Towering dunes, desolate plains, and ancient mountains unfold across a land stitched together by endless gravel tracks. It’s a place where every pedal stroke pushes you deeper into the wild, and every night under the stars feels like a reward earned in dust and sweat.

What sets Namibia apart from many other sub-Saharan African countries is the sheer remoteness, with vast stretches of road and no towns in sight for miles.

Over three months, we cycled 3,000 km from Windhoek, to the north to near the Angolan border, before doing a 180 turn and heading back south to South Africa.

Along the way, we experienced our first African safari in Etosha National Park, tackled rugged 4×4 trails, met people living in traditional Himba villages, and cautiously watched wildlife cross our path.

Namibia was tough, hot, and filled with relentless corrugations, but it still stole our hearts.

Namibia: At A Glance

Namibia is situated on the southwestern coast of Africa, sharing borders with Angola, Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia.

Comparable in size to Alaska, it ranks among Africa’s largest countries and boasts a largely untouched 1,500-kilometre coastline, parts of which are famously known as the Skeleton Coast.

Namibia ranks among the world’s least densely populated countries with its large territory and population of about three million. English is commonly spoken as a first or second language, which makes getting around and connecting with people relatively easy. Combined with its reputation for safety and political stability, Namibia is an ideal entry point for those exploring Africa for the first time.

Namibia’s cultural landscape is both rich and varied, shaped by a mosaic of ethnic groups including the Himba, Herero, San, Damara, and Ovambo. In the northwest, the ochre-covered Himba continue their traditional pastoral way of life, while in the south, the ancient rock art of the San people speaks to a deep-rooted heritage. Each group preserves its own distinct language, customs, and identity, contributing to the country’s vibrant cultural fabric.

Nature & Animals

Namibia is also a top-tier safari destination, home to renowned national parks like Etosha and Namib-Naukluft. Many European visitors opt for upmarket 4×4 self-drive tours, which contributes to the relatively high cost of travel in the country.

Thanks to its vast, sparsely populated terrain, Namibia is one of the few places in Africa where wildlife can be seen well beyond the borders of national parks – sometimes even from a bicycle. In remote areas like Kaokoland, desert-adapted elephants, giraffes, and oryx can be spotted navigating dry riverbeds and rocky landscapes.

The landscape is divided into five distinct regions: the stark, arid Namib Desert along the Atlantic coast; the central and southern areas marked by rugged rock formations and red dunes; the lush, wildlife-rich Zambezi Region in the northeast; the semi-arid savannas of Kaokoland and iconic Etosha National Park in the north; and the expansive open plains of the south.

Namibia’s desert climate brings hot days and cool nights, especially inland. Rain is rare and mostly falls in short bursts during the summer months (November to March). The rest of the year is dominated by clear skies, strong sun, and low humidity.

History

Despite the natural beauty, the legacy of colonialism is still evident, especially in rural areas. German colonial rule in the early 20th century led to the Herero and Nama genocide, during which tens of thousands were killed through forced displacement into the desert.

Following World War I, Namibia came under South African control and remained under apartheid rule until gaining independence in 1990. The enduring effects of this history are visible today, particularly in land ownership patterns in the south, where large commercial farms remain a legacy of the apartheid era.

Top Places To Visit In Namibia

Kaokoland & Damaraland

Kaokoland is Namibia’s wildest and least populated area, with a population density of one person every 2 km² (1/4 of the national average).

This is the land of the Himba people, a semi-nomadic tribe that primarily raises livestock. You can see many Himba walking the streets around Opuwo in traditional dress – men in loincloths and women adorned with ornate jewellery.

The Himba people are famous for covering themselves with ‘otijze’ paste, which is a mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment. This paste protects their skin from the hot and dry climate and is said to prevent insect bites. It’s also textured into their hair, often in thick plaits – sometimes even covering their faces like a veil.

Kaokoland and Damaraland feature some of the finest dirt roads in Namibia. We were awestruck by the scenery, as these remote tracks wound their way through stark, dramatic landscapes.

Etosha National Park

It’s hard to believe the image above is not photoshopped.

With water being so scarce, hundreds and hundreds of animals patiently wait in line to drink at the watering holes at Etosha National Park. Stay long enough and you can see rhinos, lions, elephants, oryx, and ostriches – all at once!

There is no place like Etosha, it’s definitely worth a visit.

Twyfelfontein

Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located near Brandberg Mountain, boasts one of the largest collections of ancient rock engravings in Africa.

This vast open-air gallery features more than 2,500 carvings that offer a glimpse into Stone Age life. It’s a stop that’s worth making.

Sossusvlei and Deadvlei

Namib-Naukluft National Park is home to two of Namibia’s most breathtaking natural wonders.

Sossusvlei features some of the tallest red dunes on Earth, while nearby Deadvlei offers a striking contrast – white salt flats scattered with the dark, skeletal remains of trees preserved for over 600 years by the arid climate.

For the most spectacular views, hike to the top of the dunes. It’s a truly awe-inspiring destination.

Where Did We Go Bikepacking in Namibia?

We spent three unforgettable months cycling 3,000 km across Namibia, starting in Windhoek and heading north to Etosha National Park. From there, we rode up to the remote northern reaches of the country near the Angolan border, where the Himba people continue their pastoral way of life.

We tackled the legendary Van Zyl’s Pass, a gruelling 4×4 track, and passed the eerie Men of Kaokoland statues standing alone in the vast desert.

Heading south, we cycled through multiple community conservancies, where wildlife roamed freely, making every ride feel like a safari on two wheels. We explored the ancient rock art at Twyfelfontein and rode past Namibia’s tallest peak, Brandberg. One of our most memorable nights was camping beneath the surreal granite formations of Spitzkoppe, watching the sky explode with stars.

Reaching Swakopmund, we took a well-earned break, enjoying the cool coastal air, lively hostels, and an endless selection of international restaurants. From there, we continued south toward Sossusvlei, where we stood in awe of its towering red dunes before pedalling along the stunning D707 – often called Namibia’s most beautiful road, and for good reason.

Finally, we crossed into South Africa via ferry at Ai-Ais Transfrontier Park, closing out an adventure that left us sunburnt, dust-covered, and completely in love with Namibia.

You can get the GPX file of our route HERE.

What Bikepacking Routes Do We Recommend in Namibia?

30+ Days

Our friends Johan and Jana pieced together a stunning bikepacking route from South Africa to Angola via Namibia. It’s broken up into five sections, with the latter two taking you through Namibia. You can see Part 4 HERE and Part 5 HERE.

We followed a route similar to this on our way south with a few differences here or there. We can recommend adding the wild and rocky Otjitheka 4×4 Trail and the backway between Twyfelfontein and Uis on D2303.

15-30 Days

For those seeking a shorter off-road bikepacking trip, we think the best of Namibia is between Opuwo and Uis. This 1,000-kilometre stretch connects all the highlights of northern Namibia and will let you experience the vast landscapes that have made Namibia legendary.

The majority of the route is very remote and follows some of the more challenging 4×4 trails in the country. Starting in Opuwo, enjoy lots of vegetables and load up on enough food to get to Sesfontein (5+ days), and enough cash to get you to Uis (10+ days).

