Tour d'Afrique

2009 Rider Profiles

Rider Types

Staff

Erik Dobrovolsky

Canada

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Hello all.

My name is Erik Dobrovolsky and I will be serving as your Communications Officer for the 2009 Tour d'Afrique. I have recently completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto and have worked with the World Wildlife Fund in Nepal and in the Office of Corporate Strategy at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The opportunity to go to Africa feels like a dream come true for me and I am excited to be afforded the privilege of chronicling our expedition through this vibrant, enigmatic continent.

Can't wait to meet you in Cairo!

Shanny Hill

Canada

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Mark Knight

Britain

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Hey all, I'm Mark, Ill be wrenching your bikes throughout the tour.

I have a strong cycling background as a road racer in my younger years more recently my main discipline is mountain biking both cross country and downhill in Whistler, British Columbia where I have been lucky enough to live the last 8 years of my life.

I have many outdoor interests, but cycling has always been my strongest and most loved sport so the chance to travel Africa living and working around the Tour is an opportunity that could not be missed.

January cannot come fast enough for me at the moment, I look forward to riding with you all from Egypt.

Erin Lempriere

New Zealand

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Kia Ora Co-tour enthusiasts...

It's a pleasure to share the first, of many words, with you all! Excitement has steadily engulfed my daily dreams... for the thousands of exploring km's ahead - I will be tending to and mending all your individual health needs. I am currently visiting home, taking a break, from two years of travel.

Like all of you, I have history to talk but there's plenty of time for this to unravel. So a couple of prep pointers I will throw...

Become a thiamine machine: Get stuck into the complex B vitamins, particularly B1(thiamine); before you take your wings = turn the mosquito's away from our blood they like to stream. Vaccinations are key. hardening the bum tissue, and good foot care is time spent wisely for thee. For your allergies: please be individually prepared.

Fear not & remember courage is a remedy shared. For any intolerances: leave them behind... Be openly aware of the exceptional nirvana you may find.

Wishing all safe travels to Cairo-

Ciao Amigos

Your Kiwi medic

Miles MacDonald

Canada

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James McKerricher

Canada

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I feel very fortunate to have the privilege of managing the food for TDA in Africa this year. This will be my first time to the continent, and I am looking forward to all of the challenges and rewards associated with such an adventure.

I have worked as a guide in the adventure tourism industry for 6 summers now, primarily as a sea kayak guide. In the Winter I have worked as a cook in a variety of restaurants. I’m ready to combine my passion for food, with my love of the outdoors on this amazing journey.

Paul McManus

doodlemac.blogspot.com/
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United States

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”I chose Africa because it seems more than ever to be suited to a quest for human fundamentals. It is a continent where life and emotions are cut down to the barest essentials, where illusions of race, politics and history are being ripped apart at a breathless, almost tragic pace. “

David Ewing Duncan, From Cape To Cairo

I’m very excited to be joining the TDA staff this year to support the journey from Cairo to Cape Town. This will be my second visit to the continent. I lived and worked in Zambia as a US Peace Corps Volunteer from 2000 – 2004. When I am not riding or racing my bike I run a kitchen and bath remodeling company called McManus Renovation Inc. I have been riding and racing road and mountain bikes for more than 15 years now. I’ve raced in endurance events across Costa Rica and all over the USA. In 2007 I had the huge privilege of being a crew member of Team Type 1’s attempt to win the Race Across America (RAAM). The team not only won the 8 man category but also set a new course record! Supporting a group of racers across the country was very rewarding and and I look forward to taking that experience to the next level with the TDA. See you in Cairo!

Randy Pielsticker

Canada

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What do they say about too much of a good thing? This will be my fifth time to be involved with the Tour d’Afrique. I’ll be coordinating the first half of the tour. I love northern Africa. It is truly wild! There’s few places that you have more incredible skies than the Saharan, Nubian and Dida Galgalu deserts. I’m really looking forward to exploring the new route through Ethiopia, I miss the triple-decker fruit juices. The hill climbing stages through the Simian’s are some of my favorites. The only thing that disappoints me is that I’ll miss out on the muds of Tanzania. Most people think that doing the tour again will be the same. Not true. It’s the people that make trip interesting, the weather is never the same and you can never expect the unexpected.

Alexandra Shanny

Australia

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My name is Alex I am one of the 2 Medics that will be accompanying you all on the 2009 Tour d Afrique. I am Australian but recently moved to Canada. I have been a Paramedic in Australia for 4 years and also qualified in Canada. I have been riding a bike for as long as I can remember, cross country, road riding and downhill, over the years I have raced in cross country and triathlons, I consider myself a jack of all trades master of none, I enjoy a wide range of sports from mountaineering and rock climbing to riding and white water kayaking.

I am very excited about the opportunity to work and ride with you all through Africa this is going to be amazing and I can’t wait to get started.

We will have 4 months to get to know each other so I won’t give to much away now. See you in January.

Sharita van der Merwe

South Africa

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Hi, Sharita here and I will be joining you as the Tour Director Assistant.
I’m proudly South African and as most of you know, Africa is a continent with a character of it’s own. Here people can turn nothing into something and something into nothing and still survive.
I would like to bring SUPPORT, FUN and COMMITMENT to the 2009 tour.

(If possible an air conditioner too)

I’ve been part of the Warriors Programme for 3 years which in short is a combination of Adventure, Life Skills, Personal Growth and Direction.

I have also done a solo cycle tour around Southern Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania. I learned one thing from cycling in Africa and that is that it isn’t a playground but rather a rough and rugged mental challenge.

Looking forward to many moons under the African skies!

For the adventure of being alive!

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