Gladly my riding is slightly quicker than my writing... else I'd still be mooching around in mainland Europe!! Great to hear you enjoyed the recent installment, Jane.
'morning Jake, you made my day with your newest post! Thanks for this. I was beginning to fear you'd succumbed on some lonely track of my erstwhile country so was delighted to read that you'd put the Sani Pass behind you, and on a bike to boot. Your comments on Kenya (another erstwhile country) were also interesting, and rather sad.
It seems it's not just food, but humour and determination in equal measure that keep you going. Reading your travelogue posts, including all the grumbles and mumbles, is sheer delight. You write wonderfully well so perhaps it will be books soon (but can you actually sit still long enough?) on any number of philosophical topics and human quirks. Good luck, whatever you do! I'm certainly looking forward to your next posts, Estelle
Thank you so much, Estelle! What a lovely thing to have made a day!! I think as with many of these countries, although the bike allows a more proximate perspective, it's still fleeting and we're left only with the imprint of the snapshot we took on our way through. Certainly, these moments can't be taken to represent a country as a whole... not even close. But I do hope they can provide some light relief, vicarious adventure, and a glimpse of countries known and unknown. Perhaps there'll be something in the pipeline book-wise ... let's see! Before then though, I really better get round to finishing the story!!
Hi Jake!! A bit after the event I know - but I did enjoy reading the detail of your fiery climb!!! Where are you and what are you doing??? Warmest greetings from Zvakanaka Farm, Soutpansberg Mountains, Limpopo, SA! Gail and Al
So lovely to hear from you both! It was quite the spicy ascent... though I was warned. Safely back in the UK now, writing freelance. Lots more time on the bike planned this summer, touring between various social / work plans in Europe! I hope you're both on great form as ever. Any more stray cyclists headed your way since September?!
Sorry - only saw your question now. We haven't had any more bikers sadly - we thought we might have a Russian guy a couple of weeks ago: Casper's wife Sarah, found him at the bottom of the pass and told him where we were. But he never arrived. Either the sight of that mountain climb late in the afternoon and with the traffic put him off, or a kindly sort found him and housed him? We will never know!!
Whoa Jake, that sounds like a horror of a day. Delighted this post popped up today, another wonderful read. I particularly love your description of the groundsman
Thank you, Karen – great to bring a boost to a Sunday! The Groundsman was indeed quite the character... I just hope word travelled back of Madonna's epic trials...
Hey Rosie
Great to have another installment
What an epic ride, encouraged at the start by the dogs and then recorded at the finish!
If I were to recorded riding my bike on any incline I would probably still be slower than you, after you'd completed 1250m climb!
Keep the blogs coming as capacity allows
xxx 💪🚲 🥰 xxx
Gladly my riding is slightly quicker than my writing... else I'd still be mooching around in mainland Europe!! Great to hear you enjoyed the recent installment, Jane.
At last something good to read in 2025. Thanks as always!
I live to serve, HB. See you tonight?!
'morning Jake, you made my day with your newest post! Thanks for this. I was beginning to fear you'd succumbed on some lonely track of my erstwhile country so was delighted to read that you'd put the Sani Pass behind you, and on a bike to boot. Your comments on Kenya (another erstwhile country) were also interesting, and rather sad.
It seems it's not just food, but humour and determination in equal measure that keep you going. Reading your travelogue posts, including all the grumbles and mumbles, is sheer delight. You write wonderfully well so perhaps it will be books soon (but can you actually sit still long enough?) on any number of philosophical topics and human quirks. Good luck, whatever you do! I'm certainly looking forward to your next posts, Estelle
Thank you so much, Estelle! What a lovely thing to have made a day!! I think as with many of these countries, although the bike allows a more proximate perspective, it's still fleeting and we're left only with the imprint of the snapshot we took on our way through. Certainly, these moments can't be taken to represent a country as a whole... not even close. But I do hope they can provide some light relief, vicarious adventure, and a glimpse of countries known and unknown. Perhaps there'll be something in the pipeline book-wise ... let's see! Before then though, I really better get round to finishing the story!!
Hi Jake!! A bit after the event I know - but I did enjoy reading the detail of your fiery climb!!! Where are you and what are you doing??? Warmest greetings from Zvakanaka Farm, Soutpansberg Mountains, Limpopo, SA! Gail and Al
So lovely to hear from you both! It was quite the spicy ascent... though I was warned. Safely back in the UK now, writing freelance. Lots more time on the bike planned this summer, touring between various social / work plans in Europe! I hope you're both on great form as ever. Any more stray cyclists headed your way since September?!
Sorry - only saw your question now. We haven't had any more bikers sadly - we thought we might have a Russian guy a couple of weeks ago: Casper's wife Sarah, found him at the bottom of the pass and told him where we were. But he never arrived. Either the sight of that mountain climb late in the afternoon and with the traffic put him off, or a kindly sort found him and housed him? We will never know!!
Whoa Jake, that sounds like a horror of a day. Delighted this post popped up today, another wonderful read. I particularly love your description of the groundsman
Thank you, Karen – great to bring a boost to a Sunday! The Groundsman was indeed quite the character... I just hope word travelled back of Madonna's epic trials...