Africar PT3 - A CAR FOR AFRICA - and for the ordinary road. Part 3 - The worst road in the world

Sahara Desert Journey: Challenges and Developments

Overview of the Sahara Desert and Vehicle Development

• The Sahara Desert is nearly twice the size of the continental United States, yet Africa has limited paved roads and public transport options.

• The development of advanced vehicles suitable for African conditions, known as "Afrikaas," faced significant challenges over 25 years, struggling to gain support from Western financial institutions.

• Financial institutions often exploit low-priced commodities from developing countries while providing loans for high-priced goods that are unsuitable for local needs.

Journey Begins: Proving Run to East Africa

• A team sets out on a critical proving run from the Arctic Circle to East Africa with insufficient funds and no backup vehicles. They aim to cross the Sahara after leaving Europe behind.

• The intended route includes crossing Algeria into Niger before reaching Nigeria; however, they face bureaucratic hurdles at the Algerian border regarding entry permissions for their vehicles and film equipment.

Bureaucratic Hurdles at the Algerian Border

• The team is stranded at the Algerian border due to visa issues and lack of proper documentation, leading them to prepare detailed inventories in French.

• Previous communications with various ministries in Algeria have been unproductive; despite initial agreement from one ministry, another remains immovable on granting permission for their project.

Team Dynamics and Responsibilities

• Each team member has specific roles: Liza Mellor serves as cook and driver; Bob Williams is mechanic; Charles Best handles photography; Carolyn Hicks acts as troubleshooter and driver of a four-wheeled wagon. My role focuses on ensuring everyone's safety during the journey.

• As they travel through northern Sahara, temperatures fluctuate dramatically between day (50 degrees) and night (close to freezing), complicating their expedition further.

Setbacks During the Expedition

• Bob becomes ill after less than 1,000 kilometers under Saharan sun exposure, raising concerns about his ability to continue with the journey amidst other mechanical issues faced by their vehicles.

Desert Driving Challenges

Encountering Hazards on the Road

• The team faces a significant pothole with hard tarmac edges, resulting in damage to all three wheels on one side of the vehicle. The narrator reflects on the necessity of avoiding such hazards while driving.

• Lightweight soft wheel rims are utilized to absorb impacts from rough terrain, preventing tire destruction and distortion of wheel centers.

Environmental Conditions

• A steady wind at approximately 30 miles per hour creates challenging conditions for travel, emphasizing the need for effective ventilation systems in vehicles.

• The discovery of a pressure water supply is crucial for Swiss bikers who are struggling with their dirt bikes due to overheating and mechanical failures.

Navigating Difficult Terrain

Road Conditions and Vehicle Limitations

• Riders face issues like sand clogging chains and overheating engines, highlighting the challenges of carrying essential supplies in desert conditions.

• The road leading to Janet is described as potentially the worst in the world according to international overland guides, indicating severe risks associated with this route.

Insights from Other Travelers

• A chance encounter reveals that other travelers advise maintaining low speeds (under 15 km/h) to avoid damaging vehicles on corrugated rock surfaces.

• Corrugations present greater challenges than rocky terrains; they can cause vehicles to bounce uncontrollably regardless of speed.

The Journey Through Tasili Plateau

Navigational Challenges

• The plateau's surface consists of broken rocks that sound more like glass than sandstone, complicating navigation and vehicle handling.

• Corrugations worsen when transitioning from rock to sand, making it difficult for drivers even at reduced speeds.

Travel Time Expectations

• Completing 200 kilometers through this terrain may take one to two days unless higher speeds risk breaking down vehicles entirely.

Community Among Overlanders

Shared Experiences

• Overlanders often share experiences about navigating treacherous roads; heavy-duty vehicles like Land Cruisers struggle under extreme conditions.

Observations on Vehicle Durability

• An overloaded four-person setup in a pickup truck leads to breakdown after less than 500 kilometers, illustrating how quickly vehicles can fail under stress.

Exploring Natural Wonders

Geological Features

• The landscape features jagged lava edges beneath rock layers that require careful negotiation by drivers to protect their vehicles' components.

Meeting Point for Travelers

• At a viewpoint atop the plateau, various groups gather; some are returning home while others embark on adventurous routes toward Dakar or South America.

Water Sources and Sand Navigation

Water Availability

• Below the summit lies a small volcanic crater lake that has been holding water for millions of years but is undrinkable due to its brackish nature.

Techniques for Driving on Sand

Challenges of Off-Road Travel

Vehicle Performance Under Stress

• The team faced no significant disadvantages while carrying heavy loads on their four-wheelers and six-wheeler, even when forced to stop on soft sand. Front-wheel drive helped them power out without damaging major components.

• However, they encountered issues with track rods, leading to a situation where the pickup was running on soft sand with one ineffective front wheel and limited steering capability.

• The problems with the track rods validated the decision to test vehicles under real environmental pressures, emphasizing the need for reliable components in challenging conditions.

Repairs and Resourcefulness

• Upon reaching Janet, they utilized welding equipment from a local garage to reinforce their track rods effectively, preventing further issues during their journey.

