Category Archives: Endurance Sports

Kenya! Desert to Western Life… The Extreme Transition from Northern Kenya to Nairobi

Well well! Kenya at last! 😀

Mostly I think Ethiopia was just too long this year. A whole month there… in comparison, we’ve blown through Kenya in under two weeks, and it’s so much better!

The first few days were supposed to be the roughest days of the tour, Moyale to Marsabit. All lava rock roads, sometimes no roads at all, if you fall it’s falling onto lava rock and you’re cutting yourself like a cheese grater. This is a phrase we heard often, cheese grater. In reality, it was not bad at all! The vast majority of the road, probably 80-90 percent was either paved or very soon to be paved and in different levels of awesomeness for us to ride on. Sometimes it was just hardpacked and level and that was enough, sometimes it was fully paved and tarred and dried, sometimes it was a temporary side road that was shitty but nothing resembling the cheese grater fall roads we were told about. It was 3 days that was supposed to be hell, but next year it could easily be done in two, I’m sure almost all of it, if not the entire thing, will be paved by then. It’s odd though, cycling the 20-25k long paved sections with just one or two cars being seen over a period of hours.. Also there was a surprising amount of roadkill (even a Hyena), given how much traffic there was… Odd!

Camp at Sololo on day 1 was pretty nice, and the ride there had a tailwind most of the way to it, I think, and so even though it was rough road the whole time it was a lot of fun! Leah and I cycled a lot together, lots of good convo, and then a little bit of funny since we were talking about falling and then BOOM she falls to the ground. Quite a bit of scrapes on her from it, but she was a trooper and went on for the day! She loves her bike. Lots of other accidents too, which was weird, it wasn’t nearly as hard as a lot of days in Ethiopia. Michael and Kam both had some pretty big accidents… There’s a pic here at Claudia’s blog. It’s in German, but the picture is crazy. I have a pic of Mike below but I missed a chance to get a pic of Kam.

The next day was a slog. Lots of unpaved, a fair bit of up, and I just was over the offroad. If you’re thinking of doing TDA in the future, ignore two things they recommend everywhere: no suspension, and steel bike. Get an aluminum hardtail mountain bike. There’s just way too much offroad. We had bucket showers that night at the windiest camp ever… I just rinsed my feet, legs, arms, etc. Not much. Kam walked a lot this day because of his accident the day before, and he wanted exercise… He planned to just walk a bit, but Erwin was missed at lunch check-in (he was fine, they just didn’t see him come through), so the trucks were searching for him instead of picking up Kam and I think he walked through the desert for 24k alone and with limited water. No pavement! Then he got picked up.

There was a TT on the third day, 45k from camp to lunch, and it was all headwind. I went for it a bit anyways, just to see what I could do… I felt I was pretty competitive, given how casual I take most days… I was only 6 minutes behind Ina (2:16 to my 2:22) and I finished ahead of Young David and Sandro… Wee! Maybe that’s my additional rest, but it was still just nice to see that I could push it. I didn’t want an official time, so I took the lunch truck so I’d get 12h anyways…

We drove ahead to Marsabit where we camped at a convent, and had a rest day there as well… The convent was a nice place, really. They had slow wired internet which I magic’d into a wifi hotspot using Jennilea’s laptop and it was awesome, so many people were on it, it was great. Otherwise there wouldn’t have been internet there! The town was a bit sketchy at night… The best bar and restaurant was also a brothel, we didn’t spend much time there… I did find a beef dish and some chips though! Also some ice cream, chips, etc! Amazing bits!

Next day had a lot of hot in the forecast and all offroad again, so I took the camp truck and told them to drop me off 15k before camp so I could run it in. I got dropped off, but it turned out to be 5k not 15k. Oh well, it was still an ok run, and it was soooo hot, so maybe it was better I didn’t run 15.

The 2nd day past Marsabit was our transit-past-the-bandits day… And was supposed to be a sleep-in day. There was a very crystal clear rule about being quiet until 7am. The bus wasn’t leaving until 9am, breakfast wasn’t until 8am, and it was stated ridiculously clearly that taking down your tent at 6-something would make you very unpopular. Two people had their tents down by 6:15. I was awake randomly and chatting on my phone, but others got woken up by this, and I just think it’s crazy bullshit that people couldn’t obey this one simple rule. 6:15 is 1:45 before breakfast, maybe just WAIT A GODDAMN MINUTE. haha.. Birgit actually got woken up on purpose at 7:13 because someone thought she was oversleeping… Despite me being awake like 10 feet away from her and both of us were visible since neither had our rainflies on. WHY?! Her alarm was set for 7:15 anyways, but it’s just… I don’t get it. Let people sleep! We didn’t leave our tents until 7:30 and still were completely packed up and ready by 7:54, 6 minutes before breakfast was served. Everyone was sitting around impatiently despite the clear timing instructions!

