listen to africa

I had to write a blog to congratulate Eric and Amaya, who’ve just finished their epic, three year, 55,236 kilometre Africa cycling trip. Amaya says it best on their website:

We’d made it. Through parched deserts and hostile tribal zones. Through deep dark jungles and flooded roads where we pushed on, knee deep in mud. Through hundreds of chaotic African cities dodging kamikaze drivers and on the rare occasion stone-throwing teens. We’d cycled down lonely highways under big empty skies with the sun beating down on us. We’d cycled through driving rain for weeks on end and even battled our way through a snow storm. It hadn’t been easy. Many times I was on the verge of giving up– convinced that the joys weren’t worth the many moments of suffering. But on every occasion someone popped into my life and made a difference. A family pulled over to offer us tea from a thermos as the snowstorm raged. Locals invited us in to warm up and dry off during a downpour. Laughing children called out greetings as we slogged on through the heat. Kind villagers presented us with fruits and snacks, giving generously in spite of their own poverty. Someone following our blog took the time to send us an encouraging email. Small things, really, but life changing nonetheless. …

What next? Steady jobs, a comfy bed and a €600 espresso machine? Tempting yes, but… Since we’re not entirely bankrupt and not quite ready to settle down to a stationary life, the obvious thing to do is keep on pedaling and exploring the planet. Where to you ask? Ushuaia, the capital of the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego and the southernmost city in the world.

After three years on the road, Eric and Amaya are taking less than a month off before pedalling across the Americas. If you haven’t been following their Africa trip, I really recommend you follow this next one – this time raising money for World Bicycle Relief. They’re wonderful writers, and their World Biking website has a wealth of information for other overlanders.

Meanwhile, over the next few weeks and months, a few other adventurers are dusting off their saddles and about to begin new African adventures.

In less than a week’s time, EyeOnAfrica leaves the UK from the London Eye to pedal to Cape Town, raising money for Childreach International. They’re aiming to get to Cape Town just in time for the World Cup, so hopefully they’ll give us a wave as they overtake us!

In mid-July, Elvis Humphrey is Cycling Around Africa, setting off from Arusha in Tanzania to Cape Town in South Africa. Among his aims are conducting a field study of the natural attractions and locations along the way; promoting eco-tourism; surveying the area; and identifying and establishing contacts with stakeholders in the region.

Also in July, Dan Harrison will leave London on his solo Better Life Cycle through Europe, the Middle East and Africa, aiming to raise £100,000 in sponsorship to give directly to orphanages en route. He’s aiming to arrive in Cape Town summer 2010.

And in just under two months, Helen Lloyd will set off for her solo Take On Africa expedition. As well as raising money for the Welbodi Partnership, the project aims to give a view, through the lens, of the countries she travels through and the people she meets.

In August, Goodwill Gadabout heads off, also from the UK (what is it with us Brits and trans-Africa cycling trips?) to Cape Town via 16 countries, raising money for Bikes without Borders, Greenpeace and Water Aid.

Also in August, Peter Gostelow sets off to Cycle Africa, raising money for the Against Malaria Foundation. Expect great photography.

Finally, I’m not sure when they’re leaving but Climate Cycle Africa is a project to give voice to those experiencing climate change. Their website‘s still being built, but you can follow them on Twitter in the meantime. Update: they’re leaving in the autumn.

If I’ve forgotten anyone, it’s not deliberate; please leave a comment and I’ll add you to the list.

Update (28/05/2009): Turns out, I did forget someone – LongWayHome. In June, Polly and Rob will set off from South Africa back to the their home in the UK, raising money for two South African charities: Hippo Rollers and Lulisandla Kwmtwana. Sorry about that, and thanks to Helen Lloyd for pointing it out!

Bonne route, and maybe see some of you on the road!