Tour d'Afrique Ltd. | Global Bicycle Expeditions, Races and Tours

Epic Bicycle Races Across Three Continents

The inaugural Tour d'Afrique Race in 2003 broke several barriers. Not only did the original group of cyclists pedal the entire distance from Cairo to Cape Town, establishing a Guinness World Record for the fastest human powered crossing of Africa, but it was the longest cycling race ever; longest in distance, in number of days, and in amount of elevation gained. No wonder that Peak100 - the World's 100 Toughest Races - rates the Tour d'Afrique as the Second Toughest Race in the World!

Since then we have developed two more transcontinental stage races, across Asia and South America. Each of these events is designed to provide competitors with an incredible challenge, no matter what their fitness level or cycling experience, that tests the limits of their mental and physical endurance. In return, racers are rewarded with a wonderful sense of camaraderie, a unique travel experience, and an incomparable feeling of accomplishment.

These unparalleled competitions require a new approach to racing. To ride competitively for as long as four months it is necessary to re-learn the term "pacing oneself." Maintenance of not only body and equipment, but also of mind becomes extremely important.

Read more about training to ride and race.

On most stages the race runs from camp to camp. Some days the racers will stay as a peloton until a sprint finish, while on the roughest days it's often every man and woman for themselves. Some days the pace is fast and furious, while on others the racers may agree to take it easy, especially if the scenery is breathtaking, or in extreme weather conditions. Every day is different, and it is up to each rider to determine how hard they want to race, which stages and sections they wish to try and win, and when their body and mind are telling them it's time to slow down and recover.

Our races have utilized stop watches in some years and the honor system in others to determine and record racer times. We are pleased to announce that, beginning in 2010, TimePilot Inc. will be the official timekeeper of Tour d'Afrique Ltd., and its rugged state of the art product, the TimePilot Extreme, will be used to track rider times on all of our races.

Today most of our clients are expedition riders, who cycle at their own pace, stop to enjoy a spiced tea, and immerse themselves in the local cultures. But if racing turns you on, then our daily stages, time trials, and awards for top finishers will give you an ultra-distance thrill.

For more information on each of our races, please click on the links below:

  • Tour d'Afrique »
    Our flagship epic journey and race through the heart of Africa on roads less traveled. Covering 11,700 km (7,300 miles) in four months, the Tour d'Afrique race will test your mind, body, and bike like never before.
  • Silk Route »
    Chase your spirit and fellow racers across Asia on the ancient silk trade route from Istanbul to China. Like Marco Polo, General Zhang Qian and Genghis Khan before, you will depend on muscle and will, body and soul.
  • Vuelta Sudamericana »
    Our newest and most extreme race explores the diversity of South America by bike. If roads of every surface imaginable, big changes in altitude, and spectacular scenery turn you on, the Vuelta will be your ride of a lifetime.



Final Standings* of Tour d'Afrique 2010

Latest Results

Rank Flag Plate Name Time
1 Flag_australia #110 Stuart Briggs 398:26.00
2 Flag_germany #121 Gisela Gartmair 404:34.00
3 Flag_safrica #115 Jethro de Decker 414:11.00
4 Flag_usa #147 Tim Thomas 418:09.00
5 Flag_australia #144 Daniel Spasojevic 441:27.00
6 Flag_canada #101 Rod Atkinson 452:36.00
7 Flag_canada #102 Juliana Austin-Olsen 452:38.00
8 Flag_safrica #120 Simon Francis 467:38.00
9 Flag_britain #141 Sunil Shah 475:25.00
10 Flag_canada #118 Eric Dufour 522:46.00
11 Flag_canada #114 Jennifer Crake 531:33.00
12 Flag_dutch #143 Frans Smit 533:18.00
13 Flag_canada #156 Lynne Wolfson 549:37.00
14 Flag_germany #153 Ruben von Furstenberg 551:12.00
15 Flag_dutch #150 Marcel Van Zwam 551:57.00
16 Flag_france #113 Gerald Coniel 577:48.00
17 Flag_usa #100 Dave Arman 587:34.00
18 Flag_usa #145 Erin Sprague 588:58.00
19 Flag_britain #129 Tony Nester 606:39.00
20 Flag_safrica #128 Jos Malherbe 621:29.00
21 Flag_safrica #132 Peter Pizer 634:45.00
22 Flag_usa #154 Rick Wasfy 648:39.00
23 Flag_usa #124 Daniel Johnson 651:54.00
24 Flag_canada #142 Stephanie Sleen 654:28.00
25 Flag_usa #122 Catherine Hardee 802:32.00
 
*As it states in the race rules - "Each Racer will be given 3 grace days...to deduct their 3 worse times in the overall race. This is to account for sick days, mechanical breakdowns, and other unforeseen events." The results shown here are the adjusted times after the 3 grace days have been removed. These adjusted times are deemed to be the Official and Final overall results after a review period of 7 days from the end of the race.

See all results