\n

Tour d'Afrique Ltd. | Global Bicycle Expeditions, Races and Tours

  • Icon_social_newsletter_on
    Newsletter
  • Icon_social_rss_on
    RSS Feed
  • Icon_social_twitter_on
    Twitter
  • Icon_social_facebook_on
    Facebook
  • Icon_social_youtube_on
    YouTube

Blog | Tour d'Afrique Blog Icon_16x16_light_rss RSS

Welcome to Cape Town, TDA!

404
L-R Tim Gane (3rd) Bruce McPhail (2nd)  Allan Benn (1st), Executive Mayor:Grant Haskin, Taryn Laurie (1st) Shanny Hill (Tour Director) Paul McManus (Race Director)

After four months of cycling across Africa, riders of the 2009 Tour d'Afrique Bicycle Race & Expedition crossed the official Finish Line at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on Saturday, 9th May.

51 intrepid cyclists representing 11 countries crossed the official Finish Line to the applause of hundreds of supporters.

“The sense of achievement felt by each and every participant cycling those last few meters of the 12,000-kilometre event is beyond words.” said Henry Gold, Founder of the world’s most gruelling bicycle event. “It is one of those rare moments in life when everything seems to be crystal clear, when you feel secure about yourself, your life path, your place in the world and when you say to yourself “After this, I can do anything”.”

In the men’s race, South African riders Allan Benn, Bruce McPhail and Tim Gane took the honours in 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively, while Taryn Laurie, also from South Africa, won the women’s race.

The annual trans-continental bicycle race-expedition which travels from Cairo to Cape Town through ten African countries was officially welcomed by the acting Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Mr. Grant Haskin, who presented the riders with their medals.

“It has been an amazing journey and we are very proud of the cyclists and their accomplishments on this tour.” said Tour Director, Shanny Hill. “We’re honoured that the Mayor was able to be part of our celebrations and that so many people came to welcome us.”

“What an incredible adventure,” said Ethan Gelber, Lonely Planet author and one of two Lonely Planet relay team riders to complete the final section from Namibia to Cape Town. “Although I was only present for 1700 kilometres, I am proud to have carried across the Finish Line the powerful impressions and well wishes of all 16 Lonely Planet participants, all wishing they could have tackled more than they did.”

While Tour d’Afrique is first and foremost an endurance event for professional and amateur cyclists alike, its mandate is to assist desperately ill people in some of the poorest nations in the world receive better health care while simultaneously proliferating the bicycle as a viable means of transportation.

“Over the past five years, together with BEN and other partners, the Tour d’Afrique Foundation has donated and distributed over 1000 bicycles to HIV/Aids Health Care Workers through Africa,” said Gold, “but preserving the environment and combating global warming by cycling, walking and using public transport as often as possible is the message we hope to convey.”

“Cities all over the world realise that a rational approach towards sustainable transportation is essential for the future of the planet and the health of its people.” Said the acting Mayor, Mr Haskin. “We are working closely with BEN and the Non-Motorized Transportation Committee to turn Cape Town into a cycle friendly city and in the process, secure a more sustainable and healthy home for us all in the Western Cape.”

Congratulations to all the riders and staff on an incredible accomplishment

Posted May 10, 2009 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
South Africa | Tour Updates 		Btn_share_twitter Btn_share_facebook


