Difference between revisions of "Diego-Ambanja-Diego by bike"

Revision as of 03:53, 30 April 2019

The route between Diego and Ambanja is suitable for biking throughout the year, even while the road is in a poor condition as it often is during the rainy season between December and April, but this is also when the landscapes are the greenest.

Diego to Antsalaka

Start early, ideally around 6am to avoid the many passing cars and trucks between industrial facilities along the stretch from Diego to Arrachart Airport. Thereafter, the traffic along the RN6 gradually become less frequent.

Passing the French Mountain on the left, the route runs consistently but not steep uphill. After 60km, at the sign for Antsalaka and Park National d'Ambre, turn right and continue 6km to Antsalaka. From here, another 1.5km of mostly walking trail leads to where accommodation is offered on West Valley Lodge, a farm and tropical garden on which countless flowers, fruit and vegetables grow.

Alternatively, stay on RN6 and continue for 13km of mostly uphill biking to Anivorano Nord where the best available accommodation option in town is La Reine d'Ankarana.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019 7:44 AM EAT
Distance: 42.4 miles
Duration: 10 hours, 39 minutes, and 22 seconds
Average Speed: 4.0 mph
Minimum Elevation: 168 feet
Maximum Elevation: 1920 feet
Total climb: 3065 feet
Total descent: 1337 feet

Antsalaka to Ambilobe

Again, an early start is recommended to avoid the heat for much of the ride which starts with an uphill stretch to Anivorano Nord. Beautiful scenery all along the way.

Among various villages you will pass through the gem-trading village of Ambondromifehy.

About one to two hours later you will pass the main entrance to Ankarana National Park and shortly thereafter reach a point with great views of in the direction of Ambilobe and the coast and the Tsaratanana Massif. Thereafter, a long downhill stretch follows.

Unfortunately there are no good hotels directly in the centre of Ambilobe, although perhaps some kind be found just before or after town. The two best available accommodation options directly in town are Noor Hotel and Hotel National.

Monday, April 1, 2019 6:32 AM EAT
Distance: 50.7 miles
Duration: 9 hours, 13 minutes, and 48 seconds
Average Speed: 5.5 mph
Minimum Elevation: 101 feet
Maximum Elevation: 1900 feet
Total climb: 1168 feet
Total descent: 2952 feet

Ambilobe to Ambanja

Especially today, an early start is recommended, since it's best to get out of the city before most traffic starts along the fairly long stretch out of the city and because 105km lay ahead, the longest stretch of any day.

Ambilobe is an area of cashew farming. Shortly after leaving town, numerous farmers sell freshly roasted cashew at small stalls along the roadside. Each tin-can full of cashew cost 5,000 Ar (2019). The season of cashew is between May and September with early harvests usually available in some stalls already in the beginning of April.

A good lunch restaurant named Relax's Garden can be found at S 13°29.605' E048°39.358'. However, there are usually not many guests so there's not always something on the stove. If you want to be sure to have food prepared, call Mme Mariamo at 032 34 397 49 and place an advance order when leaving in the morning or in the evening before. Alternatively, a popular truck-stop where there's always something in the pot can be found on the left side of the road a few kilometres further.

Before reaching the crossroad town of Madirofolo it's possible to take a shortcut by turning off the main road right onto a zebu cart road at 13°37'32.5"S 48°28'15.5"E to avoid much of the traffic along the final stretch into Ambanja. The route leads parallel to the main road through cacao plantations. However, at times of frequent rainfall this route gets muddy and become partly or mostly impossible to bike. Then just continue the main road a bit further and turn left at Madirofolo.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019 6:17 AM EAT
Distance: 64.4 miles
Duration: 11 hours, 5 minutes, and 55 seconds
Average Speed: 5.8 mph
Minimum Elevation: 43 feet
Maximum Elevation: 177 feet
Total climb: 596 feet
Total descent: 647 feet

Ambanja to Ankify

To complete a coast-to-coast bike trip, continue onto Ankify and from there for another few kilometres to Ankify-Doany, a small fishing village with a nice beach and view onto Nosy Komba. The 42km back and forth should be easy in comparison to the previous days.

From Palma Nova to Ankify, part of the route through the cacao plantation is the most beautiful but which can get a bit tricky here and there during rainy periods. At other times, the many cross-crossing trails are perfect for biking.

Sunday, October 14, 2018 10:19 AM EAT
Distance: 13.5 miles
Duration: -32 minutes and -24 seconds
Average Speed: -8.8 mph
Minimum Elevation: 79 feet
Maximum Elevation: 79 feet
Total climb: 0 feet
Total descent: 0 feet

For those who haven't explored Sambirano, a one, two or three days bike ride along the river is highly recommended.

Ambanja to Diego

No need to describe the return journey, as it's the same route, just some different stops along the way.

Between Ambanja and Ambilobe

People often complain about the road conditions in Madagascar. While this is true if going by car, it's a lot easier to navigate the potholes by bike than by car.

Thé-cola stop at S 13°30.089' E048°39.665'

Thereafter you will find some shacks selling expertly handcrafted decorational rice seedling trays (Malagasy: "Sahafa"), some in unusual shapes and colours.

Another Thé-cola stop at S 13°31.266' E048°41.080'. For those who don’t like Thé-cola, coffee or tea is served along the road in equal quantities. The coffee is usually a local mild robusta while the tee is always a herbal tea boiled with the dried leaves from a bush.

Between Ambilobe and Antsalaka

Mokary vary gasy breakfast with tea soon after leaving Ambilobe at S 13°04.829' E049°06.523'

West Valley Lodge, Antsalaka

Time for a night and day's rest at West Valley Lodge.

Meals with naturally organic ingredients plucked at time of preparation at Valley West Lodge.

Between Antsalaka and Diégo-Suarez

Start the day with Mokary vary gasy breakfast at the RN6 crossing.