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Our first view of the the Great Rift Valley not far from Nairobi. This is
where much of our Bike Kenya 2012 ride will take place. |
Nothing could have prepared us for grandeur of the Great Rift Valley that begins not far from Nairobi. Hundreds of miles wide and 4000 miles long, this phenomenon of nature is both a bread basket and home to some of the most intriguing (and dangerous) wildlife in the world. The Great Rift Valley is the focus of most of our Bike Kenya 2012 ride.
On Thursday, we pedaled from Mai Mahiu to Narok, about a 70-kilometer ride. It was our introduction to cycling in Kenya and to the Great Rift Valley. The ride included sweeping vistas and children running alongside our bicycles for miles. One boy road his bicycle nearly 10 miles with us. The day also included the longest climb, the fasted descent, and a number of challenges for individual riders. The weather was perfect--about 70 degrees and mostly sunny. In all, it was a picture-perfect way to begin a cycling journey
Our day began with several rides in tight-packed vehicles bearing us, our bikes and our luggage. We were honored and blessed with a send-off at the Karen Free Methodist Church. The Free Methodist Church of Kenya is our official host and Bishop Nixon Dingili is joining us in the ride.
We arrived at our starting point--Mai Mahiu--around 11 am and started what became a 7-hour trek westward. It was flat for the first 30 miles, but turned quite hilly for the next 25 miles. It took longer than we expected, but we wanted everyone on the team to take it easy on this first day. We arrived in Narok around 5 pm. There, we put our bikes on the vehicles once again and were driven to Bomet where we spend the night.
Friday's ride will take us from Bomet through more hilly country to Kericho. We look forward to another day of discovering the beauty in the people and land of Kenya.
Don't forget the purpose of our ride: to raise funds to build a needed new high school near Eldoret. If you have not already done so, please share a donation for the school. Use the right sidebar to make an online donation through ICCM. 100% of contributions go for the school.
Stay tuned. Updates daily (or as often as we have Internet access).
1 comment:
So glad to hear you had such a good first day. The pictures are awesome and we are greatly enjoying taking this journey with you!!
Mrs. Pierce and the Sorento 2nd graders
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