On Sunday 15 May cyclists set their bicycles down for the last time in sheer exhaustion mixed with relief and laugher after being on the road for four months and completing nearly 12 000 kilometers by bicycle across the African continent. The third annual Tour d'Afrique bicycle expedition commenced on the 15th of January under the watchful eye of the Sphinx in Cairo, Egypt and finished in the beautiful cosmopolitan city of Cape Town at the Mouille Point Light House on 15 May. Despite two broken collar-bones, a hip, some fingers, stitches, scratches, bruises, dehydration, exhaustion and progressive bouts of insanity, more than 40 intrepid adventurers cycled through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa without too much damage to their bicycles and their cycle worn bodies. Thereby proving that Africa should no longer be referred to as the dreaded 'dark continent'. But, that it is time to open up Mama Africa to everyone bold enough to fly into the face of reason and allow themselves to become immersed in her bounty. Cyclists from diverse countries such as the UK, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland and Belgium bravely tackled the route from Cairo to Cape Town that took them across some of the harshest but also some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Africa. But the Tour is far more than just a leisurely cycle. For many it was a daily race against foreign and challenging elements, themselves and of course – each other. The official 2005 race results are: Women: 1. Francziska Morger – Switzerland, 2. Leana Niemand – South Africa, 3. Hannie Bazuin – The Netherlands. Christine Rousseu – Canada (An honorary mention due to her hard-headed persistence and determination) Men: 1. Kim Bremer – Denmark, 2. Maarten van Dalsen – South Africa, 3. Stefan Tobler – Switzerland. Leana Niemand from Cape Town has also set a record by becoming the first ever woman on tour to receive EFI status. This means that with her whispery thin body and sheer determination she managed to cycle every single inch of the road from Cairo to Cape Town without missing a single day, hour or stretch of the road despite injury and exhaustion. But, to single out any one rider is unfair as everyone on this journey, brave or insane enough, to suffer through the unpredictable weather, roads and constant physical ailments that plagued them is a hero and many shattered their own mental and physical barriers. The mundane daily stresses dissolve into oblivion after completing a feat of such intensity and it is with a much bolder step that we hurl ourselves into the next phase of our lives – whatever that may be. But the tour also aims at promoting the bicycle as an alternative, healthy mode of transportation that brings man closer to the workings of his natural body and in return promotes a sustainable environment. In collaboration between the Tour d'Afrique, the Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN), the ITDP and Engen, bicycles were distributed to health care workers all along the route of the tour. Engen is displaying a real interest in uplifting African communities and has largely sponsored the tour's communication team, Theresa Brown and Astrid Stark. Astrid and Theresa staged and documented the hand over of bicycles to HIV/Aids health care workers in various East African countries. It was with great pleasure that we were witness to the joy of these health care workers as they received their bicycles. Whilst we are gallivanting all over their continent seeking pleasure and adventure they use the humble bicycle to ease their daily struggle. It is therefore that we have to say Asante Sana to the grandfather and founder of the Tour d'Afrique, Henry Gold, for concocting this incredible adventure and thereby freeing our minds and breaking borders. Taking responsibility for a group of 'Friques cycling across one of the most controversial continents is no small feat but one made easier with the help of his henchman, Chief Randy Pielsticker - tour leader, shepherd and eternal optimist, Colin Biggins – race director and bicycle addict and of course Shanny back at the office in Toronto scratching his head at our crazy ideas and keeping this little spaceship afloat. And our darling nurse Eddie for getting the lunch rations down to a fine art whilst listening to our gripes and inspecting saddle sores, gaping wounds and dishing out copious amounts of drugs. The African Routes staff mastered the art of patience by spending days digging Sweetness out of the mud and hunting for water in barren countries. We almost always had enough to eat and water to drink. Without getting the basics sorted this adventure would become a logistical nightmare. And so we say goodbye to everyone that took part in the Tour d'Afrique 2005 with no small amount of melancholy and sadness. As much as this is an individual experience it is also one shared with a group of fellow maniacs and no person remains untouched by the enormity of the adventure. We will forever remember the trip of 'Friques with its blacktops, big African skies, sunshine and 'pap'. Kwa heri ya kuonana Goodbye until next time