Riders gear up for Tour d’Afrique 2010 – 12,000 km from Cairo to Cape Town

Riders from all over the world, including six South Africans, will soon be testing their limits on Tour d’Afrique, the world’s most spectacular annual bicycle event. Traversing the length of Africa from Cairo to Cape Town, the 12 000 km, four-month 2010 expedition promises to be more exciting than ever.

“As Africa develops and changes, each year brings with it new and exciting challenges.” said company founder and environmental activist, Henry Gold, who launched the first Tour d’Afrique eight years ago in 2003.  “We have planned some exciting new route changes in Ethiopia, Malawi and Namibia for the 2010 tour.

On January 16th, with the pyramids behind them and the African continent stretching ahead of them, the Tour d’Afrique 2010 cyclists will collectively push the ‘pause’ button on their ‘normal’ lives to pedal their way through an epic adventure like no other.

“We have riders participating from 15 different countries this year.” said Tour Leader, Shanny Hill.  “They range in age from 18 to 68 and while the majority of them are doing it for the sheer joy and adventure of it, a handful of racers will be giving it all they’ve got competitively. The event attracts riders from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories and reasons for doing it, but what is heartening is how many of the entrants are riding to raise funds and awareness for good causes or charities.”

On their journey through 10 African countries (Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa) the riders travel past ancient temples, through game reserves teeming with wildlife, across deserts and the foothills of legendary Mount Kilimanjaro, alongside the rugged and biblical landscape of Ethiopia’s Simian Mountains and through Botswana and Namibia’s most magnificent wilderness areas.

One of the main goals of the company is to raise awareness of the damage being done to the environment through society’s increasing use of motorized transportation.  Dangerous levels of CO2 in the atmosphere as a result of the use of cars worldwide play large part in the global warming crisis.

“It’s common sense that the world needs to restrain the growth and use of car transportation.” said Gold.  “By proving that it’s possible for ordinary people to cross an entire continent by bicycle, we hope to inspire more people to use bikes instead of cars in their daily lives.”

The journey takes approximately 120 days of which 96 are cycling days, averaging 125 km each day.  Support trucks transport the gear and equipment, and an experienced crew sets up camp each night and prepares four meals a day.

Whether participating as a racer or adventure cyclist, the Tour d’Afrique challenges riders physically and mentally like no other – with rewards of unsurpassed terrain and diversity and an incomparable feeling of accomplishment that few have the opportunity to experience in a lifetime.

For more information, visit www.tourdafrique.com and www.youtube.com/eficlub

Related Stories

• Tour d’ Afrique 2010 gets underway in Egypt
• Tour d’Afrique Bicycle Expedition Company introduces Dream Tours
• Cape Town Tourism unveils dedicated 2010 Cape Town website
• Cape Town Tourism comments on high pricing allegations over 2010
• Cape Town Tourism opens membership to private property owners for 2010 FIFA World Cup

FREE  for 30 days

 Email This  Print This