'Fear kept me alive on epic motorbike trip across Africa'

Udoh Ebaide Joy, a talented Nigerian musician, embarked on an extraordinary journey across Africa on her motorcycle. At the young age of 23, she faced a life-changing event when she was involved in a serious car accident that severely injured her spinal cord. For several months, she relied on a wheelchair to move around. However, instead of succumbing to despair, Ms Joy experienced a profound realization. 'It made me decide that I will live my life to the fullest,' she shared during an interview with the BBC's Africa Daily podcast. After her recovery, she channeled her energy and savings into traveling, even transforming a vintage 1980s Nissan van into a mobile home. This year, at 32 years old, she achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first documented black African woman to travel solo from East to West Africa on a motorcycle. Her incredible journey spanned approximately 9,000 kilometers, equivalent to about 5,600 miles, and took over three months to complete. Ms Joy's adventure began in Mombasa, Kenya, and concluded in Lagos, Nigeria. Throughout her travels, she encountered breathtaking landscapes, navigated visa challenges, connected with a vibrant community of African bikers, rode through daunting forests, and celebrated a heartwarming homecoming. 'Being alone and travelling on those roads, not understanding the language, I was always travelling with fear, which was good because my fears keep me alive,' she reflected. The journey commenced when Ms Joy flew to Kenya and purchased a 250cc motorcycle, affectionately named Rory. Remarkably, she had never ridden a motorcycle before this trip. To prepare herself, she enrolled in a week-long training course in Nairobi. On March 8, she set off on her odyssey, traversing through countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, the Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Nigeria. She made the decision to avoid the Democratic Republic of Congo due to ongoing conflicts and safety concerns, as well as the poor condition of the roads. Ms Joy found Kenya to be an ideal starting point, praising the warmth and friendliness of its people. The chaotic roads of Kampala, Uganda's capital, presented her with several challenges. However, after overcoming these obstacles, she rode to Rwanda, where she was pleasantly surprised by the smooth border crossing. In contrast to her experiences in other countries, where she faced additional costs and lengthy delays, Rwanda stood out as one of the few nations on the continent that offered visa-free travel for all Africans. It was also a motorcyclist's paradise, with its mountainous terrain providing the perfect opportunity for her to practice leaning while riding. This was an experience she truly cherished. Tanzania offered Ms Joy one of the most memorable meals of her journey. After hours of riding without encountering anyone, she stumbled upon a village nestled in the heart of a forest. The local women at a small eatery welcomed her and served a delicious meal of soup, roasted chicken, and fluffy white rice. 'They were fascinated by a girl on a motorcycle and interested in my bad Swahili,' she recalled with a smile. 'The conversation was so sweet, it just felt good to eat and to see people. ' Along her journey, Ms Joy encountered numerous sites of cultural significance and natural beauty. She was particularly captivated by the majestic Victoria Falls, located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. 'It felt great! I'd heard about Victoria Falls forever - for heaven's sake, it's one of the seven natural wonders in our own universe,' she exclaimed. 'On days I rode, I did at least 300 kilometers.