Cycling The Globe

A Cycle Touring Expedition Around The World

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Day 1994, Shingela – Luangwa: Night on the River

Posted by Thomas Andersen Posted on Apr - 06 - 2016

Distance: 125.4 km
Ride time: 7:19:06
Average: 17.1 km/h
Max speed: 54.7 km/h
Total: 47355 km

Starting the day in the hills at 1200 meters and ending at the Luangwa river at only 350, it might sound like an easy day rolling along. What the above numbers don’t tell is the 1200 meters of vertical climbing during the day. Yes, there were a good number of nice fast downhills, but most of the time I was climbing.

I woke up to a cloudy morning in my tent and cycled the first part of the day in long sleeves. It suddenly seems like the unbearable hot days of South Africa and Namibia are far away.

Then I got my 2nd flat tire in Africa – not bad at all after 3500 km of cycling. I would say that my Specialized is holding up very well (as long as the trucks don’t run over it!).

After lunch the sun came out and the temperature kept rising as I lost altitude. It was in Southern Namibia that I last time was as low as 350 meters above sea level. And it’s only because of the mighty Luangwa river. Tomorrow the road will climb straight back up to the 1200 m that I came from.

Dave had told me about a place called Bridge Camp, so I rode out to have a look. Camping is 10$ a night, well worth it because the location is just stunning. By the way, that is Mozambique right over there on the other side of the river. The current looked very strong, but otherwise it was tempting to swim over to say I had been there (the nearest border crossing is 280 km away!).

At Bridge Camp I met the friendly couple Steef and Jasper from Holland. They had shipped their Jeep all the way down to South Africa and are now following the same route as me up towards Egypt – probably a bit faster than me though. Steef and Jasper had some interesting stories to tell including how their car tipped over in a very remote part of Namibia!

Then there was the owner of the lodge, Will, also originally from Holland, but having spent most of his life abroad.

A very enjoyable African night in a beautiful setting on the Luangwa River. Tomorrow it’s back to climbing!

Categories: Zambia
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3 Responses so far.

  1. Scott KA9FOX says:

    Thanks for the great stories and pictures. I do not comment very often, but I want you to know that I’m with you, every day, via the blog!

  2. Have you decided on what your favourite continent is, so far? I’m thinking Africa (so far) must rate highly. 🙂

  3. It’s a good question Stephen… I must say that South America still has a special place in my heart, but it has surely something to do with the fact that I spent a year and a half there, and so far only 4 months in Africa.