I Remember

I remember a night in the Dida Gagalu desert of Northern Kenya when a rider who had done the tour before told us not to worry; the southern section is much easier. He was wrong. Again in Zambia similar words were spoken, "Don't worry, once we pass this part its all gravy. The Namibian dirt roads are better than tarmac and South Africa is just an extended cruise." Let me set the record straight, those enlightened souls were wrong... dead wrong. No part of this tour is easy, no section is a cakewalk, no country is a walk in the park.
Today was our last full day of riding in South Africa, and once again riders were challenged. Massive headwinds (fittingly enough, not unlike the ones we experienced leaving Cairo) were thrown at us from Poseidon's domain as we struggled up hills that didn't seem to want to end. Upon cresting them, we were still compelled to pedal down the other side. I rode with Nick Marr today and as we tried to tuck down one of the few and far between descents he registered a paltry 29.6kph on his speedometer. It was a frustrating day. The best part of it though was to be had as we reached the top of a large climb and were greeted with a stunning view of distant Eyrserfontain, sweeping African brush land, and there in the distance, almost completely shrouded in mist was Table Mountain. We both pumped our arms like schoolboys at the sight. Speaking of acting like schoolboys, several hours earlier we were cycling along, having a chat when Nick let out a yelp not unlike that of a startled 11 year old girl. We had ridden within an inch of a massive snake which had reared up and struck at his leg. Luckily enough it missed and Nick was alright... so we decided to go back and poke it with a stick until we got scared and ran away. It was great.
Tomorrow, we arrive in Cape Town to fanfare, media, minstrels, Consuls General, Executive Mayors, family, friends and onlookers. At the waterfront the Td'A 2009 riders will finish this journey and return to their lives. While I am glad to be ending this trek and be returning home to my family and friends I can say with certainty that a very large part of me wants to stay in Africa with this group of people that I have come to know intimately. We have struggled through rough roads, scorching days, maniac truck drivers (not Indaba drivers though who are wonderful), water rationing, bottle showers, bush camps, sand pits and stone throwing children. We have shared in the majesty of the Sahara Desert, the Nubian Desert, the Dida Gagalu desert, the Kalahari Desert, watched elephants bathe, watched Ethiopian women carry bundles of firewood twice their size up massive slopes, cheered as our occasionally stuck trucks lumber their way back onto the road, drank beers at a mountain top hotel as arriving riders were greeted one by one as they arrived. We have seen the best of people and the worst of people and through it all we remain united, solid and unyielding. We are the Td'A 2009 and no matter what may come of us in the future no one can take away that fact that for four months we struggled and smiled through one of the greatest adventures on the face of this planet.

Posted May 08, 2009 by Erik Dobrovolsky
South Africa | Tour Updates 		Btn_share_twitter Btn_share_facebook


Tour d'Afrique 2009 Finish Line - Cape Town

300

On Saturday 9th May between 13:30 and 14:00, the Tour d'Afrique 2009 riders will officially cross the final finish line in Cape Town at the Victoria & Albert Waterfront.

Cape Town's acting Executive Mayor, Cllr. Grant Haskin, an avid cyclist himself, will be cycling the last 25 kms with the riders and will present them with their medals at the Amphitheatre at approximately 14:30. Capetonians are invited to come down to the Waterfront to the Amphitheatre to welcome them in. For family and close friends who are able to be there to welcome them in, join us for refreshments from 11:30 am at the Tour d'Afrique Hospitaltiy tent on Market Square (see map) after which we'll give them the right, royal African welcome they deserve at the Amphitheatre!
Contact theresa@tourdafrique.com for your VIP pass.


Posted May 08, 2009 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
News Briefs | South Africa | Tour Updates 		Btn_share_twitter Btn_share_facebook


Into the Western Cape

402

Today the Td'A riders crossed from the Northern Cape into the Western Cape of South Africa. We're within 300km of Cape Town now, exciting times. The days are still tough though and the cold, dark mornings are a far cry from the oppressive heat we have experienced in the AM through much of Africa. This morning's ride involved repeated climbs and descents through mist filled valleys. It was incredible to climb to the top of the hill and look at the ocean of fog below and around you. The terrain is arid, rocky and scrubby but the beauty and wonder of looking over miles of empty South African space is something to behold. 

We have camped in the small, borderline picturesque town of Vanrhynsdorp. Here riders will once again assemble their tents, dry their sweat soaked jerseys and chat the evening away over another delicious meal cooked by James... some may even saunter over to the bar for a few beers. I think that these simple routines will be sorely missed when we all return to our regular lives.

