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Rider Profile: Nicole Winders (Nairobi - Mbeya)




Age: 35

From: Toronto

My name is Nicole.  I am 35 years old from Toronto Canada and I work in marketing. I came to know about TDA last year when I was searching on the internet for a cycling tour in Europe. After reading about the tour I got hooked and there is nothing like the present, so I signed up for the Massai Steppe section.

My body is holding up ok but I have saddle sores and my hands are also hurting because it’s the first time in my life to ride my bike for more than 100km a day. The best thing about my bike is that I haven’t had a flat the whole way from Arusha to Mbeya.

The best thing about the tour is the soup of the day in camp. Also the chapatis and chai in the local restaurants are very tasty.

The best thing about Africa that I will take home with me is the smiles on the children’s faces and the animals. I would like to come back on a safari in the future. This is Nicole signing out saying keep on riding. Safe travels. 

Posted April 17, 2012 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
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From TDA to Tour Divide




For most people, riding the Tour d’Afrique and completing it in one piece is a great accomplishment, and rightfully so... Crossing Africa on a bicycle is no mean feat.

However, where most riders take part in this tour to see Africa and to attempt to experience a little bit of the “real” Africa there are some who enter for the soul reason of cycling. They are serious about their bikes and are always on the lookout for a bigger challenge in terms of cycling achievements. For these guys it is all about the race and being able to say they won one of – if not the – toughest cycling challenges in the world.

This year is no different and after almost three months of racing the standings have been narrowed to two clear front-runners who are still gunning for first place, a dark horse in third place who will pounce whenever one of the two leaders drop their guards and a few others who are hanging in there and vying for a top five or top ten position.



Amongst these racers is Bryce Walsh (the dark horse). He still an EFI rider and has been keeping up with the rest of the racers for almost three months. The time difference between him and the two front runners is ten hours and he admits his chances of winning is extremely small at this stage but that doesn’t mean he’s going to stop racing. Bryce is one of those people who is addicted to pushing himself and he will continue doing so until we roll into Cape Town… the only reason he will chill out a little is to build his strength for his next big challenge, the Tour Divide.

Bryce has done several endurance races in his life but the two he’s taking on this year are special having been on his bucket list for a long time. He had to put his whole life on hold for six months and will only have a couple of months before he needs to line up in the north to follow the continental divide down south.

“I’m planning on going for the win but we’ll see how things pan out. Right now I’ll probably start taking things a little easier to build up my strength and try to gain some much-needed weight. I’ll be racing the Divide on a Lightspeed mountain bike and can’t wait to get back on it, it’s really light and goes over everything, I actually wish I had it for some parts of TDA. Though I’ve done many endurance races before I’ve never done any on a mountain bike but I’m really looking forward to it.”

“The TDA has been a massive challenge because the racing has been so intense every day. The daily distances aren’t that high and this is the first time I’ve taken part in an endurance race where you get timed every day, usually you just have a begin time and an end time and this changes things completely. The racing is much more intense on a day to day level. I thought it would chill out as we approached the end but it’s just getting harder, three days ago we really tried to kill each other on the road.”

“I love it though, I’m addicted to pushing myself. It amplifies everything you experience. I’m planning on going the first two days without any sleep and after that

"I’ll probably have about two hours sleep every night after that. I might have an edge on the other competitors because I’ve done these kinds of things before and know what to expect from my body but it all depends on who shows up on race day. It’s going to be way different that TDA and I can’t wait!”

  -- Catharina Robbertze

Posted April 12, 2012 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
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Rider Profile: Ellen de Boer – Nairobi to Windhoek




From: Amsterdam

Age: 33

Job: Financial Advisor

How did you hear about TdA?

Through a friend who rode it previously.

Why are you doing it?

I love cycling ad wanted to see Africa. I had some time off work and figured this section will be the most beautiful, so here I am.

Favourite PVM flavour?

Yoghurt i-Snack.

Are you an experienced cyclist?

I thought so, because I live in Amsterdam and cycle every day, but I’m definitely a novice on off road. I’ve done some other bike tours in Europe, Ecuador and the USA, but they were all on paved roads.

What takes up too much space in your locker?

Clothes!

What would you bring if you came back?

A head bandana for sun protection. And a book.

What would you have done differently if you had another chance?

Maybe I could have done a bit more training but it’s terrible riding in the winter on icy roads back home.