Route Highlights:

• Experience the Himba culture in the north
• Ride up or down the infamous Van Zyl Pass
• Skirt the edge of the vast and mysterious Skeleton Coast
• Look out for the mysterious Lone Men of Kaokoland statues
• See and experience wildlife roaming free in community conservancies
• Visit Tweylfontein for the UNESCO World Heritage rock art
• See Brandberg Mountain, the tallest in Namibia
• Admire a sunset at Spitzkoppe to experience a landscape that looks like a 3D rendering

Best Time To Travel In Namibia

Namibia has a very short period when the temperatures are most favourable for riding.

The cold season is when temperatures are most ideal for cycling. It runs between May and September. It can be as cold as -10C (14F) in Windhoek, but most of the country experiences temperatures between 10 and 38C (50-100F). Winter is also the dry season and peak season for tourism, so some hotels can be a bit more expensive.

November to March are the hottest times of the year, and with almost no shade and sparse water resupply, cycling can be brutal and downright dangerous. If you plan to go during this time, stay on the busier roads to the south.

In contrast, coastal areas such as Swakopmund and Walvis Bay are often shrouded in cool sea mists. Even during peak summer, these towns rarely reach above 22C/72F.

What Bike Is Best For Namibia?

You rarely need to worry about whether you have low enough gear ratios for the hills, as the Namib desert has long, slow climbs and very gradual descents.

Instead, tire width and suspension are the most important considerations when bikepacking in Namibia.

Road conditions vary widely and range between extreme corrugations, 4×4 tracks, sandy, deep gravel and freshly graded bliss. The wider your tire, the more comfortable your ride will be. In our three months and 3,000 km of riding, only about 200 km was on pavement.

We recommend a minimum of 2.2″ wide tires to ride across Namibia. But if your focus is crossing the country on a mix of dirt and sand roads, you will want to do it comfortably on tires between 2.6” and 4.8”.

We rode 2.8” tires and occasionally pushed our bikes through the sand. In addition, there are some 4×4 tracks with grades that exceeded 25% (the routes linked above do go down all of these grades). These were our favourite parts of Namibia, and a wider tire would help you enjoy them more.

What To Bring To Namibia

What you need will depend on where you want to cycle in Namibia.

In the wild northwest of the country (Kaokoland & Damaraland), you will need a LOT of room for food and water. At times, we carried 12 litres of water per person plus an entire week’s food!

If you plan on taking a direct line from Windhoek to Sossusvlei and south to South Africa, you can expect food resupply at least every four days.

Food In Namibia

Namibia is the second-least densely populated country in the world, and only 2% of the land receives enough rainfall to grow crops. In small towns, it can be hard to find even simple vegetables.

You can expect excellent grocery stores and restaurants in the major towns like Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, and Windhoek. Major tourist destinations like Sossusvlei, Aus, or Uis will also have well-stocked small stores. In addition, tourist hotels always have a good restaurant with fresh food that you can eat at even if you’re not a guest.

The food situation outside these areas is limited, especially in small villages. It was common for stores to be waiting for the next delivery and have nothing left on the shelves. The crazy part is that shop owners never knew if the delivery would come in a day, week or month!

In the north of Namibia, it was sometimes a week or two before seeing fresh produce. Our advice is to stock up on good food at any and every opportunity!

Water Resupply In Namibia

Water is potable from the tap all across Namibia. In small villages, you can drink the water from deep boreholes (aka wells). Sometimes the water can have an odd mineral taste; if this bothers you, bring plenty of electrolyte drink tabs.

There are some very long stretches in Namibia without water. In the northern regions of Kaokoland, you can’t rely on passing cars for water. It’s best to have capacity for 12 litres of water per person, at a minimum, even if you never need to use it.

South of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund (southern Namibia), there are also long stretches without water, however, there are lots of passing cars. We found that we could wave down cars easily, and everyone happily shared water. It’s a good rule of thumb to wave down cars by 3 pm to get your water for the night. Most tourists drive early and avoid being on the road around sunset.

The app Tracks4Africa can be vital for identifying the location of water pumps. It has POIs for water pumps and small shops that won’t be on Google Maps.

Accommodation & Camping In Namibia

Namibia is better known as a safari destination than a budget traveller’s hotspot, mainly due to its limited public transportation and fewer hostels or budget hotels. However, some budget accommodations can be found in larger towns, typically costing around 400 NAD (about US $20) per person. The app iOverlander is an excellent tool for finding affordable places to stay.

Campsites are widespread across the country, even in small villages, and are often listed on platforms like iOverlander or Tracks4Africa. Many communities have developed local campsites to benefit from tourism and support their economies.

While Namibia has numerous upscale lodges and hotels, many of these also offer campsites for overlanders. Camping at these locations is often worth the extra cost, as you gain access to hotel amenities like restaurants, pools, and Wi-Fi. Prices usually hover around 200 NAD (US $10) per person, but can rise near national parks.

Thanks to Namibia’s low population density, wild camping is easy and popular. On our trip, we often tucked ourselves off the roadside at sunset and went the entire night without hearing another vehicle.

That said, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings. In northern Namibia, wildlife is present, and while encounters are rare, it’s crucial to take basic safety measures. These include cooking and disposing of food away from your tent, staying inside your tent after dark, and always practising leave-no-trace principles.

Best and Worst Roads In Namibia

With so many unpaved roads, the paved ones can be really narrow and busy! The paved roads are rideable, but we found them pretty miserable. So, if you can avoid them, you’ll make your cycling experience better.

#1 Off-Road Track: Van Zyl’s Pass

This road is Namibia’s most infamous 4×4 trail. It’s a 15 km mountain pass that’s steep, rocky, and incredibly scenic. This remote and challenging route offers a thrilling ride with a mix of technical sections that will have you riding and sometimes walking.

Along the way, you’ll pass traditional Himba villages and stunning landscapes, truly feeling like you’re deep in the wilderness (we spent four days without seeing a single car!).

However, be cautious if you descend via Van Zyl. The 19 km stretch after the pass is very sandy and slow going. This remote section demands thorough preparation, especially plenty of water.

#2 Favourite Off-Road Track: Otjitheka 4×4 Trail

Located near Etosha National Park, this rarely travelled 4×4 track features a man-made waterhole and is teeming with wildlife.

We didn’t encounter a single vehicle all day but crossed paths with traditional Himba communities, spotted hundreds of zebras and dozens of giraffes, and rode along rugged trails that truly made us feel off the beaten path.

#3 Favourite Off-Road Track: D2303

Starting at Twyfelfontein, riding past the Rhino Trust Camp and circling around the Brandberg to Uis, this route offers scenic backcountry riding at its finest. The rugged terrain is dotted with the rare and ancient Welwitschia plants, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Brandberg mountains.

Least Favourite Road: C14

The stretch between Walvis Bay and Sossusvlei was our least favourite.

There’s no shade to be found, and the road is filled with deep gravel, rough corrugations, and a steady flow of dust kicked up by passing tourists. Water is scarce until you reach Solitaire, though you can usually catch a ride by flagging down passing cars.

