10 to 4 Race and MTB Safari - Kenya, Feb 2005
Outline + Itinerary
Introduction: In Feb 2006 Extreme Safari will be taking a team of riders to Kenya to compete in the legendary 10-to-4 Mountain Bike Challenge – a 6,000 feet descent from a staggering altitude of 10,000 ft on Mount Kenya. The course will take us through a variety of terrain, down rocky trails and twisting single-track; from high alpine terrain, to moorland, then down through rain forest as we approach the park gate.
After the race the group will embark on a 5 day mountain bike safari, descending the foothills of Mount Kenya before crossing the great Laikipia Plains in Kenya’s wild Northern Frontier District. We’ll be crossing private game sanctuaries and ranches on a combination of dirt roads and singletrack. Here the riders will encounter gazelle, giraffe, ostrich and other plains game. They will then tackle a technical descent of the Great Rift Valley escarpment, dropping into the deepest section of the vast geological feature which runs 5,000 km from Syria to Mozambique and ripped East Africa in half some 15 million years ago.
The ride ends at Lake Baringo where the team will rest up before setting out on a short safari to Lake Nakuru National Park and Lake Naivasha. For those who have time we will spend a week on the Kenyan Coast, where you will not only be able to recover but also try your hand at kitesurfing and scuba-diving. A photographer + journalist will be riding with us to record the trip for UK + European MTB Magazines.
There is a serious side to the event - we’ll be supporting 3 charities in Kenya: the Bill Woodley Mt Kenya Trust, The Born Free Foundation, and Watu wa Maana - a children's orphanage in Ruiru. For more details on the Charities involved please see the Appendix.
Outline Itinerary (may be subject to change)
1] Fri 24th Feb’06 - transfer from JKIA or Nairobi Hotel with bikes to Timau Fishing Lodge on full board. Afternoon setting up bikes. Short ride, time permitting. Overnight TFL.
2] Sat 25th Feb’06 - today we’ll have a chance to acclimatise (getting used to riding at this altitude will be one of the major challenges) and to warm-up on some easier downhill trails on the north and west slopes of Mount Kenya (mainly 4x4 tracks and animal trails). We’ll be driven to the top of the trail in 4x4 vehicles before riding down, choosing our route to the bottom - fast, long descents!. Drive to campsite at start of race before nightfall; set up tents. Sundowners and dinner. (This is at 10,000ft so warm clothes and sleeping bags required.) Overnight 10 to 4 Campsite.
3] Sun26th - 6am wake up. Breakfast. Final race preparations. Walk bikes to start of race at 07:30. Over 100 riders start the race, a 60 km route dropping from 10,000 feet on Mount Kenya down to the Ngare Ndare forest with some up-hill sections, down over the escarpment descending to 4,000 feet to finish at the award winning eco-lodge, Il Ngwesi. Terrain - The course will take us through a variety of terrain, down rocky trails and twisting single-track, opening into wider, muddy tracks as we near the finish; We’ll drop from high alpine terrain, to moorland where we’ll find huge specimens of St John's Wort interspersed with small thickets of Bamboo; then down through rain forest, cedar and podocarpus trees as we approach the park gate. (The quickest riders finish in around 2 hours, the rest coming in anything up to 3 hours later).
Afternoon at leisure. [Additional activities by arrangement.]
After the race there’s a prize giving ceremony and an opportunity to share stories (and a few Tuskers). Dinner and overnight at Finish Line Camp Campsite (at 4,000ft).
4] Mon 27th -..alt: 1000m/ distance 45kms approx terrain - extreme up and down.
Our ride takes us through Borana ranch to the Makagodo Forest down the most incredible escarpments [steep gradients, slippery surfaces of gravel and rock, passing through forested areas with great views] down to Tassia Lodge. Though we won't be covering huge distances it is challenging riding. Dinner and overnight Tassia or similar (depending on availability).
5] Tues 28th - alt: 1000m/ distance 100kms over extremes to easy.
Today’s ride will give you the best of the mountains, kopjes and plains of the Laikipia Plateau, exciting and truly beautiful country to Simon Evans Campsite on the Ewaso Nyiro River – dinner and overnight.
6] Weds 01st March - alt: 1000m/ 120kms approx, mainly flat and rough.
Today’s experience is to the other side of the Laikipia Plateau, a long ride across the plains with some plains game en-route including gazelle, giraffe, ostrich and with luck others. Tonight we will camp in Bobong or similar with dinner and overnight.
7] Thurs 02nd - alt:1000m/ 80kms. Descent of the Great Rift Valley Escarpment. Extreme downhill, rocky singletrack and dirt trails with some flat and rough sections - a lot of fun!
