We Complete our Cycling Journey in Kenya!

The Karen Blixen house

Hurray! Our Bike Kenya 2012 team safely completed the cycling portion of our journey in Kenya today (Saturday). Our trek took us from Nairobi last week eastward to Narok, Bomet and Kericho, northward to Kisumu and Eldoret, and westward to Nakuru, Naivasha and back to Nairobi.

We concluded with a vigorous ride through the beautiful Ngong Hills in the Karen area of Nairobi, a place made famous by Karen Blixen's life and writings and the "Out of Africa" book and movies. We ended up at the Karen Free Methodist Church and celebrated safety and an unforgettable adventure we will surely never forget.

Mark Booth rejoined our
riders. He's on the mend!

Mark Booth rejoined our riders today, after several days on the mend from a wreck he had last Saturday. Mark took a tumble trying to avoid a pothole as our team departed Kericho. He rode through pain for several days and, after experiencing some swelling in his side and increased pain, underwent x-rays and tests at a hospital in Nakuru. X-rays all showed no broken bones or damage to organs, just bruising. He's been taking prescribed meds and staying off the bike for a few days. Today, he rode the route with vigor. On Sunday, he will speak to the Kibera FMC. Glad he and Megan have been a vital part of our team and that he is well on his way to mending.

Today's ride was surprisingly challenging. It was, after all, the Ngong HILLS. It was undulating terrain with steep descents and just as steep ascents. But the area is so lush and well cultivated.  We stopped by the Karen Blixen house but did not tour it.  Watch the movie "Out of Africa" with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford for the beautiful setting here and across Kenya.  Another movie, "I Dreamed of Africa" is filmed in this area, as well.

Our group also stopped at the Giraffe Centre and had a great time feeding numerous giraffe that are harbored and highlighted here.  A few of us dared to let giraffe take the feed pellets from our mouths. Yuck!  What interesting creatures giraffe are.  Having seen them in the wild at Nakuru and in Hell's Gate National Park, it was fun to learn more about them and have this close encounter.

Our ride today was not only hilly, but in heavy traffic.  It was our closest encounter with so many vehicles all at once. Cycling in urban areas is always a challenge, but it is also very interesting.  What is spread out over many miles and days in the countryside is compacted into a few miles and hours in the city.  For a cyclist, it takes full concentration and a bit of nerve to navigate urban terrains. But the reward can be thrilling.

We celebrated the conclusion of the cycling portion of our journey with dinner at The Carnivore, a popular and unique Nairobi restaurant that features a wide variety of game prepared and brought to your plate--everything from chicken and beef to ostrich and alligator. After peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for lunch most days, it tasted so good. We were happy to gather around a table together and give thanks for the good things of the past two weeks.

On Sunday, we plan to gather with local faith communities and tour some in the afternoon before heading to the airport in the evening for late-night flights. Our journey isn't complete, but we're definitely in wrap-up and return mode.

Again, to all: thank you for your support, prayers, attention, comments, and encouragement. We couldn't have done it without you.