• Other travelers faced severe mechanical failures; for instance, Norwegians broke their chassis before even halfway through the Sahara.

Collaboration and Speed

• They were joined by two Germans traveling in a Land Cruiser who offered assistance. With strengthened steering, they aimed to make up lost time driving at high speeds across flat sandy valleys.

Gearbox Challenges

• After years of searching for an efficient lightweight four-wheel-drive gearbox that maintained low center of gravity and ground clearance, they realized they would have to design their own transmission system from scratch due to industry neglect of this issue.

• A temporary solution involved using a small Citroën gearbox that had suitable ratios but originally transmitted less than a third of the required power.

Mechanical Failures and Repairs

• Despite challenges like broken gearboxes and bearings, Carolyn's vehicle performed well after repairs. It took a day for both vehicles (the wagon and six-wheeler) to be back on the road after repairs were made.

Navigating Through Difficult Terrain

Finding Routes in Desolation

• The route continued west towards the main trans-Saharan highway where they sought markers indicating trails amidst vast emptiness.

• They finally located an important marker that pointed them toward Taman Raset as their next objective while navigating through graffiti-covered stones.

Climbing Challenges Ahead

• Traveling with another Toyota highlighted practical design advantages; despite carrying similar loads, it consumed twice as much fuel due to its larger frontal area and lower ground clearance compared to their pickup.

• As they approached steep climbs into the Hoggar mountain range designated for four-wheel drive only routes, both vehicles faced significant strain due to loose surfaces and torque reactions from driving wheels.

Engine Performance Limitations

• Altitude began affecting engine performance significantly; without low ratio gearboxes available, slaloming across roads became necessary during steep ascents.

Reflections on Vehicle Design

Inspiration from Classic Designs

• Atop one climb, they encountered an overloaded 2CV Citroën which served as inspiration due to its remarkable mid-century design that addressed many modern vehicle challenges inadequately tackled today.

Continuing Their Journey

Driving Through the Sahara: Challenges and Insights

Performance of Vehicles in Challenging Terrain

• The Afrikaans vehicles are proving their capability, effectively competing with traditional four-wheel drives in tough conditions.

• Confidence has grown in driving on soft sand due to the cars' ability to handle unexpected bumps and holes, allowing for optimal speed.

Observations on Other Vehicles

• The performance of flying Peugeots is noted; they often rely on excessive speed to navigate but face challenges, having been stuck multiple times.

• A significant delay was experienced at Taman Raset due to border closures, but now that the route is open, progress can be made towards Niger.

Transitioning Landscapes

• The desert landscape in Niger has transformed into a flat terrain where travel speeds have increased significantly without issues.

• Entering the Sahel region highlights the precariousness of life sustained by deep wells in this arid sub-Saharan area.

Navigating Political Changes

• At the Niger frontier post, news of a closed Nigerian border after a coup forces a change in plans; heading towards Niamey becomes necessary for repairs and route reassessment.

• Reflecting on past experiences crossing deserts emphasizes that despite advancements, navigating these routes remains perilous and reliant on personal responsibility.

Reflections on Travel Experience

• The Uranium Highway is introduced as a strategic road crucial for transporting uranium from Nigeria to France; it evokes mixed feelings about safety while traveling at high speeds.

• A stark contrast between previous slow travel through rough terrains versus newfound capabilities of high-speed travel raises concerns about safety amidst local wildlife.

Adjustments and New Plans

• Upon arrival in Niamey, confirmation of the closed Nigerian border leads to an unplanned hotel stay while strategizing next steps.

• Tony Hughes's mission ahead faces setbacks when he loses critical documents and funds after being robbed at Lagos airport, leaving the team isolated.

Personal Experiences in Desert Environments

• Previous experiences with deserts lead to awe at the vastness of the Sahara; feelings of insignificance highlight both fear and appreciation for nature's enormity.

Experiencing the Sahel: A Journey Through Contrasts

Reflections on Heat and Longing for Comfort

• The narrator describes a profound feeling of depth in the mountains, contrasting it with feelings of misery and heat while lying in a car. This evokes three comforting images: diving into a cool swimming pool, enjoying a cold drink, and resting in an air-conditioned room.

• Upon arriving at their destination, the narrator expresses relief and joy, likening it to paradise due to the availability of comforts like water and shade.

The Paradox of Luxury Amidst Poverty

• There is an unsettling contrast between luxury experiences (like sitting by a hotel pool) and the harsh realities of the Sahel region, which faces severe malnutrition, poverty, and starvation. This juxtaposition raises questions about privilege in dire circumstances.

• Despite its impoverished reputation, certain aspects of Niger appear almost fantastical—deep wells providing water, well-cared-for cattle, and even tarmac roads create an illusion of prosperity amidst economic struggles.

Challenges Ahead on the Journey

• As they progress through Africa with only five drivers remaining, there is a sense of commitment to continue traveling despite challenges posed by conflicts in Chad and Nigeria that limit routes toward East Africa or the equator.