The track is rocky and an escarpment with great views of Lake Baringo links with the main Maralal to ‘Campi ya Samaki’ road. Dinner and overnight Lake Baringo Lodge or similar f/b. [Q Samatian Camp]
8] Fri 03rd - after a hearty breakfast we make an early departure and head for the world famous Lake Nakuru National Park. Famous as a ‘World Heritage site’, this park boast large numbers of lesser and greater flamingo, many varieties of water birds, rhinos, buffalo, the elusive leopard and many species of plains game - a great park! We will enjoy a packed lunch before returning to Nairobi, stopping off at the in time to enjoy a farewell dinner at the Carnivore. Overnight Mayfair Hotel (or return flight to UK for those not staying for the 2nd week).
9] Sat 04th - morning visit to Watu Wa Maana Children’s Centre, Ruiru. We will visit the centre and learn about how the funds we have raised will supporting this worthy project. Late afternoon flight to Mombasa (bikes can be left at our base in Nairobi) . Transfer to Diani. Overnight Kokonut Cottages, Galu Beach (half-board).
10] Sun 05th - Fri 10th - 8 nights spent relaxing on the spectacular Galu Beach - a remote hideaway set in tropical forests. The beaches are brilliant-white and the exotic waters of the Indian Ocean rarely drop below 29 degrees. Optional activities include - kitesurfing, scuba-diving, deep-sea fishing and snorkelling (all of which must be booked in advance). At the Cottages you will have the exclusive services of a chef (who will prepare breakfast and dinner to your exact requirements - fresh fish, exotic local fruits and vegetables - lobster, crab and king prawns for a nominal extra charge.
16] Sat 11th - relax on the beach in the morning. Afternoon transfer to Mombasa. Flight to Nairobi and connect with international flight to London (overnight). (Our guides will meet you at the airport with your bikes).
17] Sun 12th - Arrive in London. End of Services.
Trip Includes:
International flights, internal flights, hotels in Nairobi (if required), internal transfers, accommodation and activities as per itinerary, meals as per itinerary.
Coast extension included by request.
Excludes:
Visas, drinks, tips, items of a personal nature, anything not stated to be included.
Mountain Bike Safari includes:
Services of 1 accomplished rider/ mechanic/ guide per 6 riders as well as tour leader, an experienced mountain biker and safari guide.
Transport in safari vehicle [because of the tough terrain we will be crossing we will be using 4x4’s] with English speaking driver/ guide + bicycle trailer; bicycle mechanic / guide; full board on safari; accommodation as per itinerary; camp fees;
Mountain Bike Safari Excludes:
Park fees [Baringo/ L. Nakuru @ US$30 pp x 2]; drinks [we will supply bottled water]; extras of a personal nature; medical and evacuation insurance [available @US$128 pp for 1 month]; tips; sleeping bags [can be hired @ 300k.shs pppnight];
What to bring:
*cycling clothes (body-armour optional), shoes; gloves; sunglasses; helmet; puncture kit, pump, spares, etc.
*warm clothes for evenings including all weather jacket
*camera; film; torch;
*personal toiletries including plasters; antiseptic cream and fluid; sun block 35; anti malaria medication as prescribed by medical practitioner;
*day pack to carry day's water (or Camelback), snacks, camera etc; luggage in soft sided duffel bag or rucksack – no suitcases please.
* bike insurance + locks - the bikes will be guarded (and locked-up) at all times but please ensure that your bikes are insured. We cannot be held liable for theft.
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Appendix - Charity Fund-Raising
Whilst this event will be great fun and a great challenge, there is also a serious side to it - we’ll supporting 3 charities in Kenya: the Bill Woodley Mt Kenya Trust, The Born Free Foundation, and Watu wa Maana - a children's orphanage in Ruiru.
The Bill Woodley Mt Kenya Trust
The entry fees for the 10 to 4 (US$ 200) will go directly to the Bill Woodley Mt Kenya Trust. The Trust was set up in honour of the veteran Mt Kenya game warden to preserve and protect the Mount Kenya environment. Projects include the protection of Mount Kenya as a water-catchment area (it's one of Kenya's most important source of water), protecting wildlife and rare flora native to the region, and combating poaching, illegal cultivation of marijuana, over-grazing and illegal logging which are threatening the area.
The Born Free Foundation
An international wildlife charity working throughout the world to prevent wild animal suffering and protect threatened species in the wild. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and is dedicated to the conservation of rare species in their natural habitat, and the phasing out of traditional zoos.
Watu Wa Maana Children’s Centre, Ruiru, Kenya
The Watu Wa Maana (or ‘VIP’) Centre’s aim is to re-integrate and re-habilitate street children in one of Nairobi’s roughest slum areas. Like almost every African city, Nairobi is full of street children - kids who live and sleep on the streets, begging and scavenging for food and scraps. Sanitation and health issues are inevitably very poor and the children are easy prey for pimps, dealers and criminals. The Centre has a street kid population of about 200 and their aim is to house each and every one of the children. The VIP centre currently houses only 10% of the street children in the area and funds are urgently needed to feed the existing residents and to expand to accommodate more.
© Extreme Safari 2005