If your tires are narrower than 2.0 inches, hitchhiking might be a smarter option given the sometimes deep sections of gravel and rough corrugations.

Additional Considerations

• Namibia is incredibly sparsely populated and cell service is limited. Don’t count on having coverage outside of towns.
• Plan to carry cash for extended stretches, especially in the north. ATMs are only available in larger towns, and credit or debit cards are typically accepted only in mid-sized towns and up.
• Mannie’s Bike Mecca, with locations in Windhoek and Swakopmund, is well-stocked and can help with repairs, spare parts, or replacements if needed.
• Cycling isn’t allowed in Etosha National Park, so book a safari instead! There are budget-friendly campgrounds near the park that offer half and full-day tours. We went with Gondwana (and really enjoyed the all-you-can-eat dinner buffet at their campground).
• Sossusvlei National Park also doesn’t allow cycling. To visit the dunes, arrive at the gate about 15 minutes before opening and ask a car already in line for a lift. It’s a bit awkward but this is the best way to get in!

Bikepacking in Namibia Video Clips

• Blog

My 5-Year Bike Journey Around Africa: Trip Summary, Map & GPX Routes

byAlee Denham

May 8, 2025

The post A Complete Off-Road Cycling Guide To Bikepacking in Namibia appeared first on CYCLINGABOUT.com.

Two years in, and it still feels like a privilege to immerse ourselves each day in the rich cultures, vibrant traditions, and breathtaking landscapes of this vast and diverse continent. Meeting the incredible people who call it home is the cherry on top.

This page offers a country-by-country overview of our journey so far, including the exact routes we’ve followed. We tend to steer clear of main roads whenever we can, which means the vast majority of our adventure has unfolded on dirt roads and rugged 4×4 tracks.

We’ll do our best to keep this page updated with all our downloadable routes as the journey unfolds.

Our Bike Journey Around Africa

Feel free to download any of our GPX files below. Here’s how:
Hit the link > click “More” > “Export as File” > “GPX Track”

Disclaimer: These are our actual routes. We don’t necessarily suggest following them to the letter, as we’re only human and occasionally end up on less-than-ideal tracks, including hike-a-bike sections or restricted areas that require prior permission. If you plan to use our routes, be sure to research land access, road conditions, water sources, and food resupply points thoroughly beforehand.

Namibia

3,092 km or 1,921 mi
Windhoek → Opuwo → Puros → Swokopmund → Aus
View & Download HERE

Our cycling journey through Africa kicked off in Namibia. This might be an unconventional starting point, but its short window of cooler weather lined up perfectly with our timeline. Over three months, we rode from Windhoek north toward the Angolan border, before swinging south and eventually crossing into South Africa.

The remote northwest region of Kaokoland pushed us to our limits. We tackled rugged 4×4 tracks like Van Zyl’s Pass and the Ojitheka track – routes where food and water are almost impossible to source. Every kilometre was hard-earned, with deep sand, rocky trails, and our heavily loaded bikes turning even short distances into gruelling efforts. Just thinking back on it is exhausting!

Scattered throughout this region are traditional Himba villages. The Himba are known for their striking appearance. They coat their skin with otijze, a mix of butterfat and ochre that protects against the sun and insects. Their hair is sculpted into thick ochre-covered plaits, sometimes forming elaborate veils over their faces.

Etosha National Park offered our first true safari experience. In this arid environment, wildlife gathers around scarce waterholes, creating dramatic scenes of lions, rhinos, elephants, and antelopes all jostling for a drink, though some clearly take priority over others.

A major highlight was Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO-listed site near Brandberg Mountain, where thousands of ancient rock engravings depict scenes of Namibia’s early life. It’s like an open-air museum carved into the stone.

After catching our breath along the cool Atlantic coast in Swakopmund, we headed inland again toward the surreal dunes of Sossusvlei. Watching the sunrise from the top of those massive sand hills, surrounded by a rippling desert landscape, was unforgettable.

South Africa & Lesotho

4,122 km or 2,561 mi
Springbok → Cape Town → Knysna → Pietermaritzburg
View & Download HERE

South Africa is vast and incredibly diverse, and we were determined to experience as much of it as possible using a six-month visa!

We entered from Namibia by boat into Richtersveld National Park, a truly unique place known as the world’s only arid biodiversity hotspot, where 40% of the plant species are found nowhere else. From there, we cycled through the flowering Kamiesberg mountains, explored the striking Cederberg Wilderness (a definite favourite), and continued south to Cape Town.

Following the coastline past Betty’s Bay to see the penguins, we ventured through the Overberg district and into the dramatic Swartberg mountains. This was an unforgettable cycling route, you can see in our video HERE. After the exhilarating descent down Swartberg Pass, we rolled through the somewhat underwhelming Garden Route before crossing the expansive Great Karoo en route to Lesotho.

Lesotho turned out to be one of the true highlights of our journey. This mountainous, landlocked country within South Africa is home to sweeping highlands, where locals wrapped in traditional Basotho blankets ride horses through the mist. The roads were gruelling, but the jaw-dropping views made every climb worth it.

Eventually, we made our way to the historic town of Pietermaritzburg before heading across the border into Eswatini.

Botswana (4X4)

3,632 km or 2,257 mi
Johannesburg → Kruger NP → Drakensberg → Maun
View & Download HERE

While travelling through South Africa, we quickly realised that without a 4×4, we’d miss out on many incredible wildlife encounters. So, we rented a car and hit the road.

Over a month, we explored Marakele and Kruger National Parks, the Drakensberg Mountains, Makgadikgadi Pan, the Okavango Delta and more, camping most nights under the stars.

Driving through these parks was an adventure in itself. Every bend in the road brought the chance of a new wildlife sighting. We were lucky enough to spot everything from rhinos and leopards to elusive African wild dogs and even an aardvark! As committed wildlife watchers, we often spent entire days out in the car, from the first light of dawn to the last glow of sunset.

The highlight of our safari month was a guided expedition into the Okavango Delta. This extraordinary inland oasis is teeming with wildlife like nowhere else on Earth. To get a sense of what it’s like, check out our safari video HERE.

Botswana’s guides are exceptionally skilled and deeply knowledgeable, offering a window into animal behaviour that few ever get to witness. Thanks to their expertise, we watched lions roaring and mating, and leopards silently stalking their prey, all at just the right moments. Their level of training and understanding was a cut above the rest.

Eswatini

239 km or 149 mi
Mangcongco → Lobamba → Hlane → Lomahasha
View & Download HERE

Our next stop was Eswatini, formerly Swaziland – a small nation bursting with rich cultural traditions and renowned for its spectacular, high-energy dancing.

One example is the Umhlanga Reed Dance, which is a vibrant annual ceremony in which up to 40,000 young women gather to cut reeds and present them to the Queen Mother, traditionally to reinforce the windbreak surrounding her royal residence. The event culminates in the girls dancing and celebrating in brightly colored attire, creating one of the largest and most stunning cultural spectacles on the continent.

We also had an unforgettable time watching wildlife in Hlane National Park, which is home to a thriving population of white rhinos. One of the most surreal moments was when a group of ten rhinos settled down to sleep just metres from our campsite. We could hardly believe our eyes when we unzipped our tent.

