Tour d'Afrique

2012 Rider Profiles

Rider Types

Staff

Noah Chishanu

Zimbabwe

Noah is in charge of the lunch truck on the trip. He will drive the truck, pick up weary cyclists who can’t carry on from the halfway mark and help to prepare lunch for 50 famished cyclists every day.

“I’ve known about TDA for about five years and always wanted to work for them. It’s my first time north of Malawi and so far it has been very interesting. My experience with the cyclists have been fun, they’re really different from the people I usually worked with. Hopefully when the Tour d’Afrique is finished I can also work on some other tours. I would love to do the Silk Route because I’ve always wanted to see the East. This is an adventure like no other!”

Benjamin Georg

Germany

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The handover ceremony of donated bikes from the Tour d’Afrique Foundation to the Bicycling Empowerment Network Namibia in Windhuk in 2011 changed it all: Instantly I knew I had to be part of this as the next thing to do. I was there researching for my diploma thesis in Human Geography (Bicycles, Women & Rural Development) and was eager to see the world, test myself and get to know more about Africa.

The TDA combines so many of my interests. I’m a sports travel- & Ski-/Snowboard- instructor, hobby bikeracer, sales rep. in outdoor hardware and bicycle touring equipment, have worked as a photojournalist in Germany and the Middle East, bike activist in lively Berlin, pulling my soundsystem around on a bike trailer, traveled & bike toured in Africa, Asia, America etc (Question remains why I didn’t meet the TDA earlier;-)

I’ll be joining the tour in Nairobi in march, being your new Race Director from then on till Cape Town. Looking forward to meeting you folks there! I’m reading the Blog over and over again, can’t wait to become a part of it!

Ciaran Hanrahan-Powers

Canada

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Hello, my name is Ciaran. I’m a 33 year old male from Vancouver BC, I like long walks on the beach and short naps...wait wrong type of profile.

This will be my first time joining the Tour D’Afrique and am eagerly counting down the days till Cairo. I’ve been working and or involved in the bike industry for over half my life. Total bike geek. I’ve never owned a car but the money I have invested in bikes could buy a very nice one. As much as I appreciate my 15 pound road bike, nothing beats the feel of my 1950’s beach cruiser

I’ve been a mechanic for world class cyclists and have taught kindergarten in Bangkok. Surprisingly they have very similar needs and wants. ’ve ridden many thousands kilometres on bike tours and know what it’s like to put on a cold damp chamois in the morning and ride another 100+kms. I just started drinking coffee a few weeks ago, it’s freaking great! I’ve always said if people rode more bikes and read more books the world would be better off.

I look forward to sharing this big adventure with all of you.

Mark Lutz

United States

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Hello Africa! My name is Mark Lutz, and I'll be joining the Tour in
Nairobi as your faithful chef. My three passions are travel, gastronomy, and bicycles, so this job is right up my alley.

I have een working in the culinary field since the tender age of 15, and my experience runs the gamut, from Michelin-quality restaurants to outdoor emergency kitchens. I work in kitchens because I find it thrilling, and I truly love the sweat and pain that goes into creating ood I am proud of.

In between jobs, I have had the opportunity to feed my other hunger, and have travelled to nearly 2 dozen foreign ountries and many places in my own, including a solo, 3 month cycling trip through Southeast Asia. I can't express how excited I am for the our, and can't wait to see you all in Africa.

Justin Ncube

Zimbabwe

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Big man Justin is in charge of the big dinner truck on tour. He will have to deal with some pretty horrid roads on our way south and still make it to camp on time every day to set up camp before the riders arrive.

“I have been looking forward to this trip for a long time. The transit up north was fantastic. It was the first time I experienced such nasty roads but I managed to get through without getting the truck stuck. If it doesn’t rain when we go back the truck shouldn’t get stuck as well, but if it rains when we are in Kenya we might have some difficulty. The secret is same gear up, same gear down. I want to see the whole world and this is just the first step.”

Annelot Ochtman

Holland

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Hi, Im Annelot, I will be one of the medics of the TDA 2012. I will be 27 years old on the 3rd day of the tour and recently graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Amsterdam. During my studies I have done internships in Rwanda, Australia, Curaçao and Suriname.