What has been the highlight of your trip so far?

Going on safari in the Ngorogoro crater. Seeing so many animals up close was wonderful.

Posted April 09, 2012 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
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Rider Profile: Peter Hille (Full Tour)




From: Germany

Age: 32

Where did you hear about the TDA and why did you join?

I googled “cycling Africa” and one of the first hits was the Tour d’Afrique.

Why did you google “cycling Africa”?

Cycle travelling is the best way to get to know people and so I joined the tour!

Why did you choose to go with the Tour d’Afrique and not on your own?

I didn’t dare! If you do it on your own, you need more time and I loved the idea to make it in four months with a support network. As a journalist  I also have the opportunity to do my work while on tour. I work for Duetsche Welle, Germany’s international broadcaster.

So I’m interviewing an interviewer?

Yes, I ask people along the road what they expect from DW’s program in their country , what they like about it and what we can improve. I also contribute to DWs radio programme while on tour. And I have a blog ( blogs.dw.de/cairotocapetown ) as well.

How is it to be a journalist on tour?

The main challenges are internet access and charging & powering the equipment. I was surprised, though, by the mobile networks in Africa! They are existent and surprisingly fast. We have 3G sometimes, mostly in big cities, at least decent GPRS connection on most days on tour. I often charge my equipment on rest days.

Favourite PVM bar?

While editing I often chew a Choc Nut bar.  In the beginning I found them awful, but now I really like them as desert.

What impressed you most on tour so far?

I found it very impressive to be invited to a home in southern Sudan, I was invited by a local woman to her home. It was a really remote area, right  in the middle of nowhere. She told me the newest results from the Africa Cup of Nations! That was a cultural shock for me, I didn’t expect this connectedness of people in such remote areas.

Did she add you on Facebook already?

No, not yet!

  -- Benjamin Georg

Posted April 06, 2012 by Guest Author
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Rider Profile: Kerstin Lehmann - Nairobi to Lilongwe




From: Germany

Age: 32

How did you hear about the TDA and why are you joining the tour?

A friend of mine told me he would join the full tour and immediately I was stoked and so I decided to join as well, within my possible time limits. As a Geographer I’m keen to experience African countries by bike, get to know the people and countries on this scenic route.

Favourite PVM bar?

Choc Cranberry iSnack!

You just won stage 52. Did you think you could win a stage before you came to Africa?

NO! At first I thought I shouldn’t race because I would be so distracted from the country and people around me, but then I joined and immediately got that Stage Winner Plate! I was very happy. I think I was lucky.

Is there something you already miss about home?

CHEESE!

What luxury item would you wish for right now?

My boyfriend, but since I already have him here, I don’t miss anything.

Which question would you ask if you did a rider profile?

“What kind of people actually join this expedition / crazy trip for four months?”

So if I asked you that question, what would you say?

It’s a very mixed group of people, some of whom I had never expected to join this tour! I imagined a group of ultra-trained sports cyclists, geared up and going very fast and being very competitive. But then they are all so different, and still enjoying it every day!

Did you feel welcome as a sectional in such a big group that already travelled together for over three months?

Yes, I might have the advantage of my boyfriend being a full tour rider, but after two days I felt like being here for two months. It’s a very welcoming crowd.

Last words?

People here are so unbelievably friendly along the route, it feels like Tour de France every day!

  -- Benjamin Georg

Posted April 02, 2012 by Guest Author
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Rider Profile: Christian Sailer (Full Tour)




From: Switzerland

Age: 31

Where and when did you hear about TdA?

I heard about the TDA already in 2002. I think I read about it in a bike magazine and ever since I wanted to participate. I was going to college at that time and since then it was my plan to travel through Africa without the comforts of a five star hotel but being close to the locals. As a cyclist, YMCA / swiss boyscout and Geographer I always wanted to travel through Africa, not only on a map but in reality and the TDA gives me the opportunity to combine all this.

Which is your favourite PVM bar?

I don’t eat PVM Bars, only two Bananas a race day. Don’t get me wrong, they are good, but it’s difficult to eat them while racing! Bananas you can eat much faster. I also really want to eat what people eat here when going on a bicycle.

How have your experienced the racing aspect so far?

