches to the frame with)
(I am now well versed in bike anatomy.)
In the end I went to the local bike shop (Whakatane Cycle Centre) and asked them to put on the biggest, and knobbliest tyres that would fit - apparently that means they are less likely to get a puncture, more comfortable and more grippy. The tour company recommend a minimum of 700 x 40 - that means 700mm diameter when inflated, and 40mm width. They managed some tyres with a 42mm width.
I rode the bike around the gravel roads on the farm, and up and down some steep off road hills (well actually they were a bit steep, so I walked those ones), and on the tarmac too. After about 3 rides, and 120km, I concluded Genesis would be my 'Africa Bike'.
The next step was to get a 'Bike Fit'. This is strongly recommended by the tour company, to prevent aches and pains during the trip. Africa Bike, Matt and I voyaged up to see Craig Baldwin, from VBike in Auckland for the bike fitting. Actually we were going up to watch the All Blacks play the Springbok's, but it was pretty convenient timing.
The bike fit was an interesting experience. I found out i have one foot bigger than the other, and one leg shorter than the other, talk about developing a complex! Anyhow, Craig made me cycle my bike on a bike trainer, video'd it and measure some angles. Then sat me on an adjustable bike to find the angles and measurements we wanted, before replicating them on my own bike. It is amazing how small tweaks made such a big difference to my comfort. I suffer from sore knees, in a horse shoe shape around the joint, shoulder pain and pins and needles in my feet. Apparently this is because my whole foot pronates (twists out) causing the knee pain, and my shoes are too small causing the pins and needles, and the angles on the frame were wrong causing the shoulder pain. Hopefully $300 well spent!
