Abandoned in Africa (bikeless in Bamako)

[GerryC]

A full trip report will follow for now this must suffice: -

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yFB_HEeVd90" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The brief background is that I agreed to bring Damien's (the bloke's) bike back from Mali - initially believing it a GS. It proved to be a CS; not really an "Africa" bike but it had to be better than Barbie's pink scooter!
I always had doubts about the bike & did not book flights until the bloke was in deepest Africa.
While waiting for my flight to Bamako in Barcelona, the bloke reported head gasket issues. I pressed on & arranged a head gasket (thanks Emmett) to be forwarded to Bamako.
While DHL were ushering the package south I headed by sundry means to the Dogon country, Djenne & Timbuktu.
Returning to Bamako & lifting the head proved the damage to be more extensive & not repairable with a gasket.
Sorting this in Bamako would ultimately cost a lot in time & money - more than the bike was worth would be my contention. I abandoned the bike (or it abandoned me) this possibility had been discussed with the bloke.
I headed overland with another bloke in a 4WD to Nouakchott by an indirect route over the following 2 weeks & flew home from there a week ago.

 

[somclan]

nice one Gerry

Very Cool

 

[Jockser]

And we're off

If the pics (especially the 'GerryC on a camel' pic !) are anything to go by it's been worth the wait. I'm in

 

[Mide]

Brilliant pics Gerry

Love the Kerry spuds towards the end

Look forward to the presentation at next years Horizons Unlimited

 

[the celt]

not really an "Africa" bike but it had to be better than Barbie's pink scooter!
.

Thats a quote and a half
Loved the vid
that was some 4X4 you travelled in
fairplay Gerry looking forward to the written report

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Glad you got to Djenne, Dogon country and Timbuctou Gerry.

You've given me some great memories and I'm looking forward to the full version. (No rush, whenever you like, no pressure. How about tomorrow?)

 

[richie]

Good idea putting them into a youtube movie

You don't look to pleased in this one....

 

[Jockser]

You don't look to pleased in this one....

Whereas he looks scared sh1tless in the camel pic

 

[GerryC]

....scared sh1tless in the camel pic

Shitless? You have not been to the remoter regions of Africa I presume.

TD takes on a new meaning there which I'll not go into right now except to say it gives the same level of discomfort as them lads & lassies in the Dail.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TD

 

[Ash]

cracking pictures Gerry
" I headed overland with another bloke in a 4WD to Nouakchott by an indirect route over the following 2 weeks " Respect

 

[Kamikaze]

Great pics, Gerry.
Some story...unfortunate but great memories, I'm sure.

 

[SHORTLEGS]

Shitless? You have not been to the remoter regions of Africa I presume.

TD takes on a new meaning there which I'll not go into right now except to say it gives the same level of discomfort as them lads & lassies in the Dail.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TD

"Tardive dyskinesia, a term that refers to serious adverse effects usually caused by older antipsychotic drugs"

That explains a lot

 

[Ogmios]

Well Done Gerry.

 

[jafo]

great pics!
wheres the story?

 

[Hairnet600]

I HAZ YELLOW TRUCK WANT.

want the blue 504 too

you are indded an insane individual and im hyoooojly jealous

definately an adventure

fair play to ya sor


nice slippers btw are they good for the traction when you encountered the camel

 

[Hairnet600]

Good idea putting them into a youtube movie

You don't look to pleased in this one....

he was told they only had murphys