It was going to be a long day in the saddle, so we were pressing the bikes a bit harder than usual to make Tambacounda this evening. Unfortunately, we had just come of me the dirt and onto the tarmac when James' front tyre suffered a catastrophic failure, throwing him onto the road surface at more than 100km/hr.
Bike and rider slid to a stop over several hundred metres, and it was a tossed coin as to which was the sorrier site. Both have a chunk of cosmetic damage, but closer inspection seems to indicate that both are repairable.
James has skin off on his hip, buttocks and arm. This has been treated with the magic antiseptic powder which stings like hell when applied, and a road rash dressing on his hip.
The bike's tumble has broken the front tyre, handlebars, spotlamps, left pannier and front brake reservoir. Parts for these bikes are not an option in Africa, so the best that we can hope for us a jury-rigged bike and rider that might allow us to continue. Otherwise the trip for this year ends in Kaolack, Senegal.
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Well, astonishingly both James and bike have been patched up sufficiently to continue. He's still missing some bark, and the bike looks like a Mad Max prop, but we will be able to try and make Tabacounda later tonight.
A small village of local mechanics and hangers-on assembled around the bike, and spare parts were either found or manufactured to patch up the Africa Twin. Ingenuity and enthusiasm were plentiful, but actual mechanical aptitude was sorely lacking, so a close supervisory eye was required to ensure that the wheels didn't end up above the handlebars. Ty turned his back at one point and a helpful soul started dismantling sundry other parts and panels that were not even damaged. A combination of laughing, snatching tools back from eager hands, and at one point a headlock eventually constrained their help to only that which was absolutely necessary.
Half a day has been wasted, and it is currently 44 degrees outside, so we have retired to an air conditioned restaurant to escape the early afternoon blazing heat. Hopefully we will then make it into Tabacounda before dark this evening.
