In 0.0000 days, I embark on a journey to cycle the entire length of Africa from top to bottom.
My route follows the west coast, running from Tangier, Morocco to Cape Town, South Africa. Along the way, I'll cross vast deserts, dense jungles, open savannas, mountain ranges, and bustling cities.
Preparation has involved months of research, training, and gear selection. I'll be carrying everything I need to be self-sufficient: camping equipment, water filtration, and supplies for remote stretches.
This page will serve as a living record of the adventure. For now, you'll find the planned route and a detailed gear list. Later, I'll update this space with the actual route taken, photos, stories, and highlights from the road.
Planned Route
Est. Distance0 km
Est. Bike Weight (w/o Food)0 kg
Est. % Unpaved0%
Est. Countries0
Gear List
Bike16.66 kg
Touring Bike15900g
Priority Bruzer
Tyres
Vittoria Mezcal TNT Graphene 2.0 29x2.60 MTB
Helmet380g
Specialized Tactic 4
Computer153g
Coros Dura Solar
Horn227g
Airzound Horn
Clothing0.76 kg
Bike Shorts125g
Zoic Essential Liner
Hi-Vis Vest130g
Generic Amazon Vest
Sunglasses (day)32g
Goodr Sunglasses
Sunglasses (night)32g
Home Depot Clear Safety Sunglasses
Rain Jacket269g
Black Diamond Stormshell
Sun Hoodie125g
Outdoor Research Echo Sun Hoodie
Towel48g
Sea To Summit Airlite Towel
Sleep & Shelter4.58 kg
Tent2721g
Big Agnes Blacktail 2 Bikepacking Tent
Sleeping Bag1110g
Nemo Disco 30ºF Long
Sleeping Pad495g
Sea To Summit Ultralight Air Sleeping Pad
Pillow120g
Sea To Summit Aeros Down Pillow Deluxe
Sleeping Bag Liner130g
Sea To Summit Silk Blend Sleeping Bag Liner
Cooking0.67 kg
Stove320g
MSR Dragonfly Stove
Container150g
Amazon Container Collapsible
Pot175g
MSR Ceramic 2.5 Liter Pot
Utensils20g
Plastic Spork
Hydration0.93 kg
Water Filter62.9g
Sawyer Squeeze
Water Storage Bag245g
Sea To Summit WaterCell 4L
Water Containers (2)76g
Cnoc Outdoors Vecto 28mm Water Container 2L
Water Bottles (2)164g
Nalgene 1L
Bottle Cages (3)384g
Arundel Looney Bin
Electronics1.23 kg
Phone200g
Nothing Phone (3a)
Power Bank291g
Nitecore NB20000 Power Bank
Solar Panel700g
FlexSolar 20W Solar Panel
Headlamp38g
NiteCore NU20 Headlamp
Camera3.02 kg
Camera675g
Nikon Z7
Lens1165g
Tamron Di III VXD 35-150mm f/2-2.8
Lens80g
Viltrox 28mm f/4.5
Tripod900g
SIRUI Traveler 5CX Travel Tripod
Portable SSD80g
SanDisk 2TB Portable SSD
Card Reader & Hub120g
Sony XQD/CFExpress Type B Memory Card Reader and USB Hub
Misc1.17 kg
Pinion Maintenance Kit500g
Gearbox oil, lockring tool, spare belt
Multitool124g
Crankbrothers M10 Multitool
First Aid Kit200g
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight
Sketching Equipment350g
Sketchbook and Pens
FAQ
Why are you doing this trip?
I haven't really explored Africa—it's the continent I know the least about. I want to change that. At 27 (almost 28), I also want to take on challenging, adventurous things while I'm still young and physically able. These kinds of journeys only get harder as you get older, so I want to make the most of my energy and health now.
Why did you choose this route?
The west coast route is less traveled and offers a unique adventure. Moreover, the east coast is currently impassable due to the political situation in Sudan. I've also heard Ethiopia is hard to bike across due to the terrain and a lot of kids throwing rocks.
How are you preparing for the journey?
I've been spending a lot of time researching routes, border crossings, and visas. I've also been making sure I have all the necessary gear, know how to fix my bike, and have all the vaccines required. I've been learning from other cyclists who have done this journey or similar trips across Africa.
Physically, I've just returned from a stint of mountaineering in the Andes, where I climbed 5000m and 6000m peaks. Before that, I focused on building my endurance by running—often running half marathons on weekends. Although this will be by far the longest bike tour I've attempted, I have previously biked around the island of Taiwan (環島) and from NYC to Montreal.
How long will the journey take?
I estimate the trip will take between 5 to 7 months, depending on weather, road conditions, illnesses, border crossings, and my own pace. My daily expenses are low and I want to see as much as I can so I'm not putting pressure on myself to finish quickly.
How will you protect yourself from malaria?
Malaria is a serious risk in many regions, so I'll need to be diligent about taking medication, using mosquito nets, and applying repellent.
What will you do about stray dogs?
Stray dogs can be unpredictable and sometimes aggressive. I have an Airzound horn that I plan on using on dogs if necessary and will be getting my rabies vaccine in Morocco.
Food and water?
I'll cook and carry food for remote areas, and buy from local markets when possible. For water, I have 10L of storage and a filter for safe drinking.
How can I follow your progress?
As of now I don't have a plan for live tracking, but I will share highlights and photos from my journey when I am back in the US.