STRANDED 1000km from HELP in the Namibian Desert

[@iamlewiblake]

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for watching!

[@NBM397]

If I had a pinion (I have a Rohloff, so this solution wouldn't work for me), and I didn't know how to fix it, or it was actually broken, I'd rinse the hub and shove in loads of epoxy. You then wouldn't have a free hub, and the pedals would move constantly, but you'd still have your gears and you could still pedal. Of course, it would mean you'd need a new hub when you got to a bike, shop, but you'd get there.

[@jodyssey9921]

I can't imagine going into the middle of nowhere with equipment I know nothing about! There are 3 things I keep in mind when cycle touring. If it wasn't difficult it wouldn't be worth doing, the journey is the destination and the most important one - if nothing goes wrong it's not an adventure, it's just a trip. You have to learn to embrace the suck and not let it get you down. You seem to be doing well with that one.

[@iamlewiblake]

@jodyssey9921 that's good advice. Certainly learning alot about the bike and equipment as i go. Yeah the right attitude is everything. Embrace the suck haha love it

"I don't know anything about bikes" said a man biking across Africa in the most relatable statement ever. I biked halfway across the world and cyclists are always shocked how little I know about repairing anything and how few tools I carry lmao

[@iamlewiblake]

hahaha nice to know i'm not alone! thanks for watching

[@duzer]

I’m loving this series!!

[@iamlewiblake]

@@duzer thanks for watching

[@joyariffic4217]

This series is great. It definitely deserves more views

[@iamlewiblake]

thanks alot, plenty more episodes to come!

[@dannyk3718]

1 of a bikepakers worse nightmares a drivetrain failure in the middle of nowhere ...handled yet again like a BOSS fairplay Lewi. This was already going to be an epic trip mate with your phone being robbed but now with the breakdown your trip is entering into legendary status . try not to let the crap stuff get you down

[@iamlewiblake]

thanks mate, I'm realising with this kind of adventure, you just need to keep moving forward and deal with problems as they come...and not to think too far forward

[@dannyk3718]

@@iamlewiblake for sure mate just deal with whats in front of ya everything else is irrelevant till it isnt lol keep your spirits up you will get there 🤟

[@iamlewiblake]

@@dannyk3718 cheers mate!

[@riverunner9978]

Your a toughie , you’ll do just fine!

[@MTTBIKEPACKER]

Keep going Africa is magical

[@iamlewiblake]

@@MTTBIKEPACKER thanks you, it is

[@alexanderwitt2441]

Nice trip! 👍In this/your Case I would strap the Sprocket fixed to the Spokes. The Bike would convert to a Fixie, but you can pedal it (without Freewheel).

[@iamlewiblake]

such a good idea, cant believe i didn't think about it at the time. also with the pinion, i guess i would have still been able to use all the gears?

[@alexanderwitt2441]

@@iamlewiblake I think so. But you must be careful, cause all the Power (of your legs) would transmitted by the Spokes.

[@iamlewiblake]

@alexanderwitt2441 good to know, thanks

[@jdval3476]

Hey man good luck! I had a similar problem about one month ago in Angola, it was a critical day. In my case I had too much dry grease in the freehub and the pawls couldn't move correctly, so the wheel stopped to engage. It was horrible, I couldn't move. It can also be that the spring is broken (the metalic circle that goes around the pawls). Anyway I hope you managed to fix it. I'm also cycling Africa, going south from Spain, I'm currently in Windhoek. Maybe we cross each other in the road. Have a nice ride🤘🤘

[@iamlewiblake]

that sucks, sorry to hear that. mines all fixed now and back on the road. All the best with your adventure south!

[@Bikepacking_sa]

Great experience Lewi. Africa is a tough country, but you have the calm character which will help you in any adverse conditions. We have a saying here in South Africa, "Gaan Groot of Gaan Huistoe" you are a true adventurer. 🎉💯😎💪

[@iamlewiblake]

@@Bikepacking_sa thanks for the nice words!

[@samhassanq]

You are a brave man 👍👍✌✌

[@iamlewiblake]

haha thanks mate!

[@kajowasserhovel6903]

Gerat videos, great Storytelling. Thanks! Take care! I have the same bike and happy with it, but will take a serious look at the hub now 🤣Best from Berlin

[@iamlewiblake]

@kajowasserhovel6903 yeah besides the hub, I've loved the bike. Just one of those things thst csn happen on any bike

[@mbrylewski]

You are courageous. I was biting my nails just watching this

[@iamlewiblake]

thank you!