Anyways, the bus trip was fun, we saw a Waller’s Gazelle / Gerenuk, which I think some people mistook for a Giraffe. There was also apparently Zebra that I missed… Mostly it was a nap.

We pulled into Isiolo at the Rangeland Campground pretty early where everyone enjoyed some Nyama Choma and wifi. It was another pretty nice camp with good showers. Birgit and I taxi’d over to Isiolo and found some ice cream, chips, and picture opportunities.

Next up was an amazing ride up and over the edge of Mount Kenya, the second biggest Volcano and Mountain in Africa. Nice views all day and two people even saw a big bull elephant! Agh, can’t believe I missed it. It was 35k of climbing followed by 35k of downhill. For 10k of the downhill I averaged over 50 km/h. I hardly even stopped for lunch, just two pieces of watermelon… Then into Nanyuki for chips and meat! Stocked up on meat for the next day when we were going to have a big BBQ! Delicious excitement!

Nanyuki’s hotel was Sportsman’s Arms… It was pretty nice and the Equator party we had (one night before crossing the equator) was amazing! We all went swimming really late at night (all meaning the coolest people – ;))… Sandro paid hard for it in the morning, maintaining his EFI with a massive hangover. Alex had to scout the route alone in Nairobi too, again with a killer hangover. I was fine, raced 2k to the equator and then trucked into camp at Savage Wilderness Camp, where there was supposed to be rafting, but the water levels were crazy low and the guide told us basically that it wouldn’t be fun right now (thanks for his honesty! Saved us a lot of money!) so we didn’t do it. I had my best IT fix here too, where I fixed the visa machine at the campground… I’d never even used one of these back home but it was clear to me what the problem was… Fun!

From there we biked to Nairobi! 115k overall or something, with a convoy for the last 20ish km. Birgit had a flat tire of course! So she got picked up quick by the Land Cruiser and the rest of us continued on, got stuck in taxi-strike related traffic jams, and eventually made it here to Indaba Campground, where both 3G and wifi are amazing! Wifi needed some setting changes for most people because they tried to limit us to 10 users at a time… And it wasn’t working for most! Other than that, it’s been great. Hamburger and Chips for a quick lunch yesterday… Then at night we all went out for many birthdays and going-aways to Carnivore, an amazing local restaurant that’s Brazilian BBQ style, all you can eat meat deliciousness. I tried Ostrich and Crocodile. Croc was better, kind of like a gamey chicken. The mall near the campground had a great supermarket too, and a Froyo store! Nairobi is so western! It’s such a huge huge shift from northern Kenya! Still no Kindle or Kobo or other eReader on sale though. I’m so sad mine broke. I did find a new book though, Cloud Atlas, a few days ago.

Today we went to an Elephant Orphanage and it was amazing… Amazing! Such good pictures and cute little elephants! Check out the pics below!

Tomorrow we cycle on to the border, then Arusha the next day. Apparently (details are lacking) I’m signed up for a 3 day Safari at this point with about 8 others, it’ll be super fun! Then maybe (almost definitely) 7 days in Zanzibar scuba diving and swimming instead of biking 7 days through more offroad in mainland Tanzania! SO EXCITED. Sigrid and some of her friends are also going I found out, so I’m even more interested in going!

That’s that! 🙂 All caught up! Stay tuned! Hopefully updates are more common now! Sorry for the lack, lately, friends!

MISS YOU ALL!!!

Picture time! 98 of them!

