I had the great pleasure and pain of riding in the inaugural Tour D'Afrique in 2003. It is now an annual event run every year from January 18th to May 17th and having completed the successful 2nd year with 35 riders from around the world, the 2005 tour/race is around the corner and time to get ready. Eight riders from the first year who completed every inch are now in the Guinness Book of Records for fastest human powered crossing of Africa.

This is officially the worlds longest bike tour/race, starting at the base of the Sphinx and great pyramids of Giza/Cairo we ride through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Each country offering us its roads and beauty, good or bad, as well as its ancient cultures. This year, the route was changed to go through Victoria Falls and then down Zambia into Namibia and into South Africa Namibia especially added some incredible scenery to this years adventure as well as 2005.

Totaling about 11,500kms, it is an amazing test for the solo rider, with about 65% paved roads and the rest, well you can guess as they rank from what road, to brutal-you call that a road, to medium brutal, not bad and smooth hard packed. Included are mixtures of sand, gravel, holes and miles of corrugation-often all of them combined. But this is what makes Africa and makes you earn its respect and the incredible things that await you on these roads.

Where else can you experience seeing nomads roaming the desert, huge camel trains that transport you in time, Masai and Somboro warriors and families, Africa's 3 tallest mountains[Kilo, Kenya and Meru], the stunning Ngorngoro Crater, Blue Nile Gorge and Falls, riding along the Nile-both Blue and White-and tasting the freshest of fruits and finishing in one of the worlds most beautiful cities at the base of Table Mountain[Cape Town]
As well as along the way being treated to camel races, local ceremonies, drummers, dancers and singers.

Where else can you be sleeping in/under a million star hotel every night with Africa's rich sunrises and sunsets, beginning and ending every day[well ok there is an occasional treat of a nice hotel].This golden opportunity for professional and hobby photographers to take four months of visually stunning photos, be ready for the unknown, unusual and the wild. I personally have never felt so alive even though often tired and beaten up. The allure of Africa and the hunter/gatherer nature of this trip keeps you going with all your senses alive and well. No accomplishment in my life has tasted sweeter.
 
ABOUT  THE TRIP

It is a race as well as a tour and can be ridden either way depending on what you want and caters to both types of rider. The ride is set up in 8-2 week stages so if have no desire for the whole thing you can join us at any time at the beginning of one of these stages and ride as much as you want. As well we are highly promoting the teams concept to get 8 riders each to do a leg or 2 to see who fastest team  is and who can raise the most money for an African charity of their choice or just a group of workers or friends who want to do it for the fun of it. We had people ranging from 20 to 65 both years, most of them solo. Its all about pacing yourself to what you want. The true challenge is for the solo rider who takes on every inch. For the racer the daily stages are timed.

If you want to stop and have tea with the locals, stop in a school and play with the children, stop for a local dish or often even get invited into someone's home for them to share some humble offerings, local markets etc or just push the limits and ride hard and race through some incredible terrain. But carry a digital camera as there is a lot of memories to capture in 4 months. The ride is fully supported with 2 overland trucks to carry all your gear, water, spare parts etc., a bike mechanic, medical staff, and all your food and cooking. Also there is security included in many countries but is never needed as the route is through very friendly countries. We were welcomed warmly every where we went. All politics at borders has been arranged for smooth crossings and often welcomed by local politicians. There are some roads never allowed to use before by travelers that we have permission to use and that makes the trip even more special.
 
The tour promotes the use of bikes and gave away over 100 bikes to African children along the way. Personal goal of mine is to use the team concept to raise money for local  African charities and give a prize every year to the team or individual who raises the most. These are wonderful people we pass by on our way and our help is always appreciated by these people who you will find will give you something of the almost nothing they have.
 
Tour cost is 8000 American for 4 months, all inclusive. That works out to 500 dollars a week for all your food and accommodation etc.
Contact me for any questions on the trip, training etc
Cheers to the road ahead
--Scotty Robinson--