Going solo

I’m standing in front of the Wimpy in Beaufort West with a heavy load: my Silverback Sola 1 mountain bike, three bulging bike bags and a backpack full of padkos. I’ve just spent 12 hours on a bus from Klerksdorp and I’m suddenly not sure whether I’m up for the challenge I set myself.

Three days ago, just after Christmas Day, I started making arrangements for a solo cycle tour from Beaufort West to Ceres. My girlfriend Mari van Dyk lives near Ceres and her birthday is