Mozambique

1,435 km or 892 mi
Naamacha → Maputo → Vilankulos → Machipanda
View & Download HERE

Mozambique isn’t exactly known as a cycling destination. With just one main road stretching from Maputo to Beira, we expected a monotonous, traffic-heavy ride. But we couldn’t have been more wrong.

There’s a unique, infectious energy in Mozambique that’s hard to describe. Smiles are everywhere, and each day felt like a celebration. The streets are also alive with colour. People dressed vibrantly, buildings were painted nicely, music was in the air, and there were an impressive number of women cruising by on bicycles.

Even with our limited Portuguese, the locals were patient, friendly, and eager to lend a hand – when they weren’t playfully trying to overcharge us for fruit and veggies (sharpen those bargaining skills!).

That said, eating out was one of the real joys of our time in Mozambique. The cuisine is rich with spices, coconut, and peanuts, and bursting with bold flavours. And the fresh bread sold in even the tiniest towns? Absolutely delicious.

The beaches along the coast were another highlight. They are stunningly beautiful and often completely deserted, as a result of most towns sitting further inland on the main highway.

Central Mozambique’s roads, however, were in rough shape. They were so rough that we were often faster on bikes than the cars and buses around us. We would’ve loved to stay longer, but the steep visa fee for Australians (about US $7 a day) made it tough to justify extending our time.

Zimbabwe

1,391 km or 864 mi
Mutare → Harare → Masvingo → Victoria Falls
View & Download HERE and HERE

Zimbabwe has faced significant challenges over the past few decades, and it’s clear in many aspects of daily life. Buildings are often in disrepair, small villages lack resources, power cuts are frequent, and many highly educated people struggle to find work.

Yet, despite these hardships, Zimbabweans are perhaps the friendliest people in the region. With a strong command of English and a solid education, they were always eager to chat. They were also not afraid to debate difficult geopolitical issues or ask deep philosophical questions about our way of life! And if they weren’t in the mood for a conversation, they’d simply offer help in any way they could.

We loved exploring the country’s quiet, traffic-free backroads and found wild camping a breeze. As the sun set, we’d seek out a peaceful patch of bushland away from homes and enjoy a perfect night’s sleep.

Some of our favourite spots included Great Zimbabwe, the ancient hilltop ruins of a city dating back to between the 11th and 14th centuries, Hwange National Park, where elephants even decided to drink from our second-story swimming pool, and Victoria Falls, one of the largest and most awe-inspiring waterfalls in the world. For the best views, make sure to see Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side.

Zambia

3,419 km or 2,124 mi
Livingstone → Mwinilunga → Lusaka → Kasama
View & Download HERE

Zambia may not be a major tourist destination, but its stability and rare geopolitical neutrality (especially in the context of the continent) sparked our curiosity. These factors made us want to dive deeper and explore the country more thoroughly.

What struck us right away was Zambia’s incredible cultural diversity. There are 72 languages and dialects spoken across the country. In some areas, the local language would change daily, so just as we’d mastered “hello” and “thank you,” it was already time to learn a new version.

When it came to landscapes and wildlife, Zambia delivered some memorable moments. We loved crossing the expansive floodplain near Mongu, where homes are cleverly built from reeds. Kafue National Park offered beautiful river scenery and rich bird and aquatic life – plus we had an unexpected visit from lions at our campsite!

We also timed our trip perfectly to witness the bat migration at Kasanka National Park, where up to 10 million fruit bats take flight each evening, crowding the treetops for a month of feeding.

While the bats feasted on the season’s wild fruits, we found food to be a challenge in Zambia. Shops were often poorly stocked, fresh vegetables were scarce, and restaurants in small towns were few and far between.

On top of that, Zambia faces serious power issues. Days without electricity were common, which made things tough during the hot season, especially when all you wanted was a cold drink or a break from the heat.

Still, despite the difficulties for cyclists riding around on small backroads, Zambia had just enough depth and intrigue to keep us exploring for three full months.

Tanzania

2,095 km or 1,302 mi
Sumbawanga → Njombe → Mikumi → Moshi
View & Download HERE

Crossing from Zambia into Tanzania felt like stepping into a whole new world. Swahili replaced the languages we’d grown used to, and the presence of a larger middle class was immediately noticeable.

Street food was everywhere, fresh fruit stalls lined the roads (hello, fresh juice!), and even the tiniest shops were stocked with an impressive range of products and flavours. We felt at ease almost instantly.

But just as we were settling in, the rainy season arrived – and it came in hard. Roads turned to rivers, mud was knee-deep, and serious flooding was widespread. We crossed deep rivers with strong currents, watched trucks slide off washed-out roads, and saw firsthand how quickly half the country’s roads can become impassable in the wet season.

Sure, we could have stuck to the main roads that remain open year-round – but that’s never been our style.

We loved riding the remote backroads of the Maasai Steppe. In some of these rarely visited areas, adults would literally run away at the sight of us on bikes, and occasionally people would lock themselves inside their homes when we stopped to ask for directions.

But the Maasai we did connect with turned out to be among the warmest and most generous people we’ve met so far.

Tanzania (4×4)

1,746 km or 1,085 mi
Arusha → Tarangire → Serengeti → Lake Natron
View & Download HERE

Having grown up enchanted by The Lion King (movie), a 4×4 safari into Tanzania’s protected wildlife areas felt like a must, especially since many of these places are completely inaccessible by bicycle.

Ngorongoro Crater was a definite standout. With its steep crater walls and vast open grasslands, the setting is stunning… and jam-packed with wildlife. The animals are incredibly easy to spot, and within just a few hours, we had seen all of the “Big Five.” One of the most unforgettable moments was watching a wildebeest give birth, and seeing her calf running and playing within half an hour.

The Serengeti was just as magical. A whole pride of lions lounging in a tree was a rare and lucky sight, and something seldom seen outside of Tanzania. We also saw cheetahs playfully stalking giraffes, a cluster of lion cubs tucked under a tree, and a leopard perched high above with its kill swaying gently in the breeze.

We spent time with the Datoga and Hadzabe tribes near Lake Eyasi. The Hadzabe are known to be some of the last hunter-gatherers in Africa. They showed us how they hunt and the different arrowheads required for each animal. The Datoga are known to be great blacksmiths, and they have historically traded their incredible arrowheads with the Hadzabe in return for bush meat and honey.

Our journey ended with a visit to Lake Natron. The lake’s extreme alkalinity and scalding temperatures make it inhospitable to most life (flamingoes are an exception!). It’s beautiful, but also one of the deadliest lakes on the planet.

OUR VIDEOS:
Ngorongoro Crater
Serengeti National Park
Hadzabe Tribe
Datoga Tribe
Lake Natron

Kenya

1,313 km or 816 mi
Nairobi → Kabarnet → Nyahururu → Mwingi
View & Download HERE

Crossing into Kenya, we were immediately struck by how widely English was spoken and how seamless everyday transactions became. Kenyans use a mobile payment system called M-PESA, which lets people send and receive money on any phone. Once we got set up, we barely needed to think about cash again – it was a game-changer.

