At 16:24 yesterday afternoon, after 79 days on the road I finally arrived at the end of my journey. I am still slightly dazed by the whole situation and apart from the elation of knowing that I don’t have to get back on Herbert again, it hasn’t really sunk in that it’s all over.

I really want to write a deep and meaningful post about all the great lessons I have learned and the experiences I have had, but the truth of the matter is that I am just so exhausted that I can’t really think of anything to say. Even though I have finished cycling I have by no means had any time to rest. After arriving I have had to strip Herbert down and give him a full service so that he looked (and sounded) respectable for his new home and I have had to wash and clean all my kit. The biggest job though has been finding a new home for Herbert! After doing such an incredible journey I wanted him to go to somebody that would truly appreciate him, like the kids at the Huruma Orphanage did with Flashdance. After meeting as many people as possible in the short time frame that I had I finally found a young boy whom I felt will really benefit from Herbert.

Nkululeko is a 19 year old boy who dreams of becoming an Engineer one day. So passionate about his dream that he walks a 24km round trip to and from work everyday. He turns his had to pretty much anything he can on the farm were he works, so that he can help pay for his tuition fees and one day fulfill his dream. He is a very shy and quiet person and his honesty and sincerity was touching, especially when I asked him if he was good on a bike and he replied that he had never had the chance to ride on one before. In the light of this new fact I spent the afternoon giving him a few lessons and showing him the in’s and out’s of Herberts working parts so that he would take good care of him. At the end of it all when the time came for me to leave him and Herbert, he just stared at me and told me he had no idea what to say. I smiled, wished him a Merry Christmas and headed off down the road. With that Herbert has begun yet another adventure, my journey on the other hand has come to an end here. Africa has been a spectacular and unique experience but I am very much looking forward to going home and seeing Katie now.

My bus is due to arrive in a few minuets to take me to the airport and I still have some packing to do so I will write again when I get home and I have had a few moments to compose myself and my thoughts. I just want to thank Mountain Equipment, Profeet, Raleigh and Pangaea TV again for their support throughout the trip, their input has been exceptional and without them the trip would never have got off the ground. Congratulations to ‘Re-cycle‘ for all their hard work bringing bikes over to Africa and if you would like to help them in their work then please visit their website.