Tour d’Afrique bike race in Ethiopia – one third of the trip done
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – As riders of this year’s Tour d’Afrique approach the second major city of their trip, Addis Ababa, it is time to reflect on the completion of yet another section in the world’s
longest timed bicycle race.
The second section of this journey is called the Gorge and is seen by many past riders as probably the toughest part of the 12000km journey.
Departing from Khartoum, riders had eight days of riding, without any rest days, which included some of the worst unpaved roads they will come across on the entire trip, a border crossing, temperatures
averaging in the high fourties, the biggest climbs of the trip and riding at altitude.
Despite the extreme conditions and intensity of this stretch, or maybe because of it, this is also one of the most rewarding sections. It was a treat to travel on the back roads of Sudan and see places not many other tourists have seen before. For many riders the highlight has been the breathtaking views and interaction with the ancient and unique culture of Ethiopia.
For many the transition from Muslim Africa to the more tribal nature of Ethiopia has already given them the ride of a lifetime and they’re eagerly anticipating the next three months.
Participants have now been on the road for a little more than a month and have completed more than a quarter of the total distance between Cairo and Cape Town. As they approach Addis Ababa another chapter in their journey is coming to an end and a new one is dawning with Kenya approaching rapidly. Some days have been easier and some have been
incredibly hard but one thing is sure, all of them have been memorable.
Said Steve Smith:
The deserts were interesting but there’s just so much of it and I’m glad to have some different scenery now. In Sudan we would be riding for hours and hours without seeing anyone and suddenly someone appears out of nowhere, just going about their daily business. Generally the Sudanese people were really friendly and experiencing the Sudanese wildlife – like caravans of camels just passing by while riding – was fascinating.
Cycling through Ethiopia has been great. The landscape is fantastic thus far. I really enjoy cycling through the villages where there is less stone throwing with adults around and you get to see their way of
life with their little industries next to the road. It has been enlightening.
Said Alan Emerton:
It has been extremely hot since we left Egypt but I told myself at the beginning of the trip that I will never complain about the heat again, because it was so cold.
I loved Sudan, the people were so friendly and their honesty was exceptional. They would leave us at a restaurant without having paid our bill to go to prayer and return 15 minutes later with nothing but
trust that we will still be there to pay up. The flatness of the landscape did get to me after a while though.
I’ve enjoyed the Ethiopian landscape with its exceptional variety since we’ve been here. There are so many people next to the road and you have to stay friendly to prevent the kids from throwing stones at you and that gets a bit tiresome sometimes, but despite that I like the people and I love that I get to see what they get up to in their
daily lives.
For more information, visit www.tourdafrique.com
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