Posted May 07, 2009 by Erik Dobrovolsky
South Africa | Tour Updates 		Btn_share_twitter Btn_share_facebook


The Last Country

396

528 kilometers.  Three dinners.  Two more big food shops.  Four more rider meetings.  The counting down has officially begun.  We crossed into South Africa on May 3rd, our quickest and easiest border crossing yet.  Climbing up from the Orange River into the rocky hills of Namaqualand the landscape didn’t seem too different from the previous day but the mood of the riders and staff has begun to change.  Our new route in Namibia was as beautiful as it was difficult and pushed many of our riders to their physical and emotional limits.  The mood in camp heading towards our rest day at Felix Unite was somber.  The bars as Sesriem and Betta were empty by 8pm, a sure sign that the riders were tired and a bit fed up.  But in Felix Unite Camp at the Namib/South Africa Border attitudes began to shift.  The end was near, one country left to cross and six days to do it in.      

Tonight the bar in Garies, although a kilometer away, was filled with sanguine riders laughing and reminiscing… the celebration has begun.  The roads, save just one 70 km stretch of dirt, are paved and the days are sunny and cool. Today riders caught their first glimpse of the Atlantic.  In two days we will turn south west and head towards the coast.  After a couple of days of fish braiis, short, easy rides and hopefully a good bit of fun and cheer we will convoy in to Cape Town to see friends and family waiting at the penultimate finish line. 


Posted May 06, 2009 by Erik Dobrovolsky
South Africa | Tour Updates 		Btn_share_twitter Btn_share_facebook


Another Border Bites the Dust

394

We’re in the home stretch. Today we crossed the Orange River and entered our final country, South Africa. Our “seffer” riders were elated to be back on native soil and seemed quite keen to have all of us newbies take in as much of their country as possible. The border crossing was a relatively uneventful bit of bureaucracy, except for one rider who forgot to get an entry stamp for Namibia and had technically been cycling there illegally. No biggie, we all got in.

 

Today also saw the Battle of the Nations Part Two: The Reckoning”. Last time we ran a time trial with a few creative challenges, this time it was more of a scavenger hunt with riders being tasked with finding items like birds feathers and high content alcohol. They were also tasked with getting pictures of themselves kissing SA police, riding naked and other general tomfoolery. The final results aren’t in yet but it seems Team UK, desperate to make up for a dismal showing at the Time Trial are in the lead.  

In 5 days we will arrive in Cape Town. Everyone is excited but also saddened that our adventure is coming to a close. That being said, there is still a lot of riding to be done before we cross that finish line.


Posted May 05, 2009 by Erik Dobrovolsky
South Africa | Tour Updates 		Btn_share_twitter Btn_share_facebook


Tour d’Afrique presents “the Naked Mile”

392

Today things got weird. Rumours have been floating around for a while that some years ago one of the tour groups decided to strip down and ride their bikes naked for a mile. For any normal group of people this idea would seem to be ludicrous… but we are a band of individuals who have decided riding bikes from Cairo to Cape Town sounds like a grand vacation. Therefore, upon hearing that such an ad hoc celebration of the flesh had occurred on years prior an adventurous group of our cyclists  (myself included) decided to take it upon themselves to “gear down and go for it”.  

            After a grueling 90km uphill slog to lunch roughly 15 riders finished their lunch, did a quick gut-check and removed their shirts and shorts. 3 months and 3 weeks of living with one another has given our more adventurous riders the testicular (or ovular for that matter) wherewithal and fortitude to bare all in front of one another. It was a gritty, greasy mile of riding for those involved but having completed one of the ultimate challenges of the tour all involved are quite happy they decided to go for it.


Posted May 05, 2009 by Erik Dobrovolsky
Namibia | Tour Updates 		Btn_share_twitter Btn_share_facebook


Interview with Allan Benn

390

Erik Dobrovolsky: Where are you from?

Allan Benn: I am originally from Cape Town in South Africa, but I’ve spent the last 10 years in the UK so going back to Cape Town is a bit of a homecoming trip for me.

ED: How did you first hear about the Tour d’Afrique

AB: About 6 years ago at the London Triathlon I was in the line for registration and I was just chatting to a Canadian fellow who had just done, or was just about to do this same trip, and immediately then I thought “this is great, I want to do something like this…one day.” It just happens that now’s the time to do it, the day has come.

ED: Has the tour differed from your expectation?