[@clwomble]

Could you drop the seat, remove the pedals and use the bike like a balance bike?

[@iamlewiblake]

@@clwomble that's actually a good idea, dint know how tired the legs would get since the hike is so heavy

[@Gate-gg]

Are you planning to visit Kenya..are you doing the whole Africa or

[@iamlewiblake]

@@Gate-gg yes will visit Kenya and many other countries. Not sure exactly yet

[@Gate-gg]

@iamlewiblake Kenya is one of the best countries in Africa.. if you visit trust me you'll doing paperwork, for you to stay in Kenya for the rest part of your life .. Kenya is beautiful,

[@jamesparkin2458]

Swakop has 2 excellent bike shops, as good as Windhoek. We rode the D707 last year on the Rhino Run - it was very windy in June/July causing lots of sand, looks better this year!

[@iamlewiblake]

@jamesparkin2458 good to know, yeah ended up going to mannies buke mecca. thanks

[@MrTopanga44]

Great video...but how do you go on a trip like this and know nothing mechanically. Also, is a adjustable wrench your tool of choice?

[@iamlewiblake]

@MrTopanga44 yeah you're right I was trying to learn as much as I could before I left but didn't think to learn anything about hubs, didn't hear anyone having problems with it. In hindsight it would have been good to learn something about it and know it required a special wrench to open haha

[@MrTopanga44]

@@iamlewiblakei found it amazing that you walked so far back to the hwy. Of course, you had no choice. But...well done! I've subscribed and looking forward to more videos. All of the first 3 were excellent.

[@iamlewiblake]

@@MrTopanga44 thanks alot!

[@TyTvChannel17]

What a ride! 🙌🏻🚲💪🏻 Ride safe always. 🙏🏻 New subscriber here. 😁

[@iamlewiblake]

@@TyTvChannel17 thank you

[@TyTvChannel17]

@@iamlewiblake You’re welcome! 😁

[@grahames9228]

Mate, you certainly are giving a guts effort. I would find the situations you have been in completely demoralising.

[@iamlewiblake]

@@grahames9228 haha thank you

[@Hootyhoo-jq9vq]

I could imagine the worries there, mate. BIKE PROBLEMS WAIT FOR THE WORST MOMENT. JAJAJA. Also, I’ve been on a journeys where all I think is water. The brain shout WATER. FIND WATER. Always the loves and kindnesses of others are it what saves us.

[@iamlewiblake]

@Hootyhoo-jq9vq yeah, slowly starting to learn to adapt to dealing with problems when you least expect them. I was carrying 24litres of water at this stage haha you're so right though, all you care about it water

[@vadymvv]

Who's filming? I can imagine crew on a car going by with you to make this shots. Cool anyways

[@iamlewiblake]

@@vadymvv nah just a drone that I'm controlling. Thanks for watching

[@cypriano8763]

freehub body need a clean. most likely. it happens but dang, bad spot. once in 30 years has it ever happened to me and certainly not in the middle of the fnn desert. beauty of a place

[@iamlewiblake]

@cypriano8763 thanks for the advice. Yeah I didn't think it was something that happens regularly

[@petegost]

What do you think caused that hub to fail?

[@iamlewiblake]

@petegost I think maybe because in the last episode I was riding through a flooded road and maybe water/mud got in. Although at that point I'd only ridden 1000km on it so it shouldn't happen. But that's My best guess

[@Fanie-js5dx]

What 1000km.... In Namibia, to many lodges along the way

[@mikescudder4621]

Quite a situation, a bike leaving you stranded like that. Fancy bikes - more stuff to go wrong! I´d buy a spare hub to bring along.

[@iamlewiblake]

@mikescudder4621 yeah I thought about bringing a spare one next time. Pretty heavy though

[@louiskirby4266]

Onya champion

[@iamlewiblake]

@@louiskirby4266 thank you!

[@grahamambridge2856]

I blame Duzer for the bike breakdown!😆

[@iamlewiblake]

@@grahamambridge2856 hahaha noo don't blame him 😂

[@grahamambridge2856]

@iamlewiblake haha, nice one. I Like the idea of pinion and belt but there just something about having a derailleur for simplicity. Glad you got it sorted. I'll hopefully be doing something similar in a year or so. Safe travels. Sheffield, England

[@duzer]

😂😂😂

[@StreetDogSteve]

@@grahamambridge2856 Although this was a hub problem, nothing to do with the pinion or belt system by the looks of it.

