On January 16th, with the pyramids behind them and the African continent stretching ahead of them, the Tour d’Afrique 2010 cyclists will collectively push the ‘pause’ button on their ‘normal’ lives as they pedal their way from Cairo to Cape Town through an epic adventure like no other.

Business people and novice cyclists, Sephton and Van Eeden (both 43 and from Cape Town) are daunted but excited about the challenges that lie ahead. Tour d’Afrique represents for them a break from the routines of life.  

“The journey ahead seems unrealistic, but we don’t want to think about much for four months. We just want to enjoy the diverse scenery and people!” said Sephton who is still looking for the perfect pair of cycling shorts. The couple are riding to raise funds for Missing Children SA.

Actuary and avid adventure cyclist, Jethro De Decker (26) is counting down the days to the start of the 2010 Tour. Tour d’Afrique not only marks the beginning of a four month adventure across a continent where he will see areas that most tourists never visit, it also represents for Jethro the start of a complete change in lifestyle focus. Having recently resigned from his job in Amsterdam and traded in his car for a new bicycle, Jethro is excited about the adventures ahead of him.

“Nobody ever looks back wishing they had spent more time in an office.” said De Decker. “I’ve decided to do more travelling, and travelling by bicycle is the most exciting way to do it. This will become a way of life for me, not a short break from it.”

According to the organisers, the 2010 tour promises to be more exciting than ever.  

“As Africa develops and changes, each year brings with it new and exciting challenges.” said company founder and environmental activist, Henry Gold, who launched the first Tour d’Afrique eight years ago in 2003. “We have planned some exciting new route changes in Ethiopia, Malawi and Namibia for the 2010 tour.”

“We have riders participating from 15 different countries this year.” said Tour Leader, Shanny Hill. “They range in age from 18 to 68 and while the majority of them are doing it for the sheer joy and adventure of it, a handful of racers will be giving it all they’ve got competitively. The event attracts riders from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories and reasons for doing it, but what is heartening is how many of the entrants are riding to raise funds and awareness for good causes or charities.”

On their journey through 10 African countries (Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa) the riders travel past ancient temples, through game reserves teeming with wildlife, across deserts and the foothills of legendary Mount Kilimanjaro, alongside the rugged and biblical landscape of Ethiopia's Simian Mountains and through Botswana and Namibia’s most magnificent wilderness areas.

The journey takes approximately 120 days of which 96 are cycling days, averaging 125 km each day. Whether participating as a racer or adventure cyclist, the Tour d’Afrique challenges riders physically and mentally like no other – with rewards of unsurpassed terrain and diversity and an incomparable feeling of accomplishment that few have the opportunity to experience in a lifetime. For the South Africans, the time for this lifetime adventure is now, and they can hardly wait for the journey to begin.

To support Michelle and Andre’s cause visit Missing Children SA – Tour D’Afrique Fund on Facebook.
To follow Jethro’s adventure: http://nextbigadventure.wordpress.com
To follow the tour visit www.tourdafrique.com

Source: Tour d’Afrique Ltd