January 29, 2007 – Tour d’Afrique, the annual 12 000-kilometer bicycle race/expedition from Cairo to Cape Town, billed as the most grueling bicycle race on earth, has just completed its second week of the 16 week odyssey.

“The honeymoon is over!” said Cape Town racer Patrick Thomas as the riders faced the sand, dust and corrugated desert tracks of the Nubian Desert of Sudan under the full force of the African sun.

“The ride finds different parts of your body to exacerbate.” reflected Cape Town expedition rider, Darrel Wratten.

“Nothing can prepare the riders for this section in Sudan” said Tour Leader, Shanny Hill. “But they’re adjusting well to the many new aspects that this cycling epic brings.”

New sleeping patterns, different food and water, anti malaria drugs, the daily strain of the effort required to cover the distances each day, sun stroke, dehydration, desert winds, dust, fluctuations in temperature from 10 to 37 degrees and saddle sores a plenty are challenging them all beyond their limits.

But the rewards are priceless.

“Where else can you flag down a refrigerated truck and the next minute have 40 people lined up buying cold yoghurt in the middle of nowhere?” said Rachel Dobson, staff reporter for the Tour d’Afrique.

A grueling 25 kilometer desert crossing on Sunday ended in a ferry trip across the Nile River and into the sands of the Sahara Desert. The highlight of the day was riding into the bustling, friendly town of Dongola, where the riders are enjoying a well earned rest day.

Traveling through 10 African countries in all, the cyclists have already clocked up 1 400 km’s in 16 days through Egypt and Sudan.

The largest, yet least visited country in Africa, Sudan is home to over 37 million people made up of more than 550 ethnic groups. In spite of their political problems and differences, hospitality and generosity is key amongst the Sudanese people. The cyclists are constantly invited into the simple, yet beautiful mud and stone homes for chai, coffee or a meal.

While the expedition riders soak up the culture in the villages, take photos and time out to meet the people along the way, the competition amongst the racers is foreshadowing an exciting race this year.

Dutch racer, Adrie Frijters still holds the lead in the men’s race, with American rider, Christopher Maun 3 minutes behind him, while Janet Alexander from America has a comfortable 13 hour lead over South African, Alice Rawlinson, in second position in the women’s race.

From Dongola, the Tour will follow the Nile for a day and half, crossing into the Sahara desert before entering the city of Khartoum on 3rd February at the confluence of the Blue and the White Nile rivers.

For regular updates and more information visit www.tourdafrique.com

Contacts:

Theresa Brown
Tour d’Afrique – Cape Town, South Africa
Tel: +27 21 421 9342
Mobile +27 84 353 1975
Email: theresa@networld.co.za

Mike Coo
Tour d’Afrique – Toronto, Canada
Tel: +1 416 364-8255
Email: mike@tourdafrique.com