Spencer Conway’s Africa bike adventure
After nearly 50,000 kms riding his Yamaha Tenere Z 660 XT, on his Circumnavigation of Africa, Spencer Conway is near to completing his epic venture. He is due to arrive back in the UK in the quiet village of Biddenden, in Kent, on Sunday the 15 th of August.
On his travels, which have been accomplished solo and unsupported, he has experienced highly dangerous and life-threatening incidents. Shot at in Kenya, robbed in Angola and avoiding logging trucks intent on forcing him off the road in Ghana, he has survived, and is about to return to his family and friends in his home village.
His bike has taken him across four deserts where, in the Sahara, he felt the full force of sandstorms in 45 degrees and, conversely, struggled through tropical thunderstorms that turned the murram roads into quagmires. He had to contend with animals, both wild and domestic, suddenly running across his tracks and also had to avoid potholes as big as craters that forced quick evasive action.
Conway camped wherever he could, sometimes deep in the bush and at other times in campsites where he was able to have a shower and a short respite on his travels. He survived on food gathered from the roadside, sometimes on snakes and other edible creatures and, of course, on the staple food of Africa, mealie pap and gravy. Over the nine months journey Conway has lost nearly 12 kls in weight.
He saw the face of Africa, both good and bad, met some amazing people, received support and help in times of difficulty and managed to deal with red tape and petty officialdom that caused some extensive delays on his trip.
The Tenere proved to be his friend and companion and without this machine living up to its reputation he would never have completed the circumnavigation. After countless punctures, several changes of tyres to suit different terrains, a snapped chain and adjustments to shocks and repairs to broken lights and clutch the bike has proved its worth.
He is now in Morocco and will head home through Spain and France in the next two weeks. TV and Press will be in Biddenden on the 15th to record his arrival. It is expected that bikers will be there to welcome him home and to congratulate him on his amazing feat. Representatives from ‘Save the Children’ will also attend as Conway has acted as Ambassador for the Charity, visiting projects in several African countries. He has raised nearly £28,000 for medical supplies and orphanages in Sudan, Angola and Burkina Faso.
Visit africa-bike-adventure.com for further information.