AB: Yeah, immensely. Mainly in that I really had no idea what to expect. I just don’t think I could have appreciated how tough it would be, how long the days would be, the diversity of terrain that it would be over and all the other challenges besides cycling. Challenges like staying healthy, drinking and eating enough along the trip, putting the tent up, taking it down every day, technical bike maintenance and the countries that we’ve been through so far are all completely new to me. I only know South Africa and Namibia so everything really is new and beyond my expectations.

ED: How are you finding the race?

AB: The race is great fun, no doubt about that. Very, very tough though. I didn’t actually plan to race in the beginning, but I thought, “let’s join and see how it goes”. As it turns out it’s gone very well and half way through it I find myself in the lead and very enthusiastic about continuing the race now.

ED: How did you prepare for the tour?

AB: Didn’t prepare much in the way of cycle training; I’ve got a good base fitness from Taekwondo and competitive running. Most of the preparation really was in selecting and getting the bike right.

ED: What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of the tour?

AB: Ah yes, the off-road sections. I’m not on a mountain bike, I’ve got no suspension and I really have been hammered. It’s like taking a beating everyday on the corrugations, the rocks, the sand and it’s actually been a huge learning curve just to try and learn how to ride off-road. It’s completely new to me.

ED: What is your favorite aspect of the tour?

AB: I think just cycling along, being so excited to be in Africa spending four months just enjoying the sights, the smells, the feelings and just being part of Africa. Everyday you get to chat to locals just about life, about their kids, my son, how our lives are similar, how our lives are different. It’s really a nice way of getting close and intimate to the places you are traveling though.

ED: What has been your favorite country so far and why?

AB: Um… Malawi and Tanzania stand out. Very friendly people, very hospitable. Um, I think if I had to pick one it would have to be Malawi because of the lake. Chattimba Beach for me has been the best place ever.  Beach volleyball, a bar and restaurant on the beach, swimming, uh… that’s it, that’s the place to be.

ED: Is there anything else you would like to add?

AB: The food, I eat huge amounts. I eat a huge bowl of porridge in the morning, I gorge myself with sandwiches at lunchtime, and then again having consumed seconds or even possibly thirds at dinner I wobble back to my tent and collapse on my thermarest to sleep. I’m just amazed that it’s possible to eat this amount yet I’m actually losing weight throughout the tour… there’s just so much cycling to do.

Another thing I’ve really liked is the just the group of people, it’s been so positive, there’s been so much encouragement, there’s been so much camaraderie… so much support from everybody, it really is a wonderful group of people here. 

Posted May 04, 2009 by Erik Dobrovolsky
News Briefs | Tour Updates 		Btn_share_twitter Btn_share_facebook


Namibian Reflections

386

Namibia presents the Td’A riders with a problem. After the long, flat, brush filled stretches of Botswana gave us time to contemplate going home, even look forward to it, Namibia’s ever changing landscape reminds us of how much there is of Africa that we haven’t seen, and how much remains to be explored.

 

We’re at the point where 110km in a day seems a short day- a day where we have more than enough energy & enthusiasm to go and check out the highlight of today’s campsite- The Fish River Canyon. It’s the second largest canyon in the world, and it is gorgeous.

 

Some riders have just returned from the coast, equally impressed with their vacation from a vacation.

 

That is also the beauty of the end. More people realize that this doesn’t have to be an adrenaline charged nightmare where we begin to resent our bikes (though riding through thick and thin is definitely a pleasure for some). Some are wandering off for little bits to enjoy the tranquility of Africa, or to have some crazy adventure that they can keep to themselves, without sixty eyes on them.

 

The best is that we have come into our own. Everyone’s personality is fully shining through for better or worse. Because we have spent so much time with the brutal honesty of each other, there is now a sort of liberation to make this trip what you want, with no concern for the judgment of others, if you ride slowly, alone, or even run away for a few days.

 

We’re near the end, we’re in possibly the most beautiful country we’ve seen so far, and with that comes a feeling of bliss and being in the moment. Hopefully those moments slow down a bit for the next and final week.


Posted May 01, 2009 by Erin Lempriere
Namibia | Tour Updates 		Btn_share_twitter Btn_share_facebook