Sunday 17 August 2014

Venturing into DRC...

Well the time has come. I'll be entering the great obstacle of the journey tomorrow - The Democratic Republic of the Congo. I've been here at Hippocamp in Brazzaville for four days, hoping that some other overlanders would turn up, but alas, no. It looks like I'll be doing it on my own. This is definitely going to change the story! If anything I think that I'm going to be the first person to attempt to cross this country on a c90!
 I've drawn a line of my planned route through the country below. I've been doing a lot of research over the past months and it seems like the best way. I've got the bike all up and ready; brand new air filter, new oil, parts greased up, stocked up on spares and food. If all else fails and it is really that bad I could always hitch a ride to Lubumbashi on a truck.

To be honest, I am scared. But we'll see... I might enjot it! Better to get in there and find out rather than to sit around mulling over all the possibilities on my own. I'd like to get to Zambia in three weeks from now. I don't know if that's feasible but I'll try. I doubt very much that I'm going to have a lot of access to the internet either, but I'll send word out when I can. Bon chance!


18 comments :

  1. Good luck duck! Wish you all the fun and hope that you get across safely. Lots of love xxx

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  2. Hi, hope it goes well Liam, looking forward to your next post. All the best and ride safe :)

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  3. Follow the bicycle tracks as much as possible and be sure to carry a water purification device or tablets. Good luck, this will the part you will remember forever, it's going to be epic.

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  4. Good luck with this leg Liam, you're an inspiration to us all :)

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  5. Having read your entire blog over the last few days (I'm a slow reader) you are truly an inspiration and this has well and truly put a little excursion I'm doing in about a weeks time - taking my 1300 Pan European to Switzerland for a few days - into perspective as little more than a trip around the corner at an estimated 2500 miles total.

    Keep on going Liam, you're doing so well and are an amazing man!!!

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  6. you are an inspiration Liam , please let us know what occurs as you cross the congo! watching your epic progress and being inspired by your spirit!!

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  7. following your progress Liam ,inspired by your spirit of adventure and can do approach ,I hope you traverse the Congo without too much hassle waiting with baited breath for your next update,Iain

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  8. i was curious as you have inspired me to do a similar trip across the world on a motorcycle, and a c90 was always a fun favourite to try, so i was wondering in general how much this sort of trip is going to cost?

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  9. Liam,

    Hi, its the 5 quid donation man here, good luck with the Congo. I wreaked pretty bad in Northern Chile but can still walk and talk so not too bad I suppose. Will certainly delay trip a while but hopefully no lasting damage. Are you going to do South America on your c90 by the way? If you need any advice just get back to me with same email address I contacted you on.

    Best of luck mate!

    Ross

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  10. A bit nerve-racking to not see any sign of life for more than two weeks. It's DRC after all. Isn't it possible to text (SMS) "I'm ok" messages to be placed on the website?

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  11. Reading another trip report from the Congo by couple in a Landcruiser, sounds bonkers. Hope you`re okay Liam, give us an update!

    Ross

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  12. Great Liam. Happy yo hear that you are riding into Congo. Remember you passed through Benin-Nigeria border town called Chikanda. Hope you are okay.

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  13. It has been a month mate, where the hell are you? Give us a sign mate.

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  14. Any chance any family members reading this can add a comment if they've heard anything?

    We are currently following a similar route on similar bikes, blogging too, and hope that everything is going ok as we will be there in three months or so!

    Best wishes.
    Oli & Dee

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  15. A little worrying not hearing anything for this amount of time.

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  16. Maybe it's time to ask the people who drive the similar route if they met him. A post and maybe a photo on the horizon unlimited forum will help.
    jean

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  17. WOW what a trip. You have my admiration and respect. Can i ask did you buy your bike from a gentleman in the north east of england called Danny?. He sold a red c90 to someone who was planning to travel about the time you left. If so it would be nice to update him. I also own a c90 and wish you all the luck in the world.
    David

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