The Treloar Herald : Day 37- Stage 25 - Nairobi to Lake Naivasha (110 km)

Day 37- Stage 25 - Nairobi to Lake Naivasha (110 km)

Saturday: After 8 non-cycling days, it was great to get back on the bike again. I was hoping the legs had not forgotten their memory, and I was not disappointed, they hadn't. However my bum had completely lost its memory, and it was as sore as it was on Stage 1!!

Packing up camp at Wildebeest Eco Lodge was a serious challenge, it had rained during the night and the tent was wet, but we persevered and packed it up into my Day Bag, another first for us.

After an early breakfast, we left Nairobi and headed west, having to contend with the early morning Nairobi traffic, which in comparison to the traffic we were to contend with later in the day (as we rode down the escarpment into the Rift Valley) was relatively quite tame.

Most of the days ride was on tar, with one section on dirt, and it included a portion where road works were in progress. Always good to see how the Chinese are busy tarring Africa.

It was on this section that Liz had a problem with one of the cranks on her bike, fortunately she managed to find a local bike shop, just off the road, and the bike mechanic could make some temporary repairs for her, for a few "bob" (one "bob" equalls one Kenyan Shilling)

Reached the Pass down into the Rift Valley at around about the 50Km, and we were greeted by a stunning vista of the East African Rift Valley, with the crater of Mount Longonot clearly visible in the far distance.

We stopped at a number of the view points positioned down the Pass and I even managed to beat Judith at her own game, and did some retail therapy of my own, buying an arm bracelet and a Masai blanket for myself.

Unfortunately this very fast and scenic decent was marred by heavy traffic, consisting mainly of heavy trucks and military trucks (on some or other maneuvers). Who seemed determined to try and run us (slower riders) off the road, as if it was a form of some national sport or other recreational pursuit.

Fortunately no riders were injured during the decent, but there were some very close and hair-raising encounters between riders, trucks and the steep drop-off into the valley on the verge of the road. The Kenyan truck drivers have much to learn from their Egyptian and Sudanese compatriots when it comes to road manners.

Lunch was at the 57 km mark and it just happened to coincide with the 3'000 km done mark. So ably led by Liz and Rob, we did the necessary sign writing and took a group photo of the memorable occasion.

Group photo of the Jubilant slower riders at the 3 000 km done mark.

Arriving at the first view point.

Andje, Michael, Judith and Liz posing with the East African Rift Valley in the background

Looking down into the Rift Valley showing the Pass Road on the right

The Girls busy having fun & waiting for Liz to complete her bike repairs

Liz ready to ride once again

Liz explaining to Tallis that she had made a plan and her bike had been repaired locally

We cycled past Mount Longonot, a Strato-volcano, which last erupted in the 1860's. An indication of the past volcanic activity associated with the formation of the Rift Valley.

Our designated Coke Stop was in the Town of Longonot, which was an absolute necessity as Judith and I were running low on water at this stage. While resting and talking to the locals we were caught up by the Sweep Rider, finally things were back to normal.

Achieved my second tattoo of the Tour, when at the 20 km to go mark, Judith stopped abruptly for Liz who had dropped her bike multi-tool onto the road. Unfortunately traveling at approximately 35 km/hr behind them, I was unable to stop and crashed into Judith's bike, I then proceeded to tumble head over heels down the embankment.

I was fortunate and managed to sustain no major injuries, and other than soft tissue bruising to my left elbow (the one I fell on previously in Sudan) and a bit of minor blood letting... all was well that ended well. No bikes were injured in the making of this memorable moment, -which according to both Liz & Judith was most spectacular!

We arrived at the Crayfish Camp near Lake Naivasha, and elected to camp (as we needed to dry out the tent). Pitched the tent, had a shower and I saw Dr. Helen for a checkup, who confirmed that nothing had been broken during my escapades in obtaining my Kenyan tattoo.

Riders Briefing was followed by dinner which was a braai, with good wors and T-bone steak, accompanied by potato and tomato/green salad. Thereafter I spent some quality time with some of the other riders in the Camp Pub.

Cheers,

Mike T