The roads start out rough and corrugated again, but this day was actually really fun! I'm not sure why... Perhaps just the quiet and solitude after the mayhem of Ethiopian kids.
The roads start out rough and corrugated again, but this day was actually really fun! I’m not sure why… Perhaps just the quiet and solitude after the mayhem of Ethiopian kids.
Michael was offroading and crashed and ripped his tire right off the rim. Tubeless problems.
Michael was offroading and crashed and ripped his tire right off the rim. Tubeless problems.
Luckily he was ok! Beaten up but happy and wanting to ride more.
Luckily he was ok! Beaten up but happy and wanting to ride more.
Me in disbelief about Michael. Glad he was ok!
Me in disbelief about Michael. Glad he was ok!
Rough road. I think this is Ian, Leah, and myself up ahead of Birgit.
Rough road. I think this is Ian, Leah, and myself up ahead of Birgit.
Encountering cows and road construction at the same time is fun!
Encountering cows and road construction at the same time is fun!
One of our first (maybe our actual first?) Kenyan coke stops. Probably the best, too, really. This is what I imagined when I thought of African coke stops.
One of our first (maybe our actual first?) Kenyan coke stops. Probably the best, too, really. This is what I imagined when I thought of African coke stops.
Steve, Myself, Ian, Leah, and Peter. And some locals who were excited to be selling us coke and other drinks.
Steve, Myself, Ian, Leah, and Peter. And some locals who were excited to be selling us coke and other drinks.
Our two truck drivers, Noah (from Zimbabwe) and Steven (from Tanzania) and a member of the Kenyan Tourist Police... They're serious business.
Our two truck drivers, Noah (from Zimbabwe) and Steven (from Tanzania) and a member of the Kenyan Tourist Police… They’re serious business.
Here's another angle with Birgit. I think I only meant to post this one, but oh well!
Here’s another angle with Birgit. I think I only meant to post this one, but oh well!
Justin's got some great tan lines going on... I've got competition!
Justin’s got some great tan lines going on… I’ve got competition!
Our first true Kenyan sunset, just outside of Sololo.
Our first true Kenyan sunset, just outside of Sololo.
I saw something shining in the dark, turned out to be this spider in a hole, ready to pounce!!
I saw something shining in the dark, turned out to be this spider in a hole, ready to pounce!!
Birgit and Alex, team teethbrushing!
Birgit and Alex, team teethbrushing!
Birgit took this just after I stood up... was going far too slow for this sand and fell over! I'm really good at these falls.
Birgit took this just after I stood up… was going far too slow for this sand and fell over! I’m really good at these falls.
Road construction! This will be paved tarmac very very soon! Next year's Meltdown Madness section will be Paved Awesomesauce instead.
Road construction! This will be paved tarmac very very soon! Next year’s Meltdown Madness section will be Paved Awesomesauce instead.
Another day, another flat. One flat in a day is a great day for Birgit.
Another day, another flat. One flat in a day is a great day for Birgit.
Why thank you, I will definitely cycle in this little lane!
Why thank you, I will definitely cycle in this little lane!
Road closed, Kenya (and Ethiopia, really) style.
Road closed, Kenya (and Ethiopia, really) style.
Birgit found a camel with a weird pattern on its neck... Wonder what was up.
Birgit found a camel with a weird pattern on its neck… Wonder what was up.
These Samburu women were not happy about this picture... Ooops.
These Samburu women were not happy about this picture… Ooops.
Birgit enjoys a hot electricityless coke stop.
Birgit enjoys a hot electricityless coke stop.
I struggle in the offroad. I wish the tarmac was complete!
I struggle in the offroad. I wish the tarmac was complete!
Donkeys and camels, something that's followed us all the way from Sudan.
Donkeys and camels, something that’s followed us all the way from Sudan.
Birgit and the camel and donkey. We just liked how they were lying together.
