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

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Tour d’Afrique 2008 is finished. From a brief conversation with founder Henry Gold amid the chaos and excitement at the celebratory dinner in Cape Town, he reports that everyone was glad to be finished and a bit of rain at the end couldn’t spoil the celebration of relieved cyclists and their families. Everyone is happy and healthy with four months of memories now to sort through. On the competitive side of things, Canadian Deb Corbeil takes the women’s title in a time of 469 hours, 31 minutes ahead of Dutch rider Joya van Hout while Jos Kaal of Holland leap-frogged Austrian rider Bernd Prorok in the standing to claim the Tour victory in the men’s category.

The race rules worked in Jos’ favour as the removal of the grace days meant that his five worst times were omitted and it made up the difference (and then some) to make him the second Dutchman in a row to become Champion of the Tour d’Afrique. Full standings can be found on the Results page of the Tour d’Afrique website.

Tour d'Afrique 2008 is finished. From a brief conversation with founder Henry Gold amid the chaos and excitement at the celebratory dinner in Cape Town, he reports that everyone was glad to be finished and a bit of rain at the end couldn't spoil the celebration of relieved cyclists and their families. Everyone is happy and healthy with four months of memories now to sort through. On the competitive side of things, Canadian Deb Corbeil takes the women's title in a time of 469 hours, 31 minutes ahead of Dutch rider Joya van Hout while Jos Kaal of Holland leap-frogged Austrian rider Bernd Prorok in the standing to claim the Tour victory in the men's category. The race rules worked in Jos' favour as the removal of the grace days meant that his five worst times were omitted and it made up the difference (and then some) to make him the second Dutchman in a row to become Champion of the Tour d'Afrique. Full standings can be found on the Results page of the Tour d'Afrique website.

• Your cycling day is obsessed with where your next Coke stop is. –Kristen
• You always put something down on your chair to save it, no matter where you are. –Bonnie
• All your pockets have toilet paper in them. –Erika
• You’re thinking about where in your home you’re going to install a red box. –Harrison
• You only have 1 tent peg left. –Beryl
• You pick up a stray bra and know exactly who it belongs to. –Mel
• You take a hotel room and still pitch a tent in the middle of the room. –Jamie
• Someone offers a chocolate caramel nut PVM bar and you turn it down (because when they first became available, they were a big hit). –Mel
• You do the sniff test to determine your cleanest/dirtiest clothes, which also applies to your eating utensils, drinking utensils, and the pieces of toilet paper in your pocket. –Debbie
• You’re able to wear the same pair of socks 3 days (6 days for others) in a row, no problem. –Cindy
• Your glasses are held together by scotch tape in 2 places, and you’ve run out of duct tape. –Bruno

Things you’ll miss about the TDA experience:

• Eating a lot, all the time, and not thinking twice about it.
• Seeing a new countryside every day, meeting new people, and the simplicity of life. It’s fun to be on the road all the time. I have to go back and find a job and work all the time. You also get to eat a lot because you get a good workout every day and burn it off. –Kristen
• The lack of responsibility. Living moment by moment, not thinking of the past or future, taking things as they come, with no family problems or pressures. –Beryl & Bonnie
• Fanta –Harrison
• Coke. I’ve developed an addiction. (person wants to remain anonymous)
• No phone, no TV, little internet.
• The TDA staff.
• The cycling, everyday, with no other preoccupation than eating, drinking, and sleeping. The company of so many other crazy people, wanting nothing other than this very thing. –Bruno
• The powdered milk. I carry a can of milk with me, just in case I find a tea stop. In fact, I eat powdered milk plain, by the teaspoonful. –Mel (disgusting, Mel!)
• No need for me to shop, groceries or otherwise. I hate shopping. –Beryl
• The truck drivers. They’ve been great.
• Some of the people. You miss some of the people all the time, all of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time. With some people, there’s been an amazing camaraderie. I’ll miss them. –Jamie
• The big pots of brewed coffee. –Cindy
• African sunsets.
• Someone who knows how to change a flat on my bike.
• Duncan
• Duncan’s melodious tones, calling the “rider meeting!”
• Not being married. –Jamie
• Cycling kilometers on end, without restriction. That sense of freedom in cycling, of the open road. How am I going to cycle at home?
• Being in a different place every day. You don’t get bored. If you’re in a crappy camp, it doesn’t matter, because you leave the next day. –Beryl

In some ways we are sick of pitching our tents, sleeping on the ground and sitting on the saddle, but the thought of ending our experience of cycling across the African continent is bittersweet. It is a sweet thought of returning home to creature comforts, old friends and family. The bitterness comes when thinking of leaving a life of having nothing to do but ride a bike. We can’t believe it, but tomorrow, we’re going to arrive in Cape Town! Wow!

• Your cycling day is obsessed with where your next Coke stop is. –Kristen • You always put something down on your chair to save it, no matter where you are. –Bonnie • All your pockets have toilet paper in them. –Erika • You’re thinking about where in your home you’re going to install a red box. –Harrison • You only have 1 tent peg left. –Beryl • You pick up a stray bra and know exactly who it belongs to. –Mel • You take a hotel room and still pitch a tent in the middle of the room. –Jamie • Someone offers a chocolate caramel nut PVM bar and you turn it down (because when they first became available, they were a big hit). –Mel • You do the sniff test to determine your cleanest/dirtiest clothes, which also applies to your eating utensils, drinking utensils, and the pieces of toilet paper in your pocket. –Debbie • You’re able to wear the same pair of socks 3 days (6 days for others) in a row, no problem. –Cindy • Your glasses are held together by scotch tape in 2 places, and you’ve run out of duct tape. –Bruno Things you’ll miss about the TDA experience: • Eating a lot, all the time, and not thinking twice about it. • Seeing a new countryside every day, meeting new people, and the simplicity of life. It’s fun to be on the road all the time. I have to go back and find a job and work all the time. You also get to eat a lot because you get a good workout every day and burn it off. –Kristen • The lack of responsibility. Living moment by moment, not thinking of the past or future, taking things as they come, with no family problems or pressures. –Beryl & Bonnie • Fanta –Harrison • Coke. I’ve developed an addiction. (person wants to remain anonymous ) • No phone, no TV, little internet. • The TDA staff. • The cycling, everyday, with no other preoccupation than eating, drinking, and sleeping. The company of so many other crazy people, wanting nothing other than this very thing. --Bruno • The powdered milk. I carry a can of milk with me, just in case I find a tea stop. In fact, I eat powdered milk plain, by the teaspoonful. –Mel (disgusting, Mel!) • No need for me to shop, groceries or otherwise. I hate shopping. –Beryl • The truck drivers. They’ve been great. • Some of the people. You miss some of the people all the time, all of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time. With some people, there’s been an amazing camaraderie. I’ll miss them. –Jamie • The big pots of brewed coffee. –Cindy • African sunsets. • Someone who knows how to change a flat on my bike. • Duncan • Duncan’s melodious tones, calling the “rider meeting!” • Not being married. –Jamie • Cycling kilometers on end, without restriction. That sense of freedom in cycling, of the open road. How am I going to cycle at home? • Being in a different place every day. You don’t get bored. If you’re in a crappy camp, it doesn’t matter, because you leave the next day. –Beryl In some ways we are sick of pitching our tents, sleeping on the ground and sitting on the saddle, but the thought of ending our experience of cycling across the African continent is bittersweet. It is a sweet thought of returning home to creature comforts, old friends and family. The bitterness comes when thinking of leaving a life of having nothing to do but ride a bike. We can’t believe it, but tomorrow, we’re going to arrive in Cape Town! Wow!