Thursday, December 20, 2018



Scootering across Africa.

This is going to be a great adventure. Ten scooters, crossing three countries. The group is from the Vespa Mediterranean Club, so we all know each other. I am very glad that my brother Scott and great friend and neighbor Walt Driggers are going also. We are leaving the other part of the gang, Bill, home as he has to pay some bills with something called "work".

I found this trip on the internet and sent it to Roland, the defacto head of the club, who put it out to the members not really expecting many takers. We were surprised that the ten positions filled quickly. But, this is a adventurous group.





So, where the hell is Senegal?


It is on the western coast of Africa. It is one of those many areas in Africa that has been passed around from colonizer to colonizer. That last one was France, so French is the language of the country and I sure hope they have great baguettes.

To get there I will fly from Tampa to Atlanta to Paris to Dakar. It is a long trip. Walt and I will meet in Atlanta and we will be joined by Scott in Paris.




Posting to the blog will be a challenge. There is very limited space on the small scooters and the organizers recommend using that space for something more important like water or clothes than a computer. So, I have a plan and will see how it works. If all else fails, Scott and I will be spending time in Paris and I will catch up then.

So, set back, buckle your seat belt and lets go traveling.

From the tour company.......




Let's get packing

Our hardy steeds are 110cc Chinese wonders. Everything has to fit in the saddlebags that are 6.5" wide, 14" long, and 13.5" deep. For math wonders that coverts to 35 liters. In other words, the prom dress is not going to fit. 
To make sure that I am not over packing, I made a template and folded everything to that size and then put everything into ziploc clothes bags. Heck, I got room for that bottle of vodka I carry for snake bites.

It ain't a Vespa
The saddle bags




The template

four t-shirts
four t-shirts, two shorts, one pair of long pants.
Lots of room.
The technical stuff........
boots, gloves, head protector

Umbrella (shade tree), Garmen Inreach (for tracking and HELP), battery for recharging, flashlight with batteries, camera
Everything but helmet, boots, and those things you can't see likes shoots, and shoots.



And the most important item.......

...my medical evacuation insurance via DAN!




And we are ready to fly!!!!!!