[@iamlewiblake]

Exactly

[@roguerader]

Bro, you are excellent at manufacturing drama and emotion. Next time just make sure you keep in mind the shadows of the sun, it really does show that not much time passed between stopping and arriving to the motorway, I love fiction and this was quality.

[@iamlewiblake]

You got me! I didn't even go to Africa. This is just Ai

[@Bikepacking]

I just tried to find your videos of your adventures didnt see any .. look forward to your adventures without drama ..

[@roguerader]

@@Bikepacking And you wont, I have a proper job and value my privacy bro, trust me bro, I dont need $1,500 a month, I have more than enough. And finally bro, I have been to three war zones bro, I had my filled with drama how about you? only live your live through your keyboard? I like that.

[@roguerader]

@@Bikepacking It speaks of how small your mind is bro when you think you are extraordinary because you ride your bike in the dessert. The only thing extraordinary is how little you have achieved bro... I truly feel sorry for you.

[@Bikepacking]

@@roguerader ex British’s solder that has spent 33 years living around the world not throu a keyboard ps havnt worked in 8 years retired at 45

[@Bikepacking]

Very cool weird that hub failed

[@iamlewiblake]

yeah, never had that happen before. maybe because I was riding through the mud in episode 2, it affected the hub

[@Bikepacking]

@@iamlewiblake yeah but hub shouldn’t let shit in even mub .. maybe not enough Greece

[@iamlewiblake]

@@Bikepacking agreed, someone suggested that the factory grease they ship hubs with is bad and replacing with mineral oil is a good idea. Someone said in cold climates they had that same problem 4 times...good to know

[@Bikepacking]

@@iamlewiblake good info

[@johnunruh7119]

The rear hub that priority sourced for the 600x has a history of failing. A few examples of this on the internet vlogs. Mine loosened while riding through mud in Baja Mexico and though I was able to finish it was never the same. I replaced the hub with a DT Swiss 350 hub when I returned home

[@ישראלשורץ-י2ק]

Next time, sew the spokes to the gear instead of walking.

[@iamlewiblake]

that's a way better idea haha didn't even think about it. haha next time i know

[@StreetDogSteve]

What do you mean by this?

[@iamlewiblake]

@@StreetDogSteve I think if you attach spokes with cable ties to rear cog, can ride it single speed theoretically without working hub

[@p.g.reitsma7245]

Im thinking the engagement pawls are not releasing away from the hub to engage the gear splines. This happens in freehubs due to corrosion, damaged springs or lack of lubrication.

[@iamlewiblake]

@p.g.reitsma7245 good to know, what is the best way to mitigate this in future?

[@santiszibergs1116]

it's just the opposite, too much grease leads to sticking, attracts dirt and wear of the pawls. just clean the hub, add some mineral oil and drive on with no problems. Simple problem and easy to fix.

[@iamlewiblake]

@@santiszibergs1116 thanks for the tip

[@StuartFarmar]

Maybe get a normal bike with no bells and whistles .no drama

[@iamlewiblake]

@@StuartFarmar yeah but the wheel and hub are the same as a normal bike. I think the problem is I didn't know what to do haha

[@mikescudder4621]

@@iamlewiblake You were probably observing everything at the bike shop, but I'd have paid for a lesson on how to 'recondition' that hub. A mini can of lube may have saved you... and knowing how to work the parts free.

[@iamlewiblake]

@@mikescudder4621 thanks, that's a good idea for next time. Cheers

[@StreetDogSteve]

All bikes have hubs, bro

[@iamlewiblake]

@@StreetDogSteve 😂

[@JamesSmith-qs4hx]

Learn how to fix a bike before getting woke.

[@freeheel748]

Stupid comment.

[@StreetDogSteve]

lol, wtf, how is anything here woke?

[@laarbioufkir4956]

Watching you from morocco 🇲🇦 i realy think such expansive mt bike ( priority) should stand against elements and not fail easily..... Best wiches to you mate

[@andilemokhathi6063]

My thoughts exactly 😮

[@iamlewiblake]

yeah I was surprised too. they did offer to send a whole new wheel for free if I couldn't find parts, so that was good to know

[@laarbioufkir4956]

@@iamlewiblake sending a whole wheel for free sounds great and realy professional.

[@iamlewiblake]

@@laarbioufkir4956 agreed

[@grego10r]

dont buy this overpriced junk bike get a normal bike nextime with old good gearbox and I be golden

[@StreetDogSteve]

All bikes have hubs, though...