We are thrilled to announce that Rudy Project is now the official Sunglasses Sponsor of ThePlanetD. We do a lot of adventure travel. From cycling through continents and driving through deserts, trekking in jungles and climbing mountains so our gear takes a beating.
We had traveled around the world before, but this was something completely different. After all, it was going to be our first time camping in the desert and in the jungle, it was going to be our first time stepping foot on the African soil and it was our first time ever crossing an entire continent on bicycle. We were in for quite and adventure.
We have a guest post happening today at the fantastic site The Professional Hobo for her “Week in the Life” series. Last year we took on the challenge of cycling from Cario to Cape Town. This 12,000 km bike race was not easy to say the least.
Dave and I often discuss this idea. Who “up there” decides who will be born in luxury and who will be born in poverty. When we were in Cambodia, we had a hard time accepting ourselves and felt guilty for being who we are. The world is not a fair place and travel opens our eyes to it on a very real and deep level.
Here is a list of what we brought with us to cycle Africa, what we should have left behind, a review of our bikes and what we should have brought. Remember, this was a supported expedition and if we were to cycle independently, we would take far less gear. Since we had trucks carrying our red boxes and all we had to carry was our water and snacks, we could bring far more than a solo rider.
When we arrived in Cape Town last Saturday, it was cold and rainy. It stayed that way for 4 days, but suddenly, the mist dispersed and Table Mountain was revealed. I had read and heard that Cape Town is the most beautiful city in the world and now I see why. It really is stunning.
120 Days and it is over, just like that. How do you sum up the most challenging experience of your life on one short blog? Well, let’s try….
Yesterday we travelled 178km from Fish River Canyon. The world’s 2nd Largest Canyon after the Grand Canyon. 130 of those kilometres were off road on sand, corrugation, gravel and some tough climbs. When we finally hit the tarmac, we turned directly into a brutal headwind. Yipes, we were on the road for 9 hours yesterday. It didn’t help that it was a non race day, so we decided to take it easy and catch up on some photography. But part way through the morning, we decided that we had better get moving.
If all goes well, on May 10th we will be riding into Cape Town. These last three months have been some of the most difficult and challenging times of our life. Dave and I do tend to put a lot of pressure on our selves though. He is still one of the few hanging on [...]
It is a blog full of great news! First, we had another article and photo published in the Toronto Star click here to read about our Kilimanjaro adventure. Next, I am back! 9 days and a lot of pain killers and antibiotics later and I am riding again. I lost a lot of hours, but [...]
Now let me tell you about Dave’s week. He road fast, hard and had a couple of baboons follow him trying to get to his water bottles full of Fast Fuel. I think it was that particular moment that put him into 4th. He probably took 15 minutes off of his time while he was being pursued by these vicious little monkeys:)
Life here so far in the TDA becomes a bit surreal to say the least. Days no longer have names, just distances and vague directions.
This will give you an idea of what we have to go through.
It has been too long since our last update and I apologize. It isn’t for lack of trying though! I have to say that Ethiopia has the slowest Internet on the planet. We had tried to post photos and blogs in both Gonder and Bahar Dar but unfortunately it took forever just to open an email connection! But now we are in Addis Ababa relaxing in the Ghion Hotel where we just may have wireless Internet this afternoon if they get it figured out. Yeah!
hiopia is a country with beautiful landscapes and very bold children. We are now travelling through one of Africa’s poorest countries. Most of the population here is under the age of 20 it is also on of the most populated countries on the continent. That means it doesn’t bode well for cyclists.
The contrasts are really amazing, 2 days ago at the border, we camped literally surrounded by cow manure, and now we are camping on the grounds of Gondors finest hotel. Dave and I splurged on a room for our sanity.
We went from the lowest of lows to fantastic highs in a short time. After our rest day in Dongola, we had tarmac all the way to Khartoum. 4 days that consisted of 140km, 140km, 160km and 100km. We were racing down the highway with great tailwinds. We were reaching speeds of 57km/hr and that is not going downhill.
According to Rae and John, two retired Air Force Pilots who are taking part in the Tour this year, what we have been through these past 2 weeks is as difficult as basic training for the military. And I believe it! These past 4 days have been the most mentally and physically challenging days of [...]
I know that I told you that you wouldn’t be hearing from us for awhile, but here we are in Wadi Halfa, Sudan at an internet Cafe. Our trucks are late arriving from Egypt, so we are staying an extra day at the border. I have to say that I am really happy about that. [...]
Ahh, the lovely rest days in Luxor, cruising the Nile on a Felucca, seeing the Valley of the Kings and Queens, checking out Luxor Temple and eating a McFlurry in McDonalds as we update our blog on their free wireless internet. But time is running out and we are off tomorrow heading towards Aswan where [...]
4 Days in the desert and 544km later and we have arrived in Safaga, Egypt. No it is not a rest day, we just rode our butt’s off to get here early to enjoy this little scenic town on the Red Sea. It caused a little bit of excitement to finally be able to take [...]
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