Signed up for the Tour D'Afrique in 2012

ianpinder

So in exactly 6 months I'll be sitting in front of the pyramids ready to start the small journey to Cape Town.
I'm doing it to raise money for a charity called build africa, the hope is to raise enough to build an entire school, somewhere in Kenya.

I've created a website for people to keep up to date with my progress, both before the race, with training equipment and fundraisers etc, and then regular updates during the race whenever possible.

The total amount needed will be declared once we know which school I shall be helping and the work that is required at that school.

Hopefully the company I work for will be matching the funding, and despite some nay-sayers I'm adament that with hard work the amount we need to raise can be raised. So if your going to say it's impossible don't even both posting.

The website is http://www.tda2012.com

Feedback about it is welcome, any way which I can improve it and any content which can be added. I plan to add a section on equipment, and a section on training.
Any support is greatly appreciated.
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cooldad

Bloody hell that's a serious ride.
Looks amazing, keep us posted, and I'm sure can chuck some money in at some point.

welshkev

"It made me realise I was not going to get where I wanted to go without changing and that I was not going to change without putting a little bit of effort in............... but at the end of the day, it’s not the destination that is important but the journey you go through to get there."

that's one hell of an effort and one hell of a journey...good luck

EnglishChris

Nice one - I have looked at TdA with curiosity. Will you be riding it as a race or expedition?

ianpinder

At the moment as an expedition with the goal of riding every @*#%€^$ inch of it.

Though some of the more off road sections I think I might try to race those. It would be nice to win one of the stages!

Raymondavalon

Ugh, Africa, the world's begging basket.
I lived there for 30 years, seen 3 civil wars (Mozambique, Angola and the DRC) and know Southern / Central Africa like the back of my hand, as well as the Xenophobic complexities that makes that God forsaken continent tear itself apart

You've chosen Egypt and Sudan, both in turmoil right now, Ethiopia, where they're in a drought and there is broiling tension with Eritrea.
From Kenya onwards there is stability at Government level, but beware as there's a lot the African and Western press do not report. There are tensions between Botswana and Namibia in the Okavango border area.
I wish you a safe journey and hope that it goes well. Africa is complex and corrupt. Deep pockets and clasped hands get you through the border posts quickly, even with a VISA.

I wish you all the very best in your endeavor

ianpinder

well you fill me with confidence, egypt has 5 months to sort itself out. I hope it does, if an contry is deemed to dangerous then we have to fly over it, though obviously there is a certain risk to it!!

kdawg74

Wow thats a ride and an half man, good luck will be following this.

Chalky76

cycling through some parts of our country is pretty dangerous at the moment too! Hordes of hoody 13 year-olds waiting to pounce!

Good luck with it. I know someone who has cycled in Africa a couple of times and his top tip was......go tubeless!