Adventure News: Tour d’Afrique Cyclists Approach Infamous Terrain of Northern Kenya

Adventure News: Tour d’Afrique Cyclists Approach Infamous Terrain of Northern Kenya - Ndorfin, South Africa

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Wednesday, 03 March 2010
Tour d’Afrique Cyclists Approach Infamous Terrain of Northern Kenya

Tour d'Afrique Riders Take a Break in Ethiopia (Photo: Gerald Coniel)

Riders Reach Fourth Country of Ten on Quest to Cycle Africa Top to Bottom

March 2 – (Moyale, Kenya) A group of more than 60 determined individuals are about to face one of their greatest challenges yet on their quest to travel from Cairo to Cape Town on the seat of a bicycle - the infamous lava rock desert stretch in northern Kenya. Since their journey began in January, the group has pedaled their way past Egypt’s ancient monuments, battled the heat of Sudan’s desert landscapes and pushed legs to their limits over the breathtaking mountainous terrain of Ethiopia. Now, with three countries behind them and Kenya in their sights, the Tour d’Afrique cyclists are about to trade their skinny tires in for the fattest, toughest wheels they can find.

Tour d’Afrique’s cycling route through northern Kenya consists of a hot, unpaved lava rock desert that redefines rugged terrain. If they make it through this incredible challenge of both body and bike, they’ll be rewarded with a paved highway and an ascent around majestic Mount Kenya. This section of their journey has some of the most diverse changes in scenery and riding conditions: desert, mountains and savannah. Completing it is an impressive accomplishment for any cyclist. South African rider Simon Francis is looking forward to what that lies ahead. “Ethiopia is stunningly beautiful. Sure there are times when everyone is really tired and suffering and your patience begins to wear thin, but it’s an amazing place. I see northern Kenya as a big black cloud of the unknown, but I’m keen to do it. After surviving Dinder National Park in Sudan, I think I can make it through anything.”

Tour d’Afrique is the world’s longest bicycle event, attracting a record number of entrants for 2010, including seven South Africans. Riders from 14 countries are testing their limits in this annual four-month, 12-thousand kilometre race and expedition from Cairo to Capetown.

On their journey through ten African countries (Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa), the riders travel past ancient temples, through game reserves teeming with wildlife, across deserts and the foothills of legendary Mount Kilimanjaro, alongside the rugged and biblical landscape of Ethiopia’s Simian Mountains and through Botswana and Namibia’s most magnificent wilderness areas. The journey takes approximately 120 days of which 96 are cycling days, averaging 125 km each day.

To follow the tour visit: www.tourdafrique.com

Now in its eighth year, the original Tour d’Afrique holds the Guiness World Record for the fastest human powered crossing of Africa. Tour d’Afrique Ltd. is a Toronto, Canada based company named for its flagship cycling tour.