Day 149 - Fri 26 Feb - 13,829km, Gamboma, Congo

With further overnight rain suggesting that the wet season is well and truly upon us, it was a great relief to return to empty tarmac roads. The obvious Chinese presence along the way including smart new housing, logging, construction sites and even an airport provided a stark contrast to the impoverished rural villages struggling to survive on now deforested open plains. Still the locals, a large proportion of which are clad in President Sassou t-shirts (no doubt Chinese campaign funds helped on that one), although incredibly shocked by our presence continue to be unbelievably friendly and inquisitive. Hans battled on gamely despite being down to only a few gears – a worrying problem since I have the same set up, while Bertha’s chain is now as loose as a witch’s sleeve and will have to be sorted in Brazzaville. For now though, it’s time to maximise the Chinese tar after a good nights free kip in the local Catholic mission.