Nairobi felt like the most cosmopolitan city we’d visited in Africa. It’s full of life, with restaurants, bars, cafes, cinemas, and sprawling malls scattered throughout. It’s also incredibly lush. Mature trees line many streets, giving parts of the city an unexpectedly serene beauty.

We took on the Kenya Bike Odyssey bikepacking route, which led us through tea plantations, pine forests, natural hot springs, private conservancies, and around the base of Mount Kenya, the continent’s second-highest peak (5,199 m / 17,057 ft). The diversity of landscapes was astonishing.

One of the biggest surprises was just how much wildlife we spotted from the saddle. I’m talking giraffes, hippos, hartebeest, and even the endangered Grévy’s zebra, of which fewer than 2,000 remain in the wild.

A major highlight was hiking Mount Satima and the Dragon’s Teeth, an alpine trail between 3,000 and 4,000 metres (10,000 to 13,000 feet). It’s marked by dramatic rock formations and sweeping views as far as you can see. Kenya really has a bit of everything!

Ethiopia (4×4)

2,934 km or 1823 mi
Addis Ababa → Gonder → Lalibela → Jinka
View & Download HERE

Ethiopia might just be the most intriguing country in all of Africa. Nearly everything about it stands apart from its neighbours. The calendar, cuisine, religion, high-altitude landscapes, unique wildlife, tribal diversity, and even the way time is measured.

We were eager to visit, but Ethiopia has a notoriously tough reputation among long-distance cyclists. In many villages, large groups of children and teens swarm cyclists, begging, jeering, and often throwing stones. On uphill climbs, it’s common for kids to follow for kilometres shouting “you, you, you!” or demanding money. The closer you get to tourist hubs, the more intense this becomes.

We made the sensible call to explore Ethiopia without our bikes.

We started at Lake Tana, dotted with centuries-old monasteries and churches, many tucked away on islands. From there, we headed to Gonder to wander its remarkably preserved medieval castles, and then drove into the dramatic Simien Mountains. The landscapes here are spectacular, and we were lucky enough to spot glamorous gelada monkeys (pictured above), soaring bearded vultures, and the endangered walia ibex.

Our next stop was Lalibela, home to an extraordinary complex of 11 churches carved entirely from solid rock. You’ve likely seen them featured in National Geographic magazine. These impressive monolithic structures feature intricate stone columns, arched interiors, and beautifully carved murals, all made using nothing more than basic tools like chisels and hammers.

From there, we flew to the Bale Mountains, south of Addis Ababa. On the high-altitude plateau that sits above 4,000 metres, we witnessed the elusive Ethiopian wolf, the world’s rarest wild canid, stalking prey across the stark alpine landscape. We also briefly spotted a serval navigating the rocky terrain.

Southern Ethiopia was a true cultural highlight. We were fortunate to meet some of the region’s tribal communities, whose traditions have remained largely untouched by Western influence for generations. Scarification, colourful beadwork, painted bodies, stretched lips and ears, and hair styled with ochre and butterfat all tell rich stories of identity and heritage.

Egypt (4×4)

2,670 km or 1659 mi
Taba → Cairo → Aswan → Farafra
View & Download HERE

Egypt was the country I was most excited to visit before arriving on the continent. However, it’s currently not ideal for cycling, so we opted for other means of travel.

Although riding within towns and cities is possible, police checkpoints are frequent, and you’ll need permits to cycle between most towns. In some areas, like the route between Aswan and Luxor, you might be allowed through, but expect to be closely followed by police escorts, which can quickly become frustrating.

The pyramids of Giza lived up to all the hype that has been bestowed upon them for over 4000 years. Yet somehow, their extraordinary scale, perfect geometry, enchanting shape and unbelievable longevity were just the beginning of our journey into understanding the advanced life of ancient Egypt.

From Cairo, we flew to Luxor, a city that offers a glimpse into the staggering wealth and power of ancient Egypt. Our breaths were taken away by the Temples of Karnak and the well-preserved tombs dug into the Valley of the Kings. Inside each of the lengthy royal tombs are colourfully-painted sunken reliefs, as well as perfectly-carved hieroglyphics that not only describe ancient life, but provide great insight into the gods and religious rituals of the time.

We then spent four days slowly drifting from Luxor to Aswan on the Nile. This leisurely pace gave us time to absorb the lush farmlands, dramatic sandstone cliffs, scattered ancient ruins, and the remnants of quarries that supplied the stone for grand monuments some 4,000 years ago.

Along the way were greeted by the Temple of Horus. This is likely the best-preserved Egyptian temple, as it was entirely buried by sand and rubble for millennia. It’s hard to imagine a sandstone structure with a monstrous 36-metre high entrance (120ft) disappearing into history, but this fact only makes you realise how much of human civilisation must be lost to time.

After a packed ten days diving into ancient Egyptian civilisation, we escaped to the surreal White Desert. Towering chalk formations sculpted by wind dominate this hauntingly beautiful landscape. Over two days in a 4×4, we climbed dunes, searched for crystals, and camped under a sky bursting with stars – a peaceful contrast to the crowds and chaos of the cities.

Coming Up Next On Our Bike Journey Around Africa

Kenya Part II

Uganda

Rwanda

Burundi

Tanzania Part II

Malawi

• Gear
• Travel Gear

What I Pack For Bike Touring After 170,000km Around The World (Video)

byAlee Denham

October 12, 2024

• Gear
• Gear Lists

Bike Touring Gear List: Everything I Carry After 12 Years Around The World

byAlee Denham

August 17, 2024

The post My 5-Year Bike Journey Around Africa: Trip Summary, Map & GPX Routes appeared first on CYCLINGABOUT.com.

I’ve spent the last month researching the latest touring and bikepacking bikes, calculating various measurements, observing the latest trends, contacting bike manufacturers (for additional information), and updating all the terminology and general advice in my guides.

I’ll share my favourite bikes in the coming months – stay tuned for that.

Latest Changes To The Bikepacking Bike Buyer’s Guide

A big change for 2025 has been the reclassification of what it is to be a “gravel” bike.

Gravel bike tyre clearances are currently getting wider; it’s not uncommon to find bikes designed to fit 2.20” or 55mm wide tyres. To reflect the evolving design of gravel bikes, I’ve pulled a bunch of models from the “off-road” category and put them in the “gravel” category.

Another change I’ve made is the introduction of around 20 new lightweight cross-country hardtail mountain bikes. These bikes fill the gap between gravel bikes with a suspension fork and the more capable mountain bikes in my guide.

Cross-country MTBs are often just as light as gravel bikes, however, they offer more off-road capability thanks to their suspension fork, longer front centre, and ability to swallow wider tyres. Downsides include smaller front chainring sizes (for top-end speed), smaller frame triangles (limiting frame pack volume), and a longer reach to the handlebar (less upright riding position).

The last big change is that I’ve created more off-road bikepacking bike categories.

With the influx of lightweight XC mountain bikes with 2.3 to 2.5″ tyre clearance, creating a category of bikes with 2.6 to 3.0″ wide tyres made sense. Most of these bikes use rigid forks and are broadly known as “plus” bikes (eg. 27.5+ or 29+ tyres).