I thought Raffael Schrof would sooner or later kill me but luckily I’m still number one. I loved the lava rocks of northern Kenya and hammered over them with my Bontrager MTB 29er 2.2 tyres. I loved the 40km downhill after Marsabit! I risked a bit too much there and nearly fell, but I was able to control the bike. It was just my terrain, others were sick and so I was lucky there. Raffael is stronger than I am on uphills. I’ll see in Malawi how that is going to work out since Malawi is quite hilly. But still, Bryce Walsh or anyone of the first 5 riders can still get me and Raffael.

Sportsmanship?

It’s a fight, it’s a race. On the stages we are fighters, counterparts, but afterwards we drink a beer together. But it’s getting tougher further down the road. We don’t have agreements anymore on stopping for lunch. I don’t really like this right now, since we could really start to burn out if we keep on like this. But after all, this is a race.

Did you plan to race the TDA from the beginning?

Yes, it was. I’m just 31 and will have much more time to come back to places I saw that I liked in the future, probably not with a bike but with a 4WD. My goal is to finish the TDA with a top-three placement and EFI. EFI is more important to for me than winning. I try to stay healthy.

What are your top three tips for future racers?

The equipment list on my website is actually very accurate. I found everything in there useful until now. A titanium frame is comfy, steel is also okay, but most important is the selection of tyres you have with you. My choice of three different types works out very well. You can find all the details at www.cipas.ch/tourdafrique

I always put my bike in my tent: Some bikes already got stolen on tour, and as a racer you don’t want this to happen. My tent has a big apsis, which helps.

Watch out for yourself. Eat plenty and healthy, stay hydrated. We often eat local food which is most of the time very good and nutritious.

Racing with diarrhea?

Race pants without bibs is a must! Had that, used them but I’ll spare you the details. I only had to use them once. The saddle is somehow a good thing to keep things inside so bike racing is much better then running when you have diarrhea!


  -- Benjamin Georg

Posted March 31, 2012 by Guest Author
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Rider Profile: Manuel Benitez (Nairobi - Lilongwe)




Home: Cordoba, Spain

Age: 39

Profession: Economist

Section: Nairobi - Mbeya

Where did you hear about TDA?

I found it online a while ago. I was just on Google looking for cycling stuff!

Why did you decide to sign up?

I needed a rest! I wanted a break from work and home, and cycling is like resting for me. When I ride I think of nothing else but me, my bike and the beautiful views. I’ve been cycling since a young age, never too serious, just for fun!

Why are you doing this section?  

2 years ago I visited Tanzania for the first time when I climbed the Kilimanjaro. I came in the dry season then and wanted to see Tanzania in the wet season too. This is my 3rd trip on the bike, first time doing an organized tour though. Before I did two different sections of the “El camino de Santiago” in Spain with my brother.

What has been your highlight of the trip so far?

Meeting different people from all around the world. This way I get a new view of the world and get to see so much more than just Tanzania in the end.

What has been a challenge?

Getting the bike to Nairobi! I was very scared that it would get lost because last time I travelled to Tanzania my luggage got lost and did not arrive until after three days.

What do you miss the most from home?

Nothing! I’m only away from home for 15 days, which is too short to start missing stuff!

Is there anything that is taking up too much space in you locker?

Cycling shorts and clothes in general. There are some opportunities to wash them, and I see now it is okay to wear the same things for many days in a row!

What would you have done different knowing what you know now?

I would bring another pair of thinner tyres. I was expecting more offroad parts, whereas we’ve been on paved roads a lot too and I didn’t bring a good set of tyres for that.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If you need a rest, come and do the TDA!

Posted March 30, 2012 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
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Rider Profile: Marita Reilly (Full Tour)




Age: 27

Nationality: Irish

Usual Occupation: Civil Engineer

Favourite Flavour PVM Bar: Apple

Where did you hear about TDA?

The Lonely Planet Book – 365 Adventures

What made you want to go?

I just wanted to go travelling for a few months!

What do you like most about the tour?

The friends I’ve made along the way!

What’s been your most challenging moment?

Oh god… there’s been so many!!!  I guess the off road.  Especially in Sudan!

What’s taking up too much space inside your locker!

A bag of clothes I don’t need.  A burka.  A kiddies life jacket

What kind of bike do you have?

I have a Dawes Galaxy.  He’s called “Tir Na Nog” which translates to “The Land of the Young” an Irish Legend about a horse.  If you’re riding the horse you never grow old, but if you fall off you get old immediately!

Is there anything that you bring differently next time?

Waterproof mascara

Is there anything that you would do differently in terms of physical preparation?

