Biking in Ghana

Google 'Bamboosero' who have an amazing operation in Ghana ... probably rent bikes to you too

Kira

Hi! I don't have any experience of biking in Ghana directly - but do have lots of experience of the roads! They are not always the safest of placest, so definitely consider that when making your decision...

You might want to read this, not sure if the cyclists have their own blog though ...

http://fourvillagesinn.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/ghana-is-definitely-a-good-cycling-country/

Kira

Cycling in Ghana is comparatively easy, compared to the other west african states. There is a lot of tourist infrastructure, guesthouses in most small towns, buses if the cyling gets too tough or boring and good food that goes beyond rice with a green leaf sauce.

The coastal road is in very good condition all the way from Axim to Aflao on the Togo border. the main roads, up to Kumasi from Accra and some others are good tarmac with usually a wide shoulder. the others are hit and miss. in the south it can be great and then suddenly potholes and piste without warning. in the north it is piste all the way really. i came down fom Burkina Faso along the western border to Kumasi and down to the coast in a straight line and then followed the coast to Togo.

The drivers are ok, for africa.

Be warned that on the good roads you have a lot of lorries/trucks with old western tires and they break a lot which means a lot of small metal spikes on the road from the metal wire in the tires which means a lot of punctures. or my tires were just a bit too used.

It is great to cycle as you have a lot more freedom and get to really see the country up close, meet LOTS of people, stay in villages etc... In september i will probably still be raining which means a lot of humidity and some mud on the bad roads. it washes off.

I have no information on renting bikes in ghana. the bikes i have seen are usually bad chinese quality and i would not plan a bike trip on those and expect to enjoy it! if at all possible bring your own bikes or contact people in ghana, through couchsurfing or some other way, to find a decent bike, and no single speed ones. i forgot to tell you that from north of Kumasi to the coast the country is HILLY short steep hills that area nightmare after a few days, even worse on a bad bike!!!

Anyway, after reading the above, cycling in Ghana is great so I can only recommend it!!!

any further questions?

TN

Kira, do you know about the bamboo bikes or did you just see the publicity? Last I heard from the boys who make the bikes, they are just for the US market, they are not allowed to sell them locally. If you want to buy one in Ghana it has to be imported from the US.

Yes you can rent a good bike. There are two cycling centres where you can get route advice, bikes, helmets, and guides and car support if you want. There are some cycle routes and details on my web site at http://www.ghana-tours-travel.com/tours/cycling-tour/

There are numerous places to rent bikes and have great day rides. The road ways are not that great for biking along either especially with the way people drive sometimes. So it is best to travel in car between places then explore them locally on bike.

Just north of Accra in the Aburi hills it is possible to rent bikes and there are a number of paths to explore in the area and the Aburi botanical gardens.

Down the coast in the western region, cape three points area, it is possible to rent bikes from Green turtle lodge and explore the whole cape three points area, with the heritage trail network. They are planning their first biking festival in the area sometime this year.

Up in the upper west region you can rent bikes at Wechaiu Hippo sanctuary and they are a great way to get around up there.

In the Volta region you can rent bikes at Kyabobo National park, the Avatime Hills, and Ho.

www.greenbugadventures.com

Busua Inn also has bikes for rental both at busuainn.com and at their other property www.ezilebay.com but this would (like those above) be solely for short term use

Might be worth contacting the head of Bamboosero ... had the e-mail somewhere!!!

Kira