The Touring Bicycle Buyer’s Guide has seen another wave of new bikes with a gearbox (or internal gear hub) and belt drive. There are now more than 100 models!

These gear systems are less susceptible to damage and experience significantly less component wear than derailleur drivetrains. They have a very wide gear range, instant gear changes and don’t require any tuning or adjustment. The only maintenance is an oil change every 5,000 to 10,000 km.

Almost all gearbox bikes are equipped with belt drives, which are maintenance-free, very clean, and can last significantly longer than a chain.

Compare Bike Sizing On Bike Insights

A large proportion of my time has been spent inputting the latest frame geometry numbers of every bike in my books into the website Bike Insights.

If you haven’t seen this nifty web tool before, it allows you to visualise the size differences between any two bikes found in my guides. It is particularly useful when determining the best bike size for you, as manufacturers do not have a standardised way of sizing them.

For example, use this link to see the 63cm Bianchi Impulso gravel bike overlayed on the 56cm Kona Sutra. Given the sizing name, you’d think they’d be 3 to 4 sizes apart, but they measure up almost identically in terms of frame length and handlebar height.

While the sizing discrepancies aren’t always this stark, Bike Insights is a useful way of checking you’re getting the right-sized bike.

Another useful way to use Bike Insights is to borrow, hire, test, or get professionally fitted to a bike that (1) feels good in terms of size, and (2) is listed in the Bike Insights database. You can then use this bike as a size benchmark for comparing any of the bikes in my guides.

Accessing The Update

Those who have already purchased my buyer’s guide(s) will have received an email with the book updates on the 5th of February 2025.

If you have already purchased these guides, you can also search your email system for your original “Gumroad” receipt. That will take you to your portal with the latest book(s), along with the buyer’s guides from previous years.

Failing that, please get in contact with me using a private message on Facebook or Instagram (note: I’m currently cycling through Africa and don’t always have an internet connection).

If you’re a new customer, awesome! My guides will teach you everything about bikepacking or touring bikes, before allowing you to compare over 320 bikes at the back of the books. These guides are updated yearly – for free – so you can always keep on top of the latest bikes and information.

You can get the Bikepacking Bike Buyer’s Guide HERE.
You can get the Touring Bicycle Buyer’s Guide HERE.

The post The 2025 Touring & Bikepacking Bike Buyer’s Guides Are Now Available appeared first on CYCLINGABOUT.com.

Simply press play or click the “Share” button below to find this interview on 18 different podcast services.

Time Stamps:
0:00 – Introduction
3:30 – What Was My First Bike?
5:27 – How Did I Get Into Bicycle Touring?
9:28 – Tandem Touring Across Continents
14:32 – How I Became A Bicycle Nomad
16:58 – Why Do I Prefer To Live An Unpredictable Life?
19:06 – How Do I Plan My Routes?
21:43 – Exploring Thoroughly vs. Quickly Passing Through Countries
23:01 – Does My Family Ever Visit?
23:40 – Do I Miss Anything From Home?
24:58 – The Incredible Hospitality of Islamic Countries
26:18 – How I Keep An Open Mind About The Places I Visit
28:00 – Do I Have A Negative Perception of Any Country?
31:20 – My Near-Death Experience in Peru
40:57 – Did My Near-Death Experience Make Me Want To Stop?
42:52 – Do I Have Any New Fears From My Accident?
43:52 – Do I Use Travel Insurance?
45:59 – Adapting to High-Altitude Environments
48:30 – Cycling Around The World As A Vegan
53:30 – Waking Up With Rhinos Next To Our Tent
55:47 – Camping With Wild Animals
58:57 – Tips For Wild Camping With Dangerous Animals
1:01:57 – Encounters With Lions, Giraffes, Elephants
1:03:14 – Looking For Nocturnal Animals
1:05:03 – How To Succeed At Wild Camping
1:11:50 – General Equipment Advice
1:15:32 – The KOGA Denham Bars
1:16:54 – Bicycle Saddles + Riding Without Padded Shorts
1:21:17 – Cycling Alone vs. Cycling With Someone Else
1:26:52 – Solo Woman Cyclists In Saudi Arabia
1:28:47 – My Five Favourite Countries In The World
1:33:50 – Life Lessons From 12 Years of Bicycle Touring
1:36:30 – How Do I Create Content While Travelling?
1:37:53 – Simple Things That Create Joy In My Life
1:39:06 – Describing One Day of Cycling in Namibia
1:44:02 – What Song Is The Backtrack To My Travels?
1:45:56 – A Never Ending Climb or Never Ending Headwind?
1:47:47 – Four Hours Cycling Alone or With Someone Else?
1:48:40 – What Am I Most Looking Forward To In Africa?

Bella’s Introduction:

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a full-time bicycle nomad? What would it be like to permanently travel the world on a bike tour with no fixed end date?

In this episode, Alee Denham shares his experiences and insights of doing just that, having spent years cycling all around the world.

Alee shared that he first got the idea to travel by bicycle while on a backpacking trip just after high school. His first short tour took him through Myanmar and despite the challenging conditions due to the political climate at the time, he was hooked. Before he knew it, he was setting off on a two-and-a-half-year tandem journey from Europe to Australia.

But the end of that huge multi-year trip was just the start of what has become Alee’s lifestyle. As a self-proclaimed bicycle nomad, his bike tours have taken him all around the world, across six continents, visiting over 100 countries.

Something unique about Alee’s touring style is his appetite to take the most rugged of routes. He enjoys exploring trails, linking hike a bike sections to access areas many others wouldn’t consider when bike travelling. Alee also likes to spend the maximum time possible in different countries, to fully appreciate its terrain, people, culture, and wildlife.

Before arriving, he will read through Lonely Planet guidebooks to get a feel for the country, before exploring it every way possible. This isn’t just by rolling through the landscape either. Alee regularly stops to take hikes, see the sites and spend time with locals, to fully appreciate the country, its people, wildlife and culture.

Alee is also the face behind CYCLINGABOUT – one of the premier online resources when it comes to everything bicycle touring and bikepacking. From gear reviews to adventure stories and insightful videos, chances are if you have a question about bicycle travel, CYCLINGABOUT will contain the answer.

Alee has completed several long-distance tours both with a partner and also solo and he spoke about the pros and cons linked with each. Ultimately, there are benefits to doing both and Alee appreciates that not just one style will ever be perfect.

During his journeys, Alee has had to deal with the unexpected. A particularly harrowing moment was when he was cycling in Peru and the trail he was walking his bike along unexpectedly gave way, plunging him thirty metres (100ft) down into a ravine. His story of survival from that day, and the subsequent experiences of getting help and accessing medical services when stuck in a very remote area of Peru were captivating. I couldn’t imagine being in that situation myself but Alee seems to have the right persona and level-headedness to be able to deal with the uncertainty and challenges which came his way.

• Blog

100 Countries Cycled In 11 Years! The Bicycle Touring Career of Alee Denham (Interview)

byAlee Denham

August 10, 2023

• Blog

Do You Prefer A Bikepacking Or Bike Touring Set Up? – Interview With Alee Denham

byAlee Denham

July 16, 2019

The post A Near Death Experience, Favourite Countries & Bicycle Touring Career of Alee Denham (Podcast) appeared first on CYCLINGABOUT.com.