Birgit and the camel and donkey. We just liked how they were lying together.
The saddest site for me. Well, Birgit's bike is nice, but the end of tarmac is sad.
The saddest site for me. Well, Birgit’s bike is nice, but the end of tarmac is sad.
Alex, repairing tubes... Like every day.
Alex, repairing tubes… Like every day.
These huts were interesting... Wonder why they're covered like this.
These huts were interesting… Wonder why they’re covered like this.
Camels! Nice pic, Birgit.
Camels! Nice pic, Birgit.
The headwind on TT day was so strong it ripped the lunch truck's tarp. :(
The headwind on TT day was so strong it ripped the lunch truck’s tarp. 🙁
Post TT selfie. Dirty!
Post TT selfie. Dirty!
Sandro, Young David, Helen, and Jennilea... At a volcanic crater before Marsabit.
Sandro, Young David, Helen, and Jennilea… At a volcanic crater before Marsabit.
Mateo drew this forever ago, but it remains the case pretty much. Mateo's cartoons are awesome.
Mateo drew this forever ago, but it remains the case pretty much. Mateo’s cartoons are awesome.
Alex headed into Marsabit
Alex headed into Marsabit
More rough road. I think I'm gonna run a bit instead of ride!
More rough road. I think I’m gonna run a bit instead of ride!
Sadly I got dropped off 5k before camp and not the 15k I wanted, but it was 47.8 degrees, so maybe it was ok.
Sadly I got dropped off 5k before camp and not the 15k I wanted, but it was 47.8 degrees, so maybe it was ok.
Baby goat! So cute! And so baby that he still has an umbilical cord!
Baby goat! So cute! And so baby that he still has an umbilical cord!
Samburu women! So colourful!
Samburu women! So colourful!
Alex looks like he's straight out of Dead Space (a video game, for those uninformed).
Alex looks like he’s straight out of Dead Space (a video game, for those uninformed).
There was a school assembly I missed trying to fit too many things in...
There was a school assembly I missed trying to fit too many things in…
Leah's on the bus thru bandit territory!
Leah’s on the bus thru bandit territory!
A mosque in Isiolo, it was nice! I liked that town.
A mosque in Isiolo, it was nice! I liked that town.
Near the Isiolo Market.
Near the Isiolo Market.
A church in Isiolo. Quite the mural.
A church in Isiolo. Quite the mural.
Mount Kenya, the second highest mountain / volcano in Africa. I think it's more technical to climb than Kilimanjaro too.
Mount Kenya, the second highest mountain / volcano in Africa. I think it’s more technical to climb than Kilimanjaro too.
A sweet little stop and mural along the way.
A sweet little stop and mural along the way.
The biggest supply of coffee in Africa yet. 1L when Birgit and Alex ordered it.
The biggest supply of coffee in Africa yet. 1L when Birgit and Alex ordered it.
Uh oh.
Uh oh.
This was just such a pretty and amazing day!
This was just such a pretty and amazing day!
Jess takes a break and walks some of Mount Kenya.
Jess takes a break and walks some of Mount Kenya.
Cows are confused by cyclists.
Cows are confused by cyclists.
Alex stops at the sunflower field.
Alex stops at the sunflower field.
Apparently Justin was confused as to why Birgit and Alex were stopped here... Sunflowers, yo!
Apparently Justin was confused as to why Birgit and Alex were stopped here… Sunflowers, yo!
Nanyuki ice cream supplies! I LOVE THIS PLACE.
Nanyuki ice cream supplies! I LOVE THIS PLACE.
Enjoying my ice cream in Nanyuki!
Enjoying my ice cream in Nanyuki!
Holy shit, and bacon?! Where am I?! Am I still in Africa?
Holy shit, and bacon?! Where am I?! Am I still in Africa?
Hunting for sour candy.
Hunting for sour candy.
These birds have been with us for weeks... Some sort of starling, I think... the colours and reflections are amazing.
These birds have been with us for weeks… Some sort of starling, I think… the colours and reflections are amazing.
Another!
Another!
At the equator party, the night before we cross the equator! I found some hair!
At the equator party, the night before we cross the equator! I found some hair!
Crossing the equator! Pretty exciting!
Crossing the equator! Pretty exciting!
