Earlier this year I was on my way to Africa with a vague plan. Each year I pick a different continent to explore and focus on doing things which excite me. My travel usually involves adventure type stuff as I enjoy both physical and mental challenges.
I had about 6 weeks to spend in Africa and I wanted to become certified in SCUBA, climb to the summit of the tallest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro, experience a wildlife safari on the Serengeti and take in the culture of Africa. I was able to enjoy each of those experiences, and a few more adventures, but in a completely different order than I had envisioned.
While in the Switzerland at the Zurich airport I met a wonderful person named Prisca Oluoch as I waited for my connecting flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Prisca is a university professor at Strathmore College in Nairobi who was returning home to Nairobi from a speaking engagement in Spain. We got to talking about her speech and soon
discovered that we had a lot of things in common and while sharing many similar values and perspectives.
Once our flight arrived in Nairobi Prisca had me set up with a taxi and gave me her contact info suggesting she might be available to show me around her city in the coming days.
I got situated in downtown Nairobi and was so excited to be in the heart of Africa for the first time (second time in Africa as I travelled to Morocco a few years ago). It had been a very long day of flights and connections from Canada (about 30 hours) so I was happy to get some rest.
As it turned out Prisca and I were able to reconnect the following day as she agreed to meet me for a meal and then show me around. At some point during our meal we began discussing her passion in cycling and my passion in triathlon. Prisca shared that she loved to ride with friends in a group and that cycling was less common in Africa due to lack of money, bikes, bike shops, mechanics, parts etc…
Prisca explained that she was part of Wheels For Africa Kenya which is a group that is attempting to grow the sport of cycling in Kenya. One of the initiatives Prisca was coordinating is the attainment of bikes from North America and Europe. Prisca was in the midst of a partnership with a bicycle tour company named Tour D’Afrique; a company that provides supported rides across the globe.
It just so happened that Tour D’Afrique had a group of cyclists arrive in Nairobi that day.
Prisca asked if I minded joining her as she needed to meet some people to discuss their initiative; I agreed. As we arrived at the fenced camp I noticed over 90 tents set up on the grounds and several huge trucks out back. It occurred to me that a group of people were actually on this epic 4 month voyage riding 12,000 km’s diagonally across 10 countries of Africa from Cairo, Egypt to Cape Town, South Africa on a bicycle.
While Prisca talked business with some of the people I walked around the camp talking to people about their experience thus far and received heaps of positive feedback. This intrigued me so felt the need to inquire about the possibility of joining.
I met the tour leader and she mentioned that they had room but if I were to join I would need to register with the company back in Canada. She asked whether I had a bike, camping equipment, cycling gear etc… to which I responded, “no; I just arrived in Africa yesterday with no plans to cycle”. She rolled her eyes and I later found out she thought, “Who is this guy, nobody joins a cycling tour on a whim without equipment or any sort of for thought or preparation”.
It occurred to me that if they had space then I needed buy a bike, cycling gear and camping equipment in order to make this happen.
I enquired about whether anyone knew of a bike for sale and it was pointed out that two Canadians, a father and son Paul and Matt were terminating their ride in Nairobi. I talked to them about their experience and whether either of them would be willing to sell their bikes rather than transporting them back to Canada. Matt responded without hesitation, “yes”.
At that moment I knew I was going to join the tour and figure out the rest of the details later on. Within a day I bought Matt’s bike, shoes, and bike computer while Paul gave me his helmet, tent, sleeping bag, and bed role for donation to the charity he and Matt had been riding for.
As the group of 90 riders were leaving south the following day I arranged to join the tour in Arusha, Tanzania as a ‘sectional rider’ on the Massai Steppe portion of the tour D’Afrique. The Massai Steppe section of the tour included eight straight day of riding approximately 120 km’s per day for a total of 1000 km’s from the north of Tanzania (Arusha) across the country to Mbeya, Tanzania near the Malawi border. It was going to take them several days to get from Nairobi to Arusha so I had time to purchase cycling accessories and also attend a wildlife Safari in the Serengeti (which was an amazing experience as well).
Visiting a school in the middle of Tanzania
After my safari adventure, I met up with the tour at the camp in Arusha. My newly purchased bike was in a box, it was pouring rain, and I had to figure a way to get ready for the next 8 days of riding over 1000 km’s. As the Tour D’Afrique is a supported ride they had 2 bike mechanics who were able to set me up on my bike which was very helpful.
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That morning I awoke to hustle and bustle of the riders getting ready for what to them was “just another day on the journey”. To me it was my first day and I was uncertain of what to expect.
Each evening prior to supper the organizers convened a meeting in order to share what was expected the following day. That day we were in for 147 kms. The longest bike ride I had ever completed to that point was 40 km so I had my work cut out for me!
After tearing down the soggy tent and packing all of my wet gear into a wooden locker, I had some breakfast before heading out for the day around 7 am. That morning was the first time I rode my new bike and I quickly discovered Matt’s shoes to be 2 sizes to big; thus it took me about 2 km’s to figure out how to clip in to the pedals. What had I gotten myself into?
The challenges of the journey were many. The heat of the day was scorching, the mileage was grueling, it poured at least once a day therefore some of my stuff never dried out and was smelly, while cleanliness was a constant challenge. For instance, I only had one shower over the eight days therefore bathed in filthy rivers and out of buckets of water purchased from the locals. I have never had so much physical activity without showering. All 90 of us were in the same boat so nobody was too concerned about body odor.
What a sendoff!
For me the toughest challenge was the grueling miles day, after day, after day on primarily dirt roads. The exhaustion of never feeling rested and the legs never getting a chance to recuperate was relentless, thus the physical challenge became mentally draining.
On the positive side, making friends with the other riders, the many ‘coke stops’, seeing the smiling faces of the locals, and visits to the schools & communities are things that will be etched in my memory for life.
The reality was that cycling through rural Africa was quiet and peaceful. I remember stopping on many occasions to look around and take in the scenery and serenity of the countryside. I couldn’t believe that I was in Africa having that experience. It seemed surreal.
As it turned out, joining the Tour d’Afrique on a whim was one of the most positive experiences I’ve ever had. I learned how to persevere through the most grueling physical challenge I have ever experienced.
Having a vague travel plan and a chance meeting with Prisca worked out well for me.
You never know what opportunity, positive experience or learning moment is within your grasp/potential. Some of my best travel adventures have been those with the least amount of planing.
Is there an adventure out there waiting for you?
I think you already know the answer.
Make it Happen!
Dan
PS: Thank you so much Prisca
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