I love travelling, so keeping you all safe and healthy all the way from Cairo to Capetown is really my dream job. Being from the Netherlands I'm used to having a bike instead of a car and cycling everywhere, and I have travelled the world (Peru, India, Japan, Europe) but I never combined those two before, I am very excited to take both cycling and travelling to a whole new level!

Can't wait to meet you all in Cairo.

Claire Pegler

Australia

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Hey, I'm Claire - I'm one of your tour medics. This will be my third TDA. I started out as a rider just like you (I know exactly how you're going to feel!!!), and also worked on the tour last year. There's something about the African continent that keeps drawing me back for more!

Back in the real world I work as a nurse, my background is mostly in Emergency. I spend most of my spare time outside, mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, power kiting... anything to get a bit of fresh air!

Look forward to meeting you all in Cairo

Douglas Percival

South Africa

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It was only a matter of time before Me, and the Great African Continent were to discover each other.

I was born and bred in South Africa, but spent the last 8 years working in Britain, and spending my holidays bouncing all over the Globe. I seem to have done a large range of odd jobs in my time, everything from Farming, tractor driving, bicycle Mechanics, to most recently taking a Bicycle Tour through the Himalaya's.

Bikes occupy a huge section of my life, and now i shall be Tinkering,and Spannering on your bikes for this trip!

A few years back i dreamt of mixing my Cycling and Travelling Passions, and discovering Africa by bike - and in January it will all happen.

...... The Open Road Awaits!

Catharina Robbertze

South Africa

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When I saw the opportunity to join the Tour d’Afrique as communications officer/photographer it took me about five minutes to decide I want in. This position combines four of my passions, Africa, sport, photography and writing and I am extremely excited to be a part of it all.

I grew up in South Africa and though I love the place I have always had an intense need to explore and experience other parts of the world and have always looked for ways to do this. In my previous travels I’ve harvested grapes in Italy, mountain biked in Switzerland, paraglided in Austria and surfed in the USA so it’s time for a new challenge.

I can’t wait to create memories and explore my home continent with you.

Jon Shepheard

Canada

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I am very excited to be cooking on the Tour D'Afrique this year! I was Chef on the second half of the 2008 TDA and from listening to the awesome stories from the first half I've wanted to go back and do it since. This tour is an experience like no other. I love being on the road, the amazing people I am fortunate enough to spend time with, and the adventures we share. I look forward to meeting you all in January!

Njabulo Sibindi

Zimbabwe

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Njabulo will be driving the Land Cruiser once we get to Sudan. He has years of experience as an overland driver and cook and he will also be helping out in the kitchen to serve us delicious food with a local flavour.

“When I heard about the opportunity to be a part of TDA I grabbed it because I wanted to see more of Africa. I’ve been as far north as Kenya but never beyond that. I can’t wait to explore places I’ve never been to before. Mentally it’s going to get very tough when people are tired and expecting a lot from you but my smile will always be there!”

Sharita van der Merwe

South Africa

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Since I saw the first article on TDA in 2003 I said to myself one day ... At that stage of my life I was due to go to University like all others did but I decided to take the adventurous road. I signed up for a 6 month boot camp and personal development course instead of university and 3 years later I was still in the mountains doing boot camp and all sorts of adventures, living the life I wanted to. During my time there I planned and did a couple of solo tours around South Africa and then that one day came ... I decided to tackle Africa on my own so I got a ticket to Cairo, packed my bike, and I left to cross the continent on my own.

It's now 7 years later and I'm still driving and riding up and down the continent and every time I'm loving it more. There is always something new and different and interesting that's why I keep coming back cause I can't get enough.

Martin Wambua

Kenya

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Hi all, having done the tour before (2011) as the mechanic, I can say that you guys are in for the ride of your life,. Riding through some of the most beautiful landscape, wildlife, and the people Africa has to offer. So come with an open mind and enjoy yourself. Take good care of your bike and it will take you to the finish line.

So welcome all to Africa. KARIBUNI NYOTE (welcome all)

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