Myself, Birgit, and Leah... 1st 2nd and 3rd to the equator. RACE 4 LIFE.
Myself, Birgit, and Leah… 1st 2nd and 3rd to the equator. RACE 4 LIFE.
Me taking pictures of the racers racing off like they tend to do.
Me taking pictures of the racers racing off like they tend to do.
My bike was the only one left around so others were taking pictures with it. Here's Noah, our dinner truck driver.
My bike was the only one left around so others were taking pictures with it. Here’s Noah, our dinner truck driver.
And Kam, with my bike too. His was on the truck since his crash...
And Kam, with my bike too. His was on the truck since his crash…
Justin and Bina sweeping as we pass in the Hilux.
Justin and Bina sweeping as we pass in the Hilux.
Camp at Savage Wilderness
Camp at Savage Wilderness
This suspension bridge was swingtastic!
This suspension bridge was swingtastic!
Some geckos chowing down on bugs at the lights.
Some geckos chowing down on bugs at the lights.
Cycling down a 3 lane divided highway was an experience we'd never get back home! Entering Nairobi and suddenly everything is becoming super western.
Cycling down a 3 lane divided highway was an experience we’d never get back home! Entering Nairobi and suddenly everything is becoming super western.
Looking back at Birgit... This would be so illegal back home (Deerfoot biking?)... sketchy.
Looking back at Birgit… This would be so illegal back home (Deerfoot biking?)… sketchy.
Were we leaving a corruption ridden zone?
Were we leaving a corruption ridden zone?
More highway!
More highway!
Kenyatta University, I think this may be the biggest.
Kenyatta University, I think this may be the biggest.
Our convoy is about to begin!
Our convoy is about to begin!
The view at the front.
The view at the front.
We even got a tunnel!
We even got a tunnel!
Then the traffic jam hit.
Then the traffic jam hit.
Just chilling out in Nairobi's CBD.
Just chilling out in Nairobi’s CBD.
IT WAS ALL WORTH IT, I HAVE FOUND MAKE-YOUR-OWN-FROYO-CUPS.
IT WAS ALL WORTH IT, I HAVE FOUND MAKE-YOUR-OWN-FROYO-CUPS.
And unlimited meat by the sword carving at Carnivore! What a restaurant. Damn, I forgot to buy a shirt here.
And unlimited meat by the sword carving at Carnivore! What a restaurant. Damn, I forgot to buy a shirt here.
Ice cream and waffles for breakfast? Don't mind if I do! Can I get 10 pieces of bacon on the side too please? Thanks!!
Ice cream and waffles for breakfast? Don’t mind if I do! Can I get 10 pieces of bacon on the side too please? Thanks!!
Me and the babiest elephant!
Me and the babiest elephant!
Birgit and the babiest elephant!
Birgit and the babiest elephant!
Oh man, even baby elephants drinking water is super cute!
Oh man, even baby elephants drinking water is super cute!
Warthog and water lilies!
Warthog and water lilies!
Warthogs in Nairobi's national park.
Warthogs in Nairobi’s national park.
OMG the elephants were just so cool!
OMG the elephants were just so cool!
Birgit and the babiest elephants!!
Birgit and the babiest elephants!!
Never too many elephant pics, right?
Never too many elephant pics, right?
OK, we're getting there... There's been a lot.
OK, we’re getting there… There’s been a lot.
OK, but this is so cool! More elephants come for the feeding!
OK, but this is so cool! More elephants come for the feeding!
The biggest (oldest) elephant of the bunch. He had a limp, too. Sad.
The biggest (oldest) elephant of the bunch. He had a limp, too. Sad.
This elephant must have been pretty hot and/or itchy... He was very into rolling around in the water and getting more water shoveled onto him by staff.
This elephant must have been pretty hot and/or itchy… He was very into rolling around in the water and getting more water shoveled onto him by staff.
OK, bye elephants!
OK, bye elephants!
Cool warthog closeup! As I stood up he shocked the hell out of me though, ahhhh! He kind of made a noise and ran away, almost into Birgit! OOPS.
Cool warthog closeup! As I stood up he shocked the hell out of me though, ahhhh! He kind of made a noise and ran away, almost into Birgit! OOPS.
MORE FROYO
MORE FROYO