You can track her journey right here:

The cool thing is that the tracker also shows us the exact route Lael Wilcox will be following.

The record criteria require Lael to cycle a minimum of 28,970 km, in an east-to-west direction, wavering no more than five degrees off course. The total journey distance must be a minimum of 40,075 km, including all flight distances.

Lael must start and finish in the same place, and must pass two points that line up through the earth’s centre; Lael has chosen Madrid (Spain) and Wellington (NZ).

United States of America

Distance: 1,759 km / 1,093 mi

Lael starts her ride from Chicago in the USA, riding east all the way to Newark on the East Coast. She will then board a plane at New Liberty International Airport.

Europe

Distance: 7,683 km / 4,774 mi

Lael lands in Porto (Portugal) to begin her big European leg of the journey. She will pass through Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia!

Her route passes Madrid, the first of her antipodal points, before running north-east up to the Netherlands, south-east to Turkey, and east across to Georgia. She then jumps on a plane at Tbilisi International Airport.

Australia

Distance: 9,489 km / 5,896 mi

Lael next lands in Australia. This is her second longest leg, which runs east along the southern coast of the continent from Perth to near Melbourne, before turning north into the interior up to Rolleston, and then south-east to Brisbane where she will once again jump on a plane.

New Zealand

Distance: 1,600 km / 994 mi

Lael lands in Invercargill on the South Island of New Zealand. This short leg takes Lael to Picton where she can catch a ferry to the North Island. She will now hit her second antipodal point in Wellington and continue riding north to Auckland for the next flight.

USA & Canada

Distance: 10,517 km / 6,535 mi

Lael is now onto the final and longest leg of her around the world cycling record attempt!

She lands in Anchorage in the USA and bikes on over to Vancouver in Canada. She will then cross the USA border again, riding south down to Los Angeles, and then east to northeast over to her finish line in Chicago.

• Bikes
• Custom Bikes

Analysing Lael Wilcox’s Around The World Record Bike (29,000km in 110 Days)

byAlee Denham

May 23, 2024

The post The Exact Route Lael Wilcox Will Cycle Around The World (262km Per Day) appeared first on CYCLINGABOUT.com.

Dan Gerhard and Jake Heilbron have purchased the brand back from Kent Outdoors, who seemingly sent it down a very dark and uncertain path that culminated in a very mysterious withdrawal from the Sea Otter Classic a month ago.

The founders plan to double down on the brand legacy and get back to basics. Their highest priority is renewing relationships with a nearly 1000-strong North American and European dealer network, which they see as their strongest advocates and allies.

To best honour their dealer relationships, Kona Bicycles will no longer be selling their bikes direct-to-consumer. All Kona inventory is currently on its way to their warehouse and distributors, and the previous North American offices will be re-opening.

To best honour their consumers, the founders plan to make the company more flexible and streamlined which will allow them to price their bikes more competitively. The founders say there are some “incredible bikes” in the pipeline that they are looking forward to unveiling.

Kona Bicycles have always been innovative, well-designed, and reliable. I’ve been recommending Kona bikes to people for decades; I’m sure you’ve already seen them in many of my “Best Bikes” lists. The components are usually fit for purpose and the prices are competitive. This is great news for everyone involved.

Welcome back, Kona.

The post Kona Founders Buy Brand Back from Kent Outdoors appeared first on CYCLINGABOUT.com.

I’ve spent the last month researching the latest touring and bikepacking bikes, calculating various measurements, observing the latest trends, contacting bike manufacturers (for additional information), and updating all the terminology and general advice in my guides.

I’ll be sharing all of my favourite bikes in the coming months – stay tuned for that.

New Bike Category (Bikepacking Guide)

With lots of new gravel bikes coming with suspension forks, I’ve now separated these models into a new category in the Bikepacking Bike Buyer’s Guide.

Bike-On-Bike Comparison Tool

A large proportion of my time has been spent inputting the latest frame geometry numbers of every bike in my books into the website Bike Insights.

If you haven’t seen this nifty web tool before, it allows you to visualise the size differences between any two bikes found in my guides. It is particularly useful when determining the best bike size for you, as manufacturers do not have a standardised way of sizing them.

For example, use this link to see the 63cm Bianchi Impulso gravel bike overlayed on the 56cm Kona Sutra. Given the sizing name, you’d think they’d be 3 to 4 sizes apart, but they measure up almost identically in terms of frame length and handlebar height.

While the sizing discrepancies aren’t always this stark, Bike Insights is a useful way of checking you’re getting the right-sized bike.

Another useful way to use Bike Insights is to borrow, hire, test, or get professionally fitted to a bike that (1) feels good in terms of size, and (2) is listed in the Bike Insights database. You can then use this bike as a size benchmark for comparing any of the bikes in my guides.

Accessing The Update

Those who have already purchased one of my buyer’s guides will have just received an email with the latest editions attached. If you cannot find the email, there is a chance your email service has filtered it to the ‘junk’ folder. The email was sent on the 30th of January, 2024.

Alternatively, you can search your email system for your original “Gumroad” receipt. That will take you to the portal with the latest book(s), along with the buyer’s guides from previous years.

Failing that, please get in contact with me using a private message on Facebook or Instagram – or via email (please note: I’m currently cycling through South Africa and don’t always have an internet connection).

If you’re a new customer, awesome! My guides will teach you everything about bikepacking or touring bikes, before allowing you to compare over 300 bikes at the back of the books. These guides are updated yearly – for free – so you can always keep on top of the latest bikes and information.

You can get the Bikepacking Bike Buyer’s Guide HERE.
You can get the Touring Bicycle Buyer’s Guide HERE.

The post The 2024 Touring & Bikepacking Bike Buyer’s Guides Are Now Available appeared first on CYCLINGABOUT.com.

And not only that but over the last decade of travel he has also created one the most successful YouTube channels in the cycling space, as well as the CyclingAbout.com website that’s loaded with information on bikes, gear, setups, and more!

In EP.3 of the Rider’s Saddle, I sit down with Alee Denham at Eurobike to dive into his early life, what got him into bike travel, how he built his career, YouTube channel, and website, and discuss his life lessons in detail.

0:00 – Intro
2:53 – Childhood in Australia
4:47 – Bicycle infrastructure & urbanism
12:35 – Biking as a sport
16:08 – Getting into travel
19:37 – First bicycle touring experience
22:55 – Cycling Europe to Australia
28:51 – Starting CyclingAbout
35:17 – Experimental years
43:01 – Cycling the Americas trip
48:35 – Grounded by COVID
54:56 – The CyclingAbout YouTube channel
1:01:10 – Will Alee ride forever?
1:04:40 – CyclingAbout Africa
1:11:40 – Travelling as a vegan
1:18:05 – Travelling with Laura
1:26:00 – How to travel long-term as a nomad
1:30:33 – Careers in bicycle touring
1:35:11 – What bike tech is Alee excited about?

Tristan Bogaard is the host of the Rider’s Saddle Podcast on YouTube. He can watch his full series HERE.

