Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWEAN biker Johane Nyagura paid US$200 to ferry his motorcycle across the Congo River after heavy rains forced him to change course during his 25 000km solo journey to Ghana.
Nyagura reached Cameroon on Tuesday after travelling through South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo since leaving Harare three weeks ago.
He will spend three days resting and having his motorcycle serviced before continuing to Nigeria.
“The roads were waterlogged and slippery, so I was advised to use another route which needed me to part ways with at least US$200 because ferrying a bike needed a special arrangement,” he said.
“For safety, I have to stay here a bit longer than I had initially planned. Now I am resting while my bike is being serviced.”
Nyagura said he had not suffered any illness or mechanical breakdown despite the changing weather and difficult stretches of the journey.
“So far, my trip has been okay, and I am enjoying the rides because in some nations I meet fellow bikers who make life very comfortable for me,” he said.
“I have not encountered any major challenges, illness or had a breakdown and I thank God for keeping me safe even as I ride in some scary areas.”
Ghana is his destination on the outward leg.
Nyagura’s journey will also take him through Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Uganda before he returns to Harare via Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia early in October.
He deliberately chose the longer route for adventure and to promote Zimbabwe as a safe and welcoming tourism destination.
“Whenever I ride, I have my national flag flying on my bike and I am happy that some of the hospitality that I am getting along the way is because of the respect that many have for Zimbabwe,” he said.
“The ride is also giving me a chance to showcase Zimbabwe’s true beauty as a nation made up of warm and peace-loving people.”