Catching up on blogging: From my Addis break to the end (F**k-Yeah) of Ethiopia!

So my plan weeks and weeks ago in Addis had been to catch the USA/Canada hockey game which seemed impossible, and then head towards the group who was in the south of Ethiopia and catch up with them in Yabelo after enjoying a couple days in Shashamane.

In reality, it started off really well!

I couldn’t find the game at the aforementioned Global Hotel and found out it wasn’t playing on Supersport at all (the satellite sports channel that seemed to be the only option), so I was really down about it and the Global Hotel internet went down, so I returned to my hotel without saying bye to my American friends (sad) and tried to connect to an audio stream there, only to find CBC wasn’t streaming during the Olympics due to rights issues, ugh.

This Swedish guy came by the lobby area and got on the staff to look through the channels they got on their free Egyptian based satellite service, and low and behold with a lot of work we found it! On Abu Dhabi television, in Arabic, but it was the game! And Canada won!! 😀

The next morning I discovered online that most of the buses leave at 6am (and it was currently 8:30am), but I tried for the bus station anyways… Thinking I’d find a way, certainly… I paid very little for the taxi from my hotel to the bus station which made me realize that even though I got really good at negotiating rates down from what the drivers originally wanted in Addis, I still overpaid for every other trip. The bus station trip may have also been an overpayment, but it was like 45 minutes long and cost only double what my 5 minute trips had cost before… I came into the mayhem of the bus station and within 30 seconds was thrust on a bus which the driver assured me was headed to Shashamane. It was crowded and hot and I didn’t have a real seat (though I was sitting)… We stopped along the way in Lake Ziway and it was just filled with beggars and kids who followed me around asking for my coke bottle while it was still full of coke. Didn’t like the rest there. Shashamane came soon after, and I easily found my way to the hotel I wanted to stay at, Zion Train Lodge. 5 minutes after checking in Birgit texted me saying she’d ran out of phone credit but just filled up then and just got to Shashamane with the lunch truck to pick up some “sick” cyclists (note: this is a rasta town), and I could get a ride to camp if I wanted. I discovered that I did want that! So I quickly explained my situation to the hotel and they were totally cool with it (that place looked awesome, too!).. So I rejoined the tour!

The lunch truck was super late getting in and everyone was pissed cuz dinner was late. Then it rained and thunderstormed and was a really cool night! Noah (the camp truck driver) was alone when he got to camp and had to make up a story for the locals to get them to let us use their land, so he told them he was from the Military and they needed the land for the night. They believed him somehow despite the fact that he didn’t speak Amharic and we were all white cyclists that joined later. We heard the security (local land owners we were paying) later talking about being military for the night.

Talking to Birgit and Leah, I missed some cool days! Mostly one cool day! They camped in a national park instead of where they were supposed to because the old campsite was demolished when they got there. The new site overlooked two lakes, had ostriches and hot pools! What the F?! lol.. Oh well! I’m glad they had fun, I really needed the break! There’s some pics from their days without me below..

Rejoining, I was pretty energized and had a great day, helped by the coolness of the day! We only really rode to lunch since Birgit was feeling sick and we jumped on the truck, then played some frisbee at the end. It was a delicious night too, we had BBQ chicken (yay little pain again), and then pigged out on carmelized bananas and kettle corn that Justin made. So delicious! Great night! Funny to look back on it now (more on that later) as such an indulgence.

The next day we rode into Yabelo which was a shithole as far as rest days went. There was drinking the first night, lots of it. Sandro dove through his tent and had to get it repaired the next day. Bradley got a new nickname, Badley. 😉 Good times. I ate!

The next day was another good bike day for me, though there was headwind and cloud the whole day (actually this is probably why it was so good)… Where we camped there was “singing wells”, wells dug into the ground for water that apparently could be quite deep… The one we explored had water about 30 feet down (pics below) and was a fun time just climbing down. We saw lots of termite mounds this day too, mostly red dirt, but then when we got to camp the dirt was grey and there was grey mounds there! Very cool!

I can’t remember dinner that night, but basically it’s not mattering much anymore… I eat all the high protein meals, and the low/no protein meals I supplement with nuts (note for future riders: there’s a lot of high carbs no protein meals on this trip).

After that it was border crossing day and I went ahead with Bina to organize sim cards for Kenya in Moyale, across the border. The Ethiopian side of the border was insanity with lots of people trying to change your money for terrible rates and sell things for too high prices for those wasting their last birr. The power went out at the visa office so we had to sit there in baking heat far too long. When they finally stamped us out, Bina’s excitement was palpable. So funny. We were all so happy to leave… My favourite thing for the last couple days of riding was people asking “WHERE ARE YOU GO?!” and saying “KENYA!!!!” with the undertone of “Out of Ethiopia, bitches!”

Kenya was so nice in comparison! The immigration office had an English joke on the wall, the dude spoke perfect English, it was air conditioned… We didn’t get harassed til many minutes into the town, and then I think it was just Moyale craziness, being too close to Ethiopia… since it’s been amazing since! We camped that night at KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) campground, and it was pretty sweet. Showers and everything… Then on to the Kenya adventure! (Next blog, to come, soon! … like, today)

Final thoughts on Ethiopia:

  • Never again will I donate to anyone giving handouts in Africa. Samaritan’s Purse towns (towns with signs saying they handed out those damn shoeboxes from back home) were terrible. The kids were far worse. The key is empowering Africans to make their own difference in their life. Provide training, funds for public works perhaps, that kind of thing. They need fresh water, employ some Ethiopians to make more water treatment plants and give them the skills they need.
  • I really don’t know what the key to ending the rock throwing is… But it sucks. It sucks worse than you ever thought. We were all warned.
  • What sucks even more than rocks is the kids just screaming all day every day. You’re on the bike for 5-10 hours a day and they scream for 80+ percent of it. YOU YOU YOU. MONEY MONEY MONEY. CHINA CHINA CHINA. (China’s building the roads so they think you’re China since you have money? I don’t know). And then you never know if there’s a rock coming or not.
  • They can’t be that hungry when they turn away bread and want your banana instead.
  • Everyone gets sick in Ethiopia. I was sick every couple of days for the entire month. This sucks.
  • If they continue this route and it’s still unpaved, make sure you have shocks or at least cross brakes. Don’t rely on your roadie brakes, they’re useless and you’ll come close to dying on 2500 meter descents over hard rock roads.
  • I don’t think I’ll be back anytime soon, especially after comparing it to Kenya.
  • It really is a beautiful country if you find somewhere quiet to enjoy the scenery.
  • PICTURE TIME! Pictures from Addis to the Border. Enjoy! 65 this time. Lots Birgit’s, as always.

