From Naivasha to Nairobi (Karendi)

The day’s ride from Naivasha started with a steady incline that became a more dramatic ascent. We climbed and climbed until we reached the highest point of our two-week journey at 2717 meters, somewhere between Naivasha and Nairobi. The four-hour climb from 8 am to 12 noon was exhausting.

Our exhaustion faded as we looked out over the Great Rift Valley.  It seemed like we could see forever.  We briefly glimpsed a similar view last week as we headed into the south side of the Great Rift Valley.  Today, our view from the north was breathtaking.

A long steady descent into Nairobi was the thrill of the afternoon.  We hardly cranked a pedal for many miles and our speeds were over 25 miles per hour most of the way into Nairobi.  After all the climbing we’ve done, it felt great to coast downhill for a while.

We rode into the Karendi area of Nairobi in formation, led by team member Bishop Nixon Dingili and were welcomed at the Karen Free Methodist Church by those who had sent us off at the beginning of our excursion.  We honored one another and our Kenyan friends with a ceremonial foot washing—trying to reflect the actions of Jesus and the spirit of the “serving safari” we’ve been on.

Tomorrow (Saturday), we take our last ride together in the Ngong Hills on the southwest area of Nairobi.  We’re looking forward to this and to a day of celebration and departure on Sunday.