1936 Nimbus Motorcycle

[Frank Incensed]

Originally Posted by Sprinter

Pay no attention to the advice above. Instead, read Jupiter's Travels by Ted Simon and convince yourself to do it. [/URL]

Do it.
Enjoy it.
Take Pics.
Tell us all about it.

the circumnavigation in Jupiter's Travels was 40 years ago when Ted Simon was in his early 40's. The world was a different place then and the journey took 4 years.
More relevant is Dreaming of Jupiter, the story of his 3 year (as near as possible) re-tracing of his route at the age of 70.
But things have changed in North Africa even more in the last 13 years. Hence the Dakar Rally is now held in South America.
I think Mr Simon would be the first to admit he was lucky to survive.
It's not just the danger though; it's the time involved (in the organizing as well as the journeying), sourcing spare parts and possibly getting them fabricated en-route, and managing to get something more than a wreck to Cape Town. A pipe and slipper dream.
Personally, I found Dreaming of Jupiter quite depressing. A huge reminder that you can never go back and find things the same. For every change for the better, there is always something that seems to make our position less secure.

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by Jay

I agree Phil It is pure bike porn
I would crate it up but don't know much about all the hastles involved. Being an old classic you would spend more time getting off to fix it to ride it direct and what if your in the middle of nowhere and need a specific part

It is okay about crating it up Jason. If we were to do it, it would have to be towed on a trailer on the back of a 4x4. We are used to driving in Africa off road and through the desert, breaking down in the middle of nowhere is precarious. When it has happened to us - we were lucky to get going again when another 4x4 came along and went for help 2 hours drive away. A
battery connection / ECU problem lol I am a member of the flying doctors of East Africa: Kenya and Tanzania and at push they would fly in a part for me in the event of breakdown out in the desert or in the bush, but with the right kind of planning, one would be keeping to the main routes through the different countries (in theory)

We are busy in the months ahead. August + Sept in the UK. Oct + Nov + Dec in ZA ...I am in 2 minds being busy or missing a chance of a lifetime .. I don't know I have not talked with SWMBO yet lol

[Dorset Bob]

Originally Posted by Frank Incensed

the circumnavigation in Jupiter's Travels was 40 years ago when Ted Simon was in his early 40's. The world was a different place then and the journey took 4 years.
More relevant is Dreaming of Jupiter, the story of his 3 year (as near as possible) re-tracing of his route at the age of 70.
But things have changed in North Africa even more in the last 13 years. Hence the Dakar Rally is now held in South America.
I think Mr Simon would be the first to admit he was lucky to survive.
It's not just the danger though; it's the time involved (in the organizing as well as the journeying), sourcing spare parts and possibly getting them fabricated en-route, and managing to get something more than a wreck to Cape Town. A pipe and slipper dream.
Personally, I found Dreaming of Jupiter quite depressing. A huge reminder that you can never go back and find things the same. For every change for the better, there is always something that seems to make our position less secure.

I have not read the Dreaming of Jupiter book, but enjoyed reading Jupiter's Travels back in the 1970s.
If I remember, he had one of the last Triumphs out of Meriden, and did not even have a motorcycle license when he hatched his plan. I think that he borrowed a little Yamaha from a dealer, for a test ride, and took it to the test centre.

I very much agree with what Frank says.
Having done a fair amount of travel around 30 years ago, I have since re-visited some of the places.
More often than not, I wished that I had kept them in my memories.

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by Frank Incensed

- Watching the Long Way Down, that is.
John o' Groats to Cape Town with Charley Boorman & Ewan McGregor.

If you really want to experience a motorcycle adventure in Africa, in relative safety, with back-up and modern equipment, you could try this with Charley Boorman, August - October 2014:-

http://www.charleyboorman.com/news/r...-falls-in-2011

Cape Town - Victoria Falls and back, or a section of it.

Thanks for the link. Fascinating reading. Back in April I visited the ACE cafe with Woof25 and saw that there was a stand outside who were doing M/B tours from London. - Cape Town. These trips are quite an adventure, less problematic with someone else organising it with support and back up included. We never have time to make the dream a reality.

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by Frank Incensed

the circumnavigation in Jupiter's Travels was 40 years ago when Ted Simon was in his early 40's. The world was a different place then and the journey took 4 years.

More relevant is Dreaming of Jupiter, the story of his 3 year (as near as possible) re-tracing of his route at the age of 70.

But things have changed in North Africa even more in the last 13 years. Hence the Dakar Rally is now held in South America.

I think Mr Simon would be the first to admit he was lucky to survive.

It's not just the danger though; it's the time involved (in the organizing as well as the journeying), sourcing spare parts and possibly getting them fabricated en-route, and managing to get something more than a wreck to Cape Town. A pipe and slipper dream.

Personally, I found Dreaming of Jupiter quite depressing. A huge reminder that you can never go back and find things the same. For every change for the better, there is always something that seems to make our position less secure.

The world in North Africa has changed and so has the rest of Africa. In fact it is constant. In relation to revisiting the past it is something I rarely do, for the same reasons you give. One poster wrote up in the chill out lounge, that I must have been a rotter to have had so much bad luck. I see things so different to this. It is life which throws us many tests and so far I have managed to pass each test every time. Yes it does make one feel less secure and vulnerable. I admire Mr Simons gypsy spirit and zest.

[Woof25]

Just remember Phil 'The past is a foreign country they do things differently there' A 4x4 plus a antique bike the robbers on the route will be rubbing their hands when they hear what goodies might be heading their way ok a little cynical perhaps but others have said its a no no so start crating and let courier have the problems is my advise havinf said that

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by Woof25

Just remember Phil 'The past is a foreign country they do things differently there' A 4x4 plus a antique bike the robbers on the route will be rubbing their hands when they hear what goodies might be heading their way ok a little cynical perhaps but others have said its a no no so start crating and let courier have the problems is my advise havinf said that

By coincidence, Jessica and myself both watched "The Long Way Down" on the discovery channel yesterday. As you know Mike I have travelled extensively throughout Africa and what you have said, does not surprise me. I thought how lucky Charlie and Ewan were to have 3 support vehicles with a medic and security for their trip to the cape. If one breaks down in South Africa, particularly at night and in certain parts, you must request armed response to get to you first and wait with you until the AA arrives and in Kenya one must never drive at night. These are common rules regardless. Despite all of this, I see how such a trip is romanticised I am not short of adventures and challenges. This long way down, I am going to skip .....I thank everyone who has contributed to this thread. Thank you very much guys

[Gate Keeper]

Originally Posted by Dorset Bob

I have not read the Dreaming of Jupiter book, but enjoyed reading Jupiter's Travels back in the 1970s.
If I remember, he had one of the last Triumphs out of Meriden, and did not even have a motorcycle license when he hatched his plan. I think that he borrowed a little Yamaha from a dealer, for a test ride, and took it to the test centre.

I very much agree with what Frank says.
Having done a fair amount of travel around 30 years ago, I have since re-visited some of the places.
More often than not, I wished that I had kept them in my memories.

Hi Bob

I wished I had kept all of my old photos of my travels or kept a diary. How the world has changed in those 30 years - where did they all go. Thanks for your thoughts Bob. I have not read 'Dreaming of Jupiter' either.