Journal Comments - Bike Bimble - CycleBlaze

Journal Comments (page 5)

From Bike Bimble by Stephen Gray & Catherine Docker

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Bill Shaneyfelt commented on a photo in Day 150-155: Dodoma to Arusha

Looks like probably a flap necked chameleon.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/32854-Chamaeleo-dilepis/browse_photos?place_id=7144

3 months ago
Stephen Gray commented on a photo in Day 131-135: Mzuzu to North Malawi

You get used to the different currencies after a few days. Dropping a couple of digits off the end gets you close :-)

3 months ago
Stephen Gray replied to a comment by Jo Powell on a photo in Day 139-148: Mbeya to Dodoma

That one was 1000 Schillings. About 70c Aussie. It was huge, had a relatively small seed and tasted great. Bargain. Pity we haven't seen these again!

3 months ago
Jo Powell commented on a photo in Day 139-148: Mbeya to Dodoma

What an enormous mango! Still only 10c or is that one 50c? I must go and buy myself a mango before they're completely out of season... Enjoy!

3 months ago
Jo Powell commented on a photo in Day 131-135: Mzuzu to North Malawi

How do you work out the money and exchange rate there? It looks incredibly complicated!

3 months ago
Bill Shaneyfelt commented on a photo in Day 139-148: Mbeya to Dodoma

Might be a flap-necked chameleon.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/191562442

3 months ago
Stephen Gray commented on a photo in Day 136-138: Malawi border to Mbeya

Yes, you're right, a bigger hole in the rim would be ideal. I've leant this before (in China) but thought we had enough spare tubes that it wouldn't matter. I'm just ranting about the (lack of) standards in all things bicycles. Schwalbe have recently tried to complicate things even further with their take on an ideal valve:
https://www.schwalbe.com/en/clik-valve/

I've seen (somewhere) rubber bungs you can use to pad out a Schrader hole to use Presta valves. Not that us low pressure, low speed, heavily loaded touring types get any advantage from any of the valve types - just use the one that you can get hold of.

I've been offered the drill solution a few times. I'll wait until I have no other options, thank you very much!

I still have a couple of spares, and have heard rumours that Presta valves exist in Dodema and Arusha. And maybe Nairobi. Fingers crossed.

3 months ago
Stephen Gray replied to a comment by Doug Gillott on a photo in Day 131-135: Mzuzu to North Malawi

Could be a function of the cement they used :-)

There was another, bigger, statue in the roundabout. Don't think we took a photo, but I have a memory of that one having a wide grin. And odd colouring - the paint looks like it ran out around the belly.

3 months ago
Doug Gillott commented on a photo in Day 136-138: Malawi border to Mbeya

I had to look up what a Dunlop valve is. Thanks Wikipedia:
The Dunlop valve, (also called a Woods valve, an English valve or a Blitz valve[1]) is a type of pneumatic valve stem in use—mostly on inner tubes of bicycles—in many countries, including Japan,[2] Korea, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, most European countries, and a number of developing countries. The Dunlop valve has a wider base than a Presta valve, similar enough in size to a Schrader valve to use identically drilled valve holes in rims,[3] but it can be inflated with a Presta valve adapter.[4]
Looks like the best global touring rim would have Schrader/Dunlop size valve stem holes... Do you have a drill with you...

3 months ago
Doug Gillott commented on a photo in Day 131-135: Mzuzu to North Malawi

Clearly the Malawisaurus is noted for its fat tail.

3 months ago
Stephen Gray replied to a comment by Mike Ayling on a photo in Day 131-135: Mzuzu to North Malawi

Yeah! We're cycle touring - too much food is rarely a problem!

3 months ago
Stephen Gray commented on a photo in Day 131-135: Mzuzu to North Malawi

It must have been lost (no trees around), joined us for dinner under the table.

3 months ago
Mike Ayling commented on a photo in Day 131-135: Mzuzu to North Malawi

Did you manage to eat all that?

3 months ago
Bill Shaneyfelt commented on a photo in Day 131-135: Mzuzu to North Malawi

Tree frog. Look at those big toe pads! So photogenic!

Might be a Bocage's tree frog

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/23423-Leptopelis-bocagii/browse_photos

3 months ago
Steve Miller/Grampies commented on a photo in Day 119-128: Lilongwe to Nkhata Bay

Yikes, we just shipped chains to our upcoming hotel in Spain, because the Spanish are weak on parts for our German bikes. But this problem pales beside your situation. Much empathy from us.

4 months ago