Day 142 - Fri 19 Feb - 13,353km, Francheville, Gabon

On only the second day since teaming up with veteran tourer Hans, it was already becoming clear that our speeds weren't very compatiable. Having taken a nasty tumble on a decent the day I caught him Hans is now very cautious, while I remain fairly reckless, even if it does mean turning back to collect bags and bottles that take flight on the bumps! Therefore having made painfully slow progress this morning, partly due to Hans being unable to get his usual banana fix after eating or giving away all of the bunch we bought yesterday, we agreed that I should carry on solo arranging to meet back up tomorrow after I've fitted in some much needed Comrades training! Finally emerging from the rainforest into a more open savanna landscape the hills that have plagued my progress almost continually since Ghana continued but a return to tarmac and Coca Cola hits saw me make the town before dark.