Probably cycled more than the 80km I did on St Stevens day (boxing day!)

What do you miss most?

Milk!

Posted March 27, 2012 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
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Rider profile: Norbert Christ (Full Tour)



Home: Tattnang, Germany

Age:  Too old for the TDA

Profession:  Quality management

Where did you hear about TDA?

I first found out about the existence of TDA this time last year. I found the blog of one of last year’s riders online and decided to sign up for this year right away.

Why did you decide to sign up?  

I’ve always been interested in the people here in Africa and this continent. I had never been to Africa before but wanted to learn more about it. I have also been interested in cycling for a long time, so I decided to combine these too. This is my first organized bike tour. I usually cycle by myself in the Alps in Austria, Switzerland an Italy. At home my bike is my car. I ride everywhere (25km to work) even though I have two cars!

What has been your highlight of the trip so far?

The birds in the valleys. In my next life I want to come back as a bird, preferably in Africa!

What has been a challenge?

No problems. Nothing is difficult here for me!

What do you miss the most from home?

My family! My wife and daughter. And friends.

Is there anything that is taking up too much space in you locker?

I have too much stuff with me in general. I don’t need all of that, and I don’t even need all the room in my locker. I can’t see why the locker would be too small for others!

What would you have done different knowing what you know now?

Bigger tyres for the lava rock section. And I have permanent punctures in my Thermarest, I wouldn’t bring an inflatable matrass again. 

What is your favorite meal of the day?

Lunch is perfect! And I love the different fruits, I eat about 10 bananas a day! I also really like the chocolate PVM bar.  I used to never drink coke, but I started it on this tour, I drink about 4 a day now. That is definitely a new thing in my life!

Posted March 22, 2012 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
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Rider Profile: Walter Luetolf - Cairo - Lilongwe




Today we have the opportunity to one of our sectional riders Walter Lutolf, he has been riding with us since Cairo and will be heading home in Lilongwe.

Tour D’Afrique: to start Walter, where do you call home?

Watler Lutolf: I am Swiss but have been living in South Africa for the last three years.

TDA: when and where did you first hear about the Tour and what made you want to do it?

WL: I read about the TDA four or five years ago when I came across the website while searching for another trip. I liked the idea of seeing Africa from the inside. When I moved to South Africa I knew I had to do it. It ended up being my present for my 60th birthday.

TDA: is this your first tour by bicycle?

WL: No, no, no, I’ve been cycling touring since my early 20’s. I’ve spent all my life doing bike tours and taking cycling vacations, in fact my wife and I make sure all of our vacations have cycling involved. I’ve worked as a guide with some of the largest bike tour companies in Switzerland.

TDA: that sounds great, was it difficult convincing your wife to let you be away for so long on this tour?

WL: well it took me a while to convince her but once I had she was very supportive and actually helped me with a lot of the preparations and organization to get me to Cairo.

TDA: since you’re not travelling with your wife on this trip have you found it easy to find riding buddies on the tour?

WL: oh yes, I have a great group of people I ride and socialize with. We’ve become good friends and enjoy our riding days together. Recently it was difficult when we lost one of the team members to injury (get well soon Klaus!) but we still stick together.

TDA: how about your bike choice, are you happy with it so far.

WL: I am pleased I chose a full suspension mountain bike. It’s a little bit heavier than some bikes but the comfort and the extra control on the rough days is a big advantage.

TDA: are you mainly a mountain biker?

WL: since I’ve moved to South Africa I’ve been doing more mountain biking but I also have a road background.

TDA: have you had any highlights from the tour so far?

WL: I really enjoyed our day riding around Mount Kenya, it was beautiful. A new experience for me has been camping and sleeping in a tent. Lying in my tent at night with a sky full of stars is amazing.

TDA: you were involved in some fundraising, what did you do?

WL: a friend and I (mainly my friend) donated seven bicycles in Ethiopia and some school uniforms to the children.

TDA: seven bikes! That’s great! Any final tips for future tour riders?

WL: life is so much easier on the tour if you stay organized. People are always losing things on tour and you have a hard time replacing things in Africa. Also on rest days I would take some time to look at your options for hotels and restaurants. With a big group like this everyone ends up in the same place and you may be missing out on some great options.

TDA: great advice, thank you very much Walter!

Posted March 21, 2012 by Tour d'Afrique Ltd.
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