16 May: Sultan Hamud -> Kimana Santuary

Cycling distance: 100 & 80 km

total time: 6:10 hrs

elevation: 1216 m

Ave speed: 16.3 km

I had previously arranged with Peter from the Inn, to do RhinoArt with an orphanage nearby and unfortunately they cancelled at the last minute. We decided then that we would have an early start. We had a fantastic breakfast cooked by the friendly staff and left Sultan Hamud by 7:30. The morning was again, overcast and chilly but we weren’t complaining. We continued on the A109 for about 7 km before turning off the highway after the village Emali. The vegetation changed from lush green to open dry bush velt. Now the road was much quieter and barely any towns all through to Kimana. Occasionally we saw a homestead within a kraal.

Once we were off the main road, Mom and now even Erick decided to have a go at cycling. This was now very exciting!! Mom, still with a bit of a tender bottom, got right back onto the saddle. Erick, on dads bike, wanted to do the cleats and we all held our breath as he hasnt been on a bike for the last 10 years but he managed easily and off he went. Dad and I were now in the car for a few kilometres until Mom wanted to get off, just before Dad and I got too comfortable. But not Erick, he carried on zooming past. The vehicle after another few kilometres, waited for Erick but once again, he was not ready!! He carried on...WOW but we were all so impressed! Well done to the support team today for getting on the bike. Erick did over 10 km!!!

After 30 km, my left knee started throbbing with pain. I thought I'd carry on until we get to the car again to whip out our extensive first aid kit. A big shout out to Dr Immy Rogers who sponsored us some important meds and helped us out with the box. I was in great need of deep heat or some strapping. Around the corner, I was hoping to see the car, but not this time...now in absolute agony, but still Chris was by my side, pushing me up the hills and supporting me all the way, despite the moans and groans. The landscape was vast and dry, we saw a few Masai herding their livestock. This was absolutely stunning and everything I thought Kenya was, was now in front of me. After 55 km, now in severe pain, the support team found a barely operational police station due to the lack of crime, where we were welcomed by the staff to set up camp for lunch. Chris strapped my my knee and after some serious convincing, I decided its best to give the knee a rest and got into the vehicle.

Apparently at the best time, because the cyclists described the ride, although very flat, very windy, making it a challenging couple of kilometres.

I know its for the best, considering I still have another two months of cycling I need to rest for, I reluctantly sat in the car, having serious fomo! Eventually, after missing out on cycling for 20 km, I got back on my bike, trying desperately to push through until Kimana. The sun had now crept out from behind the clouds and was shining bright onto our skin. The group now sitting at +- 90 km, I on 70 km, losing our sense of humour, burning in the hot Kenyan Sun, we hit a nice downhill heading towards to Kimana. For the first time since we left the highway, we saw villages filled with people and stalls made with mud and tinned roofs. All the children came running out, flapping their arms and screaming at this novalty. This really put a smile on my face and gave me some inspiration to carry on. Just before we hit rock-bottom, we saw the Kimana Sanctuary sign, our accommodation for the night. A beautiful reserve where we paid 3500 KSH for literally just a campsite. We cycled in for about 2 km, passing gazelles with their white bums, wildebeest, zebras, giraffe, eland, baboons, all sorts of wildlife, making us all forget the tough day. We arrived to a stunning area of flat lush grass right on a stream flowing from a river. We had a snack, thanks Mom for organizing and set up camp. A very rustic bucket shower was provided, without running water so into the river the ladies went, kaalgat, scrubbing the necessary parts.

Soon after we settled into camp, an ellie was spotted at a distance slowly making its way towards us. Dad, Pips and later Erick and I walked closer and sat quietly and peacefully watching this lone ranger munching away. Just to the right of us, in the clear blue sky, we saw Killi, really topping off the day. Kimana is just stunning, the bush is green with big tall green trees and had a GnT, enjoying the sunset. After a total of 100 km cycled, I made just under 80 km, we thoroughly enjoyed our evening, making the long stretch all worth it. Mom cooked up a wicked curry which we ate around a fire, listening to the birds and the stillness of the Kenyan bush.