    Birgit and Leah posing on a big ass tree at one of the camps I missed!
    Birgit and Leah posing on a big ass tree at one of the camps I missed!
    Liked this picture of Leah. Hopefully she does too!
    Liked this picture of Leah. Hopefully she does too!
    Birgit got some sweet pictures of the creepy birds we kept seeing around the road south of Addis.
    Birgit got some sweet pictures of the creepy birds we kept seeing around the road south of Addis.
    Definitely vulture related! Anyone know for sure?
    Definitely vulture related! Anyone know for sure?
    I whole tree full of the creeps!
    I whole tree full of the creeps!
    Ugh, so creepy!
    Ugh, so creepy!
    The coolest blue lizard! I saw one of these too, but my picture wasn't nearly as cool as this one Birgit took!
    The coolest blue lizard! I saw one of these too, but my picture wasn’t nearly as cool as this one Birgit took!
    Some of the ostriches they got to see at camp 2!
    Some of the ostriches they got to see at camp 2!
    It's pretty crazy that these things just exist here..
    It’s pretty crazy that these things just exist here..
    A hot pool! Probably too hot for bathing...
    A hot pool! Probably too hot for bathing…
    Flamingos! Are you kidding me?!
    Flamingos! Are you kidding me?!
    Meanwhile I'm back in Addis watching hockey! ;)
    Meanwhile I’m back in Addis watching hockey! 😉
    The police in Addis are cracking down on seatbelts, so every taxi driver does this. WHY NOT PLUG IT IN?!
    The police in Addis are cracking down on seatbelts, so every taxi driver does this. WHY NOT PLUG IT IN?!
    Leah in Shashamene. Rasta time.
    Leah in Shashamene. Rasta time.
    Meanwhile I'm in this crowded bus...
    Meanwhile I’m in this crowded bus…
    It was *this* crowded.
    It was *this* crowded.
    Shashamene. The 12 tribes of Israel! Rastafarians are an interesting breed. I read the whole wikipedia article on the way there, check it out!
    Shashamene. The 12 tribes of Israel! Rastafarians are an interesting breed. I read the whole wikipedia article on the way there, check it out!
    My hotel, for 5 minutes, the Zion Train Lodge.
    My hotel, for 5 minutes, the Zion Train Lodge.
    There were some cool room options for a little bit more money.
    There were some cool room options for a little bit more money.
    And the couple that runs it was super nice. Alas. Next time! (note: no next time)
    And the couple that runs it was super nice. Alas. Next time! (note: no next time)
    Leah loves riding her bike. Seriously! She's one of the happiest riders on the tour.
    Leah loves riding her bike. Seriously! She’s one of the happiest riders on the tour.
    Some great big nice churches, even in towns where everyone is super poor.
    Some great big nice churches, even in towns where everyone is super poor.
    My own attempt at a creepy bird photo. Failish.
    My own attempt at a creepy bird photo. Failish.
    Justin passes us in the Hilux with the water trailer.
    Justin passes us in the Hilux with the water trailer.
    Birgit and Leah having a great day as well!
    Birgit and Leah having a great day as well!
    A fun little cookie stop. More people watching us. Forgot how annoying that was.
    A fun little cookie stop. More people watching us. Forgot how annoying that was.
    Then a few seconds down the road, a cool little coke stop.
    Then a few seconds down the road, a cool little coke stop.
    Oh yeah, they had these super hard donuts. Good though.
    Oh yeah, they had these super hard donuts. Good though.
    Showing the shop owner(s) some pictures from the past couple days. They loved it.
    Showing the shop owner(s) some pictures from the past couple days. They loved it.
    Chris on his repaired bike. Hopefully he's got a new frame arriving in Arusha.
    Chris on his repaired bike. Hopefully he’s got a new frame arriving in Arusha.
    Ina and Birgit enjoying a great spot at camp... With the donkey shit. :S haha
    Ina and Birgit enjoying a great spot at camp… With the donkey shit. :S haha
    BBQ Chicken day!!!
    BBQ Chicken day!!!
    And kettle corn. Again, thanks to Justin!
    And kettle corn. Again, thanks to Justin!
    There was a fire on the hill near us. I forgot about it til this picture, so it clearly didn't burn or smoke us out!
    There was a fire on the hill near us. I forgot about it til this picture, so it clearly didn’t burn or smoke us out!
    Alex looking hot in his pants. Birgit unimpressed with porridge again (probably, I'm just guessing).
    Alex looking hot in his pants. Birgit unimpressed with porridge again (probably, I’m just guessing).
    An all too common site here... Accident city!
    An all too common site here… Accident city!
    So much roadwork going on! All of the time!
    So much roadwork going on! All of the time!
    The road is half done!
    The road is half done!
    This was a cool coke stop too after like 15km of unexpected pavement. I should've taken a picture of the concrete squat "toilet" though. Just a hole into a huge huge concrete underground.
    This was a cool coke stop too after like 15km of unexpected pavement. I should’ve taken a picture of the concrete squat “toilet” though. Just a hole into a huge huge concrete underground.
    Alex enjoys his 10th flat of the day and decides to run it.
    Alex enjoys his 10th flat of the day and decides to run it.
    Oh snap, more unexpected pavement! The best.
    Oh snap, more unexpected pavement! The best.
    Termite mound! Some neat designs from them.
    Termite mound! Some neat designs from them.
    Never enough pictures of myself on here, so here's one while we took a break somewhere.
    Never enough pictures of myself on here, so here’s one while we took a break somewhere.
    Termite mounds galore!
    Termite mounds galore!
    Birgit and a termite mound!
    Birgit and a termite mound!
    Birgit tries to take a non-nonchalant picture of Samuru tribespeople. They're very colourful!
    Birgit tries to take a non-nonchalant picture of Samuru tribespeople. They’re very colourful!
    More riding photos, because they're fun!
    More riding photos, because they’re fun!
    Birgit wanted a picture with this huge tall mound.
    Birgit wanted a picture with this huge tall mound.
    And of course this meant she got a flat.
    And of course this meant she got a flat.
    We found the camels again!
    We found the camels again!
    Oh man I hated this coke stop. The people were just too ridiculous!
    Oh man I hated this coke stop. The people were just too ridiculous!
    So Africa. Though more lake than normal. Pretty sites before Yabelo!
    So Africa. Though more lake than normal. Pretty sites before Yabelo!
    I thought we were pretty much in Yabelo, so I was celebrating with a selfie... But we had another 6km to go. Sigh.
    I thought we were pretty much in Yabelo, so I was celebrating with a selfie… But we had another 6km to go. Sigh.
    My one picture from Yabelo. Like.
    My one picture from Yabelo. Like.
    Grey termite mound!
    Grey termite mound!
    Checking out the singing well! Michael, Ian, Young David.
    Checking out the singing well! Michael, Ian, Young David.
    Let's go down, shall we?
    Let’s go down, shall we?
    Yes please!
    Yes please!
    There was a huge frog at the bottom.
    There was a huge frog at the bottom.
    Packing up the truck the next day...
    Packing up the truck the next day…
    My bike rides one of the trucks to Kenya... I thought this was such a pretty picture of it!
    My bike rides one of the trucks to Kenya… I thought this was such a pretty picture of it!
    Michael enjoying some offroad!
    Michael enjoying some offroad!
    In Moyale Kenya, I went to a canteen ran by prisoners who were about to be released. Kind of a halfway out thing. Was good beef.
    In Moyale Kenya, I went to a canteen ran by prisoners who were about to be released. Kind of a halfway out thing. Was good beef.
    Another angle. Same canteen. Prison Canteen.
    Another angle. Same canteen. Prison Canteen.
    Anyone know this bird? Seen at camp in Moyale!
    Anyone know this bird? Seen at camp in Moyale!