The post 100 Countries Cycled In 11 Years! The Bicycle Touring Career of Alee Denham (Interview) appeared first on CYCLINGABOUT.com.

If you’ve followed this website for a while, you’ll know that I have a keen interest in comfort-improving components. I’ve discussed topics ranging from stems, saddles, suspension seatposts, and carbon seatposts to rear suspension. I’ve also made the case that steel frames play very little role in ride comfort.

I’m always looking for ways to optimise my ride experience, and using as much quantitative data as possible seems like the best way to find the best bikes and components.

That’s why my interest was instantly piqued when vibration test expert Krzysztof Wierzbicki asked if there was a possibility to publish his existing vibration tests on CyclingAbout.

He also told me all about his plan to improve his scientific approach to finding bike comfort – and just like that, I was sold on the idea.

What Is The CyclingAbout Comfort Lab Exactly?

The CyclingAbout Comfort Lab is a section of this website that is dedicated to finding comfortable bikes and components.

Here you’ll find scientific vibration tests, product reviews with an emphasis on comfort, and interviews with experts in the field.

So far, the Comfort Lab can tell you:
– A rigid carbon fork can absorb more high-frequency vibration than a suspension fork
– A good suspension seatpost can reduce rear bike vibrations by over 25%
– Cushcore tire inserts are almost too good to be true
– There is no discernable vibration difference between carbon and titanium frames
– You can improve your front comfort by 20 to 30% using a suspension stem

You can see Krzysztof’s library of vibration tests HERE.

About Krzysztof Wierzbicki

Krzysztof is a cycling enthusiast from Poland who established the GravelBikes.cc website, which has now fully merged with CyclingAbout.

Using a vibration-measuring methodology, he has tested dozens of bikes and components over the years. When a bike component tests well, Krzysztof installs it on what he calls his “benchmark bike”. This bike is used as a point of comparison when testing any new bike or components.

This scientific approach to bike testing has allowed Krzysztof to set up a very comfortable and fun-to-ride gravel bike. You can read about his three benchmark bikes HERE.

But his journey towards the ultimate comfort is far from over. That’s why he decided to join forces with me to not only update his existing vibration test articles but to improve on his vibration test methodology too.

And, why does Krzysztof spend so much on vibration-testing bikes and components?

He told me, “I like to ride, feel free, and explore every route that feels interesting. And I want to be comfortable while doing it. I’m hoping my vibration tests, interviews, and reviews can help the CyclingAbout readers in achieving a much more comfortable cycling experience”.

Please give Krzysztof a warm welcome here! You can see over 30 of Krzysztof’s vibration tests HERE.

The post The New CyclingAbout Comfort Lab: A Scientific Approach To Ride Comfort appeared first on CYCLINGABOUT.com.

In this article, I will explain how my approach to testing bike vibrations has changed over the years, and how I’m conducting my vibration tests going forward.

Measuring Vibration Outdoors With A Smartphone App

Most of my vibration tests have been conducted using a smartphone and a vibration-measuring app.

For front vibration measurement, the smartphone was mounted on my wrist, and for rear vibration measurement, the smartphone was mounted on my back.

I took the vibrations on two different routes and at two different speeds. One was a bumpy forest trail (pictured above) to see how bikes and components attenuated vibrations coming from bigger hits (15 km/h). The other was a fast gravel road to see how bikes and components attenuated high-frequency vibrations (35 km/h).

Like any outdoor test, it’s really hard to control the variables. My vibration results were never directly comparable because the routes simply yielded different results in hot, cold, dry, or wet conditions.

I also used a long measurement duration of ~10 seconds for the fast gravel road and ~60 seconds for the bumpy forest trail. As a result, the vibration levels were often reduced significantly after I averaged the data.

Additionally, I was measuring vibrations at my wrist and back, and the human body itself dampens a lot of vibration before it hits the accelerometer.

You can read more about my outdoor vibration testing HERE.

Measuring Vibration Indoors With A Treadmill

I wanted to have something more scientific, so I started experimenting with a Woodway treadmill. This allowed me to better control both the environment and speed.

I mounted different slats on the treadmill to simulate both big hits and high-frequency, gravel chatter. I had to experiment with the placement and frequency of these slats to achieve results consistent with my bumpy forest trail and fast gravel road tests.

A big improvement here was using a dedicated accelerometer. With help from the developer of Vibration Analysis, I was able to configure the Arduino Nano BLE 33 exactly for my needs. I could also collect very detailed data, in fact, this was 5 to 10 times more data than my smartphone could collect (the measurement frequency was now 500 Hz).

I took measurements both under the saddle and under the brake hoods. At these locations, I could exclude the damping effect of the body.

But the treadmill was far from perfect. Trying to make a bike ride by itself on the treadmill was a chore. Also, figuring out how to achieve realistic weight distribution for the rider proved to be very tricky. Ultimately, this methodology brought a few too many challenges.

You can read more about my treadmill vibration testing HERE.

Measuring Vibration Outdoors With Consistent Results

Going forward, I will be conducting vibration tests that combine elements from the outdoor and treadmill tests.

I am using the same Arduino Nano BLE 33 accelerometer as my treadmill test. It’s mounted under the brake hoods (front of the bike) and under the saddle (back of the bike).

I will again be using my benchmark bike as a point of comparison between different bikes and components.

My Rene Herse Umtanum Ridge 650B x 55 mm tires will be inflated to a rather high 45 PSI air pressure. This high pressure ensures the tires are not impacting the vibration results too much.

And if I’m using tires of different widths I will calculate the appropriate tire pressure using Laplace’s law. This allows me to maintain the same tire casing tension for all tests. You can read a bit more about how I use Laplace’s Law HERE.

To determine how a bike or component handles bigger hits, I am laying a single wooden block that’s 50mm long and 30mm high on a smooth, flat asphalt road. I run over it at the speed of 25 km/h and then can measure one very clear bump event.

To determine how a bike or component handles fast gravel roads, I am using an obstacle almost 300cm/118″ long with a lot of different wooden slats mounted at random (as gravel is random in terms of bump frequency). I run over this obstacle at a speed of 25 km/h. The bump frequency is high enough to properly simulate the high-frequency chatter of a gravel road.

This 300cm test can also be considered an overall performance test because it also contains two bigger hits – at the beginning and at the end (when riding on and off the obstacle).

I conduct exactly nine test runs in each scenario. I exclude the two highest and two lowest measurements to ensure that slight speed fluctuations are not impacting the results in any significant way. I then calculate the average vibrations of the five remaining test runs.

Summary

My latest approach to vibration testing yields results consistent with my outdoor comfort tests. But this time, the results are repeatable – no matter the weather conditions.

Unlike the treadmill test, I’m actually on the bike and moving at typical gravel cycling speeds (25 km/h) so the vibration measurements are even closer to real-life scenarios.

And with the high-resolution vibration data being measured at the brake hoods and saddle, we take out the damping effect of the human body. This will hopefully highlight bigger comfort differences between bikes and components.

If you have any questions about how I conduct my tests, feel free to ask in the comments section below.

The post Why My Approach To Testing Bike Vibrations Has Changed Over Time appeared first